Pads & Panels

Title: Dumbo

Format: 70th Anniversary Edition: Blu-ray + DVD

Directed by: Samuel Armstrong, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Bill Roberts, Ben Sharpsteen

Written by: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Otto Englander

Studio: Disney

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

When I was a little kid, my uncle gave me a VHS tape of Pinocchio that he dubbed for me, and at the beginning of that tape was (what I remember being just part of) Dumbo, to fill out the length of the tape. So I had always been exposed to Dumbo, but I never really considered it a feature on its own (at 64 minutes, it technically is one, though obviously on the short side), but more like a “short” that I’d watch before…unless I decided to skip it.

Skipping it was common, though, because despite the fantastic imagery and simplistic nature of the tale that should have appealed to my childhood self, I never really cared for Dumbo. And upon watching it some 20 years later (and 70 years after its initial release), I cannot say I’ve been converted. I respect the animation, and can see why it has remained a classic, but ultimately it’s nothing I’d go out of my way to watch again and again. (more…)

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Title: Tangled 3D

Format: 4 Disc Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy

Directed By: Nathan Greno, Bryon Howard

Written By: Dan Fogelman (screenplay) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (fairy tale)

Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi

Studio: Disney

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Thomas Braaksma

The Film

Disney marks its 50th Animated Release with a reimagining of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel in Tangled 3D. Tangled carries this honor gracefully with one of Disney’s best films not released under the Pixar name in a long time. The film also brings one of the best uses of the 3D experience into the home.

Tangled is the story we all know of Rapunzel and her long, beautiful hair, trapped in a high tower with whom she thinks is her mother but is actually a wicked witch. There is, of course, the unlikely hero Flynn Rider, a thief that stumbles across Rapunzel while fleeing the royal guard after stealing the crown with some malicious goons. These characters are all done in typical Disney fashion, but there are some additional characters; a protective lizard that is Rapunzel’s only friend and a royal guard’s horse determined to capture Rider. (more…)

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The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Warriors Vols. 1 & 2 DVD

By Bill Jones

Marvel and Walt Disney Studios couldn’t have timed the release of an Avengers animated television show much better than they did with The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Season 1 aired last year, and hits DVD just in time for the release of Thor in theaters. With Captain America coming this summer and The Avengers’ big-screen debut planned for 2012, the animated version offers viewers a nice primer into the world of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

The first two volumes of the show comprises 13 episodes over two, individually released discs, each in shiny slipcase covers. The first volume features seven episodes, using the first five to introduce the characters one at a time – Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Ant-Man – followed by the two-part “Breakout” story. The second volume introduces a few more characters over six episodes, and features battles with Klaw, Baron Zemo, The Enchantress and some Gamma-Mutated Monsters, ending with the two part “Gamma World” story.

Both volumes offer a sneak peak at Season 2 of the series, which has yet to air on Disney XD. The first volume also contains the bonus feature, “New Looks, New Heroes,” with the show’s creators taking a look at the evolving characters and storylines of Season 2. The second volume offers a companion featurette in “New Stories, New Threats,” with a look from the same creative team at what makes the Marvel heroes and villains unique.

Frankly, I’m not a huge fan of the volume releases, as opposed to full seasons. I’d rather have one box with several discs than smaller installments. But for what it’s worth, I like the direction of the show thus far. The individual character introductions work well, and the whole thing has the vibe of the X-Men animated cartoon we all grew up loving. The first two discs are a nice introduction to the series, and a great look into the background of The Avengers for noobs looking to get caught up before summer’s other big comic-movie event hits.

For more info, http://disney.go.com/xd/avengers

Pads & Panels received copies of the DVDs courtesy of the studio for review purposes.

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Title: Tron Legacy 3D and Tron Blu-ray Collection

Format: Blu-ray 3D

Directed By: Joseph Kosinski

Written By: Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde

Studio: Disney

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Thomas Braaksma

The Film

Tron came zooming back into theaters last year with Tron Legacy 3D after a long absence from the world. Disney now releases it upon the small screen with a fully packed 5-disc option. The 5-disc bundle comes with the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital Copy, and the re-release of the original classic on Blu-ray. This barrage of discs might at first seem excessive but with the different format options out there today it is a convenient pick up for the Tron lover. (more…)

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Title: Bambi: Two-Disc Diamond Edition

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo

MPAA Rating: G

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

The Film

It may seem cliche, but there’s truly something magical about Disney films. While still maintaining their innocence, the “pomp and circumstance” presentation that always goes along with them gets the point across that something truly wonderful is about to appear on the screen.  Bambi, Disney’s fourth feature film, finally gets the Blu-ray treatment close to seventy years after its initial release. With plenty of extras, a digital remastering and restoration, this offering is sure to seem attractive to any collector. (more…)

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Title: Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Written by: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, Cary Elwes

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Feature Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

A Christmas Carol has been adapted countless times in various formats by various artists. Disney’s latest attempt at keeping the Charles Dickens classic relevant for modern audiences may be the most technologically advanced of the bunch, but despite its visual prowess and stellar performances by its actors, the elements don’t do the story service, and fail to reinvigorate the tale to justify the latest attempt. (more…)

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2010 Holiday Gift Guide – For the PSP Fan…

By P&P Staff

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Valkyria Chronicles II

Sega managed to cram a full-fledged sequel to it’s PS3 tactical RPG, Valkyria Chonicles onto the PSP while maintaining the original game’s strategy and stylized watercolor art style. Although the units may be smaller, they’re no less powerful, as this proves to be more than a worthwhile followup to one of the PS3’s stand-out titles of 2008. The military strategist on your list (and who doesn’t have one?) will thank you for this one. (more…)

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Title: Disney Guilty Party

Platform: Wii

ESRB: E

Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios

Developer: Wideload Games

Rating: Rating:

Review By: Archie Easter

Quality titles on the Wii that aren’t made by Nintendo can be few and far between. So it’s refreshing to see that the Wideload Games developed Disney Guilty Party stands out as a generally well-designed and family-oriented party game that is both entertaining and filled with humor that will appeal to both children and adults. Unfortunately, there are a few minor missteps preventing it from reaching super-sleuth status. (more…)

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Title: Marvel Super Hero Squad Show Vol. 1 Quest for the Infinity Sword

Format: DVD

Directed by: Michael Gerard, Patty Shinagawa, Mitch Schauer

Producer: Marvel, Shout! Factory

Rating:

Review by: Jason King

Disney’s buyout of Marvel was deeply canny for both parties – Marvel gains Disney’s shadow of distribution to provide what should be a more effective core competency (selling comic books to the young) – and Disney gains some famous names that, fears aside, will probably be used effectively.

The Marvel Super Hero Squad Show, within that framework, is a very odd show that addresses none of the potential benefits, but it is a show that I love and look forward to watching more. In many ways, it is a video successor to Twisted Toyfare Theatre that Robot Chicken has never been for me. (more…)

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Title: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Format: Blu-ray

MPAA: PG-13

Directed by: Mike Newell

Written by: Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, Alfred Molina

Producer: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

For Bill’s review of the film, originally published May 28, 2010, click here.

The Blu-ray

No matter what anyone thinks about the film itself, it’s hard to deny that Disney is putting out some of the best hi-def packages right now. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time comes as a three-disc combo pack, containing a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy. (more…)

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