Ben wrote:I <I>was</I> holding back!
But that's not really on, is it? Adding a second disc of footage that's at least 80-85%, if not more, been previously available?
I'm hoping the "You Can Fly" segment is more than the 15-20 minute general piece we got created for the LD and that appeared on the SE. If it's not some 50 minute upgrade, this doesn't deserve the Platinum badge.
I'll be honestly truthful, Ben.
I WAS kind of hoping Disney would port over a LOT MORE of the special features from the LD releases IN ADDITION to never-before-seen to the publlic extras. I also wish that in more than one case we got the ORIGINAL versions of these films released to DVD (Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Lady & The Tramp, Fantasia) instead of reworked special editions. It's a travesty that Disney management felt animation had to be retweaked and scenes cut for silly politically correct purposes.
I also don't think we got the best Snow White on DVD, either. The LD release had a far superior restoration that DIDN'T remove all the film grain, tweak the color, and make the film look like a direct-to-video release. Travesty. A far bigger shame than re-releasing old extras in my opinion.
Those LDs won't last forever. There are already stories of LDs rotting from the inside-out and goodness knows some of the Disney LDs released in the US had lousy video quality anyway. In fact, in more than a few cases the Japanese LDs were far superior in quality!
I don't know. I guess I see this differently. Yes, I do own many of the LDs ALREADY, but this stuff isn't getting younger and my LD player won't hold out forever. I'm already making plans to port over some material to DVD when I figure out HOW to record this stuff to the format but I'm also glad a professional re-release job is being done with some of these extras.
I can't fault you on being upset with Disney on some of their DVD issues, however. Goodness knows that I don't think they've been perfect, either, and that many of the 2-disc releases within the past few years just don't justify having a second disc in those packs! Still, Disney is by far the best home video company when it comes to how they treat MOST of their animated releases.
It's sad how WB continues to treat their creme-of-the-crop theatrical shorts (Tom & Jerry, Tex Avery, arguably Looney Tunes) while they give the deluxe treatment to the H-B TV series which frankly don't merit that consideration in my honest opinion. Sure, the early 1960s H-B TV series are fun stuff, but they're really the equivalent of junk food when you get down to it. The WB animation gourmet selections are STILL the theatrical Looney Tunes, Tex Avery, and original MGM Tom & Jerry shorts. That stuff shouldn't be treated like red-headed stepchildren as it is now. I still don't get all the excitement and extra care given by WB to Scooby-Doo when that is by far the most overrated H-B TV series ever!
At least Disney understands its theatrical features are really the lifesblood and greatest animation legacy of the company. Now, if only they'd release the REST of the animated shorts that they began releasing with the Treasures sets...