BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "PIXAR"Receive Blu-ray News via RSS

Rating Pixar: From Worst to First

Wed Nov 02, 2011 at 03:15 PM ET
Tags: Pixar, Aaron Peck, Fun Stuff (all tags)

by Aaron Peck

Disney has just released a wide variety of their CG animated classics on Blu-ray 3D, including the much anticipated 'Toy Story' titles that 3D enthusiasts everywhere have been waiting for. So we thought we'd commemorate the occasion with a complete ranking of Pixar's illustrious filmography, going from worst to first.

Pixar has had an overwhelming amount of success. Compared to other movie studios they've put out the most consistent line of quality films since 1995. They simply know how to tell meaningful stories, with colorful characters, set against a backdrop of stunning, jaw-dropping CGI animation that truly revolutionized animated filmmaking.

Now you've got to understand that picking through the line-up of Pixar movies and ranking them accordingly from worst to first is one of the hardest lists I've ever had to create, mostly because trying to rank them is akin to trying to rank your own kids according to how much you love them. There's only one Pixar movie I really hate, which I guess makes it the red-headed step-child of the family. The rest, however, are separated by only a few percentage points.

12. 'Cars 2'


The one Pixar movie that I could completely do without. So much so, I won't even be adding it to my collection. That's how much I loathed this movie. It was high time that Pixar released a stinker – they've been too good for too long – and boy did this one have quite the stench, namely the Odor of Larry the Cable Guy. It's almost as if the brains at Pixar had just had enough and decided that this movie was going to coast along, relying on the fact that it was going to sell gobs of merchandise. I hate to think John Lasseter and crew mailed it in, but that's what it felt like here. It was so bad in fact that you couldn't say, "Well, even Pixar's worst is better than most other studio's best." It simply didn't live up to the lofty expectations that the studio has set for itself.

The entire movie evened out to around 70 minutes of Larry the Cable Guy delivering animated stand-up comedy, while the rest of the movie was padded with familiar 'Cars' jokes and a few guest appearances from Lightning McQueen. Yes, the star of the franchise took a backseat during this movie. It's not that he made the greatest character in the first place, but 'The Mater Show' was a painful experience all around.

11. 'Cars'

Over the years 'Cars' has become less and less entertaining to me. It always seemed like the Pixar franchise that was created more to sell toys than to be a good movie. I can still get through the first 'Cars' without disliking it too much. Its animation is glorious and its storyline is a light-hearted kiddie version of 'Doc Hollywood.' There's nothing too offensive about 'Cars' it's just that when compared to the other Pixar movies I doesn't really seem to stand up in quality. It's one of the few Pixar movies that can be used over and over as an electronic babysitter for the kids, but it will likely end up boring adults after they've seen it a few too many times.

10. 'A Bug's Life'

Now here's where we enter a bit of a gray area. From here on out this list is extremely close. Even though their positions may seem like they're way behind number one, they're only separated by the slimmest of margins.

So it is with 'A Bug's Life.' A wholly entertaining film which produces its own spin on the age-old tale of 'Seven Samurai.' If there's a reason I rank this one so low, it's that it just doesn't emotionally resonate with me like most of the other Pixar films. It's a fun story, full of hilarious characters and a good helping of danger, but for me there's just a little something missing from it. That emotionally heart-tugging moment that has become a hallmark of Pixar movies.

9. 'Toy Story 3'

This may seem like a strange ranking for Pixar's newest 'Toy Story' film. Needless to say this has really been one of the most successful and entertaining film franchises known to man. Somehow the 'Toy Story' movies have either gotten better or maintained the same quality throughout the entire trilogy. Even though I hold apprehension about the recently announced fourth 'Toy Story' movie, I must admit I felt the same anxiety about this one. Could lightning strike a third time? Was Pixar finally running out of ideas and doubling back on itself? Could they possibly pull off another quality piece of storytelling?

I may have 'Toy Story 3' ranked in the ninth spot, but that doesn't mean I disliked it. Quite the opposite, I enjoyed this movie immensely. Its ending is the perfect send-off for such memorable characters. If there's one thing that causes 'Toy Story 3' to be ranked so low in my opinion it's that the story of Buzz and Woody -- frightened about Andy moving on -- seems like the exact same story they used in the second movie. Even then though, 'Toy Story 3' was able to turn it up a notch and face the toys with a real mortality question. What will happen to them when Andy finally gives them up? He's not going to keep them around forever.

8. 'Finding Nemo'

Arguably the most beautiful movie Pixar has ever released. They recreated an underwater environment that has yet to be rivaled by CG animators. The world Marlin the clownfish inhabits is a colorful, vibrant universe full of exotic life. It really is one of the most ambitious world's when we're talking about CG animation. 'Nemo' is simply stunning to look at. So much so, it's easy to pause it at any part in the movie and wish you could print out that screencap for your wall. We actually decided to go with an ocean theme for my newborn boy's room, and guess what we hung on the wall? Yup, prints of scenes straight out of 'Nemo.'

I honestly can't think of a real "negative" thing to say about the movie. From this point on it's almost reasonable to say we have an eight-way photo finish for first place. That's how close these movies are in my eyes.

Now where's our Blu-ray release? You've got to think that the intricately constructed world of 'Nemo' is going to be one of the best demo releases out there whenever Disney decides to release it.

7. 'Toy Story'

Ah, the innovator. The movie that started it all. The film that defined a new medium in film. Who knew that CG animation would almost completely replace hand-drawn animation? After 'Toy Story' we saw a veritable revolution in animation. It completely changed the industry as we knew it. Hand-drawn animation was a thing of the past – for better or worse – CG animation was here to stay.

While so many other studios out there tried to imitate the success of Pixar's first full-length feature, none could really come close. They mistook the reason for Pixar's success with the movie-going public. It wasn't that everyone was completely flabbergasted by the new animation techniques; instead it was Pixar's truly thoughtful, moving tale of a group of toys that came to life when no one was around. A movie that never really pandered specifically to children. A movie which also included grown-up humor. That's what made, and continues to make Pixar so popular, their ability to include every demographic in some way is quite amazing. It all started with 'Toy Story.'

6. 'Ratatouille'

I remember seeing previews for this movie and thinking, "Well, this is most likely going to be the first Pixar movie I dislike." I just couldn't picture a movie about a rat who cooks in Paris being all that fun or engaging. I wondered how it would score with children who normally wouldn't be able to handle what seemed like a fairly abstract premise. This wasn't a simple a tale of toys secretly coming to life, or monsters living in closets.

I was glad my initial trepidations about the movie were simply wrong. 'Ratatouille' is an altogether genius setup and execution. It whisks you along with lush animation and an intricately emotional story. Speaking of emotion, I still get teary-eyed every time Anton Ego takes that very first bite of ratatouille at the end. The way that scene is handled is masterful.

5. 'Toy Story 2'

One of the few sequels that I can unequivocally say is better than the first. Not that 'Toy Story' is a slouch by any means, but 'Toy Story 2' is the movie that really solidified Pixar as a force to be reckoned with. The only real competitor that Pixar had was Dreamworks and the only movie they had released by this time was 'Antz.' Even though 'Shrek' came shortly after and made a boatload of money at the box office, Pixar had already put out three premium quality films and set the bar so high it would be almost impossible for other studios to live up to them.

They were able to take their original story and characters that started it all, and expound on them exponentially. They seamlessly integrated new characters into the franchise which became just as loveable as the originals. They produced a storyline that was full of fun and humor, but also comprised just enough danger to keep everyone interested. 'Toy Story 2' really is one of the best movies Pixar has to offer.

4. 'Monsters, Inc.'

I remember seeing 'Monsters, Inc.' for the first time and being in awe about the direction CG animation was going. Sully's hair was something to behold. The way it moved and flowed offered a sense of realism that CG hadn't even attempted until then. It was marvelously rendered, creating something so lifelike that it simply left me stunned.

It helped that 'Monsters, Inc.' also offered a great story, featuring numerous fun asides that Pixar snuck in that make me laugh even today. Every time I watch it I notice another monster detail that may have escaped me before. The level and scope of 'Monsters, Inc.' was amazing from start to finish. It remains one of my all-time favorite Pixar movies.

3. 'Up'

That first few minutes of 'Up' are what really makes this movie for me. The rest of the film is fun, humorous and full of adventure, but that dialogue-free beginning is literally some of the most heart-wrenching cinema I've ever watched. If the last scene in 'Ratatouille' gets me teary-eyed, the first scene in 'Up' turns me into a blubbering mess. Watching Carl and Ellie meet and grow old is so sweet, so tender, that you completely forget you're supposedly watching a kids' film. Then you realize you're watching a movie made for everyone.

That first portion of 'Up' is tremendously skilled filmmaking. Pixar was able to create a wholly original beginning without dialogue that not only managed to keep adults engrossed in the emotional aspect of what was happening, but oddly enough, it never alienates the children in the audience. Somehow that passionately created montage of Carl's life that was walks an almost impossible tightrope of universal adoration.

2. 'Wall-e'

'Wall-e' seemed like a monumental task really. Not since Dumbo had a feature character done so little speaking. What dialogue Wall-e did have was more electronic noises than anything. The entire crux of the movie rested on Wall-e's character design. How Pixar was able to create a loveable, relatable robot with binocular eyes I will never know.

'Wall-e's story was demonized by some commentators, saying that it was intentionally forcing a liberal agenda on the kids of the world. I disagree. It's simply a "what if?" scenario. What if earth became so wasteful we had to live on a cruise ship in space because we'd covered the world in trash? Truthfully, I thought it was brave of the guys at Pixar to portray the future of this race of humans as morbidly obese bags of flesh. In a world where shows like 'Glee' teaches teenagers that being obese is the same thing as being a different race or having a disability, the team behind 'Wall-e' was bold to take a stance on the subject that was pretty far from politically correct. In my mind that's a very commendable attribute.

1. 'The Incredibles'

I've said it before and I'll say it again, 'The Incredibles' isn't just my favorite Pixar film, it's also one of my favorite superhero films ever made. Pixar managed to create a completely new group of superheroes who, after the movie is over, are just as memorable and likeable as superhero mainstays like Superman and Batman.

'The Incredibles' also offered a much more adult-oriented movie experience. While it was fun for the kids to ogle the superpowers, the sense of real danger and excitement is a draw for many adults. At first I was taken aback by Pixar's willingness to not only show violence, but also imply that there are people in this movie – namely Syndrome's henchmen – that actually die. There aren't any convenient ejection seats when their flying contraptions burst into balls of flame when they collide with rock walls. It seems like an odd thing to focus on, but I think it's a pretty important aspect of the movie.

Not to mention the fact that 'The Incredibles' perfectly blended a superhero movie with all the best bits of the 'Bond' movies that have come throughout the past few decades. 'The Incredibles' is a thrilling ride, and for my money the best ride Pixar has to offer.

Whew! That was one tough list. I know that everyone has their own opinion when it comes to ranking the Pixar movies and I look forward to checking out your lists in the forums. Follow the link below and let us all know how you'd rank Pixar's filmography from first to worst.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


High-Def Digest Attends Virtual Roundtable with Pixar's Rob Gibbs

Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 12:20 PM ET
Tags: Tom Landy, Disney, Pixar (all tags)

by Tom Landy

The director of the all-new Mater short included in the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of 'Cars 2' recently hosted a Q & A roundtable and High-Def Digest was there!

Rob Gibbs has been a director for numerous shorts found in Pixar’s 'Cars Toons: Mater’s Tall Tales' featuring the lovable rusted tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. Gibbs co-directed 'Rescue Squad Mater,' 'Mater the Greater,' 'El Materdor,' and 'Tokyo Mater' with John Lasseter and Victor Navone, and also teamed up with Lasseter again on 'Unidentified Flying Mater,' 'Monster Truck Mater,' and 'Heavy Metal Mater.' But that's not all, he also buckled up in the driver's seat for 'Moon Mater,' 'Mater Private Eye,' and 'Air Mater' -- the latest addition to the "tall tales" series that also serves as a sort of tie-in to the upcoming 'Cars' spinoff, 'Planes.'

After treating us to a sneak peek of the full 'Air Mater' short, Rob spent a good two hours answering questions at the virtual roundtable (including a few submitted by High-Def Digest). We've included a full transcript of the Q & A session below for our readers.

Q: Your daughter Mary is the voice of Boo in 'Monsters, Inc.' Her performance of the voice of Boo was really great, and we were so moved. What is she doing now?

Rob Gibbs: She is now 15 years old and in her second year of high school. She has been doing cheerleading and gymnastics and recently started playing ice hockey. You can also hear her voice in the 'Monsters Inc.' ride at Disneyland.

Q: What is your impression of John Lasseter? What is he like to work with?

Rob Gibbs: Besides his nice collection of Hawaiian shirts, he has been a great mentor to me. He knows everything there is to know about animation and filmmaking, and watching him direct has helped me develop my craft.

Q: What is the difference between directing short films and feature films?

Rob Gibbs: The biggest difference with short films is that you have to setup the situation quickly and "pay it off" in a short amount of time. In a feature you can go a little deeper in developing the story and characters. The attention to detail and quality of work is the same as working on a feature.

Q: Would you be interested in directing full length feature films? If so, what kind of feature films would you like to direct?

Rob Gibbs: Yes. I've enjoyed the short format, it has been fun, but if given the opportunity, I would jump at the chance to direct a feature project. The kind of film that would interest me would be one that's awesome!

Q: What is the attraction for you to create short films?

Rob Gibbs: I have always loved short animated films from Popeye to Bugs Bunny. I love going to the theater and seeing a short before the movie. I have always admired the Pixar shorts and I'm glad they continue to make them.

Q: You have been directing a lot of 'Mater’s Tall Tales,' would you please let us know the how you were assigned the Mater’s Tall tales projects?

Rob Gibbs: It started out with developing short ideas for the 'Cars' world. I drew the storyboards and worked with an editor to create story reels. Fom there, they thought it would be a good idea for me to direct them.

Q: Do you think you resemble Mater yourself? Are there any similarities or do you relate more to another character in Cars?

Rob Gibbs: Sure, there's a little Mater in all of us. My teeth might not be as big, but like Mater tells his tall tales, I like to tell a few tales of my own. I'm a little rusty but all my stories have a hook.

Q: What is your most favorite character in Disney animation and in Pixar animation?

Rob Gibbs: In Disney animation, I have always admired Pinocchio but one of my favorite characters is Thumper from 'Bambi.' In Pixar animation, Boo from 'Monster's Inc.' shares a special place in my heart.

HDD: What is your personal favorite character in the 'Cars' universe and why?

Rob Gibbs: I've worked more on Mater then any of the other characters, but in the world of 'Cars,' Guido the little fork lift is always fun to have around. He even has a small part in 'Air Mater.'

Q: My six year old twins who are big fans of the "Tales" wanted to know "How did they think up the idea to have them [Mater's Tales]?"

Rob Gibbs: We were exploring a lot of ideas for shorts with the 'Cars' characters. One of our animators, Bobby Podesta, suggested that the shorts could be about Mater telling tall tales. That opened the door for endless possibilities. I don't think we could ever run out of situations to put Mater in.

Q: What is your favorite "tall tale" and why?

Rob Gibbs: 'Heavy Metal Mater' is an awesome one because of the music and how over the top it goes. 'Mater Private Eye' was a fun one to work on because of the dialogue and homage to film noir. However, the most recent one always becomes my new favorite, so, right now, that's 'Air Mater.'

Q: Do you still love creating these Mater shorts or are you hoping to do something new?

Rob Gibbs: I love being involved in the Mater shorts but I'm always open to exploring other possibilities.

Q: What is your favourite Disney/Pixar film of all time?

Rob Gibbs: 'Toy Story' blew me away when I first saw it and it remains my favorite Pixar film.

Q: What do you believe is the most rewarding aspect of your job/career?

Rob Gibbs: I've been drawing storyboards for Pixar and Disney films for years, and I love doing that, but when I've completed a sequence it's out of my hands. As a director I get to stay involved past the storyboard process and work with the people that make these films so beautiful.

HDD: How long does it usually take to complete an animated short like 'Air Mater'?

Rob Gibbs: 'Air Mater' was unique in that we were starting a new studio in Vancouver, Canada and it was to be their first project, so it took a little longer then the previous shorts. From start to finish we worked on it for about a year.

Q: What was the inspiration to get Mater up in the air?

Rob Gibbs: We've taken Mater so many places so to the air seemed like the next step. We loved the idea of Mater becoming a part of an elite formation flying team. One of the challenges was turning Mater into an airplane and a jet, while still keeping him Mater. In order to show Mater's progress, we designed him as an airplane keeping him rusty with a leather cap and goggles. When he becomes a Falcon Hawk, he has a shiny new paint job with awesome graphics.

Q: You've cited 'Looney Tunes' as an influence on your work. How do you think it's made its way into 'Cars' and 'Air Mater?'

Rob Gibbs: As with 'Looney Tunes,' we've tried to maintain that quick comedic timing for 'Mater's Tall Tales.' We also enjoy putting Mater in ridiculous situations.

Q: Since you are dealing with known characters in 'Cars' is there a fine line between not introducing anything new that could interfere with the main story, but still continuing to develop their character, or do you try to just stick with their established character?

Rob Gibbs: At first, we set out to create ideas using only the characters that we had from the original 'Cars.' John Lasseter pointed out, there's no reason to continue these shorts unless we expand the world of 'Cars.' So that opened up all sorts of possibilities to create new characters and fun environments.

HDD: Have you ever run into a situation where you had an idea in mind for something to look a certain way in an animated feature, but just couldn't get it the way you wanted to?

Rob Gibbs: With 'Air Mater,' we went through a lot of different steps. Our production designer started with sketches where Mater looked more like a jet than a tow truck. John Lasseter's input was, "don't lose Mater in the design." It was a big challenge to make it believable that Mater could become a plane. With all the films, we get there eventually, but it's not always where we started.

Q: When a new Pixar release is going to be released in both 2D and 3D, is any of the storyboarding process centered around the 3D element, or is it just handled as its own element after 2D production?

Rob Gibbs: We don't make our films with the idea that it will be in stereoscopic 3D, but at the time we're working on them we may think "oh this will look awesome in 3D!" We don't intentionally do gimmicky things such as jumping out of the screen at you. We use it to add depth to our films.

Q: 'Finding Nemo' is being re-released theatrically next year. Are you excited to see it on the big screen again? How do you think Pixar films have evolved since 'Finding Nemo?'

Rob Gibbs: I loved 'Finding Nemo,' and can't wait to see it on the big screen. With each film, we try to build off of what we learned from the previous film and make it better. For example, what we learned in making water for 'Finding Nemo' we were able to utilize in 'Cars 2.'

HDD: I love all the different styles of textures in Pixar animation. Is that a complicated process?

Rob Gibbs: We have a lot of really smart people who work at Pixar that figure out a solution to our complicated requests. So when an artist goes to them with an idea like how to make a car's paint job extra reflective, they figure out a way to do it.

Q: What kind of an audience did you have in mind when you make a movie like 'Cars 2?'

Rob Gibbs: We try to make our films appealing to audiences of all ages.

Q: Was directing this animated short any more demanding or challenging than other productions you have done?

Rob Gibbs: 'Air Mater' had different challenges then any of the other shorts that I've worked on. We had to design the world of Propwash Junction, not only from the ground, but what you see in the sky. Another challenge was getting a sense of movement in the sky without it being a cloudy day.

Q: Mater and Lightning McQueen's friendship came under fire in 'Cars 2.' What do you think kids can learn about the value of friendship and teamwork from these characters?

Rob Gibbs: Mater and Lightning McQueen are very different from each other, but are able to look passed their differences and accept each other for who they are.

Q: Will Pixar Canada ever do a full feature film?

Rob Gibbs: We started the Pixar Canada studio to work on the 'Cars' and 'Toy Story Toons.' At this time there are no plans for them to do a feature.

Q: I know there are a few Pixar employees with flight experience, and Mark Andrews knows an F-18 pilot. Did you pull in their knowledge to make 'Air Mater?'

Rob Gibbs: Our lead story artist on 'Air Mater,' Jim Capobianco, has extensive knowledge of planes and flying. Bob Pauley, our character designer, also knows a lot about planes. So much of the attention to detail came from their knowledge of airplane design. Even the language was heavily researched. Knowing that we can't slip anything past John Lasseter keeps us on our toes to remain authentic.

Q: What first inspired you to want to work in animation?

Rob Gibbs: My passion for drawing as a kid and a love of cartoons inspired me but it wasn't until I discovered the animation program at Cal Arts that I learned this could actually be a career.

Q: Is there a sequence in Air Mater you're particularly proud of? Why?

Rob Gibbs: So many of the aerial shots that showed off Propwash Junction. Pay particular attention to all the corn!

Q: Are you a big fan of cars in real life? What car do you drive yourself?

Rob Gibbs: I love cars, although I'm not mechanically inclined. I can change a mean flat tire. I've had more sporty cars in the past, I currently drive an Acura MDX. In the past I've had a convertible, Volkswagen and Jeep. But my first car was my grandmother's 1964 Plymouth Valiant.

Q: Rob, any final thoughts on 'Cars 2' and 'Air Mater,' as we close out this virtual roundtable?

Rob Gibbs: What I enjoy so much about 'Cars 2' and 'Air Mater,' is how we've put our characters in exciting situations and brought them to new worlds.


See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Cars 2 (DVD Packaging) (Blu-ray)
Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales (Blu-ray)

'Cars 2,' 'Cars 2 - 3D' and 'Cars: Director's Edition' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray!

Mon Aug 22, 2011 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Pixar, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The latest addition to the Pixar lineup will be racing to store shelves in an assortment of high-definition flavors this November!

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pixar Animation Studios, the high octane in-home release invites families and fans of all ages to come along on a journey around the world with the #1 animated film of the year and introduces an exclusive all-new animated short 'Air Mater,' featuring the fan favorite character spinning his tales in an exciting adventure high above Radiator Springs. The must-own animated release also includes fascinating commentary from award-winning director John Lasseter and “Hawaiian Vacation,” the delightful animated short that accompanied the film in theatres.

The immersive 'Cars 2' bonus features include an one-of-a-kind interactive “World Tour” map that takes viewers through nine different locations, including those featured in the film and more. A global thrill-ride, it allows viewers to go behind-the-scenes with the Pixar artists and filmmakers as they circle the globe finding inspiration for the most international of all Pixar films to date. 'Cars 2' is also the first Pixar film to be released in spectacular Blu-ray 3D.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, returns to the driver’s seat as director. 'Cars 2' is produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, 'Up'; visual effects executive producer, 'Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith'). Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino ('The Incredibles,' 'Up') provides the electrifying score with a surf-rock-meets-spy-thriller flavor and a variety of global accents, evoking a sense of thrills, mystery and emotion. Brad Paisley, Robbie Williams, Weezer, French singer Bénabar and Japanese girl band Perfume lend their diverse musical talents to the film’s soundtrack.

The film features an all-star vocal cast including Owen Wilson who reprises his role as hotshot racecar Lightning McQueen. Larry the Cable Guy provides the voice of Mater (proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage), Lightning McQueen’s best friend and the heart and soul of Radiator Springs. Bonnie Hunt is back as Sally, the baby-blue Porsche 911 Carrera whose motor races for Lightning. Acclaimed actor Michael Caine makes his Pixar debut as Finn McMissile, a top British spy who mistakes Mater for an undercover American agent with a genius disguise. Emily Mortimer brings charm, cleverness and cachet as Holley Shiftwell, a rookie field spy who knows every trick in the manual. Versatile actor John Turturro gives a free-wheeling performance as Francesco Bernoulli, the world-renowned Italian racing champ who is Lightning’s chief rival. Tony Shalhoub, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Jason Isaacs, Eddie Izzard, Paul Dooley, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave also lend their vocal talents. Real-life Formula 1 racing champ Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon add a touch of authenticity with their cameos in the film.

Here's a sneak peek at the new 'Air Mater' short:

The film will be available in a variety of ways: 'Cars 2' (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack), 'Cars 2' (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack with DVD packaging), 'Cars 2 - 3D' (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack), and a mega 11-disc 'Cars: Director's Edition' (a boxed set that includes 'Cars,' 'Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales,' and 'Cars 2 - 3D' plus a Die-Cast ‘John Lassetire’ Car!).

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo packs is $39.99, the Blu-ray 3D combo pack is $49.99, and the Director's Edition is $119.99.


You can find the latest specs for 'Cars 2,' 'Cars 2 - 3D' and 'Cars: Director's Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under November 1.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Cars 2 (Blu-ray)
Cars 2 (DVD Packaging) (Blu-ray)
Cars 2 - 3D (Blu-ray)
Cars: Director's Edition (Blu-ray)

'The Incredibles' Blu-ray Detailed

Thu Mar 10, 2011 at 03:45 PM ET
Tags: Pixar, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The Pixar smash hit hitting Blu-ray in April has been fully detailed!

As previously reported, Disney/Buena Vista is working on the animated superhero blockbuster 'The Incredibles' starring the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson for a Blu-ray release on April 12.

The film is about a family of undercover superheroes trying to live the quiet suburban life and are forced into action to save the world.

The release will be 4-disc set consisting of two Blu-rays, a DVD, and a digital copy with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Jack-Jack Attack Film Short and Boundin’ (2003 Oscar-nominated Best Animated Short).

New features include: The Incredibles Revisited – A roundtable discussion with Writer/Director Brad Bird, Producer John Walker, Story Supervisor Mark Andrews, Supervising Technical Director Rick Sayre, Production Designer Lou Romano, Character Designer Teddy Newton, and Supervising Animator Tony Fucile; Paths To Pixar: Story Artists – Continuing the popular bonus feature series that viewers have seen on many other Disney•Pixar releases, this exciting new feature showcases multiple Pixar story artists giving viewers exciting insight into their work, their inspiration and the personal paths that eventually led them to a career at Pixar; Studio Stories: Gary’s Birthday – Trying to make a movie when there are not enough work days and too many birthday parties? This feature showcases how The Incredibles crew solved that problem; Ending With A Bang: Making The End Credits – Interview with Director of Photography Andy Jimenez and Character Designer Teddy Newton about the process of creating the end credits for the film; and The New Nomanisan” Island Redevelopment Plan – A guided tour of Nomanisan Island, post-Syndrome, pitching the island as a vacation resort paradise.

A trailer for the Blu-ray has also been posted online and it can be viewed below:

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $45.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'The Incredibles' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 12.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Incredibles (Blu-ray)

'The Incredibles' Blu-ray Dated

Mon Jan 10, 2011 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Pixar, Disney/Buena Vista, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The Pixar smash hit is in the works for a Blu-ray release in April!

Disney/Buena Vista is working on the animated superhero blockbuster 'The Incredibles' starring the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson for a Blu-ray release on April 12.

The film about a family of undercover superheroes trying to live the quiet suburban life and are forced into action to save the world.

Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but the release will be 4-disc set consisting of two Blu-rays, a DVD, and a digital copy.

A trailer for the Blu-ray has also been posted online and it can be viewed below:

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $45.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'The Incredibles' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 12.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Incredibles (Blu-ray)

'The Incredibles' Coming Soon to Blu-ray!

Mon Oct 25, 2010 at 06:20 PM ET
Tags: Disney/Buena Vista, Pixar, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The Pixar smash hit is in the works for a Blu-ray release in 2011!

Disney/Buena Vista is working on the animated superhero blockbuster 'The Incredibles' starring the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson for likely a high-definition bow next spring.

The film is about a family of undercover superheroes trying to live the quiet suburban life who are forced back into action to save the world.

Specs, supplements and a release date have yet to be revealed, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.

A trailer for the Blu-ray has also been posted online and it can be viewed below:

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time.

You can find the latest specs for 'The Incredibles' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Incredibles (Blu-ray)

The Best Blu-rays of 2009 (Since the Last Time We Did This List)

Mon Jan 04, 2010 at 04:20 PM ET
Tags: Drew Taylor, Best of 2009, Industry Trends, Warner, Criterion, 20th Century Fox, Sony, Universal, Disney, Pixar, Paramount (all tags)

Drew Taylor picks up where he left off last summer, to give us the latest and greatest list of HDD favorites!

by Drew Taylor

It was in August that I compiled my list of the Best Blu-rays of the Year, thus far. Now I'm back, with a few more months under our belt and a whole lot of fantastic high definition releases. Now, without further ado, another list of some of the year's best Blu-ray releases. These are the ones that deserve some recognition!

1.) 'The Wizard of Oz' (Warner Bros.)

Warner Bros. released a whole slew of high definition editions of their vaulted classics this year, most notably an admirable 'Gone with the Wind' and 'North by Northwest.' But it was their re-mastered edition of 'Wizard of Oz' timed to this fantasy classic's 70th Anniversary that really blew my mind. Not only did the film look and sound absolutely stunning, but it also contained enough special features to make even the wickedest witch gush enthusiastically (handfuls of documentaries, deleted scenes, archival materials, as well as retrospective pieces). Seeing this presentation of 'Wizard of Oz' is probably the closest any of us will have to the experience of viewing it when it was in the theaters, and after what felt like a dozen or so releases on DVD, this seems to be the definitive edition of this timeless film. The only annoying thing about this release was the way it came out, with an unnecessarily deluxe box set and varying editions at mass merchants. How about the next time you put out one of your heavy hitters, we skip all that needlessly wasteful packaging and just put it out in a classy edition everyone can afford? Still, you'd need to have lost your heart, brain, and courage not to go pick this one up immediately.

2.) Cult Movies on Blu-ray (Various)

While DVD seems to be petering out when it comes to releasing catalogue titles on home video (leaving the void to be filled by weirdo made-to-order services like Warner Archive and Amazon's Disc on Demand), Blu-ray is pressing ahead, giving us high definition versions of movies that barely made their way to DVD in the first place. Not only did the new format give us serviceable upgrades for older movies as varied and bizarre as Sam Raimi's 'Army of Darkness' and 'The Quick and the Dead;' Jim Henson's 'Labyrinth;' Fred Dekker's 'Monster Squad' and 'Night of the Creeps;' and John Landis' 'An American Werewolf in London,' but it also presented us with deluxe editions of more recent cult classics, like Jody Hill's 'Observe and Report;' Sam Raimi's 'Drag Me to Hell;' Michael Dougherty's direct-to-video 'Trick R Treat;' and Karyn Kusama's 'Jennifer's Body' or, as I like to call it, 'J-Bod.' I'm not saying these movies are for everyone, because, clearly, they aren't, but what's so nice is that we can now watch these esoteric films on the best possible format. Even more so than DVD, Blu-ray seems to be the real film lover's format, and these titles do much in the way to support that.

3.) 'Inglourious Basterds' (Universal)

Quentin Tarantino's World War II masterpiece, which might be the versatile director's greatest work as of yet, crash-landed on Blu-ray just before the year's end in an edition every bit worthy of the film. A flawless audio and video presentation highlights the delicate work that went into this rompin'-stompin' tale of Jewish soldiers seeking revenge behind enemy lines (led by a scenery chewing Brad Pitt). Augmented by a nice array of special features (including a great conversation between Tarantino, Pitt, and critic Elvis Mitchell), and you've got a must-own for any discerning film lover.

4.) 'Up' and 'Monsters, Inc.' (Disney/Pixar)

Disney and Pixar team up and make beautiful movies together. They also make absolutely fabulous Blu-rays. The direct digital-to-digital transfers mean the images are peerless (ditto the audio), and the special features are second to none. Marvel on the 'Up' disc as the creative team ventures to the same perilous mountains depicted in the film. On the 'Monsters, Inc.' disc, the special features are largely a retread of the DVD edition, except for the new retrospective roundtable discussion, which features disarmingly honest talk about how the 9/11 terrorist attacks impacted the film's production and release. Also, you get to see the 'Monsters, Inc.' ride at the Japanese Disney Park, which made me want to book my flight immediately.

5.) 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (Disney)

As impressive as all the glittery computer-generated fare from Disney and Pixar can be, when Disney decided to release Walt's very first animated feature on high definition, the immortal fairy tale 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs,' they really did a great job with it. Not only was the transfer an absolute stunner, even if you chose to watch it with the silly "borders" (since it was a 1.33:1 film), but the amount of supplemental materials was just as staggering. Sometimes it's easier to "appreciate" these landmark films than to enjoy them, but 'Snow White' is every bit the emotional sucker-punch that it was when it was first released, and with the bevy of extra features giving you added context, it's an even more powerful experience.

6.) Il Divo (MPI) and 'Gomorrah' (Criterion)

These films are two new classics of Italian cinema. Paolo Sorrentino's 'Il Divo' is a hyper-stylish political film, a kind of evil 'West Wing,' about the corrupt Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti (played by Toni Servillo). While you won't always understand what's going on in the politics, it's such a strong character piece that you really won't care. 'Gomorrah,' by Matteo Garrone, demystifies the cinema gangster by showcasing the down-and-dirty lives of the lower level mafia guys (the guy that does the payroll, kids infatuated with 'Scarface' etc.) By splintering the story into five mini-arcs, Garrone does more to break apart the dangerous allure of big screen bad guys. Both films are devastating, powerful, invigorating tales made all the more dynamic by their flawless high definition presentations and a stolen truck's worth of extra features.

7.) 'Fight Club' (Fox)

Simple rule to follow: if David Fincher is going to put out one of his movies on Blu-ray, it's going to end up being one of the best discs of the year. Having already given us the high watermark-setting discs for 'Zodiac' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' this year, he finishes strong with his ten-year-old rumination on modern masculinity, male powerlessness, underground boxing, homosexual love, and the simple joys of bringing structured society to its knees through explosives and the power of corrosive thinking. The Blu-ray looks and sounds great (every thrown punch sounds like it originated from where the cat was just sitting), with all the special features from the deluxe DVD, plus a few brand new additions, including a hilarious look behind the scenes when Fincher and co-stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton were awarded at a ridiculous Spike TV Awards ceremony. Now if only Criterion would surprise us by bringing out 'The Game' in 2010! Just imagine!

8.) 'Star Trek' (Paramount)

Boldly go. JJ Abrams' zeitgeist-capturing 'Star Trek' reboot absolutely sparkles on Blu-ray. The brightly optimistic future (indicated by all those lens flares) looks flawless in high definition, and the perfectly calibrated not-too-many, not-too-few special features illuminates the process without ever demystifying the film and its inherent magic. In terms of a 'new movie on Blu-ray' package, it doesn't get much better than this.

9.) 'Boogie Nights' (Warner Bros.)

Paul Thomas Anderson's signifier of future genius, a whirligig epic set in the San Fernando Valley porn scene in the 1970's, comes to Blu-ray in a blistering package that surpasses any previous home video version. (The extras, sadly, remain the same.) Sometimes historical detail and period costumes overwhelm the narrative, but not in the case of 'Boogie Nights,' which remains a profoundly human story. Still, it's kind of hard not to stare dumbfounded at how good this this film looks. Why Warner Brothers debuted such a stellar disc as a Best Buy exclusive is beyond baffling.

10.) 'Lost: Complete Fifth Season' Ridiculous Dharma Initiative Packaging Edition (Disney)

Because no other TV-show-on-Blu-ray was presented with the balls-out go-for-broke-ness that Disney gave the difficult penultimate season of their wondrous, time-bending sci-fi series 'Lost.' The largely 1970's-set season (don't ask) was reproduced with a package that included an oversized box and floppy discs. Oh, and the discs themselves? Well, the series has never looked or sounded better. When Disney broadcast the series in HD on ABC, the resolution was only 720p, so here, for the first time, is 'Lost's' fifth season in honest-to-god HD. Rounded out by a great collection of supplemental material and this is the ideal package for any 'Lost' die hard.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


'Up' - A Theatrical Review for Blu-ray Blind Buyers

Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 02:45 PM ET
Tags: Disney, Pixar (all tags)

One of the year's biggest Blu-ray releases is on the way!

Check out Drew Taylor's review of the 'Up' Blu-ray!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


'Up: Limited Edition Luxo Jr. Collectible Lamp Pack' Blu-ray

Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 05:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney, Pixar (all tags)

As previously reported, Disney/Buena Vista will bring the Pixar animated feature 'Up' to Blu-ray on November 10, which will now also be available with a limited edition collectible.

The 'Up: Limited Edition Luxo Jr. Collectible Lamp Pack' will contain the Blu-ray version of the film with an exclusive Luxo Jr. Lamp unmistakable to Pixar fans.

The Blu-ray itself will be exactly the same, with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements including Doug's Special Mission animated short; Partly Cloudy animated short; Director commentary; Adventure is Out There - documentary chronicling the filmmakers' journey to South America; and The Many Endings of Muntz - Witness the demise of Charles Muntz with an unseen alternate take.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is Cine-Explore, Global Guardian Badge Game, Geography Game, and eight documentaries.

The release will also include a DVD and digital copy of the film.

Suggested list price for the limited set is $199.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'Up' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 10.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Up (Blu-ray)

Disney Announces and Details 'Up'

Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney, Pixar (all tags)

Disney/Buena Vista is bringing the animated feature 'Up' to Blu-ray in November.

The hit Pixar film will be available in high-definition on November 10.

The 4-disc set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Doug's Special Mission animated short; Partly Cloudy animated short; Director commentary; Adventure is Out There - documentary chronicling the filmmakers' journey to South America; and The Many Endings of Muntz - Witness the demise of Charles Muntz with an unseen alternate take.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is Cine-Explore, Global Guardian Badge Game, Geography Game, and eight documentaries.

The release will also include a DVD and digital copy of the film.

The suggested list price has been set at $45.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'Up' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 10.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Up (Blu-ray)


MORE BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "PIXAR":

» High-Def Digest home page