As Disney celebrates 100 years, every facet of the corporation seems to be involved with the party. From theme park merchandise to a specially designed logo for theater openings of feature films, Disney has pulled out all the stops for fans to enjoy. Among their special events is a Blu-ray collection entitled Mickey & Friends 10 Classic Shorts: Volume 2 which contains short films that go back to the beginning, released by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Earlier this year, "Mickey & Minnie: 10 Classic Shorts - Volume 1" was released bringing "Steamboat Willie", "Brave Little Tailor", "Hawaiian Holiday", "On Ice", etc. into our homes. A few months later, "Mickey & Friends: 10 Classic Shorts - Volume 2" was released on Blu-ray and is now available at your local retailer. Much like Volume 1, this second collection includes many of the short films we know and love.
Unlike Volume 1, the second Blu-ray has introductions to each short film in the same vein as "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (aka Lion King 1/2), commenting on the short that is about to play. Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc. offer fun little tidbits that help set the tone of each short which includes:
"The Band Concert", "Lonesome Ghosts", "Pluto's Sweater", "Mr. Duck Steps Out", "Boat Builders", "Tugboat Mickey", "Winter Storage", "Pluto and the Gopher", "Pluto's Party", and "Mickey's Trailer". The oldest of these shorts is from 1935 and the newest was released in 1952.
These films will bring back memories for Disney fans young and old, as they have been shown on the Disney Channel, in books, View-Masters, and even on small TVs in the lobby of Walt Disney World Resorts to entertain the little ones while you check-in.
As far as the video quality is concerned, the 1080p resolution plus the 1.37:1 aspect ratio offers the viewer a picture with clean lines and vibrant colors. Occasionally bits of graininess can be seen but, for the most part, the video transfer is done quite well. Having stated that I feel I should remind audiences that many of these shorts have been released previously with similar or the same quality.
The audio doesn't fare entirely as well as the video, and while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono tracks are serviceable, they offer some noise. It seems many of these concerns could be addressed with a lossless soundtrack, but Disney has decided, for some reason, not to go in that direction. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono tracks are adequate but nothing exceedingly impressive.
There are also no extras on the Blu-ray, which is disappointing. Besides the embossed cover sleeve, a digital download from Movies Anywhere, and a DVD, there isn't anything special to report regarding behind-the-scenes moments or an overview of the animation techniques used in the 70s, 80s, and/or 90s.
Continuing from the collection, it's fair to say that Disney's unwavering commitment to quality entertainment is second to none. In essence, the "Mickey & Friends: 10 Classic Shorts" collections aren't just Blu-rays - they're a piece of history - a tangible relic of Disney's rich animation legacy that'll be passed down through the generations.
Within the 100-year Disney celebration context, these compilations play right into nostalgia - that cozy, familiar sentiment we all connect to the Disney brand. The essence and unique personality of each beloved character, despite the leaps and bounds in animation technology, remains as engaging as ever, demonstrating Disney's long-lasting impact on the cultural landscape.
All things considered, this release isn't merely a Blu-ray; it's an open invite to delve into and appreciate the world of Disney and its endearing characters. It's an invaluable keepsake for Disney fans everywhere, reminding us of the enchantment that began it all. Just remember to get your copy quickly - they'll likely be flying off the shelves before you can say "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"
Grade: A
Purchase your copy today of Mickey & Friends 10 Classic Shorts: Volume. 2 from Amazon.com
This release has been provided to FlickDirect for review purposes. For more reviews by Allison Rose head to our reviews section.
