Reviews Archive for Ben Simon

Brother Bear: Special Edition

Disney’s new-agey adventure comes to disc in a packed edition that does justice to this sweet little film.

Looney Tunes: Back In Action

Joe Dante’s Looney Tunes feature isn’t the Termite Terrace in-joke project he’s long cherished but is the best such combination since Roger Rabbit and extremely fun entertainment.

Walt: The Man Behind The Myth

The Disney Family’s own telling of Walt’s life is surprisingly non-whitewashed and provides a well-rounded depiction of a unique man.

The Lion King 1½

The Lion King gets a makeover, Timon and Pumbaa style, in a very funny spoof that plays to the strengths of the original and provides a fun outing on DVD.

Frank And Ollie: Special Edition

Spend a couple of hours in the terrifically warm company of true old friends and soak up some animation history along the way in Frank’s son Theodore Thomas’ delightful peek into the lives of these “Two Old Men”.

Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas

DreamWorks’ big-budget but bloated “tradigital” adventure isn’t a classic despite some effective moments, and has a hard time sustaining interest.

Cool World

Ralph Bakshi’s train-wreck of a movie might keep you glued to the screen for all the wrong reasons.

Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume One

Warners springs their classic characters to DVD in truly deluxe style, setting the scene for a hopefully continuing series of essential collectors’ editions.

Finding Nemo: 2-Disc Collector’s Edition

Pixar’s fishy fun comes to disc in a very enjoyable Disney DVD packed to the gills with something for everyone.

The Lion King: Platinum Special Edition

Disney’s unexpected blockbuster comes to disc in an expectedly top-notch package, with a stunning transfer of the film itself and a fine selection of supplements.

Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure

Disney’s direct-to-video sequel surprises in its faithfulness to the original, and contains a very nice selection of extras to make up a premium-grade all-round package.

The Art Of Tom And Jerry: Volume Three

The cat chases the mouse into the LaserDisc Archives for Part Three of an extensive three-part Toon Review of their entire career, captured forever in these exhaustive LD sets!

Gay Purr-ee

UPA’s theatrical outing isn’t a total cat-astrophe, but the slow pacing and somewhat melancholy mood denies it purr-fect entertainment status.

The Art Of Tom And Jerry: Volume Two

The cat chases the mouse into the LaserDisc Archives for Part Two of an extensive three-part Toon Review of their entire career, captured forever in these exhaustive LD sets!

Dumbo: 60th Anniversary Edition

Walt Disney’s classic gets suitable treatment on DVD, with a crisp transfer and some better than usual bonus features making for a fitting 60th Anniversary package.

The Art Of Tom And Jerry: Volume One

The cat chases the mouse into the LaserDisc Archives for Part One of an extensive three-part Toon Review of their entire career, captured forever in these exhaustive LD sets!

The Jungle Book 2

Disney’s theatrical sequel is merely a DTV with high aspirations, despite its “greatest hits” package feel and the overwhelming sense of déjà vu!

The Rescuers

Disney’s transitional film, where the baton was passed from the Nine Old Men to the younger generation of artists, gets a good transfer but skimpy extras.

Balto

The Toon Review‘s LaserDisc Archives makes sure Balto gets his dues in a look at the correctly framed widescreen edition.

Treasure Planet: Special Edition

Disney’s interplanetary adventure gets the thumbs up and a nice representation on disc.

The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr Toad: Gold Classic Collection

Two fabulous characters come together for Walt Disney’s final 1940s anthology film, and the first completely animated production since World War II, that’s full of excitement, mystery and adventure!

The Sword In The Stone: Gold Classic Collection

Disney’s take on the young King Arthur legend, with magician Merlin guiding the boy through life’s ups and downs in an infectious comic fashion.

Studio Idefix #2 – Lucky Luke: Daisy Town and Ballad Of The Daltons

In Part Two of a LaserDisc Archives special, Toon Review looks back on French animators Studio Idefix and their Lucky Luke western spoofs.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Vista Series Special Edition

Classic toons, classic setting…the Zemeckis-Spielberg-Disney blockbuster almost gets the special edition treatment it deserves in this hugely enjoyable set!

Studio Idefix #1 – Asterix The Gaul and Asterix And Cleopatra

Toon Review looks back on French animators Studio Idefix and their Asterix features in Part One of a LaserDisc Archives special.

The DisneyLand Anthology

Discovering a disc long-thought not to have made to print, the LaserDisc Archives delves into this ultra-rare box set for the Toon Review.

Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland

The LaserDisc Archives highlights this densely detailed mess of a film for Toon Review.

101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure

Disney’s sequel to Walt’s classic may not burst with that film’s originality, but fans could do worse than to see what’s been cooked up here and will find a respectful follow-up full of fun touches.

Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation

They’re tiny, they’re toony, and they’re spending their vacation in the LaserDisc Archives for this Toon Review!

Pinocchio Deluxe Edition

The CAV boxset of Disney’s groundbreaking masterpiece is examined in the LaserDisc Archives for Toon Review.