DVD Toons has taken a look at tomorrow’s {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/362 40th Anniversary release of Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins}}, calling the disc “practically perfect, but not quite”, citing a none too accurate aspect ratio and several extras missing from previous incarnations as the reason the disc doesn’t reach top marks. But there are good words for […]

Valiant, the UK-based Vanguard Animation feature that the Disney Studio sees as the first in a new CGI partnership with the company (and whose {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00002763.html teaser trailer}} we recently mentioned), gets a sneek-peak tonight in the UK on the BBC television arts series {{link http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/cultureshow/ The Culture Show}}. The segment will air during Thursday […]

In news that has shocked the already rocky state of today’s DVD industry, the Walt Disney Company yesterday announced that it intends to back Sony’s high-def Blu-Ray format in the upcoming war between two competing technologies. The DVD Forum, the association which developed and oversees the current DVD standard, is in preference toward Toshiba’s HD-DVD […]

A poster spread in the print edition of industry magazing Video Business announces that Appleseed, the anime feature based on Masamune (Ghost In The Shell) Shirow’s manga, will be released to US theaters in “January 2005”. Check out the image here:

In the second of their reviews on the animated titles in this year’s Walt Disney Treasures series – all out in stores from today – DVD Toons opens up {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/360 The Complete Pluto: Volume One}}, describing the set as “light”. The review comments that “this earlier selection from Pluto’s career yields some odd choices. […]

Though it gets top billing on the packaging for the new Mary Poppins: 40th Anniversary Editon DVD, the newly animated bonus short The Cat That Looked At A King is pretty buried away deep on Disc Two of the set. Following the Ultimate Disney site’s recent review, take a first look at further stills from […]

In the first of their reviews on this year’s animated releases in the new Walt Disney Treasures line, DVD Toons {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/357 takes an in-depth look}} at the second collection of black and white Mickey Mouse shorts. “What’s great this time around is that, with all the more famous and requested shorts out of the […]

Head on over to Apple’s Movie Trailers page and catch TV-level animation in the full trailer for {{link http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/poohs_heffalump_movie.html Pooh’s Heffalump Movie}} and the new preview for the animation-inspired sequel {{link http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/sonofthemask.html Son Of The Mask}}. “Somebody, stop them!”

Valiant, the CGI film being produced at England’s Ealing Studios by John H Williams, and who Disney see as a potential replacement for Pixar when that partnership ends next year, has seen its first teaser trailer sneaked online. Debuting without much fanfare, the clip plays perhaps a little too strongly on current Brit-com favorite Ricky […]

A new figure celebrating Jim Henson is now on sale from Palisades Toys, makers of the acclaimed Muppet series of action figures. Head on over to the direct-sale {{link http://www.palisadesdirectstore.com/viewproduct.asp?productid=63 Palisades store}} to check it out and place an order!

Though the content is as strong as ever, the new wave of the acclaimed Walt Disney Treasures has a number of disappointments in store for long-time series collectors. In another display of a Disney DVD line not following the style design laid out in previous editions, the new wave will definitely not feature the wraparound […]

Our Animated News reader Vinicio writes in from Guatemala with screen shots and menu screens for the upcoming Mulan II, which has just been released in his area. The design seems to reflect the recent 2-disc edition of the original film, and you can check out the main menus, set up options, scene selection, bonus […]

Shaping up much better than the 66-minute length DTVs that Disney usually puts out (which helpfully add up, with commercials, for a snug 90-minute later TV showing), the studio’s Mulan II is listed as being a fairly generous 79 minutes in a new industry promo. The ad points out that the title will come with […]

DVD Toons has posted a scathing review of the direct-to-video {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/350 Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas}}, calling its computer animation “knock-off, lifeless, carbon copy remnants of Walt Disney’s cherished creations”. The review adds that “off model, strangely lit, and devoid of all personality, Twice Upon A Christmas is a clearer indication than any that […]

Early reports indicated that Disney’s Aladdin sequels The Return Of Jafar and The King Of Thieves would be made available in a boxed set similar to the recent Lion King Trilogy and the UK’s Aladdin Trilogy releases. This first look at the artwork, found in the new issue of VB Magazine, proves that the two […]

Ivor Wood, who brought Paddington Bear, The Wombles, Postman Pat and the original version of The Magic Roundabout to the small screen, has died. Paddington creator Michael Bond remembers Wood here, from The Guardian newspaper:

On the eve of its release, DVD Toons has posted the first online review for the {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/345 Shrek 2 DVD}}, saying that, although the film “may not be an all-time classic, it’s a fun, fun movie whose infectious atmosphere and spirited performances warrant a purchase. Kids will adore it even more, with whom the […]

While the extras lack the wow factor of those packed in with last year’s first volume of Looney Tunes cartoons, Volume 2 could be even better overall thanks to the inclusion of some bona fide all-time classics, sums up {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/344 DVD Toons in their review}}, the first to appear online for the set out […]

In what will be disappointing news for Looney Tunes fans, we can now confirm that, unless it’s an amazing well hidden feature, the Chuck Jones documentary Chuck Amuck is not included on the new Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2, despite recent rumors. The four disc set is packed out with many other as yet […]

On the eve of its release, DVD Toons takes a look at Disney’s second big October release, {{link http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/342 Mulan: Special Edition}}, and finds the set worthy of upgrade. “All in all, the non-appearance of a redundant full-frame version has meant the filling of the discs with more original content”, says the review. “A solid […]

Hop on over to the IESB.net for a sneak peek look at {{link http://www.iesb.net/movies2/movie100804d.htm the making of Robots}} , with their exclusive documentary featurette!

Mark Simon, owner of Orlando studio A&S Animation Inc, recently returned from the 2nd International Forum on China Culture Industry, where he was a speaker and guest of the Chinese Government. “In China, the use of the word “culture” often means “entertainment” and the purpose of the forum was to educate and improve China’s entertainment […]

{{link http://www.fandango.com/movie_page.asp?mv=85823 Fandango}} is listing the running time of the upcoming Spongebob Squarepants Movie to clock in at the 90-minute mark, also outlining the plot as: “SpongeBob and his friends in Bikini Bottom must band together to rescue Patrick the Starfish after he is kidnapped by humans and taken to an unknown aquarium in Florida”. […]

Word is spreading around the net on an informative {{link http://pixaranimation.blogspot.com/ Pixar fansite, Luxo}}, a blog that aims to keep up to date on all Pixar developments, from links on the company’s beginnings up to the latest Incredibles scoops!