A Sneak Peek at Fantasia 2000

4-Aug-00

Walt Disney Home Video has given Widescreen Review a sneak peek at ""Fantasia 2000,"" the follow-up to the 1940 animated classic which debuts on DVD November 14.Disney has sent us the ""Fantasia 2000 Showcase Program"" demo DVD, a sampler of selected segments from the movie originally released exclusively to IMAXÆ theatres throughout the world earlier this year. The THX-certified disc contained several clips of direct digital-to-digital images along with both DolbyÆ Digital 5.1 (at 448 mbs) and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô 5.1 (at 1509 mbs) soundtrack options.The WSR review staff found the ""Fantasia 2000 Showcase Program"" DVD to be an impressive demonstration for one's home theatre, and a perfect match for the wonderful and exciting animation featured in the film. The full-length DVD looks to be a worhwhile addition to anyone's DVD collection.How does the DVD look?The anamorphically enhanced demo DVD is absolutely stunning. The digital-to-digital transfer delivers a smooth visual experience with rich, vibrant colors that exhibit realistic depth and definition. The animation is sharp and detailed, with excellent clarity and a great sense of dimension. The ""Piano Concerto No. 2"" exhibits ""shadow delineation"" that is absolutely engulfing, while the humpbacks flying to ""Pines Of Rome"" and ""The Firebird Suite-1919 Version"" leave the viewer of this entirely-too-short-DVD begging for more! There are absolutely no distractions for a pristine picture that we hope is a glimpse of what is to come. How does the DVD sound?Both Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround 5.1-channel soundtracks are offered for this wonderful promotional DVD. Because of the very limited navigational capabilities of this DVD, a comparison between these two soundtracks is somewhat more cumbersome than usual. Despite this caveat, I can certainly say from evaluating the two versions that the DTS is preferred, with a fuller, more textured spatial soundfield, along with refinement in the high frequencies and a richer low-end. Comparisons aside, this disc delivers an absolutely wonderful glimpse into the sonic virtues that will be offered, once the full-version DVD arrives later this year. Fidelity overall is excellent. The various clips are all music-exclusive, of course, and the ensuing surround sound experience is downright enthralling, with active engagement of all channels in a manner that is sure to excite and entertain. In fact, some of the clips were so emotionally involving that they sent a chill down my spine! The low-end is generous and natural-sounding, consistent with the classical music performances. All in all, this is an amazing introduction to some spectacular movie sound to come in the near future.What will be on the DVD?""Fantasia 2000"" will be released November 14 by Walt Disney Home Video with a suggested retail price of $29.99. The disc will include a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen version of the film created directly from the original digital image files, along with both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtrack options. The disc will be THX-certified and include an Optimode test section. The added value material will consist of two audio commentary tracks. The first will be by executive producer Roy Disney, conductor James Levine & producer Don Ernst. The second commentary will feature the directors & animators for each musical segment. There will be a documentary, ""The Making Of Fantasia 2000,"" and two bonus cartoons: ""Toot, Whistle, Pluck And Boom"" and ""Melody."" Also included will be a commemorative booklet.What about the original ""Fantasia?"" The original 1940 classic is also being released on DVD November 14. ""Fantasia"" will be released at $29.99 in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, and with both Dolby Digital 5.0 and DTS 5.0 soundtracks. The THX-certified DVD will also include ""The Making Of Fantasia"" and two audio commentary tracks. Track one will feature Roy Disney, James Levine, animation historian John Canemaker & Disney manager of film restoration Scott MacQueen. Track two will include a collection of rare archival interviews hosted by John Canemaker.Wait! There's More!Disney will also release ""The Fantasia Anthology"" on November 14 with a suggested retail price of $69.99. This will be a three-disc set containing the ""Fantasia"" and ""Fantasia 2000"" DVDs mentioned above along with a third disc consisting of an assortment of supplemental material. The ""Fantasia"" supplements include an in-depth exploration of each animation segment, the special effects segment, a still frame gallery, a section featuring reconstructed segments deleted from the film including ""Claire de Lune"" & ""The Ride Of The Valyries."" Also included will be still frame art from ""The Flight Of The Bumblebee,"" ""Mosquito"" and ""Baby Ballet,"" as well as pencil tests of unused animation and biographies of the various filmakers & composers associated with the landmark production.The ""Fantasia 2000"" supplements found on the ""Fantasia Anthology"" Disc set include an in-depth exploration of each animation & musical segment with interviews, storyboards & concept designs. There will also be production progression demonstrations, deleted animation, alternate versions & abandoned concepts, along with publicity material (trailers, posters, etc) as well as a segment on the historical context of each musical piece featured in the movie.Disney and animation fans, mark your calendar for November 14, 2000.

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