Toy Story
(1995) + Toy Story 2 (1999) + Toy Story 3 (2010/Disney/Pixar Blu-ray
3D/Blu-ray 2D/DVD + Digital Copy)
Picture:
Toy Story A-/A/B
Toy Story 2 A-/A/B
Toy Story 3 A/A/B
Sound:
Toy Story A/A/B
Toy Story 2 A/A/B
Toy Story 3 A/A/B
Extras:
Toy Story B+
Toy Story 2 B+
Toy Story 3 B
Films:
Toy Story A
Toy Story 2 A-
Toy Story 3 A-
One of
the MOST successful franchises in history returns to home video again to leave
audiences in animated awe. Toy Story is what put Pixar on the map
and they are not quick to forget it; going back to old well time and time
again, not only for inspiration for new ventures, but to remind audiences why
we fell in love with Pixar in the first place.
New to
Disney/Pixar Blu-ray comes the Blu-ray 3D release of all three box office
smashing films. Before the release of
the third film Disney/Pixar took it upon themselves to clean up and convert the
first two Toy Story films to
3D. Now whereas many critics are still
skeptical about converting non-3D films to 3D, Disney/Pixar has seemingly the
technical chops to make this difficult conversion process seamless.
Previously
I have reviewed another Disney 3D conversion in the form of Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas. In that review I went on to say that though
well done, the conversion was unnecessary; only having sparse moments that
would jump from the screen. For that
particular film Disney was more reserved, whether the director and Tim Burton had
anything to do with that I don’t know; yet for the Toy Story films Disney went a bit further in allowing the 3D to
come to life.
With this
said, I would still say that the 3D conversion was unnecessary for Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Was it well
done? Yes. Was it nice to see the old
gang again? Yes. But, the conversion did
not add anything and instead I felt the crispness was hindered a bit.
As I have
already explored the general plot and technical features of the standard
Blu-ray and DVD collections of all three films in previous reviews, I direct
readers to the links below, which house that information:
Toy Story and Toy Story 2 (Blu-rays)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/9823/Disney/+Pixar%E2%80%99s+Toy+Stor
Toy Story 3 (Blu-ray)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10576/Toy+Story+3+%282010/Disney/Pixar
For the
purpose of this review I will instead focus on the 3D Blu-ray releases and any
differences that exist in these sets versus the prior releases.
As
previously stated the first and second films were not originally intended for
3D and it shows. Outside of the huge
leaps in technology that has allowed Pixar to make smoother, more life like
films; the 3D is obviously better suited for the third film, which was already
intended for 3D. The first and second
films continue to have brilliant colors, black levels, shadowing, and overall
animation; the problem, however, in this is in the 3D. The crispness and clarity are sacrificed;
notice how I still rate the films an ‘A-,’ as it still looks wonderful; but
just does not have the same quality as the standard Blu-rays. The moments that aren’t 3D seem a bit fuzzier
and blunt the colors vibrance.
Toy Story 3 is a different story all
together. The 3D blends flawlessly into
the film and enhances the viewing experience.
There is no point where the 3D seems like a gimmick or slapped on. I felt throughout that the characters were in
the room with me. Toy Story 3 in 3D is not a cheesy film like those that we all
remember from the 70’s. There is no
popcorn thrown at the screen or breaks from character to make us aware that
this is a 3D MOVIE! Toy Story 3 is seamless in art, story, and now 3D.
Pixar is
the standard of excellence in computer generated animation. They have honed in on what makes not only a
technically brilliant presentation, but what makes a great film overall. I have no doubt that these three films will
stand the test of time and don’t be surprised to see them put among the other
past greats in the Library of Congress film archive.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
