Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 Blu-ray Review

• 30th Nov 2010

Disney continue their Blu-Ray onslaught with this double pack release of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 which brings together the old and the new from the Disney Classics canon.

Now, the original film came out in 1940. Yes that is 70 years ago. So if anything was in need of a clean and an update it is going to be that; and a clean and an update it has been given. Filmwerk do nothing but drop their jaw in disdain when they watch old DVDs (that’s right! old DVDs! never mind video) and the grain is oh so apparent to the eye. Our jaws drop even further when we see the magical wonder that is a successful Blu-Ray transfer. Of course, one day we will frown upon Blu-Ray when it has been replaced by something even better. Blu-Ray is the new digital CD. DVD has become the cassette tape, and video is the vinyl.

Both Fantasia films are segmented musical and visual pieces. Disney Animation does the works whilst some of the world’s most famous orchestral and classical music is brought to life – each telling tales with humour, tension and even dread. The most famous of which from Fantasia are of course “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (still perfectly balanced) and “Night On Bald Mountain.” Both were visually very impressive and have been given the right treatment to bring the images a look that you can only expect to find on Blu-Ray. The original film can look a bit dark at times, but there is only so far they can go to improve picture quality. It is still a beautiful looking experiment that has been transferred well, but shows its age, at least it does it with grace.

Fantasia 2000 probably didn’t need as much polishing, but then you’d be surprised how badly kept a film 10 years old can be as well. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” has been carried over into this release as well. Elsewhere you will find music from the likes of Gershwin, Elgar, Stravinsky and Beethoven among others. Fantasia 2000 carries on the same idea of the original but is even more hit and miss than the first. It is also shorter in length and riddled with celebrity introductions for each segment which is filmed in a way that isn’t remotely funny, interesting – but always smarmy and smug which you’d expect from Disney.

On the extras side of things:
Fantasia

There is a historian commentary, the original DVD commentary, a tribute to Roy Disney and a quick tour of the Disney family museum which is actually more interesting than you may think – if a little short and of course maximising the Blu-Ray capabilities – there is the bonus view mode that slings up artwork and notes about the making of the film as you watch.

Fantasia 2000

This titles fares much better with some more in depth features. Musicana looks at the first inspiration for doing a sequel in the 70s. Dali & Disney is an 82 minute documentary on both artists and how the project for Destino came about. It’s a fascinating watch as it follows both artists from their upbringing and into a world that they both worked in – eventually crossing paths to work on a project that eventually failed. The sad story is that it was not even included on Fantasia 2000 (although considered) but eventually was put into production to become the short 6 minute piece it is – and is also included here on the disc. There are also commentaries to listen to wrapping up a more impressive package. Not a bad buy when you get both together. All that seems to be missing is a feature documentary on the making of the films themselves.

Steven Hurst