My family has a long tradition with Disney movies. Always the first to see them in the theatres, then snatching them up as soon as they were released for home viewing, we’ve watched and enjoyed them all. Having amassed a huge collection of Disney movies myself on VHS, they were basically the only reason I still owned a VCR in the early 2000s, and why I held out from going to DVD for so long.
But, then when Blu-ray was introduced a few years ago, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer to upgrade some of those old VHS tapes that were virtually unwatchable after years of kids handling them. Not only was it time to trash the VHS, it was time to get a better film format that wouldn’t break down with wear and show its age.
And, I think I made a great choice on when to start my upgrade process because the quality of Blu-ray is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Rewatching old movies restored in Blu-ray quality is like watching them for the first time ever with all the color and vibrancy of the original drawings.
I have been eagerly awaiting the release of all of my favorites on Blu-ray and making a point to collect them all while I can to replace their worn out VHS. I was thrilled when I heard the announcement that 5 titles would be released on August 21st and even more excited when I heard that 3 of them were ones that I had loved growing up.
On August 21st, 5 new movies are finally going to be viewed in high definition Blu-ray: THE RESCUERS: 35th Anniversary Ed & THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER – 2 Movie Collection, THE ARISTOCATS: Special Edition, LADY AND THE TRAMP II: Scamp's Adventure – Special Edition, POCAHONTAS & POCAHONTAS II: Journey to a New World – 2 Movie Collection and THE TIGGER MOVIE: Bounce-a-RRRific Special Edition.
As you can see, there's a little something for everyone in the new Blu-ray releases. Which are you most excited about?
THE RESCUERS: 35th Anniversary Ed & THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER – 2 Movie Collection
To commemorate the 35th anniversary, Disney is releasing a special 2-movie collection featuring one of my all-time favorite Disney movies, “The Rescuers” and “The Rescuers Down Under,” for the first time ever on Blu-ray. About the films: Join Bernard and Bianca as they set out on two rescue missions full of comic adventure while soaring through the Devil’s Bayou and flying sky high in the Australian outback. Buckle up for the ride of your life as these tiny heroes with great big hearts outrun and outwit their rivals to save the day. Brimming with lovable characters and unforgettable music, the 2-movie collection is high-flying fun for the entire family. Share the laughs and excitement for the first time on Disney Blu-ray. Bonus features: The Making of “Rescuers Down Under,” “Three Blind Mouseketeers” animated short, Water-Birds, A Walt Disney True Life Adventure documentary, and “Someone’s Waiting For You” Sing-Along
THE ARISTOCATS: Special Edition
My sister must have watched this movie a thousand times when we were younger, dancing around and singing “Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat” as loud as she could, and I knew we needed to plan an auntie movie night with the kiddos so they could see it for the first time together. About the film: The exciting tale takes place in the heart of Paris where a kind and eccentric millionairess, wills her entire estate to ‘Duchess,’ a high society cat, and her three kittens. When the bumbling butler Edgar tries to pull off the ultimate catnap caper in order to secure the fortune for himself, it’s up to alley cat Thomas O’Malley and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day. Bonus: The Classic Disney short “Bath Day”, The Lost Open, “Oui Oui Marie” Music Video, Deleted Song – “She Never Felt Alone”, The Great Cat Family history, The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs, Disney Song Selection: “The Aristocats”, “Scales and Arpeggios”, “Thomas O’Malley Cat”, and of course, “Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat.”
LADY AND THE TRAMP II: Scamp's Adventure – Special Edition
Everyone loves Lady and the Tramp, right? Well, now you can find out what happened after the last film left off. About the film: Lady and Tramp’s mischievous pup Scamp is always in the doghouse. Now, an itch for a collar-free life and freedom is sending him on the ultimate adventure. With nonstop laughs, paw-tapping songs and exciting bonus features, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure is a new breed of Disney fun that the whole family will love. Bonus: The Making of Lady and Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure; Sing-Along, Pluto Animated Shorts, Puppy Trivia Tracks, Audio Commentary
POCAHONTAS & POCAHONTAS II: Journey to a New World – 2 Movie Collection
After seeing the preview for Pocahontas’ release, my daughter immediately turned to me and said “that looks like an awesome new movie, mama! Can we see it?” I explained that it was actually an older movie that I had watched when I was a girl but there was a new movie that followed and she was even more excited to see it. Ever since watching the films, she’s been all about Pocahontas. She has so many questions about Pocahontas' culture and her story, something I absolutely love learning with her. About the films: “Pocahontas” tells the story of a free-spirited girl who wonders what adventures wait “Just Around the River Bend.” Pocahontas – along with her playful pals Meeko the raccoon and Flit the hummingbird – relies on the guidance of her loving and wise Grandmother Willow when English settlers arrive on the shores of her village. Her meeting with the courageous Captain John Smith leads to a friendship that bridges the gap between two cultures and changes history. Bonus: Drawing Inspiration: The Lost Story of Hiawatha, Deleted Song: “If I Never Knew You, The Music of Pocahontas, “Little Hiawatha” Cartoon Short, Deleted Scenes, “Pocahontas” Audio Commentary, Virtual Vault, Pocahontas II Storybook
THE TIGGER MOVIE: Bounce-a-RRRific Special Edition
Oh, Tigger! I personally love Tigger and think he’s the most lovable Winnie The Pooh character, as does my daughter. I'm excited about seeing The Tigger Movie with her soon as I think she would absolutely love it. About the film: Tigger sets off on an epic journey to find other Tiggers in his family tree but through a series of exciting adventures he discovers that families come in all shapes and sizes. This fun and playful animated tale delights a whole new generation of fans with its timeless characters and storytelling, rich animation and delightful songs by legendary Disney songwriting team of brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman. The film features the Hundred Acre Wood’s most lovable characters, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet and the rest of the gang. Bonus: “A Tigger Tale”, “Round My Family Tree” Sing-Along Song, Kenny Loggins Music Video “Your Heart Will Lead You Home.”
After checking out a few of these new titles these past few days, I'm very happy with my new Blu-ray collection additions and so are my kiddos. It was certainly nice to see the films again after years of having no VCR and nice to finally pass along the VHS movies I had loved for so long. While my children were watching it for the first time ever, I was experiencing it in all its high definition glory which was like watching it for the first time all over again.
A big thank you to Disney for sending a few of the new Blu-ray films to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.
If I could only ever watch one Disney movie again it would have to be Tigger. It always makes me smile!
I love these movies. I’ll be buying some of them for my son. He loves Tigger right now!
I am a huge Disney movie fan and these are some great ones. I only wish they would release some coupons for these like they used to do when a new movie came out!