On the heels of the recent quality Blu-ray 3D release of the 2006 theatrical 3D conversion of “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” Disney, one of the earliest and most pro-active studios in 3D and Blu-ray, is releasing a quartet of its earliest theatrical 3D films to Blu-ray this week (Nov. 8):
* “Bolt 3D” ($49.99 four-disc combo) is not only the best of this group but also the best Disney animated movie in nearly a decade when it was released in 2008 — it deserves a sequel, at least for Blu-ray. The story of a TV hero dog actor that has to perform heroic feats in real life to save his young girl owner, is clever, cute, funny, and filled with very impressive action sequences and more, all enhanced on this Blu-ray 3D:
— Terrific and impactful use of 3D in an amazingly dynamic and exciting opening chase scene, and in numerous sequences throughout such as on a train and in an alley.
— Elaborate and detailed backgrounds and settings showcased brilliantly here in Blu-ray HD.
— Hilarious hamster comic relief character called Rhino who gets a starring role in a so-so animated short in Blu-ray bonus features.
— Fun theme song and music video “I Thought I Lost You,” and charming in-session video with Miley Cyrus and John Travolta singing duet (when Cyrus was still charming).
— Plethora of solid traditional Blu-ray-only bonus features, including making-of, deleted scenes, interactive game (that needs better instructions for play on a laptop)
* “G-Force 3D” ($44.99 three-disc set) is the Blu-ray and 3D version of Jerry Bruckheimer’s 2009 family live-action and computer-animated action/comedy featuring high-tech gadget-wielding guinea pig would-be spies.
— Fun, if a little silly.
— Short (88-minutes including several minutes of credits).
— Stellar voice cast: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz, Tracy Morgan, and Steve Buscemi.
— 3D shows far more depth here than in theaters and has many brief sequences of flying rodents, breaking glass, etc., that successfully break the frame and appear to pop out of the screen.
— Enjoyable bonus features (Blu-ray only), especially in-depth “Cine-Explore” picture-in-picture behind-the-scenes; two mini-docs with Bruckheimer, director Hoyt H. Yeatman, Jr., and his 11-year-old son; and three music videos: “Jump” by Flo Rida featuring Nelly Furtado, “Ready To Rock” by Steve Rushton, and “Go G-Force.”
* “Chicken Little 3D” ($44.99 three-disc combo) brings the industry’s first digital 3D theatrical film from 2005 to Blu-ray 3D. The modern twist on the classic children’s cautionary tale is only 81-minutes and not particularly memorable but the 3D is solid as showcased here. There are a handful of typical bonus features here, including audio commentary by the Barenaked Ladies, a sing-along, music video by the Cheetah Girls, and a making-of filmmaker Q&A.
* “Meet the Robinsons 3D” ($44.99 three-disc set) is a 2007 theatrical release that was the last of Disney’s string of so-so movies of the early-to-mid 2000s, but which features decent 3D that is also showcased well here. The Blu-ray-only bonus features are average — a “Kids of the Future” music video featuring the Jonas Brothers is a sign of the times — and include a standard-def featurette about inventions.
— By Scott Hettrick