Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is offering 4 1/2-hours of Woody, Buzz, and the entire Toy Story gang in 3D at home for the holidays for the first time via Blu-ray 3D ($49.99 each or $100 for all three).
Disney-Pixar did 3D conversions of the original “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” that were released theatrically as a double-feature in 2009. The following year the company released the first made-from-scratch 3D installment in the series when “Toy Story 3” was released theatrically in summer 2010.
Although Disney already released elaborate Blu-ray editions of all three films, none were offered in Blu-ray 3D until now. All three movies are being released Tuesday, Nov. 1 in four-disc and five-disc combo sets for $49.99 each, which each also include the previous Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy versions — “Toy Story 3” includes a second Blu-ray disc of bonus features. For those who already have all those previous iterations, Disney has gratefully offered a 3D Trilogy set that includes only the three Blu-ray 3D discs of each movie for a $100 retail price — Amazon.com has priced it at less than $68, making it a very reasonable cost of less than $23 per disc.
Each 3D disc includes impressive 3D trailers for upcoming 3D animated Disney studios, “Brave,” and Pixar’s made-for-disc spin-off of “Cars” called “Planes” in 2013.
Curiously, and disappointingly, the delightfully clever Oscar-nominated 3D short, “Day & Night,” is not included in 3D on the “Toy Story 3” disc.
It is, however, included on the 2D Blu-ray bonus disc, as are numerous behind-the-scenes programs and interactivities including a fun trivia game with questions specific to “Toy Story 3” or to all three movies in the series.
Click the following for a review of the “Toy Story 3” Blu-ray edition.
This is one of the few movie series that many felt improved with each new installment. While I would not argue strenuously against that opinion, I enjoyed “Toy Story 2” more than the most recent installment, which is also terrific but features several scenes that are suprisingly intense.
Pixar’s very subtle approach to 3D remains in evidence here. While the 3D on some movies is accentuated for home display, all three of these films offer little more than a slightly greater sense of depth, with the 3D only really noticeable in a handful of scenes.
Click the following for a complete review of the theatrical film “Toy Story 3.”
— By Scott Hettrick
I don’t think I would ever spend that much money on 3 movies; even if it is in 3D. My kids are still young they don’t get that excited for the 3D, and personally it gives me a headache. I don’t think that is worth the money at all.