8/29: Aurora Awakes

[Al Lutz]

Dusty Sage and Fishbulb take in a restored Sleeping Beauty at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Discuss it here!

DIRECT ARTICLE LINK: http://miceage.micechat.com/guest/gu082908a.htm

[princedalton]

I want to go!!! This is my favorite animated Disney movie!!! But I don't know how I can see it, since I live in San Jose...sad day indeed

[hollywood1939]

Nice article and Don does do a great job when he did it for Snow White in DCA. I always like to see these events where major influences in the movies have discussions for the public.

[tonyrr1]

Dusty, Fish... Great article guys. Two questions...

1. Is this movie slated for national re-release in theaters, or is this just an event for launching the DVD/BRD (Blu-Ray Disc) campaign?

2. What's the difference (only talking DVD format now of course) between this 50th Anniversary release of Sleeping Beauty and the 2-disc Platinum edition of the film released some years ago (I want to say 4 or 5 years ago maybe?)? I thought the Platinum edition's reworking was amazing (as was Bambi's), so I'm just trying to understand what my motivation would be to need to get this newest release.

Thanks guys..!!

[toemblem]

I am curious as to what about the story line could be debated. Please share.

[JiminyCricketFan]

Wonderful review! It sounds so much better now that it was restored. I look forward to seeing it at the El Capitan!

[Dr. Shrinker]

Originally Posted by tonyrr1

What's the difference (only talking DVD format now of course) between this 50th Anniversary release of Sleeping Beauty and the 2-disc Platinum edition of the film released some years ago (I want to say 4 or 5 years ago maybe?)? I thought the Platinum edition's reworking was amazing (as was Bambi's), so I'm just trying to understand what my motivation would be to need to get this newest release.

Thanks guys..!!

Exactly! The film was "completely restored" for that release, so how much MORE restored could it be?

[AtomicBear]

Originally Posted by Dr. Shrinker

Exactly! The film was "completely restored" for that release, so how much MORE restored could it be?

That was my thought too. The digital restoration on the earlier DVD was pretty slick with the exception of some effects that could not be neatly cleaned up. I wonder if they worked from the previous restoration or from an original master print.

[ALIASd]

Terrific post. thank you.

For anyone who has never enjoyed the pure filmgoing experience that is The El Capitan Theatre - go! Even 'Piglet's Big Movie' was a treat there, it's a modern version of seeing a film in an actual Hollywood movie palace.

I had the great good fortune a few years back of meeting and introducing both Don Hahn and Robbie Benson at a special IMAX presentation of 'Beauty and the Beast' at the Bridge Cinema de Lux here in Los Angeles. Hahn is truly one of the most valuable players Disney is lucky to have.

[Craigroy8287]

What a great article. I really can't wait to go and see this. It has been a long time since I have seen this movie.

[kayoss]

Originally Posted by AtomicBear

That was my thought too. The digital restoration on the earlier DVD was pretty slick with the exception of some effects that could not be neatly cleaned up. I wonder if they worked from the previous restoration or from an original master print.

The new restoration was done from the original master print, and the effect is stunning. The film has NEVER looked this good.... and the 4K presentation of this new master being screened right now at the El Cap is, unquestionably, the best anyone has ever seen this film.

Remember when you first saw the remaster of Snow White and how impossibly clean it looked? That's the level of treatment Sleeping Beauty got, which is actually much more impressive as it's 70MM ratio literally meant there was twice as much animation to clean up. All fingerprints and smudges are gone, and the picture simply pops off the screen. Beautiful hidden details in the paintings finally are seen (as well as less-then-perfect facial details that also now show up on the huge screen). The newly remixed score blasting all around you in multichannel THX is just a great added treat.

If you love this film, without a doubt book a trip to LA to see the new restoration on a big screen! If you can't make it, at least know that a truly amazing Blu-ray version is waiting in October.

[TikiRoomLiz]

Hmmm ... I had no plans for this weekend and this is a perfect thing to do!

[CAspace]

Originally Posted by kayoss

The new restoration was done from the original master print, and the effect is stunning. The film has NEVER looked this good.... and the 4K presentation of this new master being screened right now at the El Cap is, unquestionably, the best anyone has ever seen this film.

Remember when you first saw the remaster of Snow White and how impossibly clean it looked? That's the level of treatment Sleeping Beauty got, which is actually much more impressive as it's 70MM ratio literally meant there was twice as much animation to clean up. All fingerprints and smudges are gone, and the picture simply pops off the screen. Beautiful hidden details in the paintings finally are seen (as well as less-then-perfect facial details that also now show up on the huge screen). The newly remixed score blasting all around you in multichannel THX is just a great added treat.

If you love this film, without a doubt book a trip to LA to see the new restoration on a big screen! If you can't make it, at least know that a truly amazing Blu-ray version is waiting in October.

It looked incredible on the big screen at the El Capitan!
Quick question for you, how do you suppose this digital 4k presentation would compare to a 75mm original print (new print) presentation back "in the day"?

[Athlonacon]

I want to go see this at the El Capitan so badly, but sadly my schoolwork does not permit me to drive to Los Angeles for a few hours. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. The music is timeless and always makes me think of Disneyland.

I knew going into this semester that I would be making lots of sacrifices taking on a mega workload, but this one is BY FAR the most painful. It's kind of an insult paying $13 for such a huge experience, I'd rather pay the $22 price since it's more inline with the film's worth. Believe me, it's very rare that I actually want to pay *more* for something, lol. But Sleeping Beauty deserves a lot of money since it is timeless art.

Please tell me that this is a re-release event and that it will be coming to theaters nationwide in a few months. I know Disney hasn't done that for a while with its animations, but I need to see this on the big screen.

[Barbossa]

Thanks for the article. Sleeping Beauty is one of the few Disney animated classics I don't have on DVD yet, so I'm looking forward to getting it in October. Also looking foward to Pinocchio's Platinum Edition DVD release next spring.