Pinocchio Blu-ray Review

[Chuck Oberleitner]

The One, the Only, Pinocchio! Now a Blu-ray Platinum Release

By C. W. Oberleitner
March 13, 2009

Can’t stand to see a grown man—much less a grownup geek—cry and gush over a movie? Well then, we’ll cut to the chase and tell you our sob sister…err…man in Hollywood thinks this Platinum Edition release is an absolute must for anyone and everyone who ever wished upon a star.

Or you can read the review here >>

[Dustysage]

I totally agree Chuck. I had the pleasure of seeing the movie on Blu-ray the other night. I couldn't believe how much cleanup they did on the film. Amazing!

And the bars on the side (which help fill up the screen) were a very interesting and creative way of filling out the wide screen that most Blu-ray owners would have.

My only complaint would be that they did such a good cleanup job, that the film loses some of its previous "painted" look. Does that make sense?

In any case. Great review and thank you!

-Dusty

[sir clinksalot]

Picked up the non Blu-Ray version today. I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks up-converted on my HD-DVD player.

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

And the bars on the side (which help fill up the screen) were a very interesting and creative way of filling out the wide screen that most Blu-ray owners would have.

I thought the painted bars were interesting at first, but during many (not all) scenes they were very distracting. This happened when the bars and the picture were of the same thing -- i.e. a starry sky in the movie and starry sky in the bars, or mountains in the movie, and paintings of mountains on the side. When the picture panned around, the bars remained static, of course, drawing attention to themselves.

I don't think that was the original intent. I don't think this is a BAD idea per se, but having cute drawings of wooden frames on the side is different than trying to have it mesh with what is on screen.

[Gregmh48]

I just noticed that Pinocchio originally was released to theaters in February 1940. Can anyone tell me why a 70th Anniversary DVD is being released in March 2009? I don't think this adds up.

[BC_DisneyGeek]

Originally Posted by Chernabog

I thought the painted bars were interesting at first, but during many (not all) scenes they were very distracting. This happened when the bars and the picture were of the same thing -- i.e. a starry sky in the movie and starry sky in the bars, or mountains in the movie, and paintings of mountains on the side. When the picture panned around, the bars remained static, of course, drawing attention to themselves.

I don't think that was the original intent. I don't think this is a BAD idea per se, but having cute drawings of wooden frames on the side is different than trying to have it mesh with what is on screen.

Agreed 100%. At first I thought they were okay, but there's a scene early one where the image moves as you describe and I turned them off right then and there.

[Rex Dopey24]

Originally Posted by Gregmh48

I just noticed that Pinocchio originally was released to theaters in February 1940. Can anyone tell me why a 70th Anniversary DVD is being released in March 2009? I don't think this adds up.

money is especially during tough times like this.

[mcow1]

Apparently there is a word missing from one of the songs. In Give A Little Whistle there is a spot where Jiminy responds to Pinoccio by saying "Right" that is seemingly not there on this release even though it has been on every other release of the movie.

[JJ61]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

And the bars on the side (which help fill up the screen) were a very interesting and creative way of filling out the wide screen that most Blu-ray owners would have.

-Dusty

I just watched my Blu-ray for the first time last night and did not see anything different about the bars on the side. Is this a set-up option?

As far as the film, I think this is one Disney classic that I had never seen start to finish. I'm a big fan of this early animation. I really enjoyed the bonus stuff on the Sweat Box and using live actors to guide the animators.

Now the only animated feature missing from my collection is the original Fantasia, which I understand is to be released Platinum next year.