Finding Nemo may be the most beautiful and detailed animated movie ever made.
Truth is, if this movie had been made in traditional 2-D animation, I'm convinced it wouldn't have caused much of a stir. But it wasn't, and it did. So, if I've sounded like I've merely been harping, forgive me. Critics forget to have fun sometimes. Instead of thinking about the movie too much, I'd advise a person to simply look and admire and enjoy. "Finding Nemo" is clearly worth one's time.
Video:
The THX-mastered video is presented in two screen formats, an anamorphic widescreen version with an aspect ratio measuring approximately 1.74:1 and a standard fullscreen version at 1.33:1. The full-frame format adds a little more information to the top and/or bottom of the screen while cutting out material at the sides. I watched in widescreen, naturally, where the colors practically glow. Needless to say, if the transfer hadn't been up the demands of the motion picture's graphics, the entire enterprise might have been defeated. Fortunately, everything is up to par as this disc compares to the very best DVDs currently available. Definition is sharp, hues are brilliant, gradations of contrast are subtle and distinct, grain is virtually nonexistent, and moiré effects are at a minimum.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sonics reproduce every note in the audible spectrum with urgency and conviction. The bass is tremendously deep, the dynamics are wide and powerful, and the transient impact is strong. The result is that some scenes will knock the dust from your rafters. There is also an excellent sense of surround at all times as the listener is enveloped by the sounds of rushing, swishing, gurgling water, musical ambience, and distant voices.
Extras:
Each of the two discs in the set contains a goodly number of extra goodies. Disc one contains the widescreen presentation of the film, the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX soundtrack, a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual tests, English as the only spoken language, and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. In addition, disc one contains a brief introduction with the filmmakers and a visual commentary with the filmmakers (co-directors Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich and cowriter Bob Peterson), which includes deleted scenes and special behind-the-scenes inserts. There is also a twenty-minute documentary, "Making Nemo," that goes into technical detail about the film's creation and is probably aimed more at adults than children; design galleries in various categories for art, characters, environments, and color script; a series of "virtual aquariums," animated screen savers from the movie; and thirty-two scene selections. As usual with these Disney-inspired packages, the slim-line keep case includes a handy booklet insert with a road map for navigating all this stuff.
Disc two contains the full-frame presentation of the film, a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX soundtrack, a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual tests, and English, French, and Spanish spoken languages and subtitles. The extras on this second disc are more child oriented, which is why, I suppose, they're included with the full-frame version of the movie. Among these extras are a seven-minute featurette called "Exploring the Reef," with Jean-Michel Cousteau, Nemo, and friends; a short, 1989 Pixar animated film, "Knick Knack"; a Sneak Peek at Pixar's "The Incredibles"; the "Virtual Aquarium" feature repeated from disc one; a "Fisharades" game, where the player has to guess what shapes a school of silverfish are taking; seven minutes' worth of "Mr. Ray's Encyclopedia" facts; a "Storytime Fun for the Young" read-along of "Nemo Goes to School"; and a "Behind-the-Scenes" segment that consists of character interviews, a tour of Pixar studios with star Alexander Gould, and various publicity items like four widescreen trailers, three quick promos, and a print gallery of posters, billboards, lobby cards, and bus-shelter ads. And once again there are thirty-two scene selections.
Parting Thoughts:
It appears that Pixar has become so big, so successful, and so important, they may not need Disney anymore as a partner. As of this writing, they were looking to make new associations or to go it alone and share the profits with no one. Can't blame them. The Emeryville, California, outfit has taken the animation world by storm, and it was only a matter of time before they thought of becoming fully independent. In any case, with the success of "Finding Nemo" and with a greatly anticipated "Incredibles" flick coming up, Pixar is riding on top of the world.
If I were rating "Nemo" for younger children, I'd give it a "10." But my reaction as an adult for other adults is a bit less enthusiastic, especially compared to my more appreciative response to "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." Still, while "Nemo" may not have as strong a plot or characters as the studio's previous hits, it is so gorgeous to look at, you may never notice. A "7" seems appropriate, all things considered. Or fill in your own rating. One thing's sure: the DVD's picture and sound does it proud.
Video:
The THX-mastered video is presented in two screen formats, an anamorphic widescreen version with an aspect ratio measuring approximately 1.74:1 and a standard fullscreen version at 1.33:1. The full-frame format adds a little more information to the top and/or bottom of the screen while cutting out material at the sides. I watched in widescreen, naturally, where the colors practically glow. Needless to say, if the transfer hadn't been up the demands of the motion picture's graphics, the entire enterprise might have been defeated. Fortunately, everything is up to par as this disc compares to the very best DVDs currently available. Definition is sharp, hues are brilliant, gradations of contrast are subtle and distinct, grain is virtually nonexistent, and moiré effects are at a minimum.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sonics reproduce every note in the audible spectrum with urgency and conviction. The bass is tremendously deep, the dynamics are wide and powerful, and the transient impact is strong. The result is that some scenes will knock the dust from your rafters. There is also an excellent sense of surround at all times as the listener is enveloped by the sounds of rushing, swishing, gurgling water, musical ambience, and distant voices.
Extras:
Each of the two discs in the set contains a goodly number of extra goodies. Disc one contains the widescreen presentation of the film, the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX soundtrack, a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual tests, English as the only spoken language, and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. In addition, disc one contains a brief introduction with the filmmakers and a visual commentary with the filmmakers (co-directors Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich and cowriter Bob Peterson), which includes deleted scenes and special behind-the-scenes inserts. There is also a twenty-minute documentary, "Making Nemo," that goes into technical detail about the film's creation and is probably aimed more at adults than children; design galleries in various categories for art, characters, environments, and color script; a series of "virtual aquariums," animated screen savers from the movie; and thirty-two scene selections. As usual with these Disney-inspired packages, the slim-line keep case includes a handy booklet insert with a road map for navigating all this stuff.
Disc two contains the full-frame presentation of the film, a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX soundtrack, a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual tests, and English, French, and Spanish spoken languages and subtitles. The extras on this second disc are more child oriented, which is why, I suppose, they're included with the full-frame version of the movie. Among these extras are a seven-minute featurette called "Exploring the Reef," with Jean-Michel Cousteau, Nemo, and friends; a short, 1989 Pixar animated film, "Knick Knack"; a Sneak Peek at Pixar's "The Incredibles"; the "Virtual Aquarium" feature repeated from disc one; a "Fisharades" game, where the player has to guess what shapes a school of silverfish are taking; seven minutes' worth of "Mr. Ray's Encyclopedia" facts; a "Storytime Fun for the Young" read-along of "Nemo Goes to School"; and a "Behind-the-Scenes" segment that consists of character interviews, a tour of Pixar studios with star Alexander Gould, and various publicity items like four widescreen trailers, three quick promos, and a print gallery of posters, billboards, lobby cards, and bus-shelter ads. And once again there are thirty-two scene selections.
Parting Thoughts:
It appears that Pixar has become so big, so successful, and so important, they may not need Disney anymore as a partner. As of this writing, they were looking to make new associations or to go it alone and share the profits with no one. Can't blame them. The Emeryville, California, outfit has taken the animation world by storm, and it was only a matter of time before they thought of becoming fully independent. In any case, with the success of "Finding Nemo" and with a greatly anticipated "Incredibles" flick coming up, Pixar is riding on top of the world.
If I were rating "Nemo" for younger children, I'd give it a "10." But my reaction as an adult for other adults is a bit less enthusiastic, especially compared to my more appreciative response to "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." Still, while "Nemo" may not have as strong a plot or characters as the studio's previous hits, it is so gorgeous to look at, you may never notice. A "7" seems appropriate, all things considered. Or fill in your own rating. One thing's sure: the DVD's picture and sound does it proud.
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