The Film
Pixar's shorts films have amassed plenty of Oscar nominations, a couple of wins, and a pair of awesome Blu-rays. Now it's time for the House of Mouse to shine a spotlight on all of its solo achievements in the animated short-form category.
The Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection is an interesting, eclectic collection of cartoons. Some you've probably seen before and some you'll be dying to see again. Some are surprisingly sad and some will induce extreme belly-laughs. However, all are worth owning. Here is a complete breakdown of all 12 shorts included on this Blu-ray:
John Henry: At just over 10 minutes, this is lengthiest, most musical piece of the lot. Made in 2000, this ode to the African-American folk hero was first released as part of Disney's American Legends direct-to-video release.
Lorenzo: Before this release, I had never heard of this short, which is about a fat cat with a cursed tale. That's probably because it was paired with Raising Helen. Although interesting, it's definitely the creepiest in the collection.
The Little Matchgirl: The above comment about Lorenzo is really saying something, considering the outcome of this sad short. First released on The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD in 2006, this heartbreakingly beautiful piece follows a little girl's dreams of hope in her most desperate moments. It's based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale.
How to Hook Up Your Home Theater: Perfect for Disney fans and AV geeks alike, this short has Goofy trying to navigate the home theater experience, from the choosing equipment to the setup process. It was first released ahead of Nicholas Cage's blockbuster sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Tick Tock Tale: Sure, this quirky little clock can't keep accurate time, but it may be able to save its time-keeping brothers and sisters from a late-night thief.
Prep & Landing - Operation: Secret Santa: Elves Wayne and Lanny get a top-secret mission from Mrs. Claus: to snag a box from Santa's equally secret workshop. This short airs on ABC during the holiday season and also popped up on a 2011 Prep & Landing DVD.
The Ballad of Nessie: Paired with 2011's Winnie the Pooh, this story has Billy Connolly narrating the tale of a cute little creature who's searching for a new home to share with her rubber duck, MacQuack.
Tangled Ever After: When Beauty and the Beast was re-released theatrically in 3D, it came with something Tangled fans were hoping for: a glimpse at Rapunzel and Flynn's wedding. That said, it's funnier than we all would have expected.
Paperman: The first of the two Oscar-winning shorts on this disc was first released with 2012's Wreck-It Ralph. Shot entirely in black and white, the main character finds himself trying get a little attention from the girl of his dreams.
Get a Horse!: We're guessing most of you will be familiar with this one, and not just because it includes Mickey, Minnie and several other classic characters in both their past and present form. It's because it was first released in front of a little film called Frozen. Maybe you heard of it?
Feast: The second Oscar winner delivers a dog's eye view of life with his master -- or more specifically, with his master's food. Well, that is until the guy falls in love with a woman who eats a bit more healthfully. It's incredibly cute, well animated, and was first featured ahead of Big Hero 6.
Frozen Fever: The last short in this collection is part of the juggernaut that is the Frozen franchise. It's also the most recent short, since it was just released alongside the live-action version of Cinderella earlier this year. Despite a cold, Elsa wants to make Anna's birthday truly special -- or insanely chaotic, depending on how you look at it. And of course, the party wouldn't be complete without Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf, who also appear.
Viewers can opt to pick and choose which shorts to watch through the main menu or play all. The latter is probably the preferred method of viewing, since you really won't want to skip any of these. (Did I mention there's a Frozen short?!?) The Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection is a must-own for the whole family.
The Picture
Disney never seems to disappoint when it comes to Blu-rays, and this collection is no exception. Despite various animation styles, this 1.78:1 image is a real winner. Even though it's one of the "older" shorts, John Henry is a standout for the detail on the hand-drawn imagery. Of course, the Tangled and Frozen shorts are just as stunning as their full-length adventures. One of my absolute favorites is Get a Horse! -- and not just because it makes my son erupt in endless giggles. It's because of the contrast between the old and new imagery. Yes, it has a contrast, but both of the depicted eras look awesome, as does pretty much every piece on this disc. From an image standpoint, there isn't a loser in the bunch.
The Sound
Each short on this disc features its own DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Not every one of them is bursting with songs, action or even dialogue, but all 12 play perfectly. The music is immersive when it needs to be, the dialogue is clear and centered, and the sound effects can get a little crazy (in a fun way, of course). Each track complements the video exactly as it should.
The Extras
Sorry, T.J. Miller. I adore you on Silicon Valley and as the voice of Fred in Big Hero 6, but your 7 minutes of behind-the-scenes peeks just isn't cutting it for this collection. After all, we have two Oscar winners, a billion dollar franchise, and the voice of the late Walt Disney all featured here! It would have been nice to get an in-depth featurette on every single short or maybe something lengthier on Disney's short-form animation. Instead, there's the one featurette and a brief introduction for each of the shorts.
Final Thoughts
Despite the lack of extras, the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection is an entertaining Blu-ray. The audio and video are awesome and the subject matter is sometimes fun, sometimes sad, but pretty excellent throughout. Not every single one of these shorts will warrant repeat viewings, but there are plenty that will, making it an absolute must-have.
Product Details
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