5 comments about The Emperor's New Groove (Walt Disney Pictures Presents).

1. the Emperor's New Groove is not only funny but it teaches a great lesson to children and adults- to love others no just your self. so indulge, laugh and cry with Kozko on his journey!



2. Let me first admit: In general and principle, I hate Disney movies.
   
   There, I said it. I know as American consumers, we consider that blasphemy against the capitalist God that Disney is. They usually destroy any fairy tales they do get ahold of (The Little Princess in original form is NOT
   a happy story with saccharin musical numbers), and in those cases, I would recommend avoiding them like the plague...or American Idol.
   
   So why am I writing this? Because sometimes, one in a so often, Disney gets their act together. The original Fantasia is easily one of the most amazing cinematic accomplishments of the early 20th century. They are a huge influence on the Japanese manga scene (you can go straight to Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy" for that". However, after Disney died, quality dropped off.
   
   They got a shot in the arm of invigoration with their deal in the 1990's with Pixar, and most of us know that story. However, they also ended up producing two films that were a bit outside their safety zone that were, in my view, surprisingly fresh: Lilo and Stitch and The Emperor's New Groove.
   
   
   With The Emperor's New Groove, Disney seemed to be completely hands off on the project. Besides the opening Tom Jones piece (which, by the way, is lounge-erific), there are no singing and dance numbers. I normally hate David Spade, but he's okay here. He does his "snotty little punk" act here of course, but the character calls for it, making him bearable. John Goodman as Pacha is an excellent foil, an average joe swept up into extraordinary situation, and Goodman's deadpan works great off Spade (see
   "the waterfall scene" for an excellent example). Eartha Kitt plays a great villain here, Yzma, often made fun of for being "very, very, very old" and also has a wonderful wicked deadpan that works. However, the character that steals this movie, hands down, is Kronk, Yzma's manservant (played brilliantly by Patrick Warburton). I was out of breath laughing so hard at this character. He plays a dolt...who has a penchant for cooking and talking to squirrels. He is the icing on the cake of a script that is somewhat Monty Python-esque in it's absurdist humor, which had me hooked.
   
   I haven't seen either of the special editions, and normally I'm not a huge fan of the behind the scenes stuff unless it's a completely overwhelming film (think Lord of the Rings or Star Wars). However, if you are into absurdist humor from an unlikely source, I would recommend checking it out.



3. This is one of the funniest cartoons I've ever seen. The humor is very witty and Kuzco is so obnoxious, you just can't help but love him!! The charcters are the best, from Yzma, Kronk to Pacha and Bucky! Great for kids and adults!!



4. Some actors were meant to do voice over work. Take Eddie Murphy for instance; his voice is the perfect tone of comedic brilliance to lend itself heavily to the animated picture. You can pencil in David Spade right next to him as far as I am concerned, because Spade has the perfect brand of sarcastic delivery that makes a cartoon all the more entertaining. Yes, David Spade elevates `The Emperor's New Groove' from light fluffy fun into a hilarious romp through the jungle and catapults it to the top of my `Favorite Animated Films' list.
   
   The film is not the deepest bucket in the Disney shed; like I said, it's light and fluffy; but when it comes to delivering the goods (as in laugh after laugh) it succeeds on a far grander scale than a lot of Disney films do.
   
   The film follows young emperor Kuzco, a spoiled brat of a man/child who takes what he wants at whoever's expense. He is self centered and greedy and quite obnoxious and this does not translate into a happy kingdom. One day he calls in Pacha, a gentle villager, to explain that his family has to leave their home immediately in order to make way for Kuzco's new water park. So starts a series of events that proves to change to course of Kuzco's life. He makes enemies with Pacha the moment he needs him most; for it is shortly after their meeting that his ex-employee Yzma turns him into a llama and dumps him in the forest to die.
   
   `The Emperor's New Groove' has a nice moral about learning to give and be generous and look out for the well being of others, but for the most part this is here to entertain, and entertain it does.
   
   David Spade is hilarious as the ill fated Kuzco. His brand of humor brilliantly captures his characters predicament and helps create a hilarious atmosphere for the films entirety. John Goodman has such a lovably sincere tone in his voice, like a teddy bear, and this is a perfect compliment to Pacha's character development. Not only does Yzma look hysterical but Eartha Kitt was brilliantly cast as her vocal star. Evil has never been this funny. Patrick Warburton is the perfect compliment to Kitt's Yzma, his portrayal of the dim-witted hunk Kronk being one of the films major highlights.
   
   Visually there is a lot to laugh at here, each scene feeling fresh and primed for your enjoyment. I can't think of a single error or flaw. I mean, honestly, it could have been deeper or more profound (this is Disney) but sometimes we just want to sit back and laugh.
   
   `The Emperor's New Groove' brings on those laughs; heavy!



5. Where on earth do I start with this gem of a film?
   
   When I first saw ads for it, I thought it looked like cheap Saturday morning fare. "Boy, has Disney gone downhill," said I to myself.
   
   Then I watched it and ate my words.
   
   I rarely laugh aloud at films. I laughed many, many times in this one. The humor is spot on. It's often random, but not so random that it loses sense of its context. It's delivered by fantastic voice actors. Yzma, Kronk, and Cuzco (especially Cuzco) give wonderful performances. When an actor can take a line like "Llama Face" and make you laugh until your lungs pop out, well. I think that's success.
   
   It helps that the theme is heartwarming and is a part of the film rather than a tacked-on "moral of the story." The characters and setting are all terribly fun; Pacha's selfless behavior in particular is refreshing, as is the South American-centric setting.
   
   I'm still not impressed by the animation, but it does have its own enjoyable, Latin/Incan-themed style. Bright colors and (sometimes) gorgeous landscapes are nice to behold.
   
   Anyone of any age will enjoy this film. Simple, yes. Entertaining, absolutely!

5 comments about The Jungle Book (Fully Restored 30th Anniversary Limited Edition).

1. I would do busy with this seller again. I recieved my order very quickly and in great condition. Thanks.



2. This was a treasured movie of my mom's...it was always one of her favorite Disney movies, along with Pinocchio. She passed her love of this movie along to me as a child and I loved it too. When I saw that it was restored, I couldn't pass it up(especially because I have a child of my own now to pass it along too). what a wonderful movie...better than I remembered. No Pixar movie can come close to the warm feeling you get when you watch these cartoons that are actually drawn & painstakingly developed by hand.
   I highly recommend this to anyone



3. Having called a month-long time out on princess stuff, I ordered this hoping but not really believing it would replace Little Mermaid or Cinderella in my daughter's mind. But she loves it. She doesn't get to watch the whole thing often but I occasionally just cue up the songs and let her watch, sing along and dance to those. Definitely a solid choice for any home dvd collection.



4. Man....King Louie's music bit is the best. This movie is superb. Ahead of it's time.



5. Better than I remember. The DVD quality is great and my son loves the movie.

5 comments about Phantom Tollbooth.

1. Milo is a boy who is bored with everything and can't see any rhyme, reason, or beauty in the world. In school, all he can think about is going home. At home, he still wishes he was somewhere else. However, Milo's world is turned upside down when a mysterious box appears in his bedroom. The box transforms into a kid-sized, magical tollbooth, complete with kiddie car and coins. Milo agrees to drive the little car through the talking tollbooth in the hopes of some sort of adventure, and he is not disappointed. Test driving through it a few times, he is amazed to find he is transformed into a living cartoon character. When he finally bites the bullet and goes all the way through, Milo enters a cartoon world of letters and numbers, kings and castles, demons and princesses, and all sorts of other oddities. The boy passes through all sorts of odd situations and obstacles, befriending a talking "watchdog" and a few other strange characters along the way, and learns the real value of knowledge and using time wisely when he quests to rescue two princesses from the terrifying "Castle in the Air."
   
   Starring Butch Patrick (TV's Eddie Munster) in the role of Milo, along with legendary voice talents the likes of Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Hans Conried, June Foray, and many more, this Chuck Jones classic is a cherished memory to countless children who have seen it since its release in 1970. Based on the book by Norton Juster, "The Phantom Tollbooth" is all about the importance of thought and learning. Its message may grow tiring to some adult viewers after a while, but it has a nice pace that should keep most viewers interested, along with creative animation and bizarre situations! Sure, it's yet another story that feels in some ways like a "Wizard of Oz" retread, but it's different enough to be worthwhile. The overall 1970 look of the film puts one in mind of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" during the live-action sequences, but this only adds to the film's charm. Let's hope a DVD release comes along sooner or later. I know many people are waiting for it!



2. I just want to say that I absolutely love this movie, and I am a grown woman (41). I saw this as a teenager, and was so taken by it, I purchased it for my children. I fell in love all over again! I just think the the negative reviews are short sighted, and wanted to tell anyone that they SHOULD get this, they will love it!!



3. I was so happy to find this movie but the price was outrageous. I got it for my sisters birthday because her and this movie go way back. I guess it was worth the amount of money just because in my family it is a classic. They really need to make this movie on a DVD though because they last longer. This movie is so funny and just amazing. If you haven't seen it then I would suggest you rent it first because you may not be into this kind of movie. It is kind of trippy in some parts but the whole movie is just great. There is some singing and it is mostly a cartoon. It starts off as real life but then turns into a cartoon. This movie is a classic.



4. For fans of Chuck Jones, this is a great way to see some of his work outside of the Looney Tunes.
   
   For fans of the book, this is just a passing curiosity.
   
   Too many liberties were taken with the property. It only resembles the book in the most superficial of ways. The magic and charm of the book is lost in this animated version. I was very disappointed in it. Especially after wanting to see it for years. The songs in the film don't work as a way to advance the plot. They're just in there to be in there. They have no function at all.
   
   As stated, most of the charm and magic of the book is gone. You get the basic plot. Milo gets the tollbooth. Takes his journey to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Along the way are Tock and the Humbug. In a nut shell, you go from The Land of Expectations, to the Doldrums, to Dictionopolis, to Digitopolis to the Castle in the Air. 90% of the little side excursions are gone. No Valley of Sound. No Island of Conclusions. No cities of Reality or Illusions. No Alex. No 5/8 child. Heck, even the demons in the Mountains of Ignorance are not even that interesting. Rhyme and Reason are not much more than blobs of color. Almost like the animators just couldn't be bothered to even try and make them look like people. Tock is drawn all wrong. Short Shrift if wrong. I could go on and on.
   
   Since the book isn't all that long, I didn't see the need to cut so much of the more interesting parts out. If they had left out the songs, there would have been more than enough time to be more faithful to the book.
   
   I'll stick to reading the book. It's 100% better. Maybe in a few years some one will get the idea to make a more faithful adaptation. I hope so because if done correctly a movie of The Phantom Tollbooth could be really spectacular. This version wasn't.



5. This is probably one of the best animated movies ever. My 3 boy's who are now in there late teen's early 20's loved this movie when they were toddlers. We saw it on cartoon network in the late 80's early 90's and that was there favorite movie I taped it off the TV and they watched it sooo much the tape broke. They have not aired it since and I would really LOVE to be able to own this on DVD one day. If they ever decide to make this into DVD or Blu Ray this will be a definate big seller. Please Bring this Movie to DVD you will not regret it....Erin.S ( LAUREL MD)

5 comments about Mary Poppins.

1. A long-time favoritel; a classic. Have always wanted to own this movie and am nothing less than ecstatic! Many thanks!!!!



2. I have not received the DVD. When I try to make contact with the seller through email, the email address is "no longer available."



3. Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition)Excellent video; my granddaughter just LOVES it; she has been watching it repeatedly since she received it. Highly recommend this movie for 3 years and up.



4. Fabulous. If you like singing, dancing, life lessons, and have an imagination this is for you



5. I have numerous happy memories of seeing Mary Poppins since the first time (on its re-release in 1980). I go back to it time and again and have never been bored yet! Highlights - the horse race and the dancing cartoon waiter penguins; Chim Chim Chiree and the acrobatic chimney sweeps; Mrs Banks (Glynis Johns) and her 'Votes for Women'; Reginald Owen's Admiral (with a ship on the roof of his house!); the gorgeous 'Feed the Birds'; the special effects in 'A Spoonful of Sugar'; Ed Wynn as the giggling Uncle Albert; and of course the brilliant performances from Julie Andrews as Mary, Dick van Dyke as Bert/Mr Dawes senior, Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber as the children Jane and Michael, Hermoine Baddeley as the maid, and David Tomlinson as Mr Banks. Absolutely brilliant and definitely makes you remember being a child with a big smile on your face. Those who don't like it possibly came to it too late in life, but I can't fault it.

5 comments about The Sword in the Stone (Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection).

1. Maybe that's because it's a movie for little kids you twit.
   
   I didn't intend to review this but I see all these jack*ffs slamming a children's cartoon and I just had to say something.
   
   "What do you get when you mix TH White and Disney and BLAH BLAH DIDDLEY BLEH!"
   
   Oh you witty rascal you.
   
   Shut up. Just shut up.



2. This is a wonderfully produced release of one of the weaker full-length films produced during Walt Disney's lifetime. I know that doesn't mesh with many of the reviews here, but I just find very little to enjoy in this particular film. There is no real story, with a particularly weak script by the usually marvelous Bill Peet (the most versatile individual from the Golden Age of Disney, sometimes designing characters, sometimes writing screenplays, sometimes directing). The film consists of a series of largely unconnected vignettes where Merlin is ostensibly educating the future King Arthur. I did not care for this film when I was a small child and I find that I haven't come to care for it as an adult.
   
   On the other hand, I'm sure that many kids will get a huge blast out of this. One of my daughter's favorite Disney films as a small child was ROBIN HOOD, which is probably my least favorite Disney film ever.
   
   Certainly this release makes the film look more beautiful than it ever has before for home viewing. This was one of the first films I watched on my new high def TV and I was just delighted with how vivid the colors were. As with most Disney rereleases there were also many interesting special features.
   
   I would, however, only recommend this to someone who is a bit of a completist, dedicated to owning all of the Disney films on DVD. There are just so many other films that one ought to own first. Not counting collections of short subjects, there must be a solid fifteen to twenty DVDs that one would want to collect before this one. Still, I'm sure almost any kid will love it. I'm just not confident that most adults will.



3. If you've always liked Disney Classics then this is a must have. The Sword in the Stone has and will always captivate the child in me.



4. I bought this movie for my boys so we could have movie time with a movie I approved of. I watched it with my brothers when I was young and I wanted my boys to have those same great memories.



5. WARNING! Spoiler Alert - Am I the only one who feels sorry for that cute little female squirrel that becomes infatuated with the transformed young Arthur only to have her heart broken when he's turned human again? As silly as this may seem, this is the one reason why I do NOT like this film. Yes, there is a tough life lesson to be learned in this sequence and yes it is a testament to the effectiveness of Disney's storytelling and animation, but c'mon! Maybe the scene would've lost its poignancy if the story allowed for another male squirrel to be smitten with the heartbroken female, but ask yourself, would you have enjoyed "Dumbo" as much if his mom was never released from her cage? Apples to oranges, I know.
   
   Anyway, other than my gripe about the aformentioned scene, I thought this was a fun movie overall. The animation is typical of Disney's high standards even though I thought the songs were a bit lackluster. Not in the same league as "Peter Pan" or "Alice In Wonderland," but not as bad as "The Black Cauldron" either.
   
   If Disney ever does the smart thing and decides to start releasing traditionally animated features again, they should do right by that squirrel and get her a boyfriend!

5 comments about Hercules (A Walt Disney Masterpiece).

1. The animation is very good & detailed. The story has a lot of action. It is a good hero movie with a great romance. There is lot of comedy in it. The voices of some of the characters are well known so it is great to listen to them. It is quite easy to watch many times. My boys have watched it so many times that they can quote whole scenes by heart. The joy my boys have gotten from watching it has made it a worth while purchase.
   DLP



2. I received the movie at the time indicated it would be sent and it was in great condition. Thank you.



3. I never recieved this movie...and its been a mounth and two ays since my purchase had been made. I hope amozon banns the seller from selling items because all the reviews this person recieved wer awful.



4. Though this movie is great for an hour and forty five minutes of entertainment its accuracy is something from another planet. If your looking to educate your children about the gods this isn't the right movie. However, if you want a little play-off on the gods and goddesses this is perfect. Its packed with humor and adventure, perfect for any ages. If you want some fun stories to read to your child I would recomend the D'AULAIRES book of greek myths.
   
   From a middle school student in MA.



5. This movie is entertaining and has a wonderful moral lesson in the end. I bought it for my toddlers, and although it contains stimulating animation, they did not enjoy all the battles Hercules had to endure. It is a movie based on the mythical hero, but completely incorrect from an historic point of view. Maybe my kiddos will like it a bit more in a couple of years.

5 comments about Hocus Pocus.

1. Hocus Pocus: This is a great movie at halloween. The cast really looks the part. It is alot of fun to watch.



2. Along with "Clue," this is what I consider one of the greatest Halloween movies ever made. It starts with the death of 3 witches (Winifred, Sarah, and Mary). Also, Zachary gets turned into a black cat by them after he unsuccessfully tries to save his sister Emily. We then move to a present day classroom in Salem where a class has heard about what happened. Did what we see really happen, or was it just an acted out story the teacher was telling? GREAT AMBIGUITY! Max doesn't believe the story, which makes him somewhat of an outcast. He seems interested in Allison; she is not exactly rude to him, but she doesn't seem overly interested in forming a relationship with him either. We also see that Max has some problems with his younger sister Danielle. (He doesn't want to take her trick or treating.) But they patch things up, and they run into Allison. They decide to visit where the 3 witches they learned about in class died. In a dramatic, but also hilarious fashion, the 3 witches are resurrected, and they plan their revenge on Salem. This movie is great that while the 3 witches are unquestionably evil, they carry a charm that makes them hilarious and lovable despite. Basically, they want to kill enough people so that they can make a potion that will enable them to live forever. (Another thing that is so funny is that they are trying to take over a world they don't know. They don't know what a bus is; they think fire men are witch hunters; they think the trick or treaters are real monsters, etc.) In an especially hilarious moment, Winifred walks into a kitchen and says: "Behold! A torture chamber!" Allison, Max, and Danielle, along with the black cat Zachary are sometimes uneasy allies, but they are determined to stop the witches from taking over Salem. Overall, there is a phenomenal combination of horror, suspense, and comedy. Even characters with small parts like Danielle's parents make the most of their roles. (Danielle's mother is humiliated when she tries to explain an R rated costume she wore to an adult party. Of course, she didn't expect Danielle to find her there!) There is also a great climax with a touch of tragedy. Probably one of the best things about this movie is that often we are not sure as to whether we are watching a horror movie or a comedy. But it's all Halloween! And of course with Bette Midler as the head witch, there is a great song in the middle (which in this case turns out to be a spell). If you love Halloween, this movie is a MUST!



3. For my family no holiday is complete without a long list of holiday movies to watch and enjoy. This movie is absolutely on our list, and it has long been a favorite.
   Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy deliver hilarious performances as the wicked and witchy Sanderson sisters; back after a long awaited rest they are ready to wreak havoc on the town of Salem and regain their youth. Funny, sweet and good for the entire family, it's one of Disney's best. (Despite some critcism from uptight people who have issue with the word "virgin".) I think there are far worse words being used on TV these days, but hey to each their own. I love this movie and so do my kids, for us Halloween is not complete without it!



4. This is a great movie but it is not in 1:85 widescreen format. It is in a 4:3 aspect. I called Disney and they tried to explain that it is their only release of the movie. They admitted it wasn't in a true 1:85 widescreen and will not fill a 16x9 hi-def T.V. (looks great on a 4:3 T.V.) After playing mind checkers with the Disney operator for a few minutes, they could'nt give a reason why it is advertised as a widescree movie.



5. I love this movie and I watch it often. I bought the video when it came out in the 90's and now I have trouble watching it on our new HD TV, so
   now I purchased it in the DVD form. The actors were great in this movie. I can't get enough of the movie.

5 comments about Yellow Submarine.

1. I purchased "Yellow Submarine" from Amazon through an outside source in Massachusetts. It took a long time to receive the DVD and once it arrived it was so poorly packaged (no bubble wrap, thin envelope)that the DVD case was damaged so that the DVD was flopping around inside the case.
   
   If you decide to purchase insist on tighter delivery times and better packaging to insure your investment.
   
   This is not a fault of Amazon. Every order I receive directly through Amazon arrives in a timely manner and is well packaged. This particular DVD came from an outside source. Just be carefull.



2. To be honest, the only reason I bought the DVD was for the 5.1 Surround Sound of the music tracks. Die-Hard Beatle fan. Saw the movie as a kid. It was just ok. If you want to hear the music in 5.1, don't hesitate. It sounds real good.



3. Good time & quality on delivery. Good stuff if you are a Beatles fan. Got the Pop Art thing happening. You have to remember, the Sixties' culture advocated the use of hallucinogenic drugs. Far out. >Sam



4. Next to "A Hard Day's Night", this is my favorite Beatle movie. I thoroughly enjoyed Yellow Submarine when it came out in 1968. I purchased a VHS copy when it first came out in an affordable edition. I wanted to upgrade my tape to DVD. But, c'mon fellas, $25 for a 40-year-old animated film by Peter Max?
   
   This DVD better come with blotter acid & a Nehru jacket from Carnaby street! Oh, and if I have my choice of surviving Beatle to deliver the disc, send Ringo! He knows "It don't come easy"!
   
   ---John Paul, Oklahoma City



5. What a shame,it seems that movie companies only release Beatle classics on a limited term!!! I'm sure that a 40th Anniversary Edition might easily be on the way but I don't know!!! I'm glad I bought a copy of it when it was in print,because it is no out of print and fetching high dollars on auction sites such as Ebay!!! This WAS a great release from MGM,nice vibrant Widescreen(although it was non-anamorpic,it was'nt to bad sice it was 1.66!)transfer,the soundtrack was awesome too!!! And this disc had some choice extras,although not overstuffed with them!!! Let's hope that with Blu Ray here,maybe a reissue is in the near future,as well as a new DVD,well,lets keep our fingers crossed!!! Is it All To Much to have this great film back in print to enjoy,or will the Blue Meanies keep it locked in the vaults in Pepperland along with Let It Be,that has NEVER seen an official DVD release,lets hope it's soon,not When I'm Sixty-Four,come on All You Need Is Love,MGM,make fans happy again,cause like it says in the film a minute is a very long time!!! Cheers!!!

5 comments about Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Edition).

1. i loved this movie when it first came out. i lost it and now i am glad to have it back in my collection again



2. so wonderful to see this again, my 2 1/2 year old can't get enough... i'm sure we'll wear out the disk before she's 3. :)
   
   (anecdote - we recently were in New York City, and upon passing St. Patrick's cathedral, my daughter started hollering 'hi Princesses! hi Belle! I'm your friend, are you home at the castle???" :)



3. I was very pleased with the purchase, came in a resonable time and was in the condition the seller listed it as.



4. What an awesome movie. The seller was awesome and took care of the problem right away.



5. This product was in excellent condition and arrived within one week of my ordering it.

5 comments about Dumbo (Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection).

1. DUMBO ARRIVED ON TIME AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE
   FOR ALL DISNEY LOVERSUnder the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition)



2. What needs to be said about Dumbo ? Its a wonderful movie. Our kids, grandkids, and greatgrandaughter all love it !



3. Dumbo is a movie I remember as a child watching and watching, again and again. I believe I truly drove my family mad with the constant replaying. It has however been many years since I watched it. However I am reliving my childhood as I slowly expand my Disney DVD's for my child. Dumbo is a film that gives a good message of it is ok to be different and you should not allow bad things to hold you back. It is packed with a delightful range of characters from cheeky birds to loving and mean elephants. I would probably not recommend for very young children as the pink elephant sequence could scare them but if your child has loved other Disney movies I would say get it and they should love it too. Before you know it they will be singing along with all the songs. So sit back and enjoy!!



4. More Dumbo carttoon movie from Disney !
   Elizabeth L.



5. I have various Disney movies and this is the best one for toddlers as it does not contain the thematic and real violence of a Peter Pan, nor sibling bickering like in Cinderella nor a too-hip attitude. Instead it is innocent and very positive in its message of overcoming your weaknesses and of self-esteem. (In fact I read an article that a company in India uses this movies to motivate its employees.) Aside from this, this movie is a masterpiece for people of all ages. The next best ones for toddlers are maybe Cinderella and The Jungle Book and when they are a little older Little Mermaid and Alice in Wonderland. For Aladdin and Lion King I'll maybe wait until my little one is maybe 5.