Techtite's DVD Reviews!

Alice in Wonderland

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A Techtite Review

The Film : Of all of the classic animated Disney films, few are as hard to categorize as Alice in Wonderland. Some might say that it's one of the "lesser" classics, preferring fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty. Others may say that at a mere 75 minutes, it was a little bit too short (Disney's more modern hit, Aladdin, was around 90 minutes). This feeling is enhanced by Alice going to perhaps one too many places in Wonderland, too quickly; couldn't each scene have been longer?

However, there is that "classic" edge to it. Animation is excellent as always, and while no songs in the film are as toe-tapping as others in Disney history, they are at least worth listening to. Characters are also quite vibrant and inspired, all based on what the DVD back case admits to be "Lewis Carroll's immortal literary classic." Whether your favorite character from the film is the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum, The Queen of Hearts, or just want an animated version of the story about The Walrus and the Carpenter, it's all here. Based on the actual voice actress, Alice's own expressions and mannerisms are equally accurate and perfectly animated.

However, admittedly, there is that feeling that the film could have been a bit better, when looking at other classic Disney fare. Songs like "All in the Golden Afternoon" are impressive, though not half as inspiring and memorable as other Disney tunes. The end result is a must-see for fans of the book, and definitely a film worth the price as a classic, yet not if there is another Disney classic favorite of yours on the shelf, still waiting to be purchased...

The DVD : Disney's first DVDs of animated features were nice (particularly The Little Mermaid), yet lacked any major extras. This is surprising, when the typical DVD can hold an epic, 3+ hour film, very easily, and animated films probably need 90 minutes at most. Disney apparently listened to DVD consumer input on this matter, and are starting to release some very amusing extras in their latest DVDs. Fortunately, that includes this DVD as well.

Kids who love the sing-along tapes will appreciate the sing-along clips for both of the better songs of the film: "The Unbirthday Song," and "All in the Golden Afternoon." The original theatrical trailer is present, though with the trailer mentioning that this film is "rated G" --when the rating system, last I heard, wasn't around in 1951-- you wonder if this is the original trailer. However, the colors seem "old" and untouched enough, so probably only the small clip showing the G rating was added later, and this is pretty much how the trailer appeared in the beginning of the 1950's.

Other bonuses are becoming more common on Disney children's DVDs lately. A DVD Storybook tells the story to a child in storybook form, which can be either read silently by the child on screen, or read to them by an appropriately British-accented actress. A trivia game is also offered, with questions about the film. However, the game is of still pictures only, and with the questions so easy, it's obvious this trivia game was meant for little, little kids only.

However, the best bonus for one and all will be "Operation Wonderland," the intriguing, Black & White featurette, of Walt Disney himself and all the people behind the scenes of the film! Clips are shown of the actual voice actors, including Kathryn (Alice) Beaumont, as they performed actual moments in the film, so the animators could better create that scene. Among such amusing clips are of them performing the Mad Tea Party itself! This shot alone will guarantee the need for fans of the film to purchase it on DVD. Any clip of Walt Disney, permanently preserved on a disc, is worth the purchase price as well.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. One of the classics, enhanced by excellent DVD bonus materials. However, to be perfectly honest and candid, it's not my favorite...
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