MovieChat Forums > The Secret of NIMH (1982) Discussion > Special edition two disc set info anyone...

Special edition two disc set info anyone?

posted 17 years ago by staticsaber
10 replies | jump to latest

Hey everyone, I recently got the chance to look at this film after so many years and I must say I'm downright impressed. This film was a treat to check out and I would love to own it, but if I had one complaint it would have to be the box set it came in. Full screen, scene selection, and a trailer were all it had to offer. Not that much of a treatment...

Though after some searching on the web I did happen to find this on Amazon.com;

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-NIMH-2-Disc-Family-Fun/dp/B000OQDUNY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1202119815&sr=1-1

(sorry its not clickable)
While still not a whole lot to offer, it at least had a commentary, a featurette, some games, and the all powerful wide screen.

Now, before I buy, I wanted to ask for someone's opinion on this thing. Seem like a good buy? Yes? No? Just give me a little feed back if possible.
Thanks.

"Jack's dead my friend...."
http://saber16.deviantart.com/

[–] Dsneybuf 17 years ago

I didn't listen to the commentary yet, but here's a review: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/secretofnimh.html

[–] staticsaber 17 years ago

Thanks for the response :D
I had a look at the review (I'm going to have to keep a lookout for the writer, real thought out information), and from what I've read it seems like a pretty good deal.
I'm someone who loves looking behind the scenes for more information, and with a film like NIMH I'm real excited to find out more.

Thanks for the help, hey, do you know of any more reviews by the writer?

"Jack's dead my friend...."
http://saber16.deviantart.com/

[–] Dsneybuf 17 years ago

I remember at least 5 more reviews by that author. Go to the site's review index and click on the thing that arranges reviews by author's initals.

[–] setsuna22-1 17 years ago

I just purchased it. I have yet to view the special features that are added, but I say that buying the movie alone is worth it! Also, I think I bought it for under $15 at Best Buy, so it's worth it price wise as well. Ultimately, I bought it b/c even though I don't have children right now(nor any on the way any time soon), I want o have it on hand for when I do have children. Because it would be a great shame if they were never exposed to it!

[–] monty39 17 years ago

Here's my review of the special edition DVD:

http://www.dvdinmypants.com/reviews/O-V/secret_nimh.php

[–] lvd_orders 16 years ago

The dvd set is worth owning just for the improved transfer and aspect ratio alone. It's cheap and the best presentation we'll ever see of the film.

The commentaries are interesting, but it is disappointing how much is left unanswered and it becomes clear the a LOT of water has passed under the bridge since the making of NIMH. The question I'd most been hoping to hear answered was regarding the changed ending, to which Bluth gives some lame answer; but it seemed to me he just couldn't remember why he did it with that film so long ago, so just passed on it.

On the other hand--if you are an artist or animator (and aren't dirt broke)--the commentary from the lead artist is pretty cool though very technical. He spends a lot of time discussing the backgrounds and color palette selections. For most people however, this will probably come off as rather dull and I doubt few people would watch it more than once.

[–] aleusong 16 years ago

The two disc special edition is a bit wasteful IMO. But if you want a high quality widescreen version of the film, this is the way to go.

The problem with the set is the second disc. The only thing on their worth not throwing the disc away for is the 15 minute documentary but the rest of the disc is nothing more but remote control games relating to the film. I think they should've just taken out some of the games and cram everything together into the first disc. I would've been fine with that.

[–] lvd_orders 16 years ago

Although wasteful is the right word, there is also quite a bit to be thankful for--namely the color correction and wide screen treatment. The commentaries ARE interesting, but tragically too late. At times Bluth seems to not even remember what he was thinking when he made this film (and who can blame him, I mean, it's over 25 years ago!) The art director is very cool from a technical point, but might bore anyone who isn't actually interested in animation. Ultimately if you want to know about the creative decisions made with the film, casting, etc, you won't find it here--but still, I enjoyed it.

[–] MTRodaba2468 16 years ago

While the bonus features could be better, I think the 2-Disc set is worth it just for the widescreen, high-definition transfer alone...
---
#1 Wee Man Fan
http://mtrodaba2468.dvdaf.com

[–] trickbaxter 15 years ago

The set does look nice, and has a couple of decent to mediocre extras, but I don't really understand why anyone is excited about the widescreen presentation. NIMH was not intended to be shown 1.85:1, so the "widescreen" version is not really any closer to the intended/correct aspect than the 1.33:1 fullscreen version.

I wish these older, classic films would get treated with a little more respect.