I just bought the DVD at WalMart in the $5 bin. The case claims it includes an "8-page Booklet Featuring a Step-by-Step, Child's Eye View of the Animation Process". However, it does not. I was wondering if this is a fluke or just a false statement entirely? Did anyone else have this problem?
Also, I just found out there is a 2-disc DVD (wish I had known this previously)...does that version include this booklet?
Thanks.
Yes, both the old and new versions have booklets. Neither of which are particularly substantial. The booklet for the newer edition though barely even counts (it isn't as nice with the one that came with the original edition, but neither are really worth pursuing.) The big question however is why you bought this film--if it is for your kids, the $5 version is a steal, but if you are an animation fan or just a big fan of the film, you will want to purchase the 2 disc set which has been restored to its original aspect ration, and greatly cleaned up. It also includes director's commentary (along with one of the lead animators) and an additional documentary about the making of the film, all in all a great purchase. Actually, there's only room for two complaints with the new set--1) the new cover artwork is horrible, and 2) I wish Bluth could have done the commentary much earlier, is he seems very distant from the film and doesn't always seem to remember why he did things.
Anyway, perhaps you have a second purchase? You can always return your $5 DVD and say it is defective (missing booklet.)
Thanks for the information. Would you mind elaborating on the differences between the old edition and the new version you speak of? I am indeed buying it for myself, as a fan of animation in general, and of The Secret of NIMH in particular. I would like to have the best version available.
shareThe huge thing is really how they cleaned up the film and also did a lot to restore the color (which is a huge deal with NIMH being very much about the subtle use of color.) There is a very slight letter box, but it doesn't add very much. The new edition includes commentary and a documentary--I don't recall much about the latter, but the commentary is worth hearing once if you are an animation fan. As I mentioned above, Bluth is joined by one of the lead art directors for the film. There's a lot of discussion regarding the use of color, backgrounds, etc. Although there are a few tid-bits about creative choices with the plot, it is mostly a technical discussion of why things look the way they do, which I found interesting.
shareEven though Bluth may not remember as many details as we would like, I still found his commentary to be very insightful. He's very interested in the art of animation, and he talks quite about about technicalities and artistry, such as the psychology of color and how to direct the viewer's eye using the layout of an image. It's all pretty detailed stuff that I've rarely heard touched on in animated film commentaries, so I definitely think the commentary alone is worth the price of admission. And as you mentioned, the film itself is also beautifully restored.
"I grew up watching TV and I turned out TV." - Homer Simpson
This might sound really picky, but I thought that was Gary Goldman who was speaking most about the technical aspects and 'psychology of color', etc., not Bluth.
shareNo, that's okay, you definitely could be right. Give credit where credit is due, right? I watched several Bluth films and commentaries pretty close together recently, so it might have been Bluth talking about those aspects on one of the other commentaries (possibly Anastasia). If so, then I stand corrected. Still a good commentary though! :-)
"I grew up watching TV and I turned out TV." - Homer Simpson
I got mine at Kmart (very cheap) and came across the same problem. I assumed that's why it was so cheap
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