Welcome back, once again, to your one place for finding my thoughts on the weekly crop of DVD releases. I pour over the new-release list hunting for the select titles worthy of being mentioned in my weekly column. Carefully perusing the weekly offerings so you don't have to. Plus, in addition to the list you will get personal thoughts from yours truly on what may or may not be worth adding to your collection. Well, okay, this isn't the only place you can turn, and I don't search as carefully as I should. Still, you will get a column of honest and truthful opinion to assist in your DVD selection, beginning with the absolute, undisputable top pick of the week. Yes, last week's pick was not a popular choice, but the film does have a narrow audience of which I happen to be a member of (if you don't remember, the pick was Captivity). This week's pick should prove to be a bit more popular. Rightly it should, as it is one of the best films of the year.
This week's pick is none other than Pixar's latest slice of excellence, Ratatouille. Of course, it is not coming out in a super-duper two-disk deluxe edition. Those have been scrapped by Disney because their "exhaustive" research has indicated that the majority of consumers are parents buying for their kids and have no interest in extra features. I argue that there is a large, and in this case ignored, segment of the DVD purchasing public that love these high-profile films and are interested in all the behind-the-scenes footage that can be had on the making of said film. I also believe that the Pixar films would rank at the top of the list of Disney films that deserve the red carpet treatment. Still, I will not let that dissuade me from adding this beautiful film to my collection.
Let me begin by telling you that Ratatouille is an absolute joy, another triumph for Pixar, and another feather in the cap for writer/director Brad Bird. Simply put, Ratatouille is a must-see film for people of all ages.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
DO NOT BUY THIS! Sorry, but this film deserves the brilliant deluxe treatment Pixar has delivered on its other releases, and the only way to vote is with your wallet. I suggest everyone ignore CB this week and make a stand. Hold out rather than bend over and take it the shorts from the studios again. Surely there's enough to watch and listen to that you can go without a mediocre Ratatouille DVD sitting on a shelf in your library. Otherwise, you will double dip when the deluxe version comes in the near future, and come it will.
No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law.
2 - Mat Brewster
Don't seek your vengeance on me ElB, but I already bought Ratatouille. In my defense it was a bootleg screener so I highly doubt Disney say a dime from it.
So keep those spartans at bay.
3 - Chris Beaumont
Considering the stellar AV quality I have read about, plus the sheer excellence of the movie, I have no problem adding this to my collection. Would I have preferred a big deluxe edition (with better cover art)? Sure, but I find that for as much as I love extras I rarely get to all of them.
You can get some more info regarding the lack of special editions (which began last year with Cars) here.