Disc 2 is all about the little ones. The “Fisharades” game, while a novel idea, seems to have no end. There’s a nice piece featuring Jean-Michael Casteau and characters from the film that teaches kids about the coral reefs. There’s some fantastic footage to be had here and it’s an interesting watch even for the older crowd. The short film “Knick Knack” is priceless, easily one of the best Pixar has ever made. Scary since it came out in the late 80’s. There’s an tour of the studios that teach kids the basics of the animation process which is quite informative if you’ve never seen this done before. There’s a ton more to explore on this disc and it will keeps kids busy for some time.
Sadly, nearly all of the features reside on disc 2 and people looking for more hardcore information are left out. The introduction on disc 1 says they had an actual director take over the helm for the documentary, but there’s hardly enough here to show how these films really get made. I think any fan would love to see some of the more stressful moments: Making deadlines, screening footage, animation screw-ups, more “how can we do this segments,” etc. Also, though I’m not one to usually gripe about packaging, it’s very irrupting to have an advertisement stuck to the front of my DVD’s. Seriously, is the offer for Dole bananas going to have an effect on your purchasing decision? Yes, it does peel off easily, but it’s annoying nonetheless.
If there’s one thing that shows through in each of Pixars films, it’s how much fun these guys have making these movies. They have created what seems like one of the most enjoyable places to work in the US and it really shows in the final product. Finding Nemo isn’t the best film they’ve put out in their relatively short time, but it’s right up there at the top. My only hope is that their next film gives older viewers more choices or more detailed information.
Originally posted on Breaking Windows.
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Article comments
1 - Deano
The DVD might be terrific and, yes, Pixar's animation is, as always, jaw-dropping, but the one major flaw I found in the show was one that my five-year old pointed out - THEY KILL THE MOM! In the first three minutes!
For some bizarre reason Disney (and others) seem to think that no story is complete without a little touch of "parentalcide". Here's a little list of examples:
Lion King - Father lion goes under the hooves, literally.
Treasure Planet - Oh sorry, dad just abandons his family, he doesn't die.
Toy Story 1 & 2 - No father at all and none alluded to - immaculent conception do you think?
Jungle Book - Both parents gone, canoe suggestively smashed.
Bambi - Do I even need to get into it?
And the list goes on.
I may be overstating the case a trifle as I understand fully that, as a dramatic device, parental loss is a themeatic nuclear strike for most children - but in practically every film?
My son adamently refuses to get the new new Nemo DVD and would not go to see the movie a second time in the theatre(an unheard of event in our household), solely because Disney offed the mom.
One wonders if they could maybe, just maybe, try not to kill the parents int henext one? Please?