Entertainment

New From Disney Home Entertainment: Aladdin Diamond Edition & Tomorrowland Out on Blu-ray!

October is an exciting month at Disney Home Entertainment! Two of Disney’s most highly anticipated movies were released this month on Blu-ray, namely Aladdin: Diamond Edition and Tomorrowland. We had a chance to view both of these over the weekend, and here’s what we thought.

Aladdin: Diamond Edition

Aladdin: Diamond Edition

Climb aboard for a magical carpet ride with nonstop laughs, action-packed adventure and Academy Award®–winning music that will make your heart soar (1992: Best Music, Original Song, “A Whole New World,” Original Score). Now for the first time ever, a whole new world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Aladdin is revealed in a whole new way on Blu-ray and Digital HD—with never-before-seen bonus!

With the help of a hysterically funny, shape-shifting, 10,000-year-old Genie, street-smart commoner Aladdin and clever, confident Princess Jasmine join forces against the evil sorcerer Jafar to put an end to his plans to take over the kingdom!

Fans have been waiting a very long time for this Diamond Edition Aladdin on Blu-ray, and I’m so excited it’s finally here! Ever since its original release in 1992, Aladdin has been one of my favourite Disney movies. I’m part of entire cohort of high school graduates who remember “A Whole New World” as the theme song at our graduation ceremony. Ask anyone who graduated in 1993!

I watched Aladdin with my girls, and I’m so impressed with the quality of both the picture and sound. The animation is ultra sharp and the colours are vivid. The opening night scenes out in the desert and Aladdin in the Cave of Wonders show more detail than I ever noticed before. Of course my girls don’t really notice or appreciate the difference, but you can count on another generation of kids in love with Genie, Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu. No Disney collection would be complete with this Diamond Edition.

There’s lots of bonus material on the Diamond Edition, most ported over from the DVD but with some new material too. With the sad passing of Robin Williams, the highlight of the extras for me was “The Genie Outtakes”, featuring 9 minutes of Robin Williams’ frenetic and spot on improvisations as the Genie that never made it into the movie accompanied by rough animated storyboards. I also really enjoyed the “Aladdin: Creating Broadway Magic” featurette exploring how the Broadway musical production was brought to the stage. I can’t wait for that to hit Vancouver!

Bonus Features:

  • The Genie Outtakes*
  • Unboxing Aladdin*
  • Aladdin: Creating Broadway Magic*
  • Genie 101: Hosted by Scott Weinger, the voice of Aladdin*
  • Ron & John: You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me*
  • Deleted Songs
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Music Videos
  • Inside the Genie’s Lamp: Guided Tour
  • The Genie World Tour
  • Audio Commentaries
  • A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin
  • Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man
  • The Art of Aladdin: Art Review with Filmmaker’s Commentary
  • Trailers

* Denotes new material for the Diamond Edition

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland Bluray

Dreamers Wanted… Disney invites you to an incredible world of epic imagination where anything is possible. Buckle your seat belt, as the director of The Incredibles takes your family on an action-packed thrill ride.

Join former boy genius Frank (George Clooney), optimistic, science-minded teen Casey (Britt Robertson), mysterious Athena (Raffey Cassidy) and the brilliant David Nix (Hugh Laurie) in a world of pure Disney imagination. Tomorrowland transports you on an inspiring and magical journey of wonder and adventure to a place where if you can dream it, you can do it.

Hubby and I watched Tomorrowland after the kids were in bed. I didn’t know much about this movie beforehand, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The action sequences were a lot of fun (especially the chase through Frank Walker’s house), and the effects were really well done. I only wish that there had been more Tomorrowland in the movie. I really wanted to see and learn more about life in Tomorrowland, and unfortunately the follow through felt a little light after the buildup.

Disney's TOMORROWLAND..Tomorrowland..Ph: Film Frame..?Disney 2015

Disney’s TOMORROWLAND, Disney 2015

George Clooney is always good, but I especially enjoyed the strong female characters in Tomorrowland. Britt Robertson did a great job as plucky and street smart Casey Newton, and Raffey Cassidy as wise Athena the animatronic android was truly fantastic. It’s hard to believe she was only twelve years old while filming this movie. Most of all, I loved the movie’s heartfelt message of the importance of imagination and optimism.

Bonus Features:

  • Remembering the Future: A Personal Journey Through Tomorrowland with Brad Bird
  • Casting Tomorrowland
  • A Great Big Beautiful Scoring Session
  • The World of Tomorrow Science Hour – Hosted By Futurologist David Nix (Blu-ray and DMA Exclusive)
  • Animated Short: The Origins of Plus Ultra
  • Brad Bird Production Diaries
  • Blast from the Past Commercial
  • Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Intro
  • 4 Easter Eggs

Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links. This West Coast Mommy is a participant in the Amazon.com, Inc. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Leave a Comment