101 Dalmatians (LD/DVD) Released By:
Buena Vista Home Video/Laser Disc distributed by Image EntertainmentFeatures:
Laser Disc: 1961; 79 Min; Rated G; Digital Tracks: Dolby Surround English; Analog Tracks: Dolby Surround English; Original Full Frame Aspect Ratio (1.33).DVD: 1961; 79 Min; Rated G; Dolby Surround: English, French; THX-Certified; Original Full Frame Aspect Ratio (1.33).
Extras:
Laser Disc: Nothing.DVD: Almost Nothing. Theatrical Re-Release Trailer.
Review:
101 Dalmatians is the Disney classic from the early '60's that has inspired not only a TV series, but two films. Yes, Disney is currently developing a live action sequel called "102 Dalmatians." Hey, when you numbers are down, you'll do anything for a buck. Besides, this is the studio that gave us Newsies... Ugh!Here's the plot, as if you didn't already know. Pongo and Prudy are two Dalmatians that bring their "pets," Roger and Anita, together. A few month later, Purdy has some puppies, which Anita's twisted old school mate wants for some reason, a fur coat to be exact. She hires some dopey henchmen to steal the puppies, since Roger and Anita are unwilling to part with them. An so the adventure to save the puppies begins.
101 Dalamtians is a fun story, but a little dated. Not just in time period, but in animation style. It's quite amazing to watch how Disney has handled their animation unit over the past sixty or so years. You can start with thier first crowning achievement Snow White and trace it through to this year's Tarzan and see how far technology, and finances have taken them. In the over all time frame of Disney, 101 Dalmatians was released when the funds for thier animated projects was starting to fall off a bit. Not to the levels of thier seventies product, but you know what I mean.
Since I'm a prime target for Disney's grand scheme of buying product multiple times, I have of course started to re-buy all of the Disney animation on DVD. We all have our bad habits. Anyhow, this has afforded me the opportunity to start making direct A/B comparisons between the LD and DVD version of many films, and since Disney's animation is such a prized subject, I figured I should weigh in on this.
First, I should explain how my system is set up.
TV : Toshiba CN32H95 Colorstream with component video input.
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-27TX Dolby Digital/DTS THX Receiver.
DVD/LD: Pioneer Elite DVL-91 combo player, connected to the TV via S-Video routed through my VSX-27TX. The DVD Video is hooked up via the component video.
DVD #2: Sony DVP-S3000 connected to the TV via S-Video routed through the VSX-27TX.
Speakers: Infinity Infinitesimal Four's for the front and rear speakers, Infinity Infinitesimal Video for the center speaker. All speakers connected to receiver via Monster OMC.All of the other cable hook ups are Monster Cable as well, but too damned complicated to list. All future reviews will reference which system I am using, either Reference System A or Reference System B
Unlike my previous comparative reviews, where I basically watched the whole film on DVD, then threw the LD in to check picture quality differences. I was able to sync up both the LD and DVD at the same time, and switch my source via the receiver on the fly. Yes, I could have done this with the Matrix, but I was apparently too dense at the time.
While I've owned the LD of 101 Dalmatians since March, I hadn't watched it until now, to do this comparison. I can say this fairly confindently. There is very little difference between the LD and DVD of 101 Dalmatians. The Video image is nearly identical, except that the DVD's colors were not as over saturated. The only major flaw of the LD was that the picutre was ever so slightly softer than the DVD.
In some ways, I felt the LD looked a little more vibrant than the DVD. Please note that this is only when viewing both via the S-Video hook up. I orginally watched the DVD through my DVL-91 with the component video, and the colors, from memory, see to be equal between the LD and DVD in this situation.
The audio surprized me. I though I would hear a difference between the Dolby Surround PCM tracks of the LD, and the 2-Channel Dolby Surround (Dolby Digital) of the DVD. To be honest it was minor.
What does this bring me to? My final thoughts. While Disney animation on DVD is supposed to be the arrival of some messiah, it won't be that big of a deal for most laserphiles. We've known for years what Disney's product can look like, as long as some effort is put into it (i.e. everything except Hercules!). But I know for certain, that anyone that has only owned VHS will finally be enlightened as to how animation is supposed to look. The DVD's will blow away the tape versions. I'm curious to see what Mulan looks like on a real format, since Disney wouldn't release a laser disc back in March.
If I wasn't so... How should I put it? Anal retentive about collecting the Disney animation, I could have easily skipped the re-issues of the titles I already own on LD, but it would have been one severe case of denial. If you already own this title on LD, it's not necessary to re-purchase this title, especially since it lists for $10 more than the standard CLV LD. I guess the re-issue trailer is worth $10 apparently. To paraphase a saying from a popular movie "Disney is, as Disney does."
101 Dalmatians is great family entertainment, even though it may have lost some of it's sparkle for since I saw the live action film first. I'll give the movie a 7.
Both presentations are good, the LD is up to the standard Disney levels for them so I'll give the laser a 6.5. Unforutunately for most people, the DVD is too high priced for what you get, therefore it only earns a 5.
Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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