We are only six weeks away from the Ponyo's arrival on DVD and Blu-Ray, and the reissues of Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service. As everyone remembers, these movies were planned for a December release, but was ultimately delayed. I'm sure we were all disappointed, but in the long run, I think March 2 is a wiser choice. There will be fewer movies to compete against, giving Studio Ghibli added attention.
I have to congratulate Disney for the new cover designs. These look absolutely magnificent, and it's refreshing to see the designs improve with each release cycle. Studio Ghibli's films finally have the proper shine and polish. Featuring the Japanese movie posters is especially welcome, and a very pleasant surprise.
There has yet to be any advance media from Disney on the state of the discs themselves. I remain very hopeful that the superior Japanese DVDs are used. I've praised the excellent picture quality of the Region 2 Castle in the Sky over the old, crummy Disney releases, and I can't wait for you to see for yourselves.
I see that John Lasseter's introductions for Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service are returning, which is always a nice addition. Being the dedicated Ghibli Freak and...what's the name we're using for Pixar fans?...I would love to see more of Lasseter go into depth on their love of Ghibli and Miyazaki. Commentary tracks, of course, would just be spectacular. I'll just have to take a video camera to the Pixar campus one of these years and shoot a documentary.
And Ponyo, one of my favorite movies of 2009, will make its Blu-Ray debut. For most of us, this will be the main event, especially for those who couldn't see the movie in theatres last summer. I'm hopeful that the home release will find a Long Tail success. I know I'll be buying all four movies on March 2, and I'm sure many of you will, too.
Oh, and don't forget the Ponyo plushie! Marcee is going to want one of those...and my sisters...and cousins...yadda yadda. You see how this goes. If I were to buy any one of these Ghibli DVDs, it would definitely be the deluxe Ponyo set. Save yer pennies, kids.
10 comments:
are totoro and kiki going to be on bluray also?
Love that Castle in the Sky cover the best! I barely remember the film though - which means a re-watch is in my future!
Ponyo might be the movie that pushes us to buy a Blu-Ray player! It was stunning in the theaters.
Still the same horrible dubbing on Totoro though. I just purchased the old Fox VHS Totoro release because I missed the good voice acting. I watch Totoro with subs often enough, but growing up with a good dub means I detest disney's crippled attempt.
However, can't wait to get my hands on the Ponyo dvd!
I bought the Japanese Blu-ray because I couldn't wait anymore. I won't bother with this disney one.
I have the last Totoro, Kiki's, and castle in the sky DVDs from Disney. I'll wait for those in either R2 or R1 Blu-ray.
I will probably pick up Ponyo, but it would take ome really decent extra features to get me to rebuy Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro.
Something I find so ridiculous is how Disney threw in a second disk to prevous releases to jack up the price but didn't put anything more on it than the movie over again in storyboard form. Yet there is so much material from Ghibli that they aren't releasing over here that would be perfect for DVD extras. Why not the contents of the Kazuo Oga Art Collection DVD as a bonus for Totoro? Or, goodness, Imaginary Flying Machines for Castle in the Sky? How on Earth Iblard Jikan was overlooked as a bonus for Whisper of the Heart is beyond me.
If they fix this oversight in the new set of rereleases, then they would ensure a sale. If it's more of the same, sorry, pass.
Those look so much better than the earlier versions! Can't wait for this release, even though I don't live in America. :)
I especially look forward to those new special features, all new documentaries will be great! I wonder what "World of Ghibli" and "Enter the Lands" will be, though. All new INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES and MEET THE CHARACTERS? What could that be?
Dave said:
"I'll wait for those in either R2 or R1 Blu-ray."
For Blu-ray the US and Japan are both in the same region - Region A. So the decision to purchase an import versus domestic version is now a matter of comparing features and prices. Yay, no more technical hoops to jump through!
Like others here, I too have waited to jump on the Blu-ray bandwagon (mostly due to being out of work since May). But I'm pretty sure 2010 will see Blu-ray playback capability in the house. Ghibli stuff is such a great motivator!
And yes, the new DVD covers are great. Can't go wrong with original Japanese theater poster art for Castle, Totoro, and Kiki!
Ja ne,
Paul
Otaku wa tsurai yo
Shoot, and I recently bought Castle in the Sky and Kiki a while ago. Well, looks like I can get Totoro and Ponyo together at least.. Hope there'll be some good extra features.
I would say, however, that using the Totoro poster from before the girl was split into two girls is the one instance in which one can go wrong with using the original Japanese poster art, in terms of being confusing for those not in the know. Still looks good, at least. The other two are a definite improvement, though that's not saying much given what they're replacing.
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