News: The Incredibles, Bambi Blu-ray, plus more

The Incredibles movie scene

The Incredibles

The wait is almost over. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is bringing out The Incredibles on high-definition Blu-ray.

The disc is trailered on Disney’s Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 Blu-ray disc, which was released in stores today. (Read our review)

Animated adventure The Incredibles, from Disney’s Pixar Studios, debuted in theaters in 2004 and grossed a tidy $261 million.

The movie features superhero Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson of TV’s Parenthood), who, along with all the other superheroes, has gone into hiding to lead a normal non-super life. But the life of fighting crime is too much of a temptation, and Mr. Incredible takes on a superhero job that ends up threatening himself and his family. Together they must flex their super muscles to save the world. The voice cast also includes Holly Hunter (Broadcast News), Samuel L. Jackson (The Other Guys) and Jason Lee (Alvin the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel).

On Blu-ray, The Incredibles will reportedly be available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with special features.

As Edna E. Mode says in the trailer: “A stunning debut, darling, on Blu-ray for the very first time, with a picture so fabulous, your entertainment system will weep with electronic joy.”

A release date hasn’t been set yet, but we’re guessing it will be summer or fourth quarter  of 2011.

The Fantasia Blu-ray disc also gives us a spring release for Bambi and fall for The Lion King in Disney’s Diamond Edition line on Blu-ray, previously announced on the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray as coming soon.

Bambi Blu-ray boxIndeed, Amazon has Bambi set for Blu-ray release on March 1 in a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo in Blu-ray packaging and DVD packaging, each priced at $39.99. Amazon lists the special features as:

  • Disney’s Second Screen, with content syncing up on a laptop, iPad, or smartphone as the movie plays
  • Disney View – 16×9 Full frame viewing experience
  • intro by Diane Disney Miller
  • “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings” enhanced interactive edition
  • two never-before-released deleted scenes
  • deleted song
  • Blu-ray interactive galleries
  • game: Disney Big Book of Knowledge
  • DVD bonus features

The Two-Disc Diamond Edition DVD of Bambi will be released on on April 19, priced at $29.99, according to Amazon.

Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray boxPlus, Disney is releasing classic animated film Alice in Wonderland in a 60th Anniversary Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo on Feb. 1. Special features will be:

• New BD Features
o Through the Keyhole: A Companion’s Guide to Wonderland – View the movie in this special mode and discover references to the original Lewis Carroll classic – introduced by the voice of Alice, Kathryn Beaumont.
o Disney View – Watch the movie in this expanded viewing experience with new Disney art in the wings of the screen
o Painting the Roses Red game – Help paint the roses red in the Queen’s garden. Careful, or someone could lose their head
o Walt Disney color TV introduction (1959) – A never-before-seen color TV intro by Walt
o Reference Footage: Alice and the Doorknob – Kathryn Beaumont provides an introduction to this newly discovered reference footage of Alice talking to the doorknob
o Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks – Kathryn Beaumont introduces a newly discovered pencil test of Alice shrinking
• PLUS, Classic DVD Features:
o Reflections on Alice
o Operation Wonderland (now in hi-def)
o “I’m Odd” newly discovered Cheshire Cat song and intro
o Thru the Mirror Mickey Mouse animated short (now in hi-def)
o One-hour in Wonderland
o An Alice Comedy: Alice’s Wonderland
o Original theatrical trailers (1951 & 1974)

And the Fantasia Blu-ray liner notes reveal that Disney also will release Dumbo: 70th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray next year.

All movies are being restored for the new releases.

We’ll give you more details as we get them.

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.