Mousekingdom Blog

When it was announced last week that Warner would now choose sides and back up the Blu-ray system it became clear who would be the winner between the Blu-ray system from Sony and the HD-DVD technology from Toshiba. While they will try to fight back and still have the Paramount (update; looks like paramount will leave HD DVD system too), Dreamworks and Microsoft covering them I am pretty sure Blu-ray is the big winner. This could well be decision time for many people who waited to see what system to get and finally get a new Blu-Ray player in the house. I could be wrong of course, and Toshiba might have something of a back up plan or a way to convince people that their system is the one to get, but with the line of support for Blu-ray this might be a very hard task…

This week Disney, who sided with the Blu-ray system, has announced a big list of new titles. The most important one might be the start of their Platinum edition. This one will kick of with Disney’s masterpiece “Sleeping Beauty”,

“This is an exciting time for Disney as we not only announce the release of our first Platinum Disney animated classic on Blu-ray with ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ but also allow consumers to create an entirely new home entertainment experience with stunning new bonus features and amazing interactive capabilities like never before seen,” stated Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. (ComingSoon.net)

Some of the specials on the disk sound great.

Sleeping Beauty will be WDSHE’s first Platinum Edition Blu-ray Disc and will feature a Virtual Castle, utilizing the new BD-Live technology, as well as the interactive game Maleficent’s Challenge which puts viewers face-to-face with one of Disney’s greatest villains. Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc will also feature an all-new enhanced home theater mix in 7.1 surround sound. (ComingSoon.net)

But that is not all. Disney has announced a big list of 2008 Blu-ray releases. Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo will be released including interactive visual commentary with director Andrew Stanton, co-writer Bob Peterson and co-director Lee Unkrich as well as the 7.1 surround sound too. But the list goes on; The Game Plan (January 22; Gone Baby Gone and Becoming Jane (February 12); Dan In Real Life (March 11); The Rock and Con Air (January 8); Crimson Tide (February 5); The Rookie (March 4); Hidalgo, “Coyote Ugly: The Double Shot Edition”, Unbreakable, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and “National Treasure: Collector’s Edition” (spring 2008). These are US releases, Japan, European and Australian release may vary.

Sounds like a pretty interesting list. One that might get me thinking to get the Blu-ray system in the house… Or maybe I should wait just a little longer as those discs are still a little bit high priced. Just like DVD I see those prices go down and get more affordable. Even with the interesting future collection Disney (and others) are putting out there, waiting just a little bit longer could save some $$$. Hey, don’t judge me, I can use those $$$ for another Walt Disney World visit. But what about you? Is this the reason to get the system in the house? Already got it? Never going to buy it? Let us know…

Picture from Kovu

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under Disney Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.