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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Walt
Disney Treasures: The Complete Goofy
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Reviewed
by: |
David
Litton |
| Genre: |
Animation
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| Video: |
1.33:1
fullframe |
| Audio: |
English Dolby
Digital 2.0 mono |
| Language: |
English
|
| Subtitle: |
English
|
| Length: |
Approx
326 min |
| Rating: |
Not
Rated |
| Release
Date: |
12/3/2002
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| Studio: |
Walt
Disney Pictures |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
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None |
| Featurettes:
|
"The Essential Goof"
featurette, "Pinto Colvig: The Man Behind the Goof" featurette
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| Filmography/Biography:
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None |
|
Interviews: |
"A Conversation
With Goofy's Voice: Bill Farmer" |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Poster, memorabilia,
and "Goofy Through the Years" galleries, all with attached audio
files |
| Cast
and Crew: |
NA |
| Screenplay
by: |
NA |
| Produced
by: |
NA |
| Directed
By: |
NA |
| Music: |
NA |
| The
Review: |
With
"The Complete Goofy," Disney buffs and longtime fans of one
of the studio's most beloved characters, Goofy, will get the
original buffoon in all his glory. Featuring his starring roles
in more than 40 cartoons bearing his name on the opening credits,
this handsome new edition in the "Walt Disney Treasures" series
offers us Goofy in his glory days, beginning with the 1939 short
"Goofy and Wilbur," in which he and his best pal, a small cricket,
go on a fishing trip. As the shorts continue through the 1940's,
50's, and 60's, the evolution of the character becomes more
apparent: his mannerisms and personality become more diverse
and humor-oriented, while at the same time becoming more like
the everyday goofball in many of us. The absence of his voice
for a short time in the 40's (when voice actor Pinto Colvig
left temporarily for a new job) called for a change in the way
his cartoons were crafted: instead of Goofy, a narrator would
provide the dialogue, while the rail-thin tumbleweed still kept
up those hilarious physical antics. His charm and outright sense
of fun were, and still are, a welcome treat for newcomers and
the nostalgic: here, for the very first time, the cream of the
crop is given a new home, and has never been better. |
| Image
and Sound |
The goofy shorts are framed at 1.33:1
full frame, and while most of the cartoons haven't completely
escaped the process of aging, the clean-up process is a well-done
effort. Colors have never been more resilient and full of
life, and the animation has been spruced up with some sharp
edges and better definition. There is some grain and dirt
noticeable in just about every cartoon, as well as some noise,
but that's all part of the nostalgic feel of this set. ***
The sound for the shorts is the
original monaural tracks from the time of their production,
so don't expect too much. Remarkably enough, they have also
been tidied up a bit: background noise and hiss is kept at
a strict minimum, and the dialogue and music, while retaining
a slightly harsh edge, is noticeably cleaner.
|
| The
Extras |
Like the previous releases in the
series, "The Complete Goofy" contains some supplements that
fit right into the set and give an insightful, if somewhat
brief, look at the evolution of Goofy throughout the years.
Disc One features all the cartoon shorts from 1939 up to 1948,
as well as an introduction from Leonard Maltin, who opens
the disc by giving us a small glimpse into the character as
well as his impact on audiences and the world of Walt Disney's
animation. ***
In addition to these, there are
two featurettes, each about five minutes in length, relating
to the character. In "The Essential Goof, we're given a short
glimpse of the various stages of animation that were used
to bring the character to life throughout the decades, all
cut to narration that details his many different personality
traits, mannerisms, mishaps, and expressions. It's short,
yes, and doesn't really tell us much that we don't already
know, but it's cute just the same. This is followed by "Pinto
Colvig: The Man Behind the Goof," which details the backstory
of Colvig's life before he began doing the voice of Goofy,
as well as his short absence and return to the voice role
after a brief job with another animation company. ***
Disc Two gives us the rest of the
shorts from 1949 to 1961, and then moves on to an interview
between Maltin and the current voice of Goofy, Bill Farmer.
Things like how he came about wanting to do the voice of Goofy,
how he views the character, and things of that nature are
discussed, as well as the newer cartoons and movies in which
he is featured. After this, there is an extensive poster gallery
with audio clips of Goofy himself for most of the images featured,
a memorabilia gallery detailing such things as a comic book
(this also features explanatory audio clips from Maltin),
and an enormous gallery of Goofy drawings in his early days,
with more Goofy audio as well.
|
| Commentary |
None
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| Final
Words: |
Those
with a thirst for all things Goofy-related will not want to
miss the chance to own this limited edition release of some
of his most memorable moments, and hey, the supplements are
bad, either! |
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