- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,715
- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
What can I say? I love 3D! From the moment I began watching 3D content in my home I quickly discovered that I needed more content. I suspect that those of you just purchasing your first 3D hardware will acquire the same ferocious appetite. That's why I became the HTF 3D ADDICT. I personally love images that pop off the screen and come inches away from your face without becoming overly gimmicky. However, I certainly appreciate the nature documentaries that offer beautiful depth and separation. These are not necessarily reviews of the film themselves. I am not going to concentrate on story or supplements -- you can find the 2D reviews elsewhere on this forum. My job is to let you know exactly what kind of 3D experience to expect from the titles that are being released. As I will be receiving a handful of new product from the studios expect to see more title coverage.
TOY STORY 3D TRILOGY
In 1995, Pixar forever changed the face of animation with its release of Toy Story. It was a film that had immeasurable impact on audiences and would be the first in a long strong of successful animated features from the Pixar company. What makes the Toy Story films so successful is the emphasis on their stories as well as the emotional dynamics between the characters. Now 16 years later, Toy Story is still considered one of the greatest animated film ever made.
Prior to the release of Toy Story 3 to theaters, Pixar decided they would attempt to bring the first two Toy Story films to 3D so that audiences could enjoy them as never before. The entire process of converting those films to 3D took a total of 10 months, with the first 4 dedicated to bringing the films up to present technology.
TOY STORY 3
Studio: Walt Disney
Product Release: November 1, 2011
Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital EX
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Rating: G
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 5
3D Separation: 5
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 1
It's now ten years later and Andy is getting ready to leave
for college. Now an adolescent, it's time for him to say
goodbye to his toys: Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Hamm
(John Ratzenberger), Slink (Blake Clark), Rex (Wallace Shawn),
Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) and Jessie (Joan Cusack).
Will they be desined for the attic or the trash heap? This
is the conflict that faces our favorite toy-chest friends as
Woody (Tom Hanks) assures them all that they will safely
stored in the attic. However, a mishap with a garbage bag
leads the group of toys to Sunnyside Daycare where they meet
its caretaker, a cuddly bear named Lots-O'-Huggin' (Ned Beatty),
a new Barbie (Jodie Benson) and her counterpart Ken (Michael
Keaton). Things take a turn for the worse when Woody discovers
a horrible secret at Sunnyside and must suddenly plan a daring
escape for he and his friends.
As I have been slowly making my way through the trilogy, I have
found myself wonderfully overwhelmed by the quality of the
conversions done for the Toy Story films. The experience of
watching these films in 3D has been if I had been seeing them for
the very first time with new eyes. As I have progressed through
each film in the series, I found that the quality of animation and the
magnifying effect that 3D brings to it, increasingly more refined.
With all the accolades I had given to Toy Story and Toy Story 2 for
its stunning metamorphosis, little did I realize that these films were
simply warming me up for the visual experience of watching Toy Story 3.
While nothing surpasses the charm of the original, the sequels have
greatly benefited from the advances in computer animation and the
clarity of high definition. Certainly, Toy Story 3 is the sharpest of all
the transfers which means there is a level of unsurpassed detail to enjoy.
For example, I immediately noticed more defined texture within the
animation such as the finely detailed strands of Andy's hair. I even
discovered for the first time that Bullseye the horse is made of cloth.
These are perfect examples of how Pixar continues to improve upon
and break new ground with their computer animation.
It seemed when Disney decided not to originally release Toy Story 3
to Blu-ray 3D, the purists were somewhat relieved citing that the
process would only diminish the vibrance of colors. I am very pleased to
say that Toy Story 3 in 3D looks as vibrant and colorful as ever! You
immediately notice that aspect from the very first moments of the film
where we are plunged into a landscape of beautifully saturated red
rocks set against a piercingly deep blue sky. It's actually quite
breathtaking to take in. The rest of the film looks extremely well polished
with startling rich black levels (most evident in Potato Head's mustache
and hat) that add just enough needed texture. There is absolutely no
digital artifacts to be found anywhere. This transfer is picture-perfect!
If you have been following my reviews of this trilogy to date, you
have heard me talk about viewing without borders. It's the kind of
experience that a great 3D film provides. Imagine a transfer so purely
flawless and sharply defined that your display becomes a picture window
where action plays within it and one gets the feeling of being able to
reach in and touch its players. It's a world where you quickly forget that
glasses are required.
Toy Story 3 is the first in the film series to actually be imagined
with the format in mind. For that reason, the depth is more pronounced
and specific object placement such as hanging ceiling decorations
at Sunnyside or a toy mobile set placed over a bed stand out within
their particular scenes. For those that like their 3D "tastefully" done,
you can't do better than this film. However, those like myself that pay
a premium to watch a 3D film are going to be highly disappointed that
the filmmakers don't take advantage of the process by throwing an
object or two towards the audience. While I am going to try and refrain
from going into my usual rant about this practice, I will say that it is
becoming more evident that Hollywood is more interested in cashing
in on the phenomenon than making films that really WOW the audience.
And you know what? Perhaps this is just the wrong film to even attempt
to make an argument about, because really, Toy Story 3 ranks as the
best non-gimmicky 3D title currently available.
The film's 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio downconverted to 5.1 on my
system, provides a spectacular encompassing sonic experience
with exceptional clarity, engaging surround activity and supporting
bass. There's a more complex mix heard here than in the films
that preceded it, with more emphasis put on the placement of effects
such as kids that scurry across the listening field or the menacing
sound of motors that make up a garbage conveyer belt. The film's
actions sequences would not seem as climactic if not for the abundance
of bass that supports it. Whether it be the simple "thud" of a slamming
car door or the thunderous boom of a nuclear explosion filled with "death
by monkeys," there is enough bass here to keep the viewer's floor
shaking throughout.
Toy Story 3 arrives in a 5-disc combo pack that includes the
3D Blu-ray, 2D Blu-ray, Blu-ray bonus disc, DVD feature and
Digital Copy disc. All of this is sleeved in cardboard lenticular
packaging. The 3D Blu-ray contains 3D trailers for Pixar's upcoming
Brave and Planes. Extra features include "Day & Night" theatrical
short, Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: The Science of Adventure, Toy
Story Trivia Dash - Interactive Game, Cine-Explorer with director Lee
Unkrich and Producer Darla Anderson, Bonnie's Playtime - a story
roundtable with director Lee Unkrich, Paths to Pixar: Editorial, three
Studio Stories, and more.
CONCLUSION
WIth all due respect to the original, Toy Story 3 is the best 3D
experience of the series. In fact, despite the fact that there is not
a blatant gimmick to be found here, there is more than enough
WOW factor to make this one of the best 3D titles currently available.
I would certainly urge everyone who is considering picking up at
least one of these films on 3D Blu-ray, to purchase them all. For
each title progressively improves upon its predecessor in providing
exemplary 3D for your display.
Disney needs to be commended for doing such a wonderful job
with all these titles!
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc.
Equipment
LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display
Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3311CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer