In addition to the previously announced SLEEPING BEAUTY on Blu-ray in fall 2008, marking the first Platinum Disney animated classic in the HD format, Walt Disney Studios Home Ent. (WDSHE) will also release FINDING NEMO as part of its 2008 Blu-ray slate.
Taking advantage of the numerous technological advancements of the Blu-ray format, these all-time animated favorites have been revitalized to include exceptional high-definition picture and sound quality and compelling interactive content such as virtual games, full motion picture-in-picture and online shopping capabilities via BD-Live broadband connection.
SLEEPING BEAUTY 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.
Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar's FINDING NEMO Blu-ray Disc will debut the first Cine-Explore featuring full motion picture-in-picture (BonusView). This interactive visual commentary with Director Andrew Stanton, co-Writer Bob Peterson and co-Director Lee Unkrich allows the viewer to dive deeper into the making of FINDING NEMO without ever leaving the movie. For kids and families, there is the all-new BD-Java enabled learning mode "Mr. Ray's Ed-venture." Hosted by Dory, Marlin and, of course, Mr. Ray, viewers will learn all about sea life and have the opportunity to earn stickers for their virtual sticker book by answering "quizlettes" while watching the movie. Viewers can also go to their sticker book at any time and create their own scene. FINDING NEMO will also feature an all-new enhanced home theater mix in 7.1 surround sound.
In North America, WDSHE will be releasing new theatrical titles to Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD. WDSHE will also expand its catalog titles on Blu-ray Disc with the releases of THE ROCK (Hollywood Pictures) and CON AIR (Touchstone Pictures) on Jan. 8; CRIMSON TIDE (Hollywood Pictures) on Feb. 5; HIDALGO (Touchstone Pictures), UNBREAKABLE (Touchstone Pictures), THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Walt Disney Pictures) and NATIONAL TREASURE: COLLECTOR'S EDITION (Walt Disney Pictures) in spring 2008.
WDSHE also announced the extension of Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour, sponsored by Panasonic, to eight additional North American cities. The first stop will be to Toronto, Canada, the weekend of Jan. 25 and continue on to Nashville, Denver, Dallas, Raleigh-Durham, Hartford and conclude with Chicago at Unity 2008 in July.
WDSHE, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution. WDSHE is a division of The Walt Disney Studios.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
