[BLU-RAY REVIEW] ‘Walt Disney Animated Short Films Collection’

It’s not every day that a collection of Disney animated shorts makes its way onto Blu-ray and we probably won’t get another set like this for many years to come. The great thing about the Walt Disney Animated Short Films Collection Blu-ray is that it’s awe-inspiring and worth the wait.

The Films ✮✮✮✮

The Walt Disney Animated Short Films Collection consists of twelves shorts released by Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2000 to 2015. The collection includes popular favorites such as Tangled Ever After, Paperman, and Frozen Fever, but also includes lesser known gems such as John Henry, The Ballad of Nessie, and Lorenzo. The full list of shorts includes:

• Frozen Fever (2015)
• Feast (2014)
• Get A Horse! (2013)
• Paperman (2012)
• Tangled Ever After (2012)
• The Ballad of Nessie (2011)
• Tick Tock Tale (2010)
• Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa (2010) Dorothy McKim
• How to Hook Up Your Home Theater (2007)
• The Little Matchgirl (2006)
• Lorenzo (2004)
• John Henry (2000)

At first glance, one would think this list includes all the Disney shorts released since 2000; however, there are still a few shorts missing from the collection. Chris Williams’ Glago’s Guest, the Salvador Dali-inspired Destino, and One by One all appear notably and unceremoniously absent. With the inclusion of those shorts, I would be very satisfied and call this the perfect collection.

As for the shorts that are included, I was completely blown away. The diversity in subject matter, design style, and animation really make each new short a delight to watch. Some shorts will make you laugh; others will make you cry. But all are nothing short of incredible.

Bonus Features ✮

Sadly there is only one bonus feature on this set called @DisneyAnimation: A Short Story on Shorts. This little feature includes a round-table discussion from a few of the filmmakers hosted by T.J. Miller, the voice of Fred from Big Hero 6. While Miller does surprisingly well as he leads the discussion, the decision to have him host the panel is a bit of a head scratcher considering he had nothing to do with any of these shorts. Nonetheless, the featurette gives you a nice surface level look into the making of these shorts; however, if you’re looking for something truly in depth, this isn’t the bonus feature for you.

Additionally, if you are a member of Disney Movies Anywhere, then you can access another bonus short: the 1995 short Runaway Brain featuring Mickey Mouse. A few people may remember seeing this short play in front of two Disney films during the 90s, A Goofy Movie and A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, in addition to finding it onto the Walt Disney Treasures Collection: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Vol. 2 DVD set.

Final Thoughts

While not having many bells and whistles, to its core the Walt Disney Animated Short Films Collection is a near complete compilation of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ shorts from the past 15 years. For anyone who adores these shorts, but doesn’t want to rifle through various other Blu-ray releases to watch them all, this is the perfect set for you.

Purchase

Walt Disney Animated Short Films Collection: Blu-ray | Digital | Rent | iTunes

Edited by: Hannah Wilkes