Media Review: Disney Animation Collection, Volumes 1-3

Disney Animation Collection Volumes 1 -3. Released April 7, 2009.

I was very excited to receive the first three volumes of the newly-released Disney Animation Collection. The first three discs were released on April 7, 2009. Volumes 3-6 were released on May 12, 2009.

It is obvious from the contents that this collection is aimed squarely at people looking for an introduction to classic Disney animation or for fans looking for specific shorts that don't want to purchase every Disney Treasures collection. Each disc contains 5-7 short films based around a theme or character.

Disney Animation Collection 1: Mickey & Beanstalk contains five shorts:

• Mickey and the Beanstalk
• The Brave Little Tailor
• Gulliver Mickey
• Thru The Mirror
• Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip

Disney Animation Collection 2: Three Little Pigs has seven shorts:

• Three Little Pigs
  
• The Big Bad Wolf
• Three Little Wolves
• Lambert The Sheepish Lion
• Chicken Little
• Three Blind Mouseketeers
• Elmer elephant

Disney Animation Collection 3: Prince & The Pauper has five shorts:

• The Prince And The Pauper
• The Pied Piper
• Old King Cole
• A Knight For A Day
• Ye Olden Days

The DVDs looked great on the upscale DVD player and hi-def tv. The sound was a little uneven in spots, but consistent overall. 

What I enjoyed most about the different sets was the opportunity to share the classic animation with my family. The shorts presented are enjoyable and entertaining--we laughed in all of the right places--even for shorts that were over 80 years old. Having the specific films presented by the overall theme is another reason the sets are meant for the casual fan. The intended audience is going to be looking for a few Mickey shorts for some enjoyable entertainment, not a scene-by-scene analysis. Being able to pop in a disc and introduce your young ones to classic animated films will help them develop a love for Disney animation and history. I guarantee that these discs will be played often in your household (or in your car DVD player).

From a historical perspective, it is an easy way to see some of the early Mickeys and Silly Symphonies without a large financial investment. Even on the same disc, you can glimpse the changes in animation over the years. Most animation fans will be familiar with the older shorts and will want to view them on the aforementioned Treasures collections in the correct historical context. But the Disney Animation Collection DVDs are still a great way to see how Disney animation has grown through individual characters and series for those just starting their journey into Disney animation.

I enjoyed the ability to see Mickey And The Beanstalk (although I do own it on two other discs); this is the 1963 re-release that features Ludwig V0n Drake as the narrator instead of Edgar Bergen. The story still holds up well. The discs are full of fun animated shorts that the whole family will love and enjoy. And for many, they will be enjoyed over and over and over again!