The Puppetoon Movie Blu-ray Review

"The Puppetoon Movie" is presented on Blu-ray by B2MP with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The restoration is commendable, despite the inherent limitations and the age of the source material. Many of the archival shorts exhibit weathering reflective of their age, resulting in some degree of variable quality. However, the overall presentation is unexpectedly robust, showcasing a palette that effectively recreates the trademark Technicolor vibrancy. Primary colors, especially reds, tend to exhibit slight deviations but overall maintain a classic allure. Detail levels are consistently high across the majority of the compilation, emphasizing the textured physicality of the Puppetoons' 3D objects.

One of the most significant improvements is in image clarity and brightness. The transfer beneficially augments contrast levels, ensuring that details remain discernible even in low-light sequences where previous versions suffered from detail loss due to poor contrast. This Blu-ray presentation provides a stark contrast to standard definition versions, where blacks often oversaturated the image. An interesting observation is this modern transfer's grain field; it varies in presence but maintains an organic feel without becoming distracting. While certain segments suffer from noticeable degradation, the majority of the shorts enjoy a level of visual fidelity not seen since their original release.

In summary, "The Puppetoon Movie" Blu-ray offers a surprisingly high-quality visual presentation for its age, achieving a balance between nostalgia and contemporary viewing standards. The careful restoration preserves much of the original charm and texture inherent in these vintage animations, ensuring an enjoyable viewing for both new audiences and long-time fans.

The audio presentation of "The Puppetoon Movie" Blu-ray features both DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 and LPCM 2.0 tracks, demonstrating a commendable effort to enhance the original mono soundtracks of the shorts. While the majority of the sound remains front-loaded, there are moments where the audio expands into the side and rear channels, particularly in the bookending segments. These instances introduce elements of the musical score and ambient environmental effects that add depth to the listening experience. However, it is essential to note that the archival nature of the audio inevitably leads to some boxiness, especially within the many musical elements. Despite these constraints, the audio quality avoids any substantial damage that could undermine the overall auditory experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 mix offers a marked improvement over standard mono tracks, providing crisp detail and resonant power to the musical segments. While the effects and dialogue sometimes loom in a slightly tinny or hollow realm due to the original recording limitations, they do not significantly detract from the overall immersion. The commentary track, although occasionally subdued, maintains clarity and intelligibility. This mix primarily emphasizes music, which often takes precedence over dialogue and sound effects, positioning the musical score as a central element of the experience.

Overall, "The Puppetoon Movie" audio presentation exemplifies a respectful and technically sound enhancement of historical recordings. Although certain technical imperfections persist, they are minor and do little to detract from an engaging and enjoyable auditory journey through these classic shorts.

The Blu-ray release of "The Puppetoon Movie" features an extensive collection of supplementary materials that capture the breadth of George Pal's visionary work. The disc includes impeccable high-definition transfers of classic Puppetoons such as "Rhythm in the Ranks" and "The Sky Princess," accompanied by lively commentaries from Arnold Leibovit and Jerry Beck. Additional lower-resolution content, though varying in quality, complements the primary features with historically significant titles like "What Ho She Bumps" and "The Ship of the Ether." The highlight for many will be the comprehensive documentary "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal," providing an in-depth exploration of Pal's career. This collection is rounded out by insightful interviews with industry legends and unique segments including trailers, galleries, and exclusive first-time interviews.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary by Arnold Leibovit and Jerry Beck: Enthusiastic discussion about the making of 'The Puppetoon Movie.'

High Definition Bonus Puppetoons: Rhythm in the Ranks: Classic animation short. The Sky Princess: Charming tale from Pal. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins: Dr. Seuss adaptation. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street: Another Seuss gem. Jasper and the Beanstalk: Engaging stop-motion adventure. Date with Duke: Musical joy with Duke Ellington. Rhapsody in Wood: Musical craftsmanship tale.

Standard Definition Puppetoons: What Ho She Bumps: Delightful classic. Mr. Strauss Takes a Walk: Elegant animated story. Olio for Jasper: Engaging narrative short. Philips Cavalcade: Historical animation. Jasper’s Derby: Enthralling storytelling. Hoola Boola: Exotic entertainment. Ether Symphony: Imaginative orchestration. Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: Timeless classic tale. The Magic Atlas: Magical adventure. Jasper and the Haunted House: Spooky fun.

The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal: Extensive documentary.

Trailers: The Puppetoon Movie Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer. The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal Trailer: Accompanying trailer.

Production Still Gallery: Visual archive.

Reminiscing with Puppetoon Animator Bob Baker: Technical insights from animator.

The Great Rupert (1080p): Full feature film starring Jimmy Durante.

Previously Unreleased Interviews: Wah Chang, Roy Disney, Duke Goldstone, Ray Harryhausen, Gene Roddenberry, Ray Bradbury, Russ Tamblyn: In-depth industry interviews.

Additional bonus materials include more trailers, production discussions, behind-the-scenes footage, and archival content that enriches the viewer's understanding of George Pal's influence on animation and film.

The Puppetoon Movie Blu-ray release is a meticulously constructed homage to George Pal, celebrating his revolutionary contributions to stop-motion animation. Pal, often hailed as a peer to Walt Disney, profoundly influenced the animation genre, inspiring renowned films and studios such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Rankin/Bass, and Aardman Studios. Pal's pioneering work in the 1930s and 1940s, utilizing his patented Pal-Doll Technique, brought a unique vibrancy to three-dimensional color animation, encapsulated in his Puppetoons that earned him multiple Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 1944. This Blu-ray release thoughtfully curates several of Pal's Puppetoon shorts within a whimsical narrative framework featuring Gumby, Pokey, and Arnie the Dinosaur, underscoring Pal's lasting impact on modern animation.

The feature disc presents The Puppetoon Movie as a compilation of diverse vignettes, showcasing Pal's range from the charmingly simple designs to the eerily lifelike. Each short exemplifies Pal's adept use of music to enhance storytelling, aligning The Puppetoon Movie with Disney's Fantasia in its seamless blend of animation and sound. Some of Pal's most memorable characters like Jasper, Tubby the Tuba, and Jim Dandy are vividly brought to life, though modern audiences may need to contextualize certain period-specific elements, such as the racially insensitive depictions in the Jasper series. Nevertheless, the film stands as both a historical artifact and a testament to Pal's unmatched creativity.

In addition to the main feature, this two-disc set enriches viewers' understanding with extensive supplements. The first disc features 19 additional Puppetoon shorts and a substantive 90-minute documentary on Pal, while the second disc includes the feature film The Great Rupert alongside invaluable interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. These extras not only amplify appreciation for Pal's genius but also offer an archival treasure trove that reveals his profound influence on animation and science fiction filmmaking. This edition is essential for both animation enthusiasts and scholars, providing a comprehensive insight into George Pal's visionary legacy.

"The Puppetoon Movie" Blu-ray is an exceptional homage to the genius of George Pal and his remarkable contributions to the world of stop-motion animation. Released by B2MP, this collection goes beyond a mere high-definition update of a 1987 film; it stands as a testament to Pal's visionary work from the '30s and '40s. The restoration is meticulously executed, offering stunning visual and auditory enhancements that elevate the viewing experience. That said, this set transcends its technical merits with a treasure trove of supplemental materials that make it an invaluable addition to any animation enthusiast's collection.

The standout feature of this Blu-ray rendition is its exhaustive range of special features spread across two discs. Included are numerous Puppetoon shorts and the full-length feature film "The Great Rupert." More compelling, however, are the insightful interviews with contemporary animators, filmmakers, and writers, which provide depth and context to Pal's innovative techniques and enduring influence. These interviews offer viewers a comprehensive understanding of both Pal's artistic legacy and the evolution of stop-motion animation, making this set both highly informative and thoroughly engaging.

Mr. Leibovit recently reached out to me and the site to announce the release of his follow-up to this film, a release which is evidently still in a crowdfunding stage. As evidenced by "The Puppetoon Movie," there's a good chance that the sequel will be a real delight for stop-motion animation fans in general and George Pal fans in particular. This release offers generally secure technical merits, but it's the really outstanding supplemental package which may be of greatest interest to many. Recommended.