Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 Blu-ray Review

The "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" on Blu-ray is an exemplary showcase of the format's capabilities, demonstrating Disney's unwavering commitment to high-definition visual brilliance. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer reveals jaw-dropping detail and vivid colors, rivaling the spectacular visuals of recent Pixar releases like "Cars" and "Ratatouille." Shorts such as "For the Birds" impress with individual feather details, and "Mater and the Ghostlight" boasts astonishing paint sparkle effects, capturing the essence of Pixar's renowned attention to visual elements. The use of an average bitrate of 25 mbps enhances the depth and dimension, achieving an almost eerie yet immersive quality.

However, the collection's presentation is not uniformly stellar. Early Pixar shorts from the 1980s, including "The Adventures of Andre and Wally B," "Luxo Jr.," "Red’s Dream," and "Tin Toy," fall short in comparison due to their original low-resolution rendering and analog storage. These are hindered by noticeable pixelation and duller color palettes. Nevertheless, "Knick Knack," re-rendered for its 2003 theatrical release with "Finding Nemo," shines with vibrant colors and modern clarity, a testament to the potential of thorough remastering.

Overall, while a few early shorts undershoot expectations, the brilliance of the mid-'90s shorts onwards encapsulates why Pixar is a paragon of animation excellence. The collection presents each film in its original aspect ratio, preserving the intended viewing experience, with direct-to-video gems like "Mike’s New Car" retaining their charmingly classic appearance. Despite minor inconsistencies in quality among earlier works, Disney and Pixar deliver a stunning visual package that underscores their commitment to elevating high-definition home entertainment standards.

The audio presentation of "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" is a technical triumph, offering both engaging soundscapes and impressive fidelity. The Blu-ray features PCM uncompressed 5.1 surround mixes at 48 kHz/24-Bit/6.9 Mbps, ensuring that each short film's audio elements are presented with optimal clarity and impact. Notably, the use of music and sound design is essential to the storytelling across many shorts, such as in "One Man Band" and "Lifted," where dialogue is absent. The audio mix masterfully harnesses the full soundfield, delivering crisp melodies and robust dynamics that enhance the cinematic experience.

Surround channel usage is exemplary, with music and effects enveloping viewers without overpowering. "Mike's New Car," "Jack-Jack Attack," and "Mater and the Ghostlight" stand out with particularly aggressive soundscapes, highlighting complex dynamics and an effective LFE channel that amplifies the auditory intensity of car engines and superpowers. While the audio quality is consistently high throughout the collection, earlier shorts like "The Adventures of Andre and Wally B" are presented in stereo, resulting in less immersive experiences compared to later entries. Despite this, even these older shorts benefit from a noticeable high-def upgrade over their standard-definition counterparts.

In addition to the PCM audio tracks, the Blu-ray includes Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes in English, Spanish, and French, with subtitled English commentary available in Spanish and French. Menu and display language options further enhance accessibility. While some early shorts do not exhibit the same audio impact as the newer ones, this release as a whole benefits enormously from the richly detailed PCM tracks. Fans of Pixar will appreciate the care taken in presenting these inventive shorts with such high-fidelity audio.

The Blu-ray of "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" offers a comprehensive set of extras, appealing to animation enthusiasts and professionals alike. The standout feature is "The Pixar Shorts: A Short History," a 23-minute high-definition documentary featuring interviews with Pixar luminaries like John Lasseter and Ed Catmull. It provides an insightful look into the studio's early days, enriched by its focus on the first five Pixar shorts. Each short, except for "Mike's New Car," includes optional commentary tracks from the filmmakers, providing enriching behind-the-scenes insights. Mike's commentary stands out with humorous participation from Pete Docter's children, adding a delightful, playful twist. Additionally, 480i interstitials created for Sesame Street, such as "Surprise" and "Light and Heavy," add an educational dimension. The Blu-ray also includes exclusive Easter eggs that feature early test films and a rough draft of "Luxo Jr."

Extras included in this disc:

• The Pixar Shorts: A Short History: Interviews and archival footage detailing Pixar's history.
• Audio Commentaries: Filmmaker commentary tracks accompanying most shorts.
• Sesame Street Clips: Four educational vignettes featuring Luxo and Luxo Jr.
• Easter Eggs: Hidden test films and rough drafts accessible via the main menu.

The "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" Blu-ray is a fascinating compilation that showcases Pixar's pioneering spirit and artistic evolution from humble beginnings to the apex of animated storytelling. Anchored by foundational shorts like "The Adventures of André and Wally B." and "Luxo Jr.," this collection shines with its historical depth and technical breakthroughs. The anthology includes iconic pieces such as "Tin Toy," which ushered in new software developments for realistic animations, and the endearing "For the Birds." Each piece deftly utilizes sound, emotion, and visual storytelling—a testament to Pixar's dedication to innovation and narrative depth.

On the technical side, the Blu-ray format highlights Pixar's meticulous attention to detail with breathtaking clarity, bringing out nuances in animation that were groundbreaking at the time of their release. Early works served both as research milestones and as showcases of Pixar's fledgling tech capabilities, as seen with fundamental geometric models evolving into complex cityscapes and emotionally resonant characters. This progression is vividly evident, making the compilation an essential study of animation's advancement over decades.

While the collection delivers richly on artistic and historical fronts, potential variability in viewer enjoyment may arise from personal nostalgic connections or exposure to related feature films. Shorts like "Geri's Game" and "One Man Band," devoid of dialogue, resourcefully channel profound emotional truths, while others like "Lifted" might not resonate as deeply due to their reliance on slapstick elements. Despite minor personal preferences on individual shorts, the overall collection is a critical piece for fans and newcomers alike, offering a layered viewing experience rich in both surface appeal and introspective substance.

The "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" Blu-ray is an exceptional showcase of Pixar's dedication to innovation in animation and storytelling. The collection includes a stellar lineup of Pixar's beloved shorts, encapsulated in high definition glory. The Blu-ray edition boasts outstanding video quality with a meticulous transfer that captures every detail of the animation with vibrant colors and exceptional clarity. Additionally, the audio quality is notable, featuring a robust 24-Bit PCM audio track that enhances the viewing experience with clear dialogues and immersive sound effects. Coupled with substantial supplemental material, this collection is an excellent resource for both animated film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

Pixar's commitment to advancing animation technology is evident in this release. Each short serves as a testament to the studio's approach of refining storytelling techniques while offering opportunities for less-experienced animators to experiment and grow. This tradition is both an homage to and a modernization of classical animation practices. This collection not only appreciates the value of good storytelling but also emphasizes the technical prowess involved in bringing these stories to life. It’s an engaging viewing experience that provides impressive depth and quality, ensuring that both visual and sound elements are represented at their best on high-definition setups.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1" is a highly recommended acquisition for anyone who values top-tier animation or seeks quality content for their high-definition entertainment setup. Pixar has succeeded in curating a collection that amplifies their commitment to innovative storytelling and outstanding production values. As the first volume suggests a continuation, anticipation builds for future compilations that will surely follow Pixar’s tradition of excellence.