Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" exhibits a series of noticeable technical achievements, highlighted by its use of inherited masters created years prior with subsequent manual cleanup and color correction. The collection includes 23 shorts, along with three bonus shorts, all retaining the original 2.35:1 CinemaScope aspect ratio, and presented in 1080p using the AVC codec on a dual-layered BD-50 disc. Image detail is generally solid with a pleasing level of film grain preserved, although the amount varies across different shorts. Specifically, "Muscle Beach Tom" and "Tot Watchers" showcase a visibly cleaner image, stemming from earlier processes predating the Warner Archive's meticulous restoration work.

Despite being sourced from older masters presenting minor visual quirks like gate weave—also known as telecine wobble—the collection carries a vibrant presentation that's largely free from significant distractions during rapid animated sequences. This slight instability primarily affects static opening and closing credits rather than the dynamic cartoon action itself. Bitrates range between 30 and 40Mbps, allowing for beautiful color fidelity and line detail, though minor speckling is occasionally present. Overall, while the gate weave might be more apparent to those utilizing larger screens such as projectors, it's unlikely to significantly impact casual viewers on smaller displays.

Warner Archive's additional efforts in cleaning and correcting colors have maintained these shorts' natural, filmic appearance, making this a commendable release for animated content on Blu-ray. Retaining most of the inherent visual textures found in traditional cel animation, these shorts offer not only nostalgic charm but also technical excellence in home media presentation. The collection stands out for its constancy and quality amidst past releases, while artfully balancing image imperfections as part of its historic charm.

The audio presentation of the "Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" Blu-ray showcases a blend of formats that adheres to the historical context of the cartoons. English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio is prevalent, offering both stereo and mono experiences. The first three shorts utilize their original Perspecta Stereo soundtracks with noticeable channel separation, dynamic music flow, and minimal source damage. However, due to budget constraints back in 1955, the remaining shorts are presented in mono, primarily sourced from magnetic masters unless damage necessitated the use of optical tracks.

While these audio configurations might lack the expansive dynamic range seen in modern productions, they provide a respectful restoration that enhances the authenticity of its era. Notably, previously missing elements such as dialogue in "Touché, Pussy Cat!" and sound effects in "Blue Cat Blues" have been successfully restored, improving the viewer's experience significantly. Despite minor hiss and occasional volume fluctuations, the fidelity remains high, consolidating a clear listening experience. Optional English SDH subtitles further enhance accessibility across all 23 shorts and additional bonus content.

Overall, while the stereo presentations are wide with discernible ambient touches, the mono tracks retain robust support for dialogue and sound effects. This Blu-ray ensures that the classics remain audible in a form as pristine as possible given the constraints of their original recordings. The audio clarity is commendable and serves these beloved shorts well, contributing effectively to their enduring legacy.

The Blu-Ray release of "Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" features meticulously restored shorts as extras, although it lacks episode-specific content and informative pieces on CinemaScope’s history. This release is a celebration of the franchise's 85th anniversary with a focus on showcasing the high-quality restoration of each classic piece. The inclusion of these shorts provides a small but meaningful expansion of the main content, preserving the charm and animated brilliance characteristic of Hanna-Barbera's era. Although limited in number, these additions encapsulate the innovative spirit of mid-20th-century animation, offering audiences an opportunity to witness stories beyond the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Good Will to Men: An Oscar-nominated remake exploring post-WWII themes with a church-mouse narrative.
• Give and Tyke: A comedic Spike and Tyke spin-off involving a missing license escapade.
• Scat Cats: A tale of mischief when cats are left in charge during their owners' absence.

The "Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" Blu-ray assembles 23 shorts from the pivotal era of 1954 to 1958. This unique period saw the franchise's creators, Hanna and Barbera, transition to the CinemaScope format, emphasizing an ultra-wide aspect ratio designed to draw crowds back to theaters in the post-television age. Although some episodes could have leveraged the expansive format more effectively, the collection remains a testament to exceptional animation and entertainment value. These revered shorts, previously scattered across various media formats, are now cohesively presented in this thoughtfully curated collection by Warner Archive.

Each short showcases the quintessential characteristics that propelled Tom and Jerry to enduring success – inventive slapstick humor, madcap comedy, and a richly orchestrated score. Highlights from the included episodes offer a range of dynamic storylines, such as Tom facing off with Spike over domestic dominance in "Pet Peeve," and the existentially comedic episode "Blue Cat Blues," where Tom contemplates his fate. Notably, some shorts serve as sequels or prequels to earlier works, enhancing character development and narrative scope within this classic animated universe.

As one explores this collection, it becomes evident that despite their antiquity, these shorts continue to resonate with audiences due to their clever visual gags and timeless character dynamics. The Professional restoration effort employed in this collection ensures that both longtime fans and new viewers alike experience these iconic works in vivid detail, maintaining their historical and artistic integrity. This compilation stands as both a nostalgic journey into animation history and a celebration of the creative genius of Hanna and Barbera, who successfully blended humor with skillful storytelling.

"Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" compiles the remaining theatrical cartoons produced by the iconic duo's original creators, Hanna and Barbera, during their MGM tenure. This collection features 23 main shorts in the CinemaScope format, renowned for its widescreen visuals that bring out the vibrant antics of the cat-and-mouse rivalry. Complementing these are three supplementary CinemaScope shorts, providing additional nostalgic viewing. While some plots may feel familiar or repetitive, they maintain the charm and creativity that defined the series' golden era. The video and audio presentation is up to par, delivering a clear and enjoyable experience without notable issues.

The collection's noteworthy addition is its three extra shorts, including those featuring Spike and Tyke, and a Christmas-themed piece, all receiving meticulous restorative care. A point of constructive critique arises from the lack of contextual extras about the history and significance of CinemaScope in animation history, which would have added valuable insight for enthusiasts. While missing the Academy ratio versions of certain episodes limits comparative viewing, the overall package remains significant for its complete assembly of MGM's CinemaScope cartoons from the 1950s.

In conclusion, although missing certain details and comparisons, "Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection" stands as a pivotal release for animation collectors and fans of vintage cinematic art. Despite its imperfections, it captures a pivotal moment in animation history and stands as a testament to Tom and Jerry's enduring appeal. The hope remains for future releases to address these omissions, particularly through potential releases of Droopy's CinemaScope entries. For now, this Blu-ray offers a fitting tribute to the 85th anniversary of a beloved franchise.