Bambi
II Beats Wallace & Gromit...
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It
seems that this is a week for Fanboy Planet to delve into
the direct-to-video market. Not only did we hear from Dark
Horse Indie about their plans with Image Entertainment for
home video, Sony released Mirrormask on DVD just Tuesday.
(Yes, it had a theatrical release but barely made a million.)
And
now this news comes from Buena Vista Home Video. It's not
so much that Bambi II is destined to become a family classic;
sure, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it
will run at least twenty times in my house over the next
few months. But it points to something larger that the studios
are unsure about but eager to jump into -- Direct to Video
has developed power over entertainment consumers. It helps
to have the name "Bambi" attached, but no matter
how you slice it, this is some public response
From
Buena Vista:
In
its first week of availability, Walt Disney Pictures’
BAMBI II sold over 2.6 million units on DVD in North America,
it was announced today by Bob Chapek, President of Buena
Vista Home Entertainment (NYSE: DIS). The sequel to “Bambi,”
the 1942 Academy Award® nominated¹ family film,
BAMBI II is on track to become another Disney animated treasure.
"BAMBI
II continues the legacy that Walt began many decades ago
and we are thrilled that consumers across the country have
become enamored by BAMBI II in such a wonderful way,”
said Chapek. “Our research indicated that consumers
were very excited about this film. But, no amount of research
could have ever predicted this type of overwhelming response.
As a result, we are working diligently to keep retail stores
in stock given the huge consumer demand.”
In tribute
to the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney’s inception
of his animated classic, BAMBI, Walt Disney Home Entertainment
will place the extraordinary, must-own Disney DVD BAMBI
II under moratorium just 70 days after its street date.
“The
success of BAMBI II is very exciting,” said Sharon
Morrill, President of DisneyToon Studios. “Director
Brian Pimental and his amazing group of artists deserve
enormous credit for bringing this beautiful film to life.”
Produced
by DisneyToon Studios, BAMBI II is the heartwarming story
of a son’s courage and a father’s love. The
continuing story finds the young fawn reunited with his
father, The Great Prince (voice by Patrick Stewart), who
must now teach Bambi (voiced by Finding Nemo’s Alexander
Gould) the ways of the forest. Their adventure together
helps them overcome their initial awkward relationship,
and allows father and son to discover in each other something
neither expected: family.
DVD bonus materials include “The Legacy Continues”
Featurette on the making of the film; and games and activities
including “Thumper’s Hurry and Scurry,”
“Bambi Trivia Tracks,” “Disney Sketch
Pad,” and DVD-ROM “Disney Sketch Pad”
printables, where Disney animator Andreas Dejas teaches
you how to draw Thumper.
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