Presented in a standard DVD packaging, this Ultimate Groove two disc set is a beautiful transfer, which really does the colours justice. The THX-approved anamorphic presentation is exactly what you need and is presented in the film's 1.66:1 aspect ratio, therefore the sharpness and detail are shown off to their limit. The sound is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. The menu is fun and energetic as Kuzco grooves away. The extras are very informative and enough to keep anyone interested for hours.
On the first disc there is a commentary from producer Randy Fullmer, director Mark Dindal, Art Director Colin Stimpson, Character Designer Joseph Moshier, Head Of Story Stephen Anderson, Kuzco Animator Nik Ramieri and Pacha Animator Bruce Smith. Dindal and Fullmer comment mainly, but the artists chip in where necessary. As they joke throughout, they come across as having a sense of humour, which is exactly what you need on a commentary - equally enjoyable for both adults and children.
There is a music video from Rascal Flatts - Walk The Llama Llama and Emperor's Got Groove - interactive game and DVD-ROM content to access the games and the website. Sneak Peek trailers include Monsters Inc, Snow White, Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, 102 Dalmatians and Atlantis: Lost Empire.
The second disc includes an introduction by Director Mark Dindal and producer Randy Fullmer, which is aimed at kids. They clown around and you can't help but feel that they are getting on each other's nerves.
There are different menu options, enabling you to watch back-to-back, or pick the studio groove where you are shown features uninterrupted. Pick the animated groove and this will take you through all of the animation comparisons.
Sections include Development, which is The Process, Research Trip, Story Treatment, Visual Development Gallery, Kingdom Of The Sun: Early on - the film started off being called Kingdom Of The Sun - which presents the viewer with three pages of concept art from this original period.
Story & Editorial section includes The Story Process, The Pitch, Putting It Up On Reels, Deleted Scenes.
Layouts & Backgrounds section looks at the Layout and Background Departments, Inside Scene Planning, Storyboard To Background Comparison, Workbook Gallery.
Publicity section includes two trailers and three TV spots. There is also a Gallery of poster and ad campaign art.
Animation section has an Overview, a fairly basic look at the elements involved in planning out the animation process. Production Progression - Story Reel, Rough Animation, Clean-Up Animation, Final Scene, Character Voices, Computer Generated Images, Rough/Clean-Up Animation, Character Models.
Putting It All Together includes Ink & Paint/Processing: This shows how the film goes from a series of animated drawings to a final product, as colour is added electronically.
Music and Sound includes an interview with Sting about his contribution to the film. Also, a Mixing Demo where you can watch a scene with either just dialogue, sound effects or music.
Printer-friendly version
