Detroit Stories [LP] - VINYL

The underrated fantasy epic Wizards makes a stellar bow to DVD thanks to 20th Century Fox Home Video and petitioning fans everywhere. With an incredible transfer that impresses even the director, the film has been given a top-notch treatment that should please those who've been waiting for this cult classic to get its just due. Its vibrant 1.85:1 picture radiates off the screen in a way not seen since the release, while the Dolby Digital Stereo and Mono tracks are admirable in their quality and definition. This release also hits a home run on the bonus materials, starting with a commentary track from the elusive animation rebel himself, Ralph Bakshi. Coupled with the 40-minute "Wizard of Animation" interview, this commentary gives the viewer a rare glimpse into the mind of the pioneering independent filmmaker who defied Disney and built his own studio, only to see it crumble with the rise of corporate greed in Hollywood. Full of wit and stories galore, both the track and the interview find the now 60-year-old humbled by the industry's failings and loss of mostly all of his creative team who were integral to his major endeavors. With ample time given to everyone on his small art staff, whether it be detailing which sequences each person animated in the film or their prior jobs in the field, the DVD soon becomes a rallying cry for the skill and heart that has now all but left animation. As a plus, two original theatrical trailers have been included, along with a TV spot. If that weren't enough, a still gallery packed with character sketches, lobby cards, and fully painted backgrounds is archived here on the disc. With that touch, 20th Century Fox has officially created a classic disc which does wonderful justice to an ambitious animated family film that just never got the attention it deserved, until now.