Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 20, 2022

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers may not have had an enormously long life on television -- it spanned three seasons and 65 episodes (including the truncated five-episode third season), running for about a year and a half between March 4, 1989 and November 19, 1990 -- but it made a lasting impact on the animation landscape of the time and became one of the hallmark releases from the famous "Disney Afternoon" programming block which also included Darkwing Duck, DuckTales, and TaleSpin, amongst some of the most popular shows in the rotation. The series has finally made its way to Blu-ray; as a full TV series of vintage age it is an out-of-character release for Disney, but a welcome one; though no special features are present, the video and audio qualities are very good, making this something fans will want to jump on.

Chip (voiced by Tress MacNeille) and Dale (voiced by Corey Burton) are the founders of the "Rescue Rangers," a detective agency that sees them, along with their friends Gadget Hackwrench (voiced by Tress MacNeille), Monterey Jack (voiced by Peter Cullen and Jim Cummings), and Zipper (also voiced by Corey Burton), solve various mysteries in both their sphere and the larger (literally!) human world around them. Their tasks usually involve solving less "demanding" mysteries (a.k.a. "kid appropriate"). Their adventures see them interacting with both people and other animals. The mysteries see the protagonists landing in trouble and falling into humorous situations, particularly as they find themselves facing off against a pair of popular villains, Fat Cat (also voiced by Jim Cummings) and Professor Norton Nimnul (also voiced by Jim Cummings).

This is truly pleasing family entertainment. It may not boast the memorable characters or set pieces as so frequently found in something like Duck Tales, for example, but this is a show in much the same mold: talking animals involved in grand adventure that doesn't push boundaries but does show some creative muscle behind the episodes. The stories are not rote or mundane, even if they follow formula. There's enough character diversity, shifting focuses, and interesting meat-and-potato plot points to make each and every episode a worthwhile endeavor. The blending of humor, action, and characterization are spot-on, and while the show doesn't necessarily make diving deep into its characters a priority, the audience will grow with them and come to enjoy the interaction and personality quirks that drive the series and so often direct any given episode's flow.

The action is family friendly. Peril is not artificial, but it is also not dangerous in a frightening way, either. The creative minds behind the show, in classic vintage (can it really be said to be "vintage" if it's not even as old as I am?) Disney fashion, build villains and scenarios that challenge the heroes but always in a way that can be resolved with some ingenuity, in working together, and with the funny bone in play as well. Kudos to the writing staff that keeps the show feeling fresh even as it moves through the formulaic "danger of the week" approach, doing so in a way that holds interest in the story of the day and the larger pool of characterization and narrative development alike. One need not know the series to enjoy an episode, but the small peculiarities and personality traits do begin to weave their way through the show in a delightfully agreeable way.

The voice work is well done. The actors bring enthusiasm and realism to the parts they portray. While not demanding voice work -- there's no serious drama to drum up and work through -- it is pleasing in how the actors embody the characters, reach to understand the situation or scenario, and play off of one another for maximum amplification and impact. There's not much need for the actors to stretch their abilities, but that they inhabit the characters without flaw or seam is a treat. So too is the animation work a treat. It may not have a distinctive look, but it's well done and draws characters and worlds alike with equal care and precision. Viewers will always feel a part of the world and engaged in the story not just aurally but visually as well.

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Disney brings Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series to Blu-ray with a very appealing 1080p transfer. Beyond the odd, stray print blemish – little white and black pops, mainly – the picture looks terrific. Presented in the 4x3 aspect ratio, preserving the original broadcast parameters from when it aired in 1989 and 1990 by placing vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 display, the picture shows sharp-lined animation and excellent clarity. The picture is appealingly complex and holds up quite well at 1080p, clearly looking far superior here compared to the original run on SD televisions at the time of its original airing. There is really no grain to speak of; the picture is very clean and smooth but still offers a very high quality, naturally complex appearance. Colors are just as vibrant, featuring intensely vivid tones that leap off the screen and bring characters, their clothes, and the environments in which they live, work, and play to striking life. There are no obvious compression issues to report, either. Fans are going to be delighted as they relive the series all over again, watch for the first time in several decades, or enjoy it fresh for the first time.

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While the included audio track is only of the Dolby Digital 2.0 lossy variety, it more than satisfies essential requirements. The presentation plays with very good foundational clarity. Music is spread nice and wide along the front two channels, with some support elements also managing to find their way beyond a basic center imaged area. Clarity is quite good, too, offering fine foundational definition to every note and sound effect alike. The track is not challenged with high intensity audio, but some of the sounds -- cars zooming, characters swinging around, and some other episode specific shenanigans -- reveal very good clarity and placement detail. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized. It images very well to the front-center area with only a minor sense of drift beyond.

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series contains no extras across any of the six discs. The main menu screen offers only selections for "Play All" and "Episodes." No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover. It does include a flyer advertising Disney Movie Club. Notably there is no interior print listing which episodes are on which disc, and the disc themselves do not list the episodes contained thereon.

Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What a delight to finally have Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers: The Complete Series on Blu-ray! Perhaps this release signals the beginning of something good to come from Disney, and that is the full series release of many other of its beloved animated TV series. The studio is certainly off to a good start here. While the dearth of supplemental content is disappointing, it is also not surprising. But consider that the show boasts excellent video and audio presentations and there's no denying that this is a must-own for fans and anyone looking for some throwback animation presented on Blu-ray with rock-solid tech specs. Recommended!