7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
What starts out as a fun road trip for the Toy Story gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse when the trip detours to a roadside motel. After one of the toys goes missing, the others find themselves caught up in a mysterious sequence of events that must be solved before they all suffer the same fate in this Toy Story of Terror.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Carl Weathers, Stephen TobolowskyFamily | 100% |
Animation | 89% |
Comedy | 48% |
Fantasy | 40% |
Holiday | 11% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (320 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy (as download)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Toy Story gang is back, and with enough mild frights and amusing delights to entertain grade-school horror junkies and parents alike. It isn't quite as sharp or quick-witted as the series' feature films, or even better than some of the best Toy Story animated shorts. (Small Fry tops my list.) But between familiar mainstays Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex and Mr. Potato Head, Toy Story 3 recruits Mr. Pricklepants and Trixie, and a stash of memorable new characters -- Combat Carl, Combat Carl Jr., Transitron, PEZ Cat, Pocketeer, Old Timer and a shape-shifting pile of LEGOs -- there's enough to writer/director Angus MacLane's Halloween television special to earn it a place in your annual holiday rotation. Add to that countless horror movie references (some obvious, some much harder to spot), big laughs and some nice little character beats, and you have an adventure worthy of its namesake.
As you might expect from a Disney/Pixar release, Toy Story of Terror! looks fantastic in high definition. Backed by a precise and proficient 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation, color and contrast are striking (even when draped in darkness and shadow, as the special often is), black levels are satisfying and suitably ominous, and detail is spot on. Edges are crisp and naturally defined, without any ringing or aliasing to report, and every last fine texture is exceptionally well-resolved. (Several shots in the motel bathroom, where Jessie and Carl are captured by Mr. Jones, are almost photorealistic.) I also didn't notice any instances of significant macroblocking, aliasing or banding. Actually, I didn't catch sight of any banding whatsoever; no small feat when it comes to an animated release. I'd add the word "flawless" but I'm sure someone will see a blip of something somewhere. No matter. Toy Story of Terror! stands shoulder to shoulder with previous Toy Story releases. Enjoy.
Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track is excellent as well. Dialogue is clean, intelligible and convincingly grounded. The LFE channel is assertive and powerful, making the most of its opportunities. And the rear speakers are full of subtle touches that reference horror movie sound design as often and as the special references genre tropes and classics. Directionality is accurate and engaging, and even a bit spooky in its effectiveness (particularly in scenes involving Mr. Jones hunting and swiping the various characters), pans are transparent and the soundfield is surprisingly immersive for an animated television special. Dynamics are terrific too, making Toy Story of Terror! as easy on the ears as it is on the eyes.
Toy Story of Terror! might have had a more difficult road ahead if its pricepoint were higher. Fortunately, Disney seems to be aware of the fact that it's selling a 21-minute television special via a standalone release, and has seen fit to keep the cost at a reasonable level and load the Blu-ray release with extra content (well, as much as a TV special can really muster). The adventure itself is solid too, and the disc sports a striking video presentation and impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. Don't scoff at the runtime. Don't shrug off the premise. Toy Story of Terror! may not be the classic the feature films have proven to be, but it's fun, funny and fast on its feet, with a great blend of heart, comedy and teamwork, all with a dash of tense but harmless roadside-hotel horror perfectly primed for the kiddies.
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