Blu-Ray Review: Peter Pan!

Peter Pan is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and comes home for the first time on blu-ray. It is beautifully restored with stunning high definition video and sound.

I love each and every single Disney Diamond Edition blu-ray that comes out. It feels as if my Disney Animation Collection becomes more and more complete!

The video has never looked better. As much as I love the photo-realism of today's computer animation, hand drawn animation will always have a special place in my heart. The skill of the artist is showcased without any computer assistance available. When Peter and the kids take to the air and fly around London, I am in awe of the artists that worked together to draw each frame one at a time and ability to change the scale. I think it's just as simple as that, the hands on approach that is missing from today's CGI wonders. But moving on, the colors pop as if each frame was freshly inked. Disney once again shines in video restoration!

The audio is a Dolby 7.1 surround sound mix. The music and the sound effects come alive and enhance the film. Another great job by the Disney sound designers of taking the original mono track and transforming it into what surround sound for Peter Pan would have sounded like if that technology existed back then.

Extras: 

• Introduction by Diane Disney-Miller : Walt's daughter Diane Disney-Miller provides a quick introduction to the movie.
• Audio Commentary: Taken from the previous DVD release. The insight provided by the movie's animator's and voice actors is probably the best audio commentary of any Disney movie. 
• Growing Up with Nine Old Men (HD, 41 minutes): A look at what is was like growing up as a child of one of Walt's Nine Old Men. The children now grown up themselves provide some great insight to what their dad's were like both professionally as well as personally.
• Deleted Songs and Scenes (HD, 15 minutes): Two deleted scenes and two deleted songs, presented via original storyboards, concept art, rough cel elements and key frames: "The Journey Home," "Alternate Arrival," "Never Smile at a Crocodile" and "The Boatswain Song."
• Classic DVD Bonus Features - Backstage Disney (SD, 65 minutes): Five behind-the-scenes featurettes and documentaries include "You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan," "In Walt's Words: Why I Made Peter Pan," "Tinker Bell: A Fairy's Tale," "The Peter Pan that Almost Was" and "The Peter Pan Story."
• Classic DVD Bonus Features - Music & More (HD/SD, 17 minutes): "Disney Song Selection" (presented in 1080p with DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio), "Deleted Song: The Pirate Song," "Never Land: The Lost Song," "Music Video: Never Land, performed by Paige O'Hara" and "Music Video: The Second Star to the Right, performed by T-Squad."
• Disney Intermission (HD): If you pause at any point during the film, you will find "Pirate Training," a series of tips, mini-activities and video clips for younger viewers.
• Peter Pan Sing-Along (HD): An optional Sing-Along track, that is just a simple subtitle feature.
• DisneyView Side Bars (HD): Fill the black bars to either side of the image with artwork from Walt Disney background painter Cristy Maltese (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin).

 
 Once again, a fine effort by Disney as they bring another of their classic films home on blu-ray. Stunning video and audio along with some great bonus features makes this a blu-ray worthy of a trip to Neverland and back! A must have!