Don't blow money on the OOP version! This is the SAME edition!
REVIEWER'S NOTE: This review was written in 2009 for the DVD version of Little Nemo released that year. Please be aware that Amazon -- as usual -- has ported ALL the old reviews over to listings for newer editions of the film on both Blu-ray and DVD, and which may differ slightly (including added Japanese audio tracks) from this edition.
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Though this film deserves a full-blown special edition designed with adults in mind--or at the very least a book detailing its troubled production history--the best treatment it's had to date was the 2004 TMS/Funimation/Our Time Family Entertainment DVD from 2004. That disc has long been out of print and fetching inflated prices via eBay and various Amazon Marketplace sellers.
But now it's back. And despite Amazon incorrectly listing the aspect ratio as 1.33:1 and the distributor as Platinum Disc, rest assured that this is EXACTLY the same disc content as the 2004...
Blu-ray review
I thought I'd chime in because all of the reviews are still for the DVD (I hate that Amazon does this mixture). This is a must own blu-ray if you have any appreciation for this movie. Let me tell you why:
- You finally get stuff that was only on the ephemeral Japanese DVD which goes for about $250 now. This most notably includes the two pilot films produce by a couple of directors. They are basically short films in themselves not looking much like the movie or following the story, but charming in their own right.
- It has the making of stuff from the laserdisc. These aren't that great though since it just focuses on the writers and voice actors of the movie, which were the great failings here. It would be nice if any of those features had given credit to the animators or their process, but no dice. This movie apparently has a long troubled history with rotating staff and joint efforts from a Japanese and U.S. studio. I hope someday we might get a nice big history...
An Inspired Story
Bradbury and Giraud's influences are obvious. The story is filled with goodwill and heart without being sentimental or maudlin. Little Nemo breaks a promise and unleashes the Nightmare King's powers against his friends in Dreamland, and must face his terror to rescue them. The images of Dreamland are breathtaking. The jester-goblins are endearing. Flip's character is a mischief and has many faults, but not of cynicism. There is no adult subtext, no disparagement or side cracks, no misplaced self-consciousness anywhere in this movie. It would appeal to lively, intelligent, creative children, and it would engage their parents' interest and fancy too. I hope it is re-released soon.
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