Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition

I am one of the biggest Disney fans out there. I even got to work at Disney World as an intern when I was in college, and I often joke that since Bill's company has an office in Orlando, we really have to get transferred there!

So, when I got the chance to review the new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition Blu-Ray, I was so excited. But trust me, I already own Snow White-I bought it back in 2001 (the last time it was released, which was while I was in college, not married, and no kids) and I can still some of my friends thinking I was so weird, though in the last few years they have all come knocking on my door to borrow tons of my Disney movies for their kids.

Anyways, I was excited, mostly because I JUST got a Blu-Ray player for my husband for his birthday, and partly because I knew I probably would not have ever bought Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Blu-Ray, since I already own the regular DVD. And because I figured that Blu-Ray really couldn't make a difference on such an old, hand-drawn cartoon. Ohhhh boy, was I WRONG.

I am SO GLAD I was able to see what a difference Blu-Ray made! I seriously though that there was no way to improve upon on old movie with fancy High Definition technology. I thought that it pretty much was what it was. So, when I got the Blu-Ray in the mail, I immediately popped it in our player, and watched it. STUNNING.

Though I have to mention I wasn't a fan of the Disney View (where they added side background art so you could see it as a widescreen presentation without black edges). Since we use a projector and watch the movies up on a big screen (yes, I am a movie freak and love the theater experience in our home, widescreen is always my choice of movie format.) The added background space was lovely, but I'm a purist when it comes to movies-I like their original forms. Movies with added new songs? Hate. Movies with added deleted scenes? Hate. Old black and white movies with added color? Hate. I found the added artwork one the sides distracting, so I didn't like the Disney View, though if you like the above mentioned items, you probably would love it. And if you are like me, don't worry, you can play the movie with our without Disney View added.

OK, so back to Blu-Ray. I LOVED the movie-everything was so crisp and clean, but the real shock came when I watched my old DVD from 2001. I saw flaws I had not noticed until I compared it with the Blu-Ray. Like scratches in the drawings that showed up throughout the film, or how the color was not so bright, or how grainy everything was. I really was blown away at the difference the Blu-Ray presentation made.

And what was really fun with the Blu-Ray? Coming out TODAY, the combo pack includes the regular DVD as well, for use in your car, or to give to grandparents (or as the one you loan out to friends; seems half my Disney movies are with the friends that used to poke fun at me for buying them way back in the day) AND tons of bonus features, including a look at Walt Disney's original studio and the birth of Snow White. (As a movie buff, I LOVED watching that). AND-this is HUGE-Blu-Ray is more kid friendly. That's right, it is TOUGH to scratch or mess up, so you don't have to worry as much about the movie getting ruined and skipping! Hallelujah!

Also, Disney has taken full advantage of the Blu-Ray technology by creating the option for a customizable Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition experience for viewers. The Magic Mirror will guide you through the menu, remember what you have seen, where you left off in the film if you stop while watching it, where you left off in bonus features, and remind you of other parts of the DVD and bonus features you need to check out. Pretty cool!

Needless to say, I am all over the Blu-Ray craze now. I see why so many guys in Best Buy are drooling over the high def items-it really does make an amazing difference, and not just with new movies created for high def, but old movies as well. I will certainly be out getting my favorite Disney movies on Blu-Ray now and passing my regular DVD's on to others. Don't have a Blu-Ray player? (Well, you really should try to save up for one, trust me it is worth it...) Don't worry, November 24 the regular DVD version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is coming out for a limited time. I would highly suggest getting the Blu-Ray combo pack though, because for only $10.00 more than the regular DVD, it comes with with the Blu-Ray DVD, the bonus features Blu-Ray DVD, and the regular DVD. Pretty nice deal, if you ask me!

Want to experience "The Fairest of them All" in the most beautiful and breathtaking presentation ever? You can go out now and get your own Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition where movies are sold, but only for a limited time. So even if you don't have kids yet, but think you might in the next 8 or 9 years, you better go buy Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs now, because I won't be letting this Blu-Ray out of my sight anytime soon.