TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE [2013] [Blu-ray + DVD + ULTRAVIOLET] [USA Release] Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum! Tom and Jerry are on the run!
In this all-new original animation film, Tom and Jerry are among the last animals living in Storybook Town, a fairy-tale-inspired theme park “where dreams come true, if you believe.” Young Jack is desperate to save the park from the hands of the greedy billionaire, setting out with his loyal with his loyal cat and mouse friends to sell his prize cow . . . for some magic beans?! What follows is a journey up a beanstalk to a magical land ruled by a massively mean and hungry giant and home to fun, fabled fellows like Droopy, Spike and even a golden goose! Will Tom and Jerry put an end to their furry feud long enough to save Storybook Town? You don’t need to wish upon a star. Join Tom and Jerry on their amazing adventure and find out! Narrated by Garrison Keillor.
FILM FACT: Chaz Lipp states the animated film is "is a harmless hour of fun that should ably hold the attention of its target audiences," but confused about the lack of "fighting, chasing and general struggle between the title characters."
Voice Cast: Jacob Bertrand [Jack], Thomas F. Wilson [Mr. Bigley / Ginormous], Grey Griffin [Mrs. Bradley / Red Fairy], Garrison Keillor [Farmer O'Dell / Narrator], Paul Reubens [Screwy Squirrel], Kath Soucie [Tuffy], Joe Alaskey [King Droopy], Richard McGonagle [Barney Bear], Phil LaMarr [Spike] and John DiMaggio [Meathead]
Directors: Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
Producers: Alan Burnett, Jim Wyatt, Sam Register, Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
Screenplay: Paul Dini (written)
Composer: Michael Tavera
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Spanish: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
German: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Russian: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Russian
Running Time: 57 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Warner Home Video
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in 1940, Tom and Jerry have remained one of the most popular cartoon duos for over seventy years. Warner Bros. has done a good job of keeping this franchise alive and fresh with new original movies, even now and then. ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ [2013] is a new animated adaptation of classic story “Jack and the Beanstalk.” It features some great voice talents including Tom Wilson, Garrison Keillor, Paul Reubens, Grey Delisle and Jacob Bertran. If you are a fan of Tom and Jerry, this is a definite must purchase. It is very clever, funny and great for the whole family!
The Tom and Jerry brand continues to be a lucrative franchise for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Whether made up of new or repackaged material, the titles keep on coming. Falling into the former category is the all-new ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ which is available in the combination of Blu-ray + DVD + ULTRAVIOLET, in other words a Combo Pack for your viewing delight. Lately there seems to be a glut of updated retellings of fairy tales, including ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and also in Warner Home Video recent feature ‘Jack the Giant Slayer.’ Now, the classic cat-and-mouse adversaries have been grafted on to a new version of the tale.
‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ will undoubtedly appeal most strongly to the very youngest of viewers. The surprisingly melancholic opening features the dulcet tones of narrator Garrison Keillor explaining the downfall of the Storybook Town theme park. Following its creator’s untimely passing, the park fell into disrepair. Widow Violet and her son Jack do their best to keep it operational, but the customers aren’t there. Their main attraction, in fact, is the trio of animals still residing on the grounds: Tom, Jerry, and a cow named Hermione. Mr. Bigley shows up to announce he’s acquired the park’s mortgage and plans to demolish it the next morning. Unless Violet and Jack can come up with enough cash to buy the park back or otherwise it is history for everyone.
As a Tom and Jerry vehicle, ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ falls slightly short on gags. Aside from some typically cartoonish antagonism early on, they are both a little too friendly and comfortable around each other. I like Tom much better when he’s mean and snarling. After Jack trades Hermione to Farmer O’Dell (also voiced by Garrison Keillor) for some “magic beans,” Tom and Jerry essentially become supporting characters. The duo accompanies Jack to a real version of Storybook Town after the beans sprout sky-high vines overnight. Cameos by classic cartoon characters pepper the land of Ginormous the giant, including Spike and Tyke, Tuffy the Mouse, Droopy Dog, and Screwy Squirrel (the latter voiced by Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman). As Jack takes on Ginormous, Tom and Jerry are mainly along for the ride. It is not only a very much family friendly entertainment, but is fun for all ages.
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Home Video delivered this animated feature in a nice combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + ULTRAVIOLET digital copy with a truly excellent 1080p encoded image transfer with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 it looks totally fantastic, as it has with past Tom and Jerry feature film releases. Black levels are not quite as deep as they could be either, but such things appear to trace back to the original source and animation, nothing more. Line art is also sharp and refined, with only a hint of intermittent aliasing, and banding is the only thing that undermines the integrity of the otherwise pristine image. So while ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ isn't the most striking original animated film the studio has released, but still enjoyable to watch.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Home Video solidly mixed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is included. A lush amount of ambience is mixed into the surround channels while directional panning through the sound field is judiciously handled. Dynamic range is natural, with a lot of breathing room offered and also a solid low end for the numerous sound effects. Effects sound very good and the rear speaks get involved when necessary.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras: ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’ sadly doesn't include any special features.
Finally, ‘TOM AND JERRY’S GIANT ADVENTURE: ORIGINAL MOVIE’is a glorious hour of fun filled comedy frolics that should ably hold the attention of its target audiences. However, long-time Tom and Jerry fans may wonder why there’s not more the fighting, chasing, and general struggle between the title characters. Parents and kids alike will be pleased with this feel-good, fun adventure. There are lots of classic Tom and Jerry moments early on, but truth be told, Warner Bros. has eased up a lot on much of the violence that once was a big part of the Tom and Jerry cartoons. So overall I really enjoyed this wonderful cartoon, as it has a lot going for it and lots of typical Tom and Jerry action to keep you enjoying this cartoon, as I thought I might not like it like very much compared to the original Tom Jerry M-G-M Cartoons, but I loved it so much and is well worth purchasing, plus I am now keen to get the other Warner Bros. Tom and Jerry Animation Blu-ray discs on offer and so pleased I have now added this to my Warner Home Video Blu-ray Collection and will enjoy viewing this brilliant cartoon, with many viewings. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
