TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT [2014 / 2015] [Blu-ray + Digital HD] [USA Release]
A World Premiere Holiday Event!
PIXAR and Disney proudly present a hilarious new animated TOY STORY adventure. During one of Bonnie's post-Christmas playdates, the TOY STORY crew find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie the triceratops if the gang hopes to ever return to Bonnie's room. ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ is an unforgettable tale packed with family fun and a must-have for every PIXAR fan's collection! Bring home all the laughter and excitement on Blu-ray!
FILM FACT: The special was originally planned to be a six-minute short, but John Lasseter liked the idea and suggested making it into a holiday special. The special took three years to make, with two years spent on story development. The team took time to design the Battlesaurs as if they were a real cartoon and toy line. The story was made in three acts.
Voice Cast: Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Kristen Schaal (Trixie), Kevin McKidd (Reptillus Maximus), Emily Hahn (Bonnie), Wallace Shawn (Rex), Steve Purcell (The Cleric), Jonathan Kydd (Ray-Gon), R.C. Cope (Mason), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Timothy Dalton (Mr. Pricklepants), Lori Alan (Bonnie's Mom), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Emma Hudak (Angel Kitty), Ron Bottitta (Mason's Dad), Peter Chelsom (Additional Voices), Robert Pike Daniel (Additional Voices), Simon Kassianides (Additional Voices), Ross King (Additional Voices), Mark LeVang (Additional Voices), John Pirkis (Additional Voices), Julian Stone (Additional Voices) and Jason Topolski (Additional Voices)
Director: Steve Purcell
Producers: Galyn Susman and John Lasseter
Screenplay: Steve Purcell
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Cinematography: Erik Smitt (Director of Photography) and Robert Anderson (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 5.1 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
English: 2.0 Descriptive Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
French: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
Running Time: 21 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: PIXAR Animation Studios / Walt Disney Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ [2015] is presented to audiences as a “Christmas Special,” the PIXAR animation film actually has little to do with Christmas at all, apart from the Angle Kitty decoration and Bonnie’s home being filled with Christmas decorations. The majority of this special gives us a look at the Battlesaurs, a fearsome fighting breed of dinosaur toys that have Trixie captivated.
Trixie the triceratops [Kristen Schaal] is overjoyed that, for the first time, she’ll be played with as a dinosaur, the very thing that she is. Unfortunately, just as little Bonnie [Emily Hahn] is about to pick up the underutilized reptilian, she opts for a Christmas teddy bear ornament instead, which actually is a cat angel. Shortly thereafter, Bonnie visits her pal Mason, who is too preoccupied with a new video game system to engage in make-believe with the items in her backpack: Woody [Tom Hanks], Buzz Lightyear [Tim Allen], Rex [Wallace Shawn], Mr. Pricklepants [Timothy Dalton], and Mr. Potato Head [Don Rickles]. Seemingly abandoned for the afternoon, the unsupervised gang decides to interact with Mason’s enormous collection of Christmas gifts and the entire line of Battlesaurs figures.
Taking on an amusing “Gladiator” theme, featuring the Arena of Woe, mixed with Army Men militarism and an unending lust for warfare, ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ introduces numerous new characters, including warrior leader Reptillus Maximus [Kevin McKidd] and an evil pterodactyl The Cleric [Steve Purcell]. The fantasy realms of Battleopolis pits hardened soldiers, which have never been played with and don’t realise they’re toys, just like Buzz Lightyear in the first film, against a bevy of mirthful, unsuspecting creatures, like a sock monkey. And it’s up to the veteran toys to educate sheltered viewpoints.
Although this short PIXAR animation film, was originally airing as a TV programme in America in December 2014, that has plenty of motifs from the theatrical trilogy, including a harrowing sequence in which several of the main characters are threatened with impending doom, there’s still moderate entertainment in seeing artistic takes on popular action figures getting their own quirky translations into animated personas. Of course, the PIXAR animation film continues to break a few of the same rules it has always toyed with, such as when an ornament comes to life, where the begging question we all ask as to what inanimate objects should be capable of taking on movement and self-awareness and when, after a group meeting, the toys are interrupted and drop where they are instead of where they were left. No new ground is traversed in this swift little episode, but the Battlesaurs are nevertheless a slick addition to the ‘TOY STORY’ cast. It’s worth a watch for all avid fans of PIXAR animation.
Overall, this PIXAR animation short is a really nice cuddly addition to the other TOY STORY franchise and it is totally fun to see the TOY STORY characters back on our screens. However, the story feels flat and trite, rehashing the same conflict Buzz encountered in the first film: toys not realizing they are toys. That being said I still enjoyed the wildly creative and fun of the Battlesaurs toys, from their 1990s rockin’ theme song to their overdeveloped action figure muscles. During the credits as Mason is sleeping, Reptillus says he looks forward to seeing Trixie again, next Tuesday, around 3:30.
Blu-ray Image Quality – PIXAR and Walt Disney Studios presents ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ with a stunning colourful 1080p HD encoded transfer image presented in an equally brilliant 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The video presentation looks like it was made for a wide release rather than just a run-of-the-mill straight to video release. The detail is highly sharp and vivid throughout. Every scuff mark and imperfection on these animated plastic toys is very impressive and can be seen clearly, making each object look fairly realistic for Trixie and Maximus. Every plastic scale on Trixie and Rex looks great and has the plastic and leathery look. Background characters, mostly seen in the Battlesaur’s fight also look excellent and never go soft. Colours are bright and simply pop off screen, plus all colours are well-balanced and saturated and even provide those different shades that would tell us which toys have been played with more often than not. Black levels are deep and inky as well. There was a small amount of banding, but it's very minor and not worth writing home about, leaving this video presentation with top marks.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – PIXAR and Walt Disney Studios brings ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ with three English soundtracks: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, 5.1 DTS-HD High Resolution and 2.0 Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo surround. All are strong, solid tracks with the 7.1 offering, of course, the most sophisticated use of. There is some welcome directional dialogue though most of the dialogue appears in the centre channel with great clarity and conciseness. Michael Giacchino’s delightful background score gets a nice spread through the front and rear channels. The score adds to the mood to each scene and never drowns out any of the sound effect and dialogue. Speaking of the dialogue, it's perfectly clear and easy to follow, and free of any pops, cracks, hiss, and high shrills. During the bigger action scenes here, the bass has a nice rumble to it as well is excellent and the dynamic range is very wide, leaving this short PIXAR animated film's audio element are top marks.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: REPTILLUS! Origins of the Battlesaurs World [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [10:50] Here we get to hear about the origins of the Battlesaurs World. In this behind-the-scenes look at ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT,’ where they get to talk about the Warrior Culture, and the filmmakers share a sneak preview at the origins of the Battlesaurs World, and explain the character design and development of its greatest hero, Reptillus Maximus. We also hear other aspect of the Battlesaurs World, where they have to fight all the time, because they are trained in the need to be strong because they feel the world outside their parameter is hostile. Reptillus Maximus is their champion; he is looked upon as a beacon to their society of the Battlesaurs World, who all look up to Reptillus. It is split into four sections, that are Reptillus!!!; Reptillus Design; Reptillus Animation and The Voice of Reptillus. Contributors include: Galyn Susman [Producer]; Derek Thompson [Story Supervisor]; Louise Smythe [Story Artist]; Steve Purcell [Director]; Anthony Christov [Production Designer]; Andrew Gordon [Directing Animator]; Kevin McKidd [Reptillus] and Kristen Schall [Trixie].
Special Feature: TOY STORY Goes To Comic-Con [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:38] The team behind ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ animation film heads to San Diego Comic-Com International Convention to unveil the project to the public, led by their own long-time Comic-Con veterans, Steve Purcell [Director]; Derek Thompson [Story Supervisor]; Galyn Susman [Producer] and Kristen Schaal [Trixie]. What the audience gets to view is a short preview of ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ to a very wild and enthusiastic audience. The team also gest to meet all the fan and sign autograph the Poster for ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT.’ All in all everyone had a great experience and really enjoyed themselves.
Special Feature: Karaoke Video: "My Unexpected Friend" Performed by Reptillus Maximus [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:58] With this Karaoke Video you get the wording at the bottom of the screen so that you can sing along with the voice of Kevin McvKidd. Music composed by Alex Mandel. Lyrics by Alex Mandel and Steve Purcell.
Special Feature: Karaoke Video: "My Unexpected Friend" [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:58] With this particular Karaoke Video, it is entitled “You-Sing-It” Version, where you just hear the music and again the words appear at the bottom of the screen, so you can sing to yourself while the Karaoke Video is viewed.
Special Feature: BATTLESAURS: Animated Opening for the Fictional TV Series [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [0:50] This is entitled “BATTLESAURS 2D INTRO” and is done in the style of the Japanese Anime hand-drawn or computer animation opening for the fictional animated TV series "BATTLESAURS."
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [9:24] Here you get to view Five deleted scenes that include: Battlesaurs Christmas; Prisoners of Bone; SOS; Trixie's Proposal and Light of Play. Plus with each deleted scene you get a personal introduction with Director Steve Purcell. They are presented as animated line drawings.
Audio Commentary with Director Steve Purcell and Story Supervisor Derek Thompson: Steve Purcell and Derek Thompson offer insightful information in discussing some intimate details about character definition, constructing story themes, outside inspirations, character and environmental design and visuals, and much more. They also explain the reason why they chose the outline for the start of the opening sequence for the animated film, especially bringing in the theme of the Christmas Festive Season theme. They talk about when Bonnie chucks the backpack into the other room, especially about the crash landing in the room with all the massive amounts of the boy’s toys, where they wanted to incorporate other genre films that the team are their favourites, like ‘Planet of the Apes;’ ‘Star Trek;’ ‘At The Earth’s Core’ and the Ray Harryhausen prehistoric films and wanting the original toys to experience a different scenario and reality, as well as make Trixie feel wanted as a toy in this new world of Battlesaurs World and especially being welcomed into BATTLEOPOLIS. They also inform us that they had a lot of fun with Rex getting his giant pair of bionic arms and found it highly entertaining. When Trixie runs away towards the “Canyon of Sacred Packaging” and where Reptillus Maximus finds out he is really a toy. They say they favoured a lot of British actors voicing the other Battlesaurs toys, like you had with the film ‘GLADATOR.’ They talk about how Bonnie is lured into trying out the video game, that really her heart is with the toys and much prefers to play with them and the bond that Bonnie feels for the toys. The filmmakers manage to cram in plenty of detail into a track necessarily condensed under the film's runtime constraints. But at the end they both say that they hope Reptillus Maximus and the Battlesaurs toys hope to meet the other toys in the very near future and especially another animated film they hope to produce in the very near future, which I hope so, and all in all it has been a very enjoyable audio commentary from Director Steve Purcell and Story Supervisor Derek Thompson.
Sneak Previews: Disney Movies Anywhere [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:39]; Disney Movie Rewards [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:19]; The Good Dinosaur [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:14] and Inside Out [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:26].
BONUS: Maximize Your Home Theater! Get the most out of your Home Theater by conducting the following simple tests. Use the right arrow key on your remote control to page through each test, which consist of the following: Getting Started; Aspect Ratio and Framing; Brightness; Contrast; Gamma and Audio.
Finally, ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT’ is essentially a snapshot from the Toy Story universe, that I found very fulfilling and the epic scenes gave you that wonderful nice, warm, familiar feeling that TOY STORY centres on that we have come to expect and is surrounded with plenty of totally hilarious funny bits and a few fine moments of action and mild peril. But most important it is a welcome addition to the 'TOY STORY' universe franchise, even if it's only just over twenty-two minutes long. Each character is back and funny as ever, and the story itself is hilarious, thrilling, and highly entertaining, while still relaying a heartfelt message that PIXAR animation films are well known for. The video and audio presentations are both top notch, and the extras are totally brilliant, with some bonus features for the young children as well. This excellent value for money for just over 21 minutes PIXAR film of ‘TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT,’ comes with an excellent high pedigree! Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
