XAvenger's stats
- Review count169
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- First reviewSeptember 6, 2007
- Last reviewDecember 27, 2013
- Featured reviews2
- Average rating5
- Review comment count3
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentSeptember 24, 2011
- Last review commentOctober 12, 2011
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![Walt Disney's Fantasia [Original Soundtrack] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/0465/0465240_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
This contains the music as orchestrated in the Disney movie Fantasia.
Highlights include 'Dance of the Hours', 'Ave Maria', Night on Bald Mountain', 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' and selections from Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite'.
Every piece is played brilliantly and the recording for the CD is very well done. There is no trace of defect anywhere in the music.
If you are a fan of Disney's Fantasia or you just ike classical music, this CD is an essential addition to you music collection.
What's great about it: Great music
What's not so great: Nothing comes to mind
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 (4 Disc) (W/Dvd)
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Posted by: XAvenger
Here's an essential addition to any Blu-Ray collection.
Walt Disney's classic Fantasia and the great sequel Fantasia 2000 are both in this set. Both movies feature brilliant orchestrations of some of the finest music ever composed. The films feature a series of animated sequences set to some of the finest works of some of the great classicasl composers.
The first Fantasia, a movie far ahead of it's time, features selections from Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite' and 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', the latter segment starred none other than Mickey Mouse in one of his most iconic roles.
Fantasia 2000 takes the concept and improves on it using modern animation techniques. Fantasia 2000 starts off with Beehtoven's 9th and even features a composition by Gershwin. Donald Duck has a starring role in one segment and there's even a segment that answers the age old question 'What would happen if you gave a yo-yo to a flock of flamingos?'
The extras include 'Destino', an animated short based on the art of Salvador Dali, and some extensive featurettes on the history of both films as well as that of 'Destino' (I recommend watching the segments about 'Destino').
The HD transfer is what I have come to expect from Disney. In other words, flawless! Everything is very clear and the sound comes through great. Disney has given us yet another brilliant Blu-Ray transfer. There were some source material issues with the Fantasia DVD that I did not see in the Blu-Ray, an exemplary job of restoration!
If you like classical music or if you just like great moves, you need to get this set. Walt Disney said it best when he said that Fantasia is timeless.
What's great about it: Great music and animation
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Sleeping Beauty [50th Anniversary Edition] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1959]
Beauty and the Beast [Diamond Edition] [3 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] [1991]
Snow White & Seven Dwarfs (3 Disc) (W/Dvd)
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Posted by: XAvenger
This is one of my favorite anime series! Samurai 7 takes Akira Kurosawa's immortal classic Seven Samurai and re-imagines it in a sci-fi/fantasy setting.
In Samurai 7, a village comes under siege by bandits and the villagers hire samurai to defend the village. Samurai 7 takes the story of the original movie and expands on it, weaving a tale of heroism and political intrigue.
The animation is top quality, very smooth and natural looking. All characters are well drawn and make sense in the world of the anime.
The series is very well written. The plot is well thought out and the characters all develop nicely, from the dignified Kanbei to the rough and tumble Kikuchiyo. There are many thrilling and truly heroic, even some touching and humorous, moments in Samurai 7. Each of the samurai comes to exemplify what it means to be a hero.
The mecha designs are great. Samurai 7 boasts some of the coolest mecha I've seen in any anime series. Very cool giant robots abound in this series.
The music is at turns exciting and quiet and makes effective use of traditional Japanese motifs as well as elements from other styles of music. The opening and closing themes are great too.
The HD transfer is great. Every scene is in sharp focus and the transfer makes tha animation look even better.
Remember to watch this in the Original Japanese. The Japanese voice cast does a great job, the English cast, not quite so good. And the fact is that this was originally produced in Japanese, the Japanese cast was an active participant in the making of this seires, the English cast was constrained by having to copy the Japanese performance. If you feel reading subtitles is a chore, trust me it isn't. You'll be surprised at how quickly you pick up athe knack for reading subtitles and watching the anime simultaneously, and it is much more rewarding to see this series in it's original form.
Samurai 7 holds it's own alongside the likes of Cowboy Bebop as one of the finest series ever made. To see just how great anime can be, check out Samurai 7.
What's great about it: Top quality production and excellent HD transfer
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Seven Samurai [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [1954]
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Customer Rating
5
Samurai action at it's best
on April 22, 2011
Posted by: XAvenger
Here are two of the best action movies ever made in stunning High Defenition. Yojimbo (which means 'bodyguard' in English) and Sanjuro follow the exploits of a ronin ('masterless samurai') in fuedal Japan who identifies himself as 'Sanjuro' (probably not his real name).
In 'Yojimbo', Sanjuro wanders in to a village besieged by two rival crime bosses. In this movie, he engineers various situations to bring the conflict between the two bosses to a head. In 'Sanjuro', he helps a group of incompetent samurai free their lord from a rival.
Both movies feature lots of action and lots of comedy. Kurosawa does his usual masterful job directing the sword duels and Toshiro Mifune is awsome as the mysterious Sanjuro. The antics of the thugs in 'Yojimbo' and the misdaventures of the incompetent samurai in 'Sanjuro' are always hilarious to watch.
The Blu-Ray transfer is outstanding. Everything is clear, highly detail and sharply defined. Therer are some missing frames in one or two isolated scenes in 'Yojimbo', but that is a source material problem. Both films look stunning and clear. The blacks are black and the whites are white.
The extras for both films give insights on the production of both films as well as trailers for both. There's even some input from surviving cast members, including an actor who is lousy in love scenes but great in eating scenes.
These movies are good examples of Chanbara, this is the name for a genre of samurai action films (the name comes from the sound of swords clashing). What could easily be run of the mill movies are instead masterpieces thanks to the efforts of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune.
I recommend these movies to anyone who likes action movies or is curious about Japanese movies.
What's great about it: Two excellent movies
What's not so great: Some source material issues
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Seven Samurai [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [1954]
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Posted by: XAvenger
Seven Samurai is one of the greatest and most influential films ever made and is truly Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece.
Set in fuedal Japan, the story concerns a village under threat from bandits. The farmers hire samurai to fight the bandits and find seven who are willing to defend thier village.
Akira Kurosawa does a masterful job of directing one of the best action movies around. Each scene is flawless. The battle scenes are exciting and highly energized. Ther scenes that focus on the characters really give insight into what each character thinks and feels. All of which adds to the brilliant masterwork that is Seven Samurai.
Each member of the cast does a superb job in thier respective roles. Toshiro Mifune is brilliant as the rough and tumble Kikuchiyo and Takeshi Shimura is great as Kambei, the leader of the band of samurai. You come to feel for each character and all of the samurai exemplify the virtues of courage and honor.
The Blu-Ray transfer is stunning. Each scene is clear and sharply defined. The shading of the black and white comes out beautifully in High Defenition. Blu-Ray takes a classic and makes it look good as new.
The extras include trailers and some featurettes on the making and legacy of Seven Samurai. Very interesting and informative.
Seven Samurai is a true classic and influences film makers to this day. From westerns like The Magnificent Seven, to sci-fi like Battle Beyond the Stars and and episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and anime like Samurai Seven. The PIXAR film, A Bug's Life even took some cues from Seven Samurai!
If you want to see just how great movies can be, check out Seven Samurai.
What's great about it: One of the finest films ever made
What's not so great: Nothing comes to mind
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Samurai 7: The Complete Series [3 Discs] [Blu-ray]
(4)
Criterion Coll: Yojimbo & Sanjuro (2 Disc)
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This collection of Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3 follows the adventures of Woody and Buzz as they learn to become best friends, and stay with their beloved owner Andy until he heads off to college.
Customer Rating
5
The movies that changed the face of animation
on March 25, 2011
Posted by: XAvenger
Here's an essential addition to any Blu-Ray collection. In this set you have all three Toy Story movies, three of the finest animated features ever made.
Toy Story was the first theatrical feature to use all CGI animation, and it was a technological marvel for its time (it still holds up). You can see how technology improved over the years from the top quality animation in the first Toy Story to the truly astounding animation in Toy Story 3. In Toy Story 3, the level of detail and the fluidity of animation is beyond belief! The Blu-Ray gives every scene a crisp, clear and sharply defined look. Disney has given us yet another flawless HD experience.
Rather than just focus on the animation itself, PIXAR told some great stories and introduced some fantastic characters in these movies. The most promenint characters are Woody, a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a super-heroic spaceman action figure. These two have become iconic Disney characters and can stand beside the likes of Mickey Mouse or Pluto as Disney characters. In the first movie, Buzz did not know he was a toy and that made for some great comedy. And Woody shines in the second and third movies. Toy Story 3 also has a nice parody of jailbreak movies. Some older toys, like Mr. Potatohead and Slinky Dog get time in the spotlight as well and are great characters.
The extras include animated shorts, some music clips and numerous featurettes on the making of the movies, even some deleted concepts. My favorite extras were the studio stories which tell the tales of what goes on at the PIXAR studios.
These movies are perfect family entertainment. Children and adults can all enjoy the Toy Story Trilogy.
What's great about it: Three PIXAR classics
What's not so great: Can't think of anything
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Disney Pixar Greatest Hits [CD]
(5)
Monsters Inc (3 Disc)
(9)
Wall-E [Blu-ray] [3 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [2008]
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This set contains a handful of shorts starring Mater, the tow-truck from Pixar's hit film Cars.
Customer Rating
5
If Mater's lying, he's crying.
on March 21, 2011
Posted by: XAvenger
This Blu-Ray features a collection of short films chronicleing Mater's adventures as a wrestler, bulldozer fighter, private eye and even an astronaut. They all sound far-fetched, but there's always something at the end which makes you wonder if it might have happened after all.
All fo the shorts are hilarious and very well animated. The Blu-Ray transfer puts everything in sharp focus.
The extras chronicle some untold tales, concepts which were never made into shorts. One involved Mater travelling through time, I would actually like to see that one made into part of this series.
Mater's Tall Tales is something children can enjoy and has enough layers to the humor that adults can enjoy it too. Excellent for family entertainment.
If you like the movie Cars then I strongly recommend this Blu-Ray.
What's great about it: Great collection of short films
What's not so great: I wanted to see more
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Pixar Short Films Collection, Vol. 1 [Blu-ray]
(3)
Wall-E [Blu-ray] [2 Discs] [2008]
(14)
Cars
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This epic release from the animated sci-fi series Star Wars: The Clone Wars includes all 22 episodes from the show's second season, following the heroic Jedi as they protect their peoples from deadly creatures, as well as from the nefarious bounty hunter Cad Bane.
Customer Rating
5
Another great season for Clone Wars
on March 18, 2011
Posted by: XAvenger
This is easily the best sci-fi series on TV today!
The war between the Republic and the Seperatist Alliance continues, and there is lots of action all throughout this season. The action gives you the sense of actually being in the midst of battle without being overly violent. This is some of the most exciting action TV has ever seen. The second season also gives us some political drama. There's lots of intrigue going on in the Senate chamber, lots of plots and dirty deals.
In the first season, Anakin Skywalker was portrayed as a very heroic figure. In this season, we see signs of his coming fall to the dark side. I found it very interesting to see his change from such a good person and a true hero to the first inklings of what he is destined to become.
Ashoka Tano also develops nicely in this season. She is really becoming an integral character in Star Wars. She is developing from a wise talking Padawan to a someone with the potential to become a great Jedi.
The animation is top notch and looks great on Blu-Ray. As always, HD makes everything sharp and clearly defined. The music is great too. Not a symphonic tour-de-force like the live action movies but a great blend of various ethnic styles and even a few rock motifs. Clone Wars is a quality production all around.
The story arc that tells the tale of the Republic's fight to retake Geonosis from the Seperatists is truly exciting. These three episodes have more action in one half hour than most shows have in an entire hour. There's also a great two episode homage to the 'Godzilla' movies. I also liked the homage to 'Seven Samurai'.
Star Wars The Clone Wars continues to be a great series. I am now looking forward to season three. Great entertainment for the whole family. If you are a Star Wars fan, this Blu-Ray is essential for your collection.
May the Force be with you.
What's great about it: Lots of action, great story, superb animation
What's not so great: few extras
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [CD]
(1)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Blu-ray] [2008]
(6)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season One [2 Discs] [Blu-ray]
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Posted by: XAvenger
Star Wars The Clone Wars tells the story of the war between the Republic and the Seperatist Alliance between Episodes II and III. In this series, we see many familiar characters like Obi-Wan and Anakin, as well as some new faces, most notably Anakin's apprentice Ashoka Tano.
Clone Wars has all the action and thrills you would expect from Star Wars. There's lots of exciting space and ground based combat as well as some exciting lightsaber duels. The action is always thrilling and gives you the feel of actually being in combat without being overly violent.
The quality of storytelling starts of great and just gets better as the series progresses. The 'Malevolence' story arc is terrific and the 'Ryloth' story arc is gold. Every episode tells a superb story and adds to the rich tapestry that is Star Wars.
The CGI animation is outstanding. Clone Wars uses a very stylized type of animation. It's hard to describe, but it looks great. The motion of each character and of the vehicles are smooth and natural looking. Some of the best quality TV animation I have ever seen. The Hi Def transfer makes the animation look even better. On Blu-Ray, the animation has a sharp and clearly defined look. The details really come out clear on the Blu-Ray.
The soundtrack is like the Clone Wars movie. The music uses a fusion of various ethnic styles along with some symphonic and rock elements. The music fits the series nicely. Composer Kevin Kiner was wise not to try to copy John Williams.
The soundtrack is like the Clone Wars movie. The music uses a fusion of various ethnic styles along with some symphonic and rock elements. The music fits the series nicely. Composer Kevin Kiner was wise not to try to copy John Williams.
One thing I really like about the series is the chance to see characters like Kit Fisto or Aura Sing that we just see in the periphery of the movies get some spotlight time. There are characters that we see just for a few seconds in the movies that actually get thier own epsodes. This really helps to expand the Star Wars universe.
This is the best sci-fi series on TV. If you are a Star Wars fan, then this is an essential addition to your Blu-Ray collection.
May the Force be with you.
What's great about it: Great Sci-Fi action in Hi Def
What's not so great: Few Extras
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Blu-ray] [2008]
(6)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season Two [4 Discs/Blu-ray] (Blu-ray Disc)
(4)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [CD]
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Customer Rating
5
The pilot for a great TV series
on January 19, 2011
Posted by: XAvenger
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is one of my favorite TV series and it begins here.
The Cone Wars takes place between Eps. II and III, this film can be considered Episode 2.5, and tells the tale of the war between the Sepeartist Alliance and the Galactic Republic. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are the heroes and the movie introduces Star Wars fans to Asoka Tano, Anakin's Padawan (apprentice).
It starts with the evil Count Dooku kidnapping Jabba the Hutt's son, the Republic sends Anakin and Obi-Wan to rescue the huttlet in the hopes of stopping a Seperatist plot against the Republic.
There's lots of action in Clone Wars in the form of space battles, ground based combat and some really cool lightsaber duels. All the action and excitement you expect from Star Wars is here. Clone Wars does a great job of creating intense action scenes that are non-violent. Proof that action and violence do not always go together.
The quality of animation is quite good. Rather than going for realism, Clone Wars goes for a very stylized look. It's hard to describe, but it looks great in the movie. The movements of each character and vehicle are smooth and fluid. The backgrounds are all expertly rendered. The high quality of the Blu-Ray transfer makes the animation look even better. Everything is clear and well defined throughout.
The sound is great as well. From thunderous explosions to a nice musical score. The music is different from the Star Wars trilogies, but it is still faithful to the feel of Star Wars and I always enjoy listening to it. The score is more percussion and ethnic music oriented than the trilogies. Not trying to copy John Williams was a very wise move. The Blu-Ray is as great a sound experience as it is a visual experience.
This Blu-Ray could have used more extras, there are the DVD extras and an interactive feature, but some more features would have been nice.
For a unique take on Star Wars, chewck out Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
May the Force be with you.
What's great about it: High quality animation and a well told story
What's not so great: Could have used more extras
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [CD]
(1)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season One [2 Discs] [Blu-ray]
(2)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season Two [4 Discs/Blu-ray] (Blu-ray Disc)
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XAvenger's Review Comments
Relive the unforgettable moments and experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS the Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six Episodes together for the first time in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With over 40 hours of thrilling special features, including all-new content created exclusively for this , you can journey deeper into the Star Wars universe and discover more than ever before. Feel the Force of STAR WARS the Complete Saga on Blu-ray!
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Bad disc - TWICE
By QuoteMe
from Los Angeles, CA
About an hour into Episode II, the disc freezes a bit and seems to skip. Returned to store for a hassle free exchange. The same problem with the new disc at the exact same spot!!!! Haven't had a chance to view all the other discs but what a disappiontment. Question is do I exchange again or simply ask for a refund???? Anyone else have similar problem?
XAvenger
I've had no problems
September 24, 2011
You might want to try sending the discs to 20th Century Fox for a replacement.
I've had no problems whatsoever with any of the movies. Of course, I've plyed them on my PS3.
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Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Good Movie If You Don't Have A Sony or Samsung
By Enchanter
from Trenton, MI
Lots of talk with the First Class movie not working with Sony. It would not work with my Sony BDP S350. Which is NOT 3D. I had to disable the internet connection "Do not allow disc to access internet" or some such. Then I had to delete the data file the Xmen movie had already installed when I tried to watch it the first time. This isn't easy either as it normally doesn't display the stored data in the setup menu. I had to do this by inserting an invalid disc. In this case the digital copy. Then I got the menu to delete the First Class data file. What a pain, I'm watching this now and it BETTER be good, lol. If your not up to this then get the DVD. Hope this helps someone.
XAvenger
October 12, 2011
I have had no problems with watching the Blu-Ray on my PS3 (a Sony player). You may want to update your firmware
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Relive the unforgettable moments and experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS the Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six Episodes together for the first time in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With over 40 hours of thrilling special features, including all-new content created exclusively for this , you can journey deeper into the Star Wars universe and discover more than ever before. Feel the Force of STAR WARS the Complete Saga on Blu-ray!
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good value for the money. One BRD issue.
By burrisd
from Fredericksburg, VA
As a Star Wars fan I find this a good value for the money. I have a problem with the blu-ray discs, which is in no way a fault of Best Buy. Every single disc seems to enter a pause mode during the movie and then speeds up without audio. I have to stop playing the disc and restart it again. This happens regardless of which blu-ray player I use. Other than that, I would recommend this product.
XAvenger
October 12, 2011
I've had no problems with any of the Blu-Ray discs. I've been playing them on my PS3.
Your firmware may need to be updated.
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