Bambi (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

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Summary: Walt Disney's greatest
Review: "Bambi" is said to have been Walt Disney's favorite picture, and it's no wonder of that. This movie has my favorite songs from any Disney picture I've seen, including "Love Is a Song" and "Little April Shower." My favorite character is, of course, Thumper. He steals the whole show and he has a lot of great lines, which are usually hard to find in animated films nowadays. I hope that the Disney company will re-release this classic in theaters or on video, but one thing I hope they don't do is sell a whole lot of merchandising on it. Almost every Disney movie these days does that. Anyway, one more thing I want to say about this movie. The scene where Bambi's mother dies has left an emotional and lasting impact on generations of children who saw it. Although I'm only 16 years old, I saw this movie about a month ago and I felt the same way during that scene. That is what made Bambi so different from Disney's other efforts and what made it so important.

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Summary: Simply Charming, and Very Touching
Review: As any true Disney Classic will, Bambi touches and warms your heart. This is one of those movies that stays with you for the rest of your life, after just one viewing, because of its impact.
Bambi was the first animated film to ever touch on the subject of ecology, and man's effect on nature. However, while it explores such a heavy subject it still maintains a simple beauty and charm. It has all of the elements of an animated masterpiece: beautiful animation, an interesting story line, loveable characters, and great voice acting. However, it also brings the added joy of remembering all of the wonder that the world has to offer. There are very powerful scenes, including Bambi's well known trama at losing his mother, and its sure to make you stop and think.

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Summary: A Unique Entry in the Disney Canon
Review: Bambi is a coming of age story that follows the first year in the life of a young buck. While he explores his world, he makes friends with Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk and experiences all the joys, sorrows, and dangers of life.

Bambi is different from other Disney movies in that it doesn't have any humans in it. Still, the impact of man is felt several times in the course of the story. Overall, the movie is a series of smaller moments, many of them classic - Bambi discovering ice, the naming of Flower, all three of them falling in love, Thumper quoting his father, etc.

The artwork in this film is beautiful. Many of the backgrounds look like they were painted using watercolor, a look they used extensively in the late 70's. Still, it really works well here. The animal movement is the best yet, even while making them semi-human.

To me, this movie doesn't have the same appeal as Snow White, Dumbo, 101 Dalmatians, or some of Disney's other movies. Still, it's a movie I enjoy, and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys classic Disney animation.

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Summary: The Film That Spurned Disney's Fascination With Nature
Review: It's been critisized by some for its use of violence in depicting a natural wildfire which causes the death of Bambi's mother (not easy to explain to young children); and its been critisized by others as being "anti-human', or man, for its depiction of the hunting scene where animals are being shot at, including Bambi, who is himself wounded by a hunter. Yet, "Bambi" has come to represent the gentler side of Disney. For what it's worth, after the release of "Bambi", in 1942, Walt Disney began a long and fascinating affair with nature, and ultimately produced many fine nature documentaries, and nature themed films, none of which may have come to fruition without "Bambi". With hardly any words spoken throughout its entirety, "Bambi" relies heavily on its breathtaking scenery, and wide range of color to depict the landscape. The forest looks almost lifelike; and the fire is almost too real.

In the opening scene of "Bambi" it is springtime, the beginning of new life. Bambi is born. During his first days, Bambi's mother teaches him such things as how to walk. He makes friends as well; Thumper, a rabbit, and Flower, a skunk. They also help teach Bambi the ways of the forest.

When Bambi is first exposed to a meadow, his mother tells him it is a wonderful place, but he needs to remain cautious. Later, he finds out why, when man enters, causing all the deer to scramble for saftey in a frenzied flight. So now Bambi has been introduced to man, a creature he needs to fear if he is to stay alive.

The season changes to fall, and then to winter, rapidly. And soon spring is again on the horizon. And then ... the fire. In all the confusion, Bambi loses sight of his mother. After he reaches safety, Bambi inquires about his mother. He is told, "Your mother can't be with you any longer".

Bambi must face the new season without his mother now. When spring arrives, he, Thumper and Flower have grown. Bambi is attracted to another deer, Faline. They kiss, and Bambi is instancely in love. However, Bambi must put his feelings aside when man re-enters the forest. Again there is another scramble for safety. Faline is being tailed by some hunters, and Bambi goes in to help her, getting shot in the process. He makes it to safety, but must contend with another forest fire, set by the hunters who were camping nearby.

The cycle is thus complete. And new life is being born, and will continue to be born, live and die. There will be new perils to face, and new wonders to discover. This is the essence of "Bambi"; that nature is a continuous cycle of life and death, and eveything in-between is a wonderous adventure, and that all living creatures must live their lives to the fullest.

There is the subtle message intertwined, as well, that man can, and must. control certain elements of nature, if nature is going to continue to thrive. The second fire was the fault of man, caused by accident, but avoidable, which may have inadvertantly killed animals before it was extiguished. And man must learn to control himself, for if he does not, then he will not only destroy nature, but himself.

Rating:
Summary: A simple little film -- NOT!
Review: On one level, "Bambi" is just a little, animated film, just under 70 minutes, that tells the story of an orphaned deer growing up. Right? And an acorn is just a nut.

"Bambi" was made in 1942, but is still impressive in its animation, even in comparison to the computer-generated graphics of today. The colors are so lush, that you want to freeze some of the frames and hang them up on your wall. The beauty of Nature is captured here as well as in any film, animated or not.

"Bambi" is the story of one deer, but it is also a case study in the very basics of life: parental love, loss and grief, friendship, loyalty, balancing risk and need, growing toward independence, being at one and in harmony with Nature, and romantic love. It is a small film that covers more ground than many epic, megabuck productions.

"Bambi" did something else significant: for many, it altered people's view of deer and their relationship to Man. I recently read a study that looked at this issue, and one finding is that two things decreased markedly after the release of "Bambi" involvement in deer-hunting, and the value people in general place on deer-hunting.

Sometimes, in simplicity, there is perfection.

Rating:
Summary: Disney's Personal Favorite - "Lion King"-like Masterpiece!
Review: This Animated Feature, from Walt Disney Studios' "classic" period, showcases Disney's favorite themes: Natures majestic beauty and the miracle of life itself.

From the birth of "the young Prince", to his rightful place at the throne of the forest, Bambi is a delight to watch. My favorite scenes are the time when the new generation of "young ones", one by one, get "twitterpated" (as the wise owl explains it).

The dazzeling animation includes many moving moments, highlighted by the scene wehre Bambi's mother is killed. Searching for the mother, young Bambi is told "your mother can't be with you anymore". It is not until this moment that the father acknowledges his place in Bambi's life.

I first experienced this piece of movie magic as a child during the annual "Disney Feature" at the renouned MGM Theatre in Frankfurt, Germany. Of the films I was privileged to enjoy on their giant screen, this is the one I will always remember most fondly. From the reminders of Stomper's father (related by the mother) to the warnings of danger in the great meadow, and certainly the revitalized forest after a devestating fire, as well as the first signs of spring after a cold and snowy winter, "Bambi" was and always will be a memorable experience.

Until the long-awaited DVD version becomes available, the double lazer disc is the most sophisticated media for this wonderful film. The final side includes many "extras". The DVD format will certainly be filled with "gimmicks" as well. This film receives my highest recommendation for viewing by "children" of all ages!*****

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Summary: The Young Prince, Indeed
Review: This is Disney's all-time best animated film!! You'll never forget new-born Bambi with his big eyes, discovering the world around him with the help of his friend, Thumper. Bambi loses his mother in a heartbreaking scene that is very intense and unforgettable. He grows up and becomes the new King of the forest. There are beautiful songs and cute creatures to enjoy. Bambi is my favorite Disney movie...sad, funny, and magical; this is the Circle of Life told at its best.