Meet The Robinsons
3D Blu-ray Combo Pack
Directed by Stephen Anderson
Starring Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman, Angela Bassett, Jordan Fry
Walt Disney Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 8, 2011

Okay, I’ll be honest. I have a special place in my heart for this film. It was the very first theatrical experience for my youngest daughter, Vivienne. So when I found out that this 3D Blu-ray pack for Meet The Robinsons was available for review, I literally jumped at it. I had originally purchased this movie on DVD for the kids to rewatch, but after seeing it in Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D, it was like seeing a whole new movie! The difference between DVD and Blu-ray is quite obvious to any videophile. But somehow, this took it to a whole new level. It has more 3D action and a far crisper rendering than anything I have seen from an animated film before. It is, by far, the best reissue of a kid’s film I have ever witnessed…and my family owns a LOT of kids films in multiple formats.

The story is unchanged, of course, but it still gives me a warm feeling inside when I watch it. Poor Lewis (Daniel Hansen) is an orphan who holds no disillusions regarding his chances of being adopted at the age of twelve. Approaching his thirteenth birthday, he tries really hard to impress prospective parents who meet him. Unfortunately for him, his exuberance at creating and inventing tends to scare those same would-be adopters away. During a school science fair, at which he is debuting his newest invention, he is grabbed by Wilbur (Wesley Singerman) and travels forward in time. At this same time he is being chased by Bowler Hat Guy (Stephen Anderson) who appears to want to hurt him…or maybe worse. Much takes place in the future and there is a lot of humor mixed with some life lessons. Lewis is shown what he has worth and shouldn’t lose faith in himself because of a few setbacks.The poor kid does have one heck of a time trying to get back to his own time. And that Bowler Hat Guy really gets around!

I’ve found that a lot of films geared towards kids tend to concentrate solely upon them while sort of isolating the adults. Not so with this movie! There are the obvious sight gags and simple jokes, but there are some pretty funny things that only adults will pick up on, too. The frogs are probably my favorite part…I kept envisioning them as a darker “Rat Pack” in polliwog form. The story moves swiftly and smoothly, keeping the viewers attention. The 3D effects are far better than anything we can see in our local theaters, but whether you have a 3D setup or not, the sheer improvements in audio and video will astound you.

Special features abound on the regular Blu-ray, no extras were on the 3D disc, unfortunately. I thoroughly enjoyed the deleted scenes with commentary and the kids played the games, though not for long. But far and away my favorite was “Inventions That Shaped The World.” It was an interesting way for my daughter to learn from the Disney characters as they impressed upon her young mind all the things that have changed the world as we know it.

This combo pack convinced me to take a deeper look at Disney’s re-releases. The overall experience of watching this movie far exceeded the original viewing in the theater. Plus, I have better popcorn than our local multiplex. I feel confident that anyone with a 3D setup will see the added value of this set. It’s definitely worth buying if you are still watching the DVD version. If you don’t have the equipment to render the 3D part, it’s really awesome…look into it!

Note: The Meet The Robinsons 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack is currently part of a Sale where you can order any two Disney titles on Blu-ray 3D and Save $10 from now through November 13, 2011.

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