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Limacher Low Down: Most of us, if not all of us, have at some point seen the Disney Classic Bambi; and with the recent re-release of the movie on Blu Ray I believe it has become a necessity to own it once again. The movie is a CLASSIC piece of American cinema, and remains a steady cultural reference to this day. But married with the technology we have today, somehow the magical folks at Disney managed to enhance perfection! It is better than ever and with all the extra features Bambi Blu Ray Diamond Edition is MORE than worth the price-tag.
Bambi begins in the forest where there is a commotion afoot, the birth of the NEW “Prince” of the forest. Every animal in the forest flocks to see the Prince, and this is our first glimpse of Bambi. From his first steps, he is surrounded by all of the forest creatures, all enamored and enthusiastic at his arrival into the world.
There is something very human about the reaction the animals have, and the incredibly expressive animation does an excellent job capturing that “human” nuance. People can relate to their own family moments, Bambi is a story about the miracle of life, and is a very human experience as well.
Bambi quickly makes friends with a little rabbit, Thumper, who is precocious and adventurous. Thumper lives like there is no tomorrow and is willing to take the risks his siblings are not willing to take. Bambi quickly takes to Thumper and together they start a little adventure through the forest. Along their journey Bambi is taking everything in when he quite possibly “smells” a new acquaintance, Flower. Flower is a skunk mixed in with actual flowers. Bambi mistakenly assumes that he is a flower too, and being a skunk “Flower” is not quick to correct the misnomer, so it sticks. Because he is a skunk Flower is self-conscience and is happy to cover what may deter others from wanting to be his friend.
Bambi quickly learns the lay of the land from his mother, and gets the words of advice that will help him in the present and future as well. Bambi sees the majestic Bucks running free and is immediately intrigued. Bambi’s mother warns him of the hazards that are part of the forest, namely man. Bambi is out with his mother when they come across another Mother and fawn.
Bambi is immediately intimidated with the other fawn due to his natural shyness around “girls”, but he is thrust into an introduction with Faline. After a brief conversation, Bambi and mother run wild and care free in the open meadow, and Bambi can see the simple joys of being a deer.
Some time passes and it is now winter in the forest. Bambi is taking in all the different experiences, and in one of the most memorable scenes of the movie, Bambi learns what it is like to fall. Bambi attempts multiple times to get up, but never stops trying. This is such a good metaphor for everyone to never give up because eventually it will happen if you just keep moving.
Now spring rolls in, and Bambi starts off to see the changes this new season brings the forest. Bambi’s mother locates him, and as they are frolicking in the meadow, she notices that the Great Prince of the Forest (Bambi’s father) has detected a smell and a disturbance in the forest, again it is “Man”. Man is in the forest, an eternal phrase to us all.
Bambi and his mother are fleeing like all the other animals, and Bambi runs as fast as he can. He makes it to safety and in one of the most poignant scenes in cinematic history, Bambi’s mother does not return. This is something that had never happened in a Disney movie before, a character died. This was bold and risky but people often forget we never see her get shot, it was only implied which brings forth even more dramatic effect which is often overlooked. Bambi, now without his mother, has to learn and adapt on his own – just like that, his life is forever altered.
Some time passes; Bambi has aged a bit and has started to develop his horns. He quickly finds Thumper and Flower and as the three walk around the forest they notice something they never saw before, boy and girl animals in close proximity. The three friends quickly agree that they will never let a girl split them up from one another. Quicker than you can blink an eye that rule quickly fades into twittterpation. One by one they each discover what the other animals had known as well, girls are good. Bambi sees Faline for the first time, and sees her as never before. He is instantly attracted.
Bambi and Faline are walking together when a smaller buck, Ronno, challenges Bambi for Faline’s affections. Bambi is learning so much about the nature of being a deer in a limited amount of time, and without his mother to help educate him it is now up to him to do what is right. Once again, this movie depicts an all to human emotion, as Bambi learns that some things are worth standing up and fighting for in life.
Bambi and Faline are walking together when the two hear loud noises and run away, only to get separated. Faline looking for Bambi is in peril, and Bambi is seeking for Faline to see if she is alright. Bambi does what he can to protect Faline, and show her how much he cares and how he can protect her. A devastating, accidental fire was started by man while away hunting and Bambi and Faline run away to seek shelter from the flames. We later see the devastation that Man has caused to the forest, and see how their lives are forever changed.
And then, in another classic Disney moment, a new Prince is born, and the cycle of life continues – moving forward as Bambi and Faline create their own Prince. In fact, all the mature friends have their own offspring, and we see here the resilience of nature vs. Man, yes, but nature writ large, that we all identify with as we care for our little princes and princesses – hoping to prepare them for the fires that will forever change their lives. We all hope to do the best we can and to keep the cycle of love and the hearth warm, lest we forget that we will someday be gone, not returning from the meadow to see them through their life struggles.
AMAZING Blu Ray Extras:
Disney Second Screen: Watch the Blu Ray and access wireless to a laptop or iPad, you can access this special feature. This allows viewers to delve deeper into the world of Disney, the forest, the animators, the process, and even shows sketches and allows you to pause the movie and animate a scene yourself.
Inside Walt Disney’s Production Meetings: Did you know that Walt Disney had a person transcribe all of his production meetings for his movies? I didn’t know this, and with the Blu Ray Combo Pack you have the ability to watch the movie and hear reenactments of the meetings while the movie is playing. This allows the viewer a greater insight to the vision that Walt had envisioned for Bambi all along. This feature also allows the viewer to stop the movie and get more insight to certain details that are discussed in the meeting which adds greater depth to the story and gives the viewer a greater understanding of the movie as well.
Disney’s Big Book of Knowledge Game: This is an AWESOME feature for kids of all ages, and educates as well. Owl asks questions that are part of the movie and things in the forest, and correct answers result in “stickers” that can be placed in a special Sticker Album that each person can make their own. There are multiple levels and seasons to be explored, and the more seasons attempted the more stickers can be earned.
Deleted Scenes and Song: The Blu Ray also includes two never before seen deleted scenes which adds more content and story that we never knew about. There is also a deleted song which is something that fans of the movie will enjoy as well.
