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| Home > iLife > CARS on iTunes: Are Digital Downloads Comparable to DVD? |
| CARS on iTunes: Are Digital Downloads Comparable to DVD? | | Date Created: Nov 17, 2006, 11:52 PM |
 I didn't get to catch CARS during its theatrical run last summer, but I had expected to buy the DVD when it arrived. In between, iTunes announced that it would be offering CARS for download on the day the DVD came out, for 12.99 (preorder and 1st two weeks only), and that got me thinking:
( As usual, got a story for ya;)
I recently started putting away a lot of my videos into binders rather than storing them on shelves -- aside from sometimes cringing at the huge collection of classic Disney movies on the shelf when there aren't any kids about - I recently decided it was time to try to cut down on clutter. The idea of digital downloads sounded like a great solution - buy the movie via my computer and watch it either on the computer or via the iPod or with the iPod attached to the TV.
No more discs. No more boxes. No more clutter.
I hemmed and hawed about this for a while, but then decided that I'd been dying to try downloading a movie from iTunes, and this one was probably the pick of the bunch. (For those who may not know - the only movies available for purchase on iTunes right now are Disney Company movies). I realized that if I'd gone to see this in the movies, the price would have been exactly the same (okay, maybe 50 cents cheaper). If I didn't like the download, I could always buy the DVD and still feel as if I came in ahead.
Now in the meantime - I'd recently received a great service award from my company -- a 20" flat/DVD TV! It arrived the night I was leaving on my trip to Puerto Rico last week. A nice free gift (though I only wish it were an HD-LCD, but hey, it was a PRESENT!). I could'nt wait to use it, but the trip took precedence! (Had a blast, btw).
So once I got back from vacation, and settled in, I set up the TV (which I intend to use only for viewing DVD and digital movies), and thought -"Hey, ya know? What about buying that CARS movie to try it out? It's only 12.99 online."
So I did this (the movie downloaded in about an hour) and then proceed to get so busy (as usual) that I didn't get a chance all week to watch it. When things finally settled down tonight, I plugged my iPod into my new set and was totally blown away by the crystal clarity of this new digital format. The movie looked fantastic, sounded fantastic, and sufficed to say, I'm definitely going to weigh the options between buying a movie online and buying an actual DVD from now on. Not only can I always carry it with me, I could also plug it into any tv anywhere and watch it there! I love when technology actually does something I always needed!
Now back to the movie---
I was taken aback by the Heart Warming storyline of this movie. And the generous supply of humor. I was laughing out loud several times tonight - I really can't remember the last time a video elicited that reaction in years. I didn't get ALL of the references, though. Unfortunately, *some* of us here in the N/E have no idea what the true appeal of racing is-(sure looks pretty amazing!)- so some jokes were totally lost on me. But this movie sure looked gorgeous! Sounded incredible. And I also got a small whisp of longing for what it must be like to come from a small town. I've driven on Route 66 and thought it was an apt depiction of the road. But most, I enjoyed the microcosm presented in the town. A little bit of everybody from everywhere, thrown in the middle of nowhere. I liked the lessons learned by the brash McQuade, who was all flash and no substance until he met the small-town wrecks. I also enjoyed the ideas put forth about respecting Elders and learning from them. Really touching stuff. While watching the film, I wanted to own a Matchbox car of the characters- I'm sorry I missed out on that. They were adorable. It also reminded me of the days of my youth spent putting together plastic car models. Really nifty visuals.
I was less impressed with the "love" story, though. It seemed to have --er --- gone flat-- once McQuade gets on his --er--wheels again. I also didn't really like the music or use of incidental music, either. The only song I enjoyed was the one sung by James Taylor. I think this movie needed more of that sort of thing. But on the whole, this was a four-star movie, definitely worth the time, and definitely worth the download or the dvd. I loved the Pixar references during the end credits.
The next big release I'm considering is PIRATES 2. This one I saw (as did everyone else in the world) in the movies. It will also be available for 12.99 for a short time. Not sure if I want the DVD extras or not, yet. We'll see what happens with that. For CARS, Disney had created a thorough podcast covering all facets of production (this is still available for free on iTunes).
But for those of you who are considering whether or not digital downloads are worth it -- I say they are -- Think of it this way -- your kids won't be able to damage the disk! No peanut brittle on the DVD. No need to worry about wearing the movie out. There isn't one to damage. (Of course I'll have to figure out the best place to back this file up to and preserve it, but that's beside the point). With CARS on iTunes, I feel the future has indeed arrived!
Fun movie. |
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