The Little Mermaid marked the start of the Disney Renaissance Era and also the first limited use of a new digital ink and paint system called CAPS (Computer Animation Production System). CAPS, developed with the fledgling PIXAR, was subsequently used for the entire production of Disney 2D films starting with The Rescuers Down Under and ending with Home on the Range. With this new system, films were made at an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and then later matted for their theatrical run. As such 1.66:1 is often considered the OAR, but 1.85:1 is the format that would have been seen in theaters.
BDs and DVDs of later films made with this system are produced directly from the CAPS computer, are pristine, have few issues and are unlikely to have undergone damaging restoration. This should be true of the earlier films, but doesn't seem to be.
The Little Mermaid (1989): With the 2006 Platinum Edition came changes in colors, a new Enhanced Home Theater Mix (the loss of any theatrical tracks), a relocated hand and censorship of a man's knee(!)
The restored transfer is said to have been approved by the directors, but the new colors are mostly considered inaccurate. There is also a lot of other restoration apparent including repainted regions, fixes of animation errors and correction of out of focus or misaligned elements. It is anamorphic and cropped to 1.78:1.
The 2006 DEHT mix is considered good by some and a travesty by others. The folks at Home Theater Forum said: "The techs who cooked up this DEHT mix are nothing but tone-deaf, MP3-listening junkies who wouldn’t know a holographic soundstage if it bit them in the ass."
Theatrically The Little Mermaid had analog audio either as Dolby Stereo or 70mm 6-track. The 1997 re-release utilized a new Digital mix based on the original analog sources.
Downloadable screenshot comparisons of 1990 Laserdisc, 1999 DVD and 2006 DVD by drsd2kill: http://www.mediafire.com/download/0eb1209t913t4mx/The_Little_Mermaid.htm
Purist: The 2001 Limited Issue DVD which uses an identical master to the 1998 laserdisc. It is OAR 1.66:1 letterboxed widescreen, contains the 1997 theatrical re-release Dolby 5.1 track and lacks the digital revisions made to the Platinum Edition. On the down side it is non-anamorphic, and has what is either bad mosquito noise or an early digital noise reduction that leaves crawling grain around edges.
There was also supposedly a 2001 Limited-er DTS edition, but this may be more rumor than fact.
Acceptable Alternative: Doctor M's Restored Theatrical Edition uses the PE video transfer with a digitally restored knee and the 1997 theatrical 5.1 audio mix. Colors and other digital changes were not addressed.
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Hold-onto-your-old-Little-Mermaid-discs/topic/6757/
While anamorphic and cleaner than the Limited Edition, the noise reduction has had a negative impact on overall sharpness and detail.
Tentatively Acceptable Alternative: The 2013 Diamond Edition Blu-ray has received shockingly positive reviews for not being over scrubbed and the preservation of some film grain. It is available in a 3D post-conversion that is apparently unimpressive. Colors seem fairly close to the 2001/1998 home video releases. It is cropped to 1.77:1.
The preacher's knee is again censored, but other alterations made for the Platinum Edition have been reversed. This includes the return of actual animation errors.
This is one of the few Diamond Editions that carry no original audio mixes. The only track is a new DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and reviews range from good or vibrant to unnatural, weak or diappointing. Apparently there is something to disappoint everyone.
Most important to note is that the initial release contains several errors including mis-timed opening credits, mixed up shots and a weird black line. Disney is offering an exchange program. Which bits are being fixed remains to be seen though. A compilation of errors and alterations can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_4135981063&feature=iv&src_vid=Ft642v9AioM&v=qXpk-YHH03o (Note: Some of these supposed alterations shown are reversions to the theatrical state.)
The Rescuers Down Under (1990):
Purist: 2001 Gold Collection. Not pretty, but from the looks of it, unlikely to have been restored. That doesn't necessarily make this right either. (Not enough info available.)
Acceptable Alternative: 2012 BD/DVD combo containing the Rescuers 1 and 2. Beautiful transfer with less noise and artifacts. Preserves some of the natural film grain. I can't say the restoration is wrong, but there are color differences versus the 2001 release.
Gold DVD vs BD: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=6494451#post6494451
Beauty and the Beast (1991): With the IMAX Re-release and Platinum Edition DVD came the addition of a new song, a corrected stuttered line, touched up animation and repainted backgrounds (a clean castle) to accommodate the continuity of a newly inserted song ("Human Again") and an added sound effect to explain the mysteriously re-dirty castle. The repainted portions (incorrectly) appear in the 'theatrical' versions of all DVDs and BDs. Again, the OAR is 1.66:1 but DVDs are 1.78:1 and BDs are matted to 1.82:1.
It is suggested the animators, new to the CAPS system, weren't sure what the final colors would look like. So what is 'accurate' would be in doubt. It sounds to me like a cop out considering this is the third animated feature to utilize CAPS and plain common sense leads me to believe they could probably see what they were doing as they went along. Regardless, that is the excuse for each release having it's own color palette: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=7120019#post7120019
The 2010 Diamond Edition uncorrects the Beast's stutter on the soundtrack but contains additional new 'enhancements' to the artwork and is available with a 3D post-conversion. There has also been discussion that the "hierarchy of lines" surrounding characters and objects have all been thinned to a uniform thickness on the BD to accommodate the 3D conversion. May or may not be true.
Purist: The CAV Laserdisc (for quality) or VHS (for lighting).
A LD to DVD transfer was released by Molly with the correct aspect ratio, color and original theatrical version. nirbateman has resynced Molly's release to the Diamond Edition restored audio track.
Also, the Work In Progress version of the film was changed between the laserdisc and DVD incorporating some Special Edition elements. A laserdisc rip is available on TPB.
Acceptable Alternative: If you MUST go digital, the 2002 Platinum Edition is probably the most representative of the original theatrical version (even with the color changes, IMAX repainting, and crowding of 3 versions of the film on one disc). It is also, good if you want to have "Human Again".
Many have stated that the 3D version on the Diamond Edition has the closest to accurate colors and that generating a 2D version from it is the best color palette available (at the expense of the artwork being 'enhanced' twice). I see little similarity between the LD and 3D colors. I leave that decision to you.
Aladdin (1992): The only digital release of this film includes censorship of a line of lyrics and a misunderstood line of dialog. Like Beauty and the Beast there is also substantial reanimation done in anticipation of an IMAX release that never happened.
According to TheDigitalBits:
"The 1992 film, which has been off the market entirely for 10 years, has been newly restored for its inaugural digital presentation and 5.1 surround sound and enhanced home theater sound mix. To accommodate the sharper DVD image quality, more than 20% of the original artwork has been enhanced, with some characters redrawn to add more facial detail, and background colors in many scenes touched up for color and for detail. Stars in the sky presented perhaps the biggest challenge, with a total of 92 star scenes reworked to be more believable on the TV screen."
HomeTheaterForum points out that the stars in at least the "Whole New World" sequence twinkle when they did not before.
Purist: CAV/LBX Laserdisc. 1.66:1 so probably OAR. The opening song still has one line censored, but no animation has been redrawn and the "Good Kitty" line is still present.
Acceptable Alternative: ADigitalMan's Restored Edition incorporating the original audio from the CD soundtrack and LD sources into the Platinum DVD.
The Lion King (1994): The issues: reanimation of several scenes, color changes, and censorship of a 'sex' dust cloud. Once again changes were made for the IMAX release including insertion of a new song.
The DVDs and BDs advertised as containing the theatrical version are a lie: http://www.dvdizzy.com/thelionking2.html
Purist: 1995 Deluxe Edition Laserdisc for the original palette and true original theatrical animation. The AR is 1.85:1 so proper for theaters, but some animation has probably been matted.
Acceptable Alternative: The 2011 Diamond Blu-ray/DVD is a well reviewed transfer and sports an improved color palette over the DVD. I'm not aware of any additional alterations beyond the 2003 release changes. "Morning Report" is only a bonus feature on this edition. Also available with a 3D post-conversion. The aspect ratio is cropped to 1.78:1.
The 2003 Platinum Edition at 1.66:1 is your only choice for digital with OAR. Has the option to watch with "Morning Report" via seamless branching.
Pocahontas (1995): Although there is an early Gold Collection version of Pocahontas with a different color palette, the 2005 10th Anniversary Edition was a direct digital to digital copy from the CAPS system.
Sporting an improved anamorphic 1.66:1 transfer (but actually measures 1.70:1), the colors are good and both the theatrical cut and an extended one with a new song "If I Never Knew You" are present.
The 2012 BD/DVD combo is 1.78:1, and may be further improved. Only contains the theatrical version of the film.
Recommendation: The 2012 BD (and possibly DVD) may contain a slightly improved version, but this is one case where the added song is an improvement.
If the interviews are to be believed, "If I Never Knew You" was removed very late in production after test audiences appeared bored during the song. The fact is, the movie seems much more complete with the song restored even including a reprise later in the film. A 'pop' version was even in the credits of the theatrical release. A purist may argue it isn't theatrical, but that's a quibble that might make you miss a better version of the film. Get the 2005 10th Anniversary Edition if you can.
Gold Edition vs Blu-ray: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=6537500#post6537500
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996): The 2002 DVD is 1.85:1 and is acceptable, but shows some compression artifacts.
The 2013 BD/DVD Hunchback 1 & 2 combo is improved and unmatted to 1.77:1. Be aware, the 2013 BD combo include a DVD version that is the same transfer as the 2002 DVD and not an upgrade.
Hercules (1997): The Limited Issue DVD and 2000 Gold Collection are the same transfer and extras. No apparent issues. Disney doesn't seem to care enough about this film to mess with it or re-release it.
Mulan (1998): The 2004 Special Edition sports an improved anamorphic 1.66:1 transfer with no issues. The 2013 BD/DVD Mulan 1 & 2 combo is also good but has the benefit of HD. The DVD included in the combo is a new pressing and lacks the extras found on the 2004 release.
There is little visual difference between the Special Edition DVD and the BD as you'd expect with Disney's ability to make direct digital copies from the CAPS system: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=7208351#post7208351
Tarzan (1999): The 2001 Collector's Edition contains a second disc of extras. The 2005 Special Edition lost the second disc just before release and only boast the addition of a minor 5.0 to 5.1 upmix of the audio. Either edition is fine depending on what you can find and your preferences.
Fantasia 2000 (1999): No apparent issues. The 2010 Blu-ray combo with the original Fantasia is a nice choice.
Dinosaur (2000): The 2001 2-Disc Collector's Edition of this CG film is really good since it is a direct digital copy from the computer. Also available as a 2006 Blu-ray.
The Emperor's New Groove (2000): There is a single disc and 2-disc Ultimate Groove 2001 release, as well as a 2005 New Groove Edition. All use the same master.
Out on Blu-ray May 2013 it is another of Disney's recent releases to come as a 3-disc combo with Emperor's New Groove 1 and 2 on BD and DVD. And again you'll find more extras on the 2-disc DVD release. There is no reason to believe the bundled DVD is a new transfer.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001): The 2002 DVD is available as a 1 or 2 disc edition. No apparent issues.
Out on Blu-ray June 2013 it is another of Disney's recent releases to come as a 3-disc combo with Atlantis 1 and 2 on BD and DVD. You'll find more extras on the 2002 2-disc Collector's Edition. There is no reason to believe the bundled DVD is a new transfer.
Lilo & Stitch (2002): 2002 DVD may be the same transfer as the 2009 Big Wave Edition DVD. The latter having a second disc of extras including a partially completed version of the original hijacked plane ending that was scrapped after 9/11. No issues with either disc.
Out on Blu-ray June 2013 it is another of Disney's recent releases to come as a 3-disc combo with L&S I and II. You'll find more extras on the 2009 2-disc Collector's Edition. There is no reason to believe the bundled DVD is a new transfer.
Treasure Planet (2002): 2003 DVD is barebones. The 2012 10th Anniversary BD/DVD combo has more extras and the DVD version is similar to the 2003 disc. No issues.
Brother Bear (2003): The original theatrical presentation started with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio that expanded across the screen to 2.35:1 after 24 minutes. On DVD and BD this is awkwardly achieved by postage stamping the beginning of the film with black borders on 4 sides.
Both the 2004 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and the 2013 BD/DVD Brother Bear 1/2 combo pack contain a DVD of the 'Family Friendly' version that is entirely pan and scan at 1.66:1 with a cropped image.
For BD there is only the 2013 release. If you want DVD, only the 2004 DVD contains an OAR version of the film. Both releases contain the worlds greatest commentary track.
Home on the Range (2004): The 2004 DVD has an aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The 2012 BD/DVD combo has the movie on both discs at 1.78:1. No other apparent issues.