Who Framed Roger Rabbit DVD
Vista Series
2003
I wouldn't normally pull a random DVD out of my collection and focus a post on it, but today's entry is no generic set of discs. No, today is what I would consider to be the most superior release of Who Framed Roger Rabbit to date.
The film debuted in theaters on June 22, 1988, and would be heralded as one of the greatest collaborations of multiple studios of all time. Though the primary focus was on the newly created protagonist, Roger Rabbit, movie goers were treated to iconic characters from multiple generations. So many were present, it would encompass a post unto itself to list them all.
On October 12, 1989, fans would finally get a chance to own the film on VHS. Almost a full decade later, July 8, 1998, it would make its way to laserdisc. It was around this time that the infamous rumors started spreading about a particular scene which could be perfectly paused to see particular aspects of Jessica Rabbit. As such, the laserdisc copy quickly became popular with film buffs who could afford the media format. The following year, on September 28, 1999, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was released on DVD. However, at this point in time, the media was still relatively new, and not too common in households.
On March 25, 2003, Vista Series packaged the film into a very special release. This is the particular version which piqued my attention, and the one I want to showcase today.
From the exterior of the package, you can visually see already that you're in for something special. The slipcase features a gorgeous metallic finish on the front, and the back hearkens back to the design reminiscent of Disney Animated Classics layouts. In particular, I pick up on a Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh vibe, but that may just be me.
No details were spared in creating an eye catching cover that would easily grab your attention from across your local retail store.
Removing the cover, or slipcase, as it were, reveals the next layer of goodness within. A magnificent gate-fold faux leather book, albeit, made of cardboard, displays the name of the film. It's classy in its own right. Subtle, but highly affective.
Folding it open, your eyes are met by a pocket stuffed with inserts, and a makeshift image as if you were looking down at the desk of Eddie Valiant, carefully reviewing a photograph through a magnifying glass, with the newspaper slightly beneath it. To the right of it sits evidence in the form of R. K. Maroon's hand buzzer, and above an additional two photographs.
Folding it open again is where you'll be met by two beautifully designed DVD's, made to look like classic movie reals. The Valiant and Valiant Private Investigators logo shines on the
exterior of the makeshift pouch next to them, beckoning you to rummage
through the goodies within. But, not yet.
Removing the discs reveals yet another layer of visuals hidden beneath. The visuals just keep popping, stunning your eyes with magnificence. It makes you want to poor over every detail, to find and see everything.
Disc number one, labeled as "family friendly", features the film in its THX Certified fullscreen format, and also includes all three of the Roger Rabbit Shorts; Tummy Trouble (shown before the 1989 theatrical release of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids), Rollercoaster Rabbit (shown before the 1990 theatrical release of Dick Tracy), and Trail Mix-Up (shown before the 1993 theatrical release of A Far Off Place).
Disc two, labeled as for the "Enthusiast", presents the film in its THX Certified widescreen format, and comes chalk full of bonus features such as commentaries, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, galleries, trivia, and more!
The movie reel designs really pop on the discs, and make them feel all the more nostalgic to me. In fact, it's what initially drew me to this particular version.
Not forgetting about the pouch full of goodness, that includes two glossy pictures "signed" by their respective characters, Roger and Jessica Rabbit.
Lastly, there is a makeshift Valiant and Valiant Private Investigators notepad, which when flipped open goes into detail of the contents on both discs.
If that wasn't enough for you on its own, stores such as Sam's, BJ's, and Costco received longbox versions which housed the entire package above in an upscale package design created specifically for the release.
Even though VHS was in decline in 2003, Vista Series even released the film in that format, though it's far from as exciting as the DVD set. Aesthetically, it's mediocre at best.
Since then, the film has continued to be released on DVD, and made its way to Blu-Ray on March 12, 2013. It has even been released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray as of December 7, 2021. However, the bang for my buck, and this thing will set you back no more than five bucks these days, is the 2003 Vista Series release. Just by looking at it, you can see that this was not just an average release. This was made with love, care, and respect for the film and fans.
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