Gulliver’s Travels Blu-ray review

            Nestled between the achievements of Disney in 1937 (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and 1940 (Pinocchio), Gulliver’s Travels was the first full-length animated feature to come out of Hollywood not to be created by the dominant studio. The Fleischer Studio was tripled in the production of the film, a remarkable endeavor that utilized ‘rotoscoping’ in the creating of the human Gulliver. In tradition with what Disney would do for decades, Gulliver’s Travels borrows what it wants from Jonathan Swift’s beloved tale, changing a great deal to make the film more entertaining for children. The latest adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels may be live-action, but it uses cutting edge special effects to entrance young audiences. That and a lot of bathroom humor.

            Jonathan Swift’s acclaimed story is kept somewhat faithful in most ways. The differences mainly being the adjustments allowing for this to become a Jack Black film first and foremost. Black stars as mailroom clerk Gulliver, who finds himself shipwrecked on a mysterious island when he is sent out on a field assignment after he lies to a woman he has a crush on at work (played by Amanda Peet).

            This beginning portion of the story is a stretch, even compared to what follows once Gulliver lands on the island. He is greeted by a land of small people known as the Lilliputians. Gulliver helps protect the kingdom with his large presence and is loved by all except the man set to marry the princess (Emily Blunt). Gulliver convinces a sheepish man (Jason Segal) who loves the princess to give it a shot before the is married. This advice also makes Gulliver an enemy, and one who is more formidable than he seems when robots are suddenly introduced into the classic tale.

            The Blu-ray release of this mediocre make-over of the beloved Jonathan swift story includes more of the reminders why this film is bad despite a good cast. There is a gag reel which is worth watching, as well as a short features and deleted scenes, but the majority of special features are special which aired on the Fox Movie Channel in promotion of the film. The combo pack comes with a Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy of the film.