BUENA VISTA has remastered "WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT" to fit in their line of "VISTA VISION" releases.  While there have been many films from Disney and other studios mixing live-action with animation, none before this film, had done it so well, believably, or in such an entertaining manner.  While "WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT" serves as a wonderful salute to animation, it's also an extremely witty film!  Based on "Who Censored Roger Rabbit," the film presupposes that the animated characters on screen are living, breathing characters, exhibiting their own real vices and personas, once the cameras stop rolling.  This idea is introduced to us via Baby Herman, a cartoon character cute as,...well, ...a baby! That it, until the cameras stop rolling, and then he's busy puffing on a cigar and swatting girl's on the rear.  This isn't your grandparent's "Disney" film!    The extremely voluptuous "Jessica Rabbit" is voiced in a sultry fashion by Kathleen Turner, displaying the kind of sexual energy which Ralph Bakshi's "x-rated" cartoon films aspired to be like.  Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy provide some of the human talent, and they're all perfectly cast here. 

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding some provocative scenes put into some recent "Disney" films by its animators. The original release of "WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT" did feature a few frames from an inside joke by the animation team that have since been deleted from all releases following the initial revelation.  In particular, a scene involving Baby Herman's goosing of a girl, has him doing more than just swatting her.  While some are rightly upset at the film having been censored, losing this part of the sequence, while frustrating, doesn't detract from an otherwise great film.

Both a full-frame version and the correct 1.85:1 version, with 16:9 enhancement are featured in this release.  The full-frame version is featured on the first disc.  The 2nd disc offers the letterboxed version, and it's stunning! Colors are all-important for a film with animation, and BUENA VISTA has done a remarkable job here.  There's incredible clarity and depth to every scene, and it's light-years ahead in quality when compared to the previous dvd, which was without 16:9 enhancement.  While there are a few instances of grain, they're minute, and can't detract from the otherwise spectacular transfer. 

BUENA VISTA has presented a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix for the "full frame" version on disc one.  But, the 2nd disc, featuring the letterboxed version, offers both a Dolby Digital "and" DTS 5.1 mix.  There aren't gigantic differences between the two mixes, however, as with most "DTS" versions, this one offers slightly better bass and clarity.  Both are quite good, offering a number of directional effects and creative moments. The surrounds for both are surprisingly restrained for the most part, save for the boosting of the film's score.  Dialogue is virtually always intelligible, however, there are a few instances wherein the subtitle option needed to be used to catch every word. Fidelity is limited in a couple of instances. 

The "ACME WAREHOUSE" section offers some surprises, but most important, is the "ROGER RABBIT SHORTS" option.  This segment offers three cartoons, all of which are presented in letterboxed format, with 16:9 enhancement.  While they're not as consistently sharp as the feature film, suffering from infrequent grain, they're still quite colorful, imaginative, and most importantly, funny!  They're also offered a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, which offer more surround/directional effects than were featured in the full-length film! 

Charles Fleischer, the comedian voicing "Roger"  introduces the extremely entertaining and insightful "WHO MADE ROGER RABBIT," a featurette filled with plenty of behind-the-scenes footage, and a look at how actors worked with as yet unfinished effects. 

The film's original theatrical trailer has been included, in letterbox, with 16:9 enhancement.  It's not perfect, suffering from an abundance of grain, but it actually includes that controversial scene with Baby Herman!

The 2nd disc offers plenty of extras as well.  The best is an audio commentary with Zemeckis, producer Frank Marshal, the screenwriters and more!  It's obvious that all of these people know they've created a classic, and are more than willing to "Share" the credit.  There's a plethora of information regarding the obstacles needing to be overcome to achieve what's been achieved here. 

A "deleted scene" is also featured.  Zemeckis introduces the scene, and while not entirely finished, it's entertaining, and we wish that it had been re-inserted into the final film. 

The "VALIANT FILES" provides plenty of stills, promotional images, sketches and more surprises, including easter eggs!

"BEFORE AND AFTER" is a very brief split-frame segment offering a comparison between the completed film and the workprint.  While some may consider it ho-hum, anyone interested in better understanding the animation process will appreciate this. 
The same can be said for another brief sequence, "TOON STAND-INS" which explores rubber stand-ins in filming certain scenes. 

"BEHIND THE EARS" is a fairly in-depth documentary, offering insight into the film's production.  It's filled with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with a large number of the cast and crew. 

"ON SET" is a brief featurette looking at how two sequences featuring Benny the Cab, were filmed. 

There's even more than we've already mentioned, and even if you've got the original dvd release in your collection, this new "VISTA" version is worth adding to the collection.  A great special edition, with a great looking transfer, and at a great price!