Disney’s direct-to-video sequel "Bambi 2" burst out of the gates last Tuesday with about 2.5 million units sold, which placed it well over its direct competition, DreamWorks’ "Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit," and boasted bigger numbers than the original "Bambi," which was released last March as a Disney Platinum Edition.
According to Variety, "An Oscar-nominated title couldn’t outdraw a DVD premiere last week.
Disney’s "Bambi" sequel easily topped rival toon "Wallace & Gromit" — and every other DVD newbie — selling more than 2.5 million units under a massive Mouse House push emphasizing its limited availability for 70 days. "Bambi II" is the first direct-to-disc title launched under Disney’s longstanding moratorium program. Under this strategy, established during the VHS era, animated classics are released for a limited period before being retired for the next generation.
Initial sales have exceeded expectations and rival the original’s initial sales when it bowed on disc last March.
Disney released "Bambi II" theatrically overseas, but Disney Toon prexy Sharon Morrill said the title was never intended as a theatrical release Stateside."
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Anyone out there seen "Bambi 2" yet? As a hardcore animation enthusiast (and massive skeptic where DTV movies are concerned) I found it … surprisingly not bad! Plus it was nice to see a "traditionally animated" movie hit the scene — even if it was on my DVD player and not in a movie theater.
