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Rating: 
Summary: Interesting glimpse behind the scenes of the masterpieces
Review: I was surprised to find that Koenig's book details movies all the way up to Tarzan, and even hint at the future with the fact that "Treasure Planet" was planned long ago.
Filled with fascinating behind the scenes glimpses at the production of the movies, along with trivia notes and things to catch, this book makes watching the Disney Animated Features an extra special treat.
You'll learn about the missing songs from the classics, and just how Disneyland and WDW got their famous rides.Recommended for the Disney phile- particularly those who want to study each film piece by piece now that most of them are available on video.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting glimpse behind the scenes of the masterpieces
Review: I was surprised to find that Koenig's book details movies all the way up to Tarzan, and even hint at the future with the fact that "Treasure Planet" was planned long ago.
Filled with fascinating behind the scenes glimpses at the production of the movies, along with trivia notes and things to catch, this book makes watching the Disney Animated Features an extra special treat.
You'll learn about the missing songs from the classics, and just how Disneyland and WDW got their famous rides. Recommended for the Disney phile- particularly those who want to study each film piece by piece now that most of them are available on video.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent book to have in a Disney or Film fan library
Review: This book is filled with lots of trivia and behind the scenes stories on almost every Disney animated film from Snow White to Tarzan. However its writing style has trouble following the format it sets up for itself in sorting its information. It does do a great job on explaining the transistions that occur within Disney and how it translated to its film and theme park work.
I reccomend Koenig's other books "Mouse Tales" and "Mouse Tales 2" which for me were much more enjoyable reads (although are more "gossip" and storytelling based than a history)
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining Behind-The-Scenes Tales
Review: This book presents a fascinating glimpse at the making of Disney's animated features,including story changes, bloopers, and theme park attraction tie-ins. My fiance and I are having a grand time looking for the bloopers cited for the various films (e.g., Gaston's disappearing and reappearing musket in "Beauty and the Beast"). I especially enjoyed seeing what original story lines were planned for each feature, and learning what scenes were removed because they didn't work. If you are a fan of Disney's work, you will doubtless enjoy learning how the films might have been different. Even some of the rides at Disneyland have changed in concept from their initial development due to changes in films. A very entertaining read indeed.
Rating:
Summary: Decent, but not as good as other books
Review: This book takes each Disney animated movie, and analyzes it with the following subheadings: Original tale, Disney version, plot holes, bloopers, strange/critical reaction, attractions made, cutting room floor, and hidden images. This book was more slow moving than his behind -the-scenes expose of Disneyland. If that's what you're looking for, purchase the Mouse Tales books. You won't find much interesting here. On the other hand, if you'd like to hear how the movies evolved, and enjoy uncovering hidden Disney images, this is a good book for you. You should be a fan of the animated movies to read this book, as there's little else here of interest. It held my interest---but not by much.
Rating:
Summary: Very inciteful.
Review: This is what those people whom like to know /everything/ about the movies should buy. I love to, so, of course, I loved this book. However, the title is rather misleading. There isn't much on the theme parks in here... Just a few rides that originated from a movie. Not much on them, unfortunately.
Rating:
Summary: Unofficial, unabashed, but not unfair
Review: You could say that David Koenig's tone is unvarnished and unsympathetic, or you could say it's cranky and cynical. Either way, Mouse Under Glass proves undeniably refreshing, full of compelling information and insights--provided in part by Disney animators, writers, composers, and Imagineers. It's an instant trivia treasure trove from a man who has watched Disney movies far, far too many times. Whereas most Disney authors salivate all over themselves attempting to convey the pure genius of Walt's legacy, Koenig discusses each film's flaws, often-convoluted origins, behind-the-scenes battles, and just plain bad habits with a much more dry sensibility. Yes, Disney makes magic, but they also make movies, and the book analyzes each film on its cinematic and storytelling merits. Each story is researched to compare its original form to the "Disneyfied" version, often with enlightening and surprising results; tales and insights from the folks who helped make the features and related theme-park rides merge with Koenig's own tight prose for an air of authority. Amusing and educational sidebars (such as a Disney Tragedy Trivia Quiz) and a few illustrations help break up what could have been a very long list of factoids. Koenig's platform is that "Disney has the recipe for success," but the use of cooking quotes and analogies before each chapter comes off as an awkward, out-of-context device. Also, the book is marred by a few typos--nearly hypocritical considering the attention paid to Disney's own minor mistakes. And while Koenig clearly respects the work he's discussing, his tone is one of tough love--from urging to prodding to nearly provoking and harassing the studio to do things better. He rather enjoys sticking it to the House of Mouse when the chips (and presumably dales) are down, which will likely alienate some hardcore, soft-hearted Disneyphiles. But this book is not written for those who live in a fantasy world, only those who appreciate a good one when they see it. With excellent, relevant research and precise, entertaining writing, Mouse Under Glass is as fresh and fair an analysis of Disney magic as you're likely to find.
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