thepolkapunk (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} thepolkapunk) wrote,@ 2005-01-26 23:44:00 |
|
DVD Review: Futurama Season One
Futurama Season One
Created by Matt Groening
Created and Executive Produced by David X Cohen
In 1999, Matt Groening released Futurama, the follow-up to his wildly successful The Simpsons. Though it only lasted four seasons, the show possesses a rabid fan-base that has continued to make Fox & company money. The sales of Futurama DVD’s represent no small part of the Futurama capitol, and with good reason. The Futurama Season One DVD set is brimming with outstanding extras to make every fan of the show drool with delight, and of course contains the spectacular TV show itself to draw masses of new people into the Futurama fold.
TV PROGRAM
Futurama occurs in a warped 1930’s vision of the future (the series is named after the Futurama exhibit in the 1930’s world fair). Though predominantly taking place in the year 3000, the show primarily concerns itself with events and people from our time. Celebrity guest stars appear as their heads preserved living in glass jars, and references to the society we live in are referred to as ancient history. Although it makes frequent references to the annals of science fiction, you do not need to be a fan of sci-fi to appreciate the show. In fact, you don’t even have to like science fiction to love Futurama, so great is the span of its humor. Although some episodes in season one are a bit more plot driven that two and three, the laughs still come a mile a minute.
If you are one of the few people who sees a cartoon and assumes it has been created for children, it is time that you reexamined your assumptions. Futurama is made for teens and adults, not just for its adult content, but also for the level of intelligence of much of its humor and references to pop-culture. Who but an adult could appreciate Rich Little as a guest star? (Actually, Rich Little appears in Season 2, but I thought it would be useful to reference him here to make a point)
If you are worried that I’m making the series sound too intellectual, do not fear, there are plenty of fart jokes, sexual innuendos, and slapstick comedy to go around. The breadth of their comedy covers any type of humor a person can appreciate. This show truly has something to make everyone laugh.
The style of animation takes a consistent minimalist approach similar to The Simpsons that works out quite well. There is still, however, an opportunity to wow the viewers with shots created with 3D modeling, such as the opening sequence. Futurama does not even have problems with consistent character models that so plague the early episodes of most animated shows, everything is spot on right from the start.
The voice acting, though not quite finalized in the first few episodes, end up stabilized by mid-season. It should come as no surprise that this was attained so quickly since the voice talent in this show is phenomenal. Billy West, John DiMaggio and Tress MacNeille take center stage leading an all star cast of voice actors. Even the legendaryFrank Welker has reoccurring roles in the series. Futurama has what is arguably the finest group of voice actors since The Simpsons.
If you enjoy humor in all of its forms, Futurama is for you. If you haven’t yet seen this phenomenal series, now is the time. You cannot resist, it is your destiny!
DVD
I’m sure there are many longtime fans of Futurama who do not understand the significance of the Futurama DVD release. After all, Futurama airs nightly on Cartoon Network. Why pay for something when you can watch it for free? The truth of the matter is that Futurama Season One is packed so full of phenomenal extras, it could be justified to buy the DVD’s just for the great goodies.
Center stage in the DVD’s is the outstanding commentary. Every single episode contains commentary, and much of it is as entertaining as the show itself. I do not think I have ever seen commentary that comes near the quality of Futurama’s. Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer David X Cohen, and voice actor John DiMaggio comment on most of the episodes, and they are always joined by writers and directors who were involved with Futurama. All the episodes have hordes of people involved in the commentary to regale you with tales of the show, spout off improv comedy, insult each other, talk technically about the show, and generally entertain you in any way they can. There were very few moments when there was silence, which I find to be a rarity in DVD commentary. The commentary is top notch, and provides hours upon hours of entertainment.
In addition to the commentary, most episodes have deleted scenes. Some of them obviously didn’t make it in due to a lack of quality, but there are quite a few that are just as funny as the material that makes it in. The DVD’s also contain the animatics, script, and storyboards for the pilot episode, a behind the scenes featurette, and a concept art gallery. Audio comes in English, French or Spanish, and there are English and Spanish subtitles. Basically, this DVD is packed to the brim with extras that no self respecting Futurama fan could live without.
I am giving Futurama Season One a Buy rating. The show itself is phenomenal, with comedy oozing out of every inch of the TV, and extraordinary extras only make it better. Whether you are an old Futurama fan who hasn’t gotten around to picking up the DVD’s or someone who hasn’t yet been bit by the Futurama vampire, you must pick it up.
Futurama Season One gets 42 thumbs up, my highest rating ever!
Futurama Season One
Created by Matt Groening
Created and Executive Produced by David X Cohen
In 1999, Matt Groening released Futurama, the follow-up to his wildly successful The Simpsons. Though it only lasted four seasons, the show possesses a rabid fan-base that has continued to make Fox & company money. The sales of Futurama DVD’s represent no small part of the Futurama capitol, and with good reason. The Futurama Season One DVD set is brimming with outstanding extras to make every fan of the show drool with delight, and of course contains the spectacular TV show itself to draw masses of new people into the Futurama fold.
TV PROGRAM
Futurama occurs in a warped 1930’s vision of the future (the series is named after the Futurama exhibit in the 1930’s world fair). Though predominantly taking place in the year 3000, the show primarily concerns itself with events and people from our time. Celebrity guest stars appear as their heads preserved living in glass jars, and references to the society we live in are referred to as ancient history. Although it makes frequent references to the annals of science fiction, you do not need to be a fan of sci-fi to appreciate the show. In fact, you don’t even have to like science fiction to love Futurama, so great is the span of its humor. Although some episodes in season one are a bit more plot driven that two and three, the laughs still come a mile a minute.
If you are one of the few people who sees a cartoon and assumes it has been created for children, it is time that you reexamined your assumptions. Futurama is made for teens and adults, not just for its adult content, but also for the level of intelligence of much of its humor and references to pop-culture. Who but an adult could appreciate Rich Little as a guest star? (Actually, Rich Little appears in Season 2, but I thought it would be useful to reference him here to make a point)
If you are worried that I’m making the series sound too intellectual, do not fear, there are plenty of fart jokes, sexual innuendos, and slapstick comedy to go around. The breadth of their comedy covers any type of humor a person can appreciate. This show truly has something to make everyone laugh.
The style of animation takes a consistent minimalist approach similar to The Simpsons that works out quite well. There is still, however, an opportunity to wow the viewers with shots created with 3D modeling, such as the opening sequence. Futurama does not even have problems with consistent character models that so plague the early episodes of most animated shows, everything is spot on right from the start.
The voice acting, though not quite finalized in the first few episodes, end up stabilized by mid-season. It should come as no surprise that this was attained so quickly since the voice talent in this show is phenomenal. Billy West, John DiMaggio and Tress MacNeille take center stage leading an all star cast of voice actors. Even the legendaryFrank Welker has reoccurring roles in the series. Futurama has what is arguably the finest group of voice actors since The Simpsons.
If you enjoy humor in all of its forms, Futurama is for you. If you haven’t yet seen this phenomenal series, now is the time. You cannot resist, it is your destiny!
DVD
I’m sure there are many longtime fans of Futurama who do not understand the significance of the Futurama DVD release. After all, Futurama airs nightly on Cartoon Network. Why pay for something when you can watch it for free? The truth of the matter is that Futurama Season One is packed so full of phenomenal extras, it could be justified to buy the DVD’s just for the great goodies.
Center stage in the DVD’s is the outstanding commentary. Every single episode contains commentary, and much of it is as entertaining as the show itself. I do not think I have ever seen commentary that comes near the quality of Futurama’s. Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer David X Cohen, and voice actor John DiMaggio comment on most of the episodes, and they are always joined by writers and directors who were involved with Futurama. All the episodes have hordes of people involved in the commentary to regale you with tales of the show, spout off improv comedy, insult each other, talk technically about the show, and generally entertain you in any way they can. There were very few moments when there was silence, which I find to be a rarity in DVD commentary. The commentary is top notch, and provides hours upon hours of entertainment.
In addition to the commentary, most episodes have deleted scenes. Some of them obviously didn’t make it in due to a lack of quality, but there are quite a few that are just as funny as the material that makes it in. The DVD’s also contain the animatics, script, and storyboards for the pilot episode, a behind the scenes featurette, and a concept art gallery. Audio comes in English, French or Spanish, and there are English and Spanish subtitles. Basically, this DVD is packed to the brim with extras that no self respecting Futurama fan could live without.
I am giving Futurama Season One a Buy rating. The show itself is phenomenal, with comedy oozing out of every inch of the TV, and extraordinary extras only make it better. Whether you are an old Futurama fan who hasn’t gotten around to picking up the DVD’s or someone who hasn’t yet been bit by the Futurama vampire, you must pick it up.
Futurama Season One gets 42 thumbs up, my highest rating ever!
