Category: TV DVD Quicktakes (Page 22 of 26)

Transformers: Cybertron – The Complete Series

July 24, 2008 / Jason Zingale

Created as part of a trilogy of animated series in 2005, “Transformers: Cybertron” is everything the new Cartoon Network-produced series ought to be. It never forgets for a moment that it’s a show about giant fucking robots, and though the action rarely lets up, it also has an original story that makes sense within the official canon. As it goes, the Transformers’ have been forced to seek refuge on Earth following the formation of a black hole near their planet. The Autobots are ordered to lay low, but Megatron and his fellow Decepticons begin scouring the universe for the Cyber Planet Keys – ancient artifacts with the power to save their home world. With the help of Vector Prime (one of the original 13 Transformers), the Autobots are tasked with tracking down the Cyber Planet Keys first, or risk suffering the consequences of Megatron’s evil ways. Jammed to the gills with Transformers (including the normal variety, as well as Mini-Cons and “Beast Wars”-like animal bots), “Cybertron” has been designed especially with fans in mind. Some might complain about the human characters that befriend the Autobots in the first episode, but compared to other iterations, the three kids that appear here are actually important to the story. The only real complaint that could be made is that the mix of animation styles (anime for humans, CG for robots) is a bit disconcerting. The other two shows in what many have called the “Unicron Trilogy” (“Armada” and “Energon”) were completely hand-drawn, and as such, they looked much better. Still, if you don’t want to blow hundreds of dollars tracking down the original series, and you’re looking for a bit of an upgrade anyways, “Cybertron” might just be your best bet.

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Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files – The Complete First Season

July 15, 2008 / Jason Zingale

Cillian Murphy is the last guy that most people would ever imagine popping up in a romantic comedy, but he pulls it off Back in 2002, the Anime Invasion was in full swing thanks to the immense popularity of shows like “Dragon Ball Z,” but as FUNimation and Cartoon Network desperately attempted to fulfill demand by finding (and then dubbing) new series to import, the fad was already beginning to wear off. The introduction of “Yu Yu Hakusho” certainly helped to reinvigorate the movement, and though it was never a favorite of mine during its time on the air, it did give “DBZ” fans something to chew on while they patiently awaited new episodes. The show follows the adventures of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent with a knack for skipping school and getting into fights. When he’s killed one day while saving the life of a little boy, however, Yusuke is given a second chance by working as a Spirit Detective and protecting humanity from the demon world. Awarded the power to channel his spirit energy in a gun-like blast, Yusuke teams up with others like him to do battle against the evil forces of the Spirit World.

It’s been five years since I last saw an episode of the show, but my opinion of “Yu Yu Hakusho” hasn’t changed. Though the series starts off incredibly weak with four or five episodes containing almost no action, it eventually evolves into a format not unlike “Dragon Ball Z” or “One Piece.” By the time the show has reached the conclusion of its first season, however, it has ditched almost every remnant of story or character development and become a never-ending battle royale. That might be a good thing if all you care about are cool fights and eccentric villains, but “Yu Yu Hakusho,” oddly enough, lacks a soul. To make matters worse, FUNimation has once again compiled the strangest collection of episodes for a first season box set by also including the beginning of season two. I’m not sure if it’s a ploy to get you to buy future seasons, or if they just think they’re being fair by splitting up the episodes equally, but it’s definitely something that needs to be addressed.

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Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season

July 13, 2008 / Jason Zingale

For anyone that found the fourth season of “Reno 911” seriously lacking in the comedy department, prepare for more of the same from season five. The men and women of Reno Sheriff Department may be aware that their act has gone stale, but despite some much needed changes – including the addition of Wanru Tseng as Cindy the Sex Slave – the show just isn’t as good as it used to be. Wrapping up last year’s many cliffhangers within the first episode, series creators Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Kerri Kenney remind us once again that they will never take their stories seriously. That strategy was fine when the show was still creating hilarious interactions between the officers and eccentric criminals, but with their pool of guest stars constantly being reused for new characters, it’s about time they take the show in a different direction.

Thankfully, those steps have already been put into motion thanks to guest spots by Diedrich Bader (as a Dog the Bounty Hunter-like TV personality), Seth Green (as a pushy fast food manager), Ron White (as a drunken pilot who’s pulled over on his way to the airport), and Ryan Stiles (as an undercover acting coach), but none of them are ever quite laugh-out-loud funny. The same is true for the storylines, which are incredibly hit-and-miss. Some are very clever (like when Reno’s 911 operator is outsourced to India), but most feel like rejected ideas for “South Park.” In fact, an ongoing joke about Mary Birdsong’s character constantly getting shot is probably the only truly original gag of the entire season. Here’s hoping that comment will be nothing more than an afterthought by the time season six premieres.

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xxxHOLiC: Third Collection

June 22, 2008 / Jason Thompson

In this third installment of the popular anime series licensed in the US by Funimation, episodes 9 through 12 are compiled. To make a long story short, this series revolves around Kimihiro Watanuki, a student who attracts spirits. Only Watanuki can see the spirits. After finding his way to a store that grants wishes and is run by a witch named Yuko Ichihara, Watanuki wishes for the spirits to go away. Yuko agrees, but only if Watanuki becomes an employee at the store. Of course, many dramatic shenanigans ensue and a lesson is learned in most episodes. “xxxHOLiC” is a good, if not always great anime that definitely has its share of hardcore devotees. More power to ‘em. This set includes the episodes “Pinky Promise,” “Lamplight,” “Confession,” and “Summer Shade.” Extras include a standard image gallery, “clean” opening and closings, and trailers for other groovy Funimation DVDs.

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TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes

Popeye & Friends Vol. 1

June 21, 2008 / Jason Thompson

It’s hardly worth noting that this series of Popeye cartoons is hardly classic. The eight selections compiled on this disc are taken from the 1978 Saturday morning TV show “The All-New Popeye Hour.” As such, the cartoons reflect the whole sanitized less-violent hoo-ha that cartoon studios were being subjected to at the time. These ‘toons have nothing on the original Fleischer series, apart from the fact that Jack Mercer is providing Popeye’s voice. The prints for the cartoons haven’t aged well, either, looking as cheap and uninspired as they did originally. And if you want proof as to which Popeye series is funnier with the young set, my three-year-old clamored for more of the “Popeye the Sailor: 1938-1942” collection after only watching this disc once. Comparing the two side-by-side only proves how unfunny and sadly unnecessary Popeye had become by the late ‘70s. At least if the Hanna-Barbera team was going to be behind the wheel.

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