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Dinosaurs: The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons
R1 - America - Disney Review written by and copyright: Pat Pilon (9th May 2007). |
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The Show
 I remember watching this when it started on TV, but the memories are only vague. I didn't remember any of the episodes in this set, because I only watched the first season, I believe. This is basically 'The Flintstones', but with dinosaurs instead of humans. The show can also be seen in 'The Honeymooners' – in fact, Earl Sinclair is essentially a dinosaur version of Jackie Gleason – and a number of other shows. The show also seems to have a 1950s feel, which is a bit strange, but interesting nonetheless. It centers around a family of dinosaurs. Earl, the father, Fran, the mother and the three kids, Robbie, Charlene and Baby are the family and there are also a few other incidental, recurring characters. For me, Baby Sinclair is always annoying. Anytime he's the focus of the show, I didn't really enjoy it. 'Nature Calls', for example, wasn't the best re-introduction to the show, because Baby is loud, annoying and pointlessly selfish (and, the creators say, he's the smartest member of the family). I don't remember what my thoughts were when I originally watched him, but I just find him annoying now. The show has some thinly-veiled satire on a number of subjects. Although it's not too subtle, I like the fact that they try to do this on a children's show. 'Baby Talk' and 'The Discovery' are very good examples of this not-so-subtle satire, while 'Network Genius' is a bit better in this respect. One wonders why a TV show would make fun of TV shows and – a bit more disturbing – would insult its viewing public, but the messages in these shows are nice. 'Dirty Dancin'' for example, is probably the best show of the set, as it's subtle enough to be understood, but not too blatant so as to be condescending. 'Changing Nature' is an example of the latter type, where it's not very subtle and hits you over the head with yet more eco-friendly messages. One of the best bits of satire comes in a throwaway line in 'Working Girl', an episode that never aired on TV. It just goes to show that sometimes what aired is not necessarily what's best. The thing keeping the show interesting is the satire, because the situations are nothing new. Because the characters are dinosaurs, they can get away with more than regular sitcoms. I mean, in the very first show of the third season, Baby runs away from home. A lot of the jokes aren't so funny, except for perhaps kids, but one or two nice lines find themselves in each episode. However, for a show devoted so much to science and reason (as 'The Greatest Story Ever Sold' attests), it's amazing to think that it doesn't follow the accepted ideas of the end of the dinosaur reign. They were snuffed out 65 million years ago, some 5 million years before the show takes place, and it's pretty well accepted that a giant asteroid crashed on Earth, sending up dust in the air. Although I like the idea in the last episode, I don't like the idea of changing known history to suit your agenda. Also, nothing even coming close to resembling a human lived at the time the show takes place. The technical side is a lot more impressive than its writing. Perhaps it's because that satire in the way presented here would demand some darker comedy, but I'll move on. Jim Henson's shop had their work cut out for them, having to create sets and creatures every episode. The animatronic and creature suits are very lifelike and must have cost a lot of money to make and maintain. It's quite amazing to watch these things lumber around, talk and interact with each other. The shows start pretty well, but as the seasons go on, the messages become less and less subtle, though they're never really deep to begin with. Although the show has to be commended to add satire to a kid's show, the writing isn't the best and they use the easy type of comedy, and the easy way to bring that satire to the episodes. It has some sharp messages to say, usually in the short TV clips it shows, and it's always good to see these types of things. Unfortunately, it's more of a novelty show than anything else, and the fact that it ran for four years is a bit surprising. It's not a horrible, show, it's just a bit misguided and could have used a better way to deliver its ideas. Here's a list of all the episodes, with their description. Season Three Disc 1: Nature Calls (23:04) Earl tries to force Baby to potty train. Baby then escapes because he doesn't want to use the toilet. I'm not actually sure what this episode wants to teach, especially because it's kid's show. Baby Talk (22:53) In this episode, a TV show says a bad word, which Baby starts repeating over and over again. A broad satire on censorship ensues, with a pretty standard conclusion about the issue. A very nice episode. Network Genius (23:17) TV once again gets a skewering, with Earl becoming a programming executive. He creates popular but dumb shows, which threaten the entire social structure, because people are becoming too dumb. The Discovery (23:07) After Earl 'discovers' land outside the known world, he and his boss decide to mow down everything and expand the dinosaur empire at the expense of some cavemen. Colonialism is spoofed very well in this episode. Little Boy Boo (22:20) To appease Baby, Robby tells him a scary story. It's nothing impressive and not the best episode of the set. The episode obviously ran short, because there's a music video at the end. Germ Warfare (23:09) After Baby gets sick, a medicine-happy doctor gives the family medicine after medicine to make Baby better. Hungry for Love (23:09) Robby meets a girl, who has an 'eating disorder'. It's a strange kind of episode that, you'd think, would have repercussions down the series, but it's never mentioned again. License to Parent (23:10) Earl gets fined by the Parent Patrol and loses his right to parent his children. He has to go to a rehabilitation class to get his license back. Charlene's Flat World (23:06) This is another of the set's better shows. Charlene suggests that the world is round and it upturns the entire society. Although it's about 400 years a bit late, it's a nice way to promote free-thinking and an open mind. The show sends mixed signals, though (stick to your beliefs), which lessens the impact of the message. Disc 2: Wilderness Weekend (23:02) This episode explores the difference between men and women, as men go camping and the women stay at home. It's an okay episode, but nothing special. The Son Also Rises (23:02) This is definitely an episode written for children, who haven't had experience in the world. Robbie challenges his father to become the head of the family, and then becomes the head, with all the responsibilities of this position. Obviously, you can guess how the episode turns out. Getting to Know You (23:11) Earl plans a surprise party for Charlene and it's a complete disaster. Charlene then goes on a student exchange program, with silly and somewhat xenophobic results. Even for Earl, this episode shows him to be very stupid. Green Card (23:10) An episode addressing the 'us-vs-them' mentality of some bigots. All the 4-legged dinosaurs have to leave the country. It's a good idea to have this kind of show, and it's a good show. Out of the Frying Pan (23:11) Another episode where the characters are stupid to satisfy the plot. Baby becomes a spokesperson for a frying pan. The episode talks about people being corrupted by fame. The most interesting thing about this episode, though, is that Jason Alexander voices a 40-year-old Baby Sinclair. Steroids to Heaven (23:11) To impress a girl whom he wants to take on to the dance, Robby starts working out, but because it's too slow, he starts taking drugs. This is standard stuff in this type of show, and all the plot points are hit right on time. Honey, I Miss the Kids (23:10) Fran gets a job, which forced Earl to stay at home days and take care of the kids. This is basically a retread of the earlier episode 'The Son Also Rises', but with different characters. Also, Robbie, apparently, hasn't learned anything from 'The Son Also Rises', which shows bad writing. Swamp Music (23:10) In this episode, the music industry gets spoofed. Robbie tries to get a mammal record made. Mammals, by the way, are looked down on in this world. The music they make is great, but discrimination/racism gets the better of some people. Dirty Dancin' (23:00) Every show with a teenager has to have a birds and the bees episode, which is what this one is. It's actually a pretty good episode, and has some nice jokes in it. Robbie starts to get some strange feelings and has to deal with them. If You Were a Tree (23:10) Another episode where someone tells a story to appease Baby. It's an eco-friendly episode, in which Earl and a tree switch bodies. Lessons are learned from the people that should learn lessons. Disc 3: We Are Not Alone (23:11) After being visited by an alien, Earl wants to help the environment, and quits his job because his boss isn't very concerned about the planet. This is another eco-friendly episode. Charlene and her Amazing Humans (23:12) For the local talent show, Charlene gets some humans to do some tricks and the show becomes popular. When the humans' parents want them back, Charlene has to decide between her popularity and her guilt. The Clip Show II (23:07) Why they chose to do a clip show as a season finale is a mystery to me, but at least it's not your usual clip show. It's in the shape of an infomercial trying to sell you a home paleontology course. Season Four Monster Under the Bed (22:57) Baby can't sleep because he thinks there's a monster under the bed. As it turns out, there actually is one. The monster kidnaps the three kids and holds them hostage, and Earl and Fran have to get them back. Earl, Don't Be a Hero (23:27) After Earl falls in a lake of toxic sludge, he gets some super powers. This show gets really silly really fast and show isn't the best one. The Greatest Story Ever Sold (23:26) After Baby asks a question, all of society breaks down. Everybody's wondering about the question that can't be answered. One short scene later and religion is made fun of. Without getting too much into a discussion, I find this episode very unfair and simplistic, especially if you're showing this to children. Driving Miss Ethyl (23:27) This is a fairly nice episode, though it's no surprise where it's going. Earl drives Ethyl to her 60th class reunion, while the family tries to get a family portrait for Earl's birthday. Earl's Big Jackpot (23:26) Earl gets hurt on the job and gets awarded $800 million, which, in turn, forces the company to lay off its lowly workers (keeping execs salaries high, of course). After four years, you'd think Earl would be smarter than the way he does things in here. Terrible Twos (23:26) As you may guess from the title, Baby becomes two years old and enters, well, the terrible twos. Given how much I just looooove Baby, I won't say anything about this episode. Changing Nature (23:26) This is another environmental-friendly episode, in which the Wesayso Corporation destroys an entire bug population, who usually eats a very destructive weed. This sets off a chain of events leading to the end of the world. This, by the way, is the end of the series. The fourth disc has never-before-scene episodes. Disc 4: These seven shows never found themselves onto TV. I don't know why they never got shown, because they're neither particularly better nor worse than any other episode in the last two seasons. Into the Woods (23:28) For reasons not really important right now, Robbie, Earl and Earl's friend get stuck in a tar pit, watching an important football game. This has one really funny joke, and it's a shame more of the kind of absurdist comedy didn't find itself into the show. Scent of a Reptile (23:27) Where 'Dirty Dancin'' was about Robbie growing up, this one is about Charlene growing up. She gets her scent, and the one boy that's not repulsed by that smell is going to be hers forever. Working Girl (23:26) Charlene wants to go to a camp and needs the money, which, of course, Earl doesn't have. She decides to get a job to pay for this camp. Variations on a Theme Park (23:28) Because Fran thinks the family is losing touch with itself, the family decides to go on a vacation, at not-even-finished WesaysoLand. It's a show about family being happy together, and has a couple of nice jokes. Life in the Faust Lane (23:27) Earl sells his soul for a piece of junk mug he sees in an informercial. He then learns the 'advantages' of high society, which, obviously, don't look as good as one might think. Earl and Pearl (23:26) Pearl, Earl's sister, comes to visit the family, much to Earl's dismay, and turns life upside down for some, as may be expected. Georgie Must Die (23:27) Georgie is a Barney-like TV show dinosaur, so you can probably guess what kind of thing is going on in this episode. Georgie is going to be in a mall, and Baby wants a hug from him, but Earl tires to impersonate the dino instead so he doesn't have to take his kid to the mall, where there would be many, many children.
Video
1.33:1 full frame. The picture could easily be better. The colours aren't as bright as they should be and the whole picture looks a bit used up. There's no grain and very few artifacts, but it definitely looks a bit old. During the more intense lighting effects, there's also some bleeding. The compression is no problem, with no noise or edge enhancement. The level of detail suffers the most, though, because the picture definitely looks soft.
Audio
The English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo track handles the entire series with no problem. The dialogue and inflections are all clear and audible. The range isn't so big but then again the show doesn't really ask for a tremendous range. The music and other effects are mixed in well enough with the voices, making the track adequate. English (hard of hearing) subtitles are provided for viewers wishing to read them.
Extras
Disney gave this set a few nice extras, which is always good to see. Two audio commentaries start things off. One is for 'Nature Calls' (on disc 1) and th other is for 'Into the Woods' (disc 4), and both include by executive producer Brian Henson, writer/character designer Kirk Thatcher and co-stars Kevin Clash and Bill Barretta. The tracks are nice and informative, with the guys talking about the trouble with shooting this kind of show. For example, the linebacker-sized Kevn Clash had to get inside small rocks and toilets in order to puppeteer Baby. They also talk about how they shot certain scenes. 'Ino the Woods' was the episode they did to prove to Disney that they could do an episode without going into overtime. These guys have a great time remembering and discussing the show. On disc one, you also have a bunch of Sneak Peeks for 'The Jungle Book' (1:27), 'Ratatouille' (1:51), 'The Muppet Show Season 2' (1:33) and 'Scrubs The Complete Fifth Season' (1:38) have trailers. All the other extras are on disc 4. There are two featurettes, the first being I'm the Baby, Gotta Love Me!! (5:47). The creators and Baby's animator talk about the concept and why he is the way he is. They also talk about his voice and how he came about. The talk of how they animate the puppet is also interesting. Next is Creatures with a Cause: The Issues of 'Dinosaurs' (9:19) and it talks about the messages of the show. You learn how and why they wanted to put in some issues into the show. They really don't succeed as much as they hoped, as I didn't really see atheists being made fun of, but I did see religion in that context. The featurette is very nice, and these guys had nice ideas, it's just a shame they couldn't transfer their intentions to the screen in a more efficient way. A bunch of Easter Eggs are also in the set. One is a 12-second easter egg. It's the original TV-spot for the show's premiere. Another egg is 82 seconds of behind the scenes footage of various actors inside their dinosaur suits. There's also a 2-minute interview with Kevin Clash talking about how he got his gig at 'Sesame Street'. A fourth egg is a 42-second interview with executive producer Brian Henson talking about foam latex and its chemical properties.
Packaging
The set comes in a 2-fold, 4-disc digiapk, with the 2 DVDs being overlayed on top of each other on each side.
Overall
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