|
|
 |
Home Improvement: The Complete Eight Season
R1 - America - Buena Vista Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (22nd June 2008). |
|
The Show
 I can honestly say that when it comes to “Home Improvement” (1991-1999) that I’m no stranger to it. I managed to watch a few select episodes. I can honestly say that what few episodes that I did see...I really didn’t like “Home Improvement”. Tim Allen was one of the main reasons I came to dislike the series. I can’t say that I dislike him as an actor. I did like him in the first two “The Santa Clause” movies (1994 & 2002). So, at least he can play a lovable Santa Clause. I also enjoyed his character in “Galaxy Quest” (1999). I guess it’s just his character in this series itself. This series also made Jonathan Taylor Thomas known during the 90's. I don’t hear so much when it comes to him anymore. Still, such is the fate of actors such as he. I guess it makes me wonder where the chemistry got mixed up for a series like this. In any case, let's see how this final season of this series stacks up. “Home Improvement: The Complete Eighth Season” – After eight unforgettable years of sidesplitting laughs, heartwarming family moments and the never-ending quest for “More Power”, one of the most popular shows in the history of television bids a final farewell. Relive some of the Taylors’ most memorable episodes in “Home Improvement’s” remarkable eighth (and final) season. Randy and Brad set off on their own paths, Tim quits his job at ‘Tool Time’ and the family makes the ultimate decision to move from their beloved home. One of the things I liked about the series is the character of Wilson (Earl Hindman), the Taylors’ neighbor. The running joke all throughout the series is that you never actually see his full face. Still, he seems to be the voice of reason. After all this time, do you the viewers finally get to see his full face? Those of you who have seen the series during it’s regular run already know the answer. If you don’t and are catching up with the DVD's, then you’re going to have to find out for yourself. I’m not going to ruin it for you. Also, while many of the episodes are hard to get through sometimes, there are actual plots and stories worth watching. I also liked that the studio audience was real and the show did not include one of those awful laugh tracks. In fact, if you look at the trivia for this series on The Internet Movie Database, you will see that the studio audience for the show is also the same studio audience on ‘Tool Time’. There are actually some turning points in this movie, which shows that even a sit-com is able to assume the aspects of a drama. Look in the synopsis for some examples. Also, since this is the final season, the big question is...Is there a payoff for all those eight seasons? I think it’s pretty safe to say that there is. I won’t say how. Chances are, many of you already know anyway. The downsides? The jokes weren’t all that funny in the few episodes that I watched while the series was in syndication, and they certainly aren’t all that funny now. Also, when the scene switches, the inter-cut sequences get old very quickly. I feel that they interfere with the flow of the episodes. Also, watching Tim and Jill always at each other’s throats alone would have been enough to make me want to have grabbed the remote. This sort of thing worked for “Married...With Children” (1987-1997), but for me it makes the series less and less enjoyable. My final word: Unless you’re a real die-hard for this TV series, then add it to your collection. Otherwise...SKIP IT!! This set includes all 28 episodes of this final season, they are: - "Whitewater" (21:15) - "Adios" (22:11) - "All In the Family" (22:27) - "Taylor Got Game" (22:15) - "Al’s Fair Lady" (22:30) - "Bewitched" (22:13) - "Not-So-Great Scott" (22:10) - "Tim’s First Car" (22:29) - "Mr. Likeable" (22:27) - "Thanks, But No Thanks" (22:28) - "Home For the Holidays" (22:29) - "Plays For Tots" (22:19) - "Chop Shop ’Til You Drop" (22:28) - "Home Alone" (22:10) - "Knee Deep" (22:06) - "Mark’s Big Break" (22:11) - "Young At Heart" (22:27) - "Love’s Labor Lost: Part 1" (22:04) - "Love’s Labor Lost: Part 2" (22:17) - "Neighbors" (22:29) - "A Hardware Habit To Break" (22:29) - "Loose Lips and Freudian Slips" (22:26) - "Trouble-A-Bruin" (22:12) - "Dead Weight" (22:26) - "The Long and Winding Road: Part 1" (22:24) - "The Long and Winding Road: Part 2" (21:54) - "The Long and Winding Road: Part 3" (22:23) - "Home Improvement: Backstage Pass" (19:59)
Video
Each episode is presented in full screen format (1.33:1 ratio). Buena Vista is one of a few select studios that actually cares about the quality of the transfers that they prepare for their releases. This season of “Home Improvement” is no exception. There are noticeable defects or film grain. Each DVD has a ‘Play All’ option in case you want to have a non-stop “Home Improvement” episode marathon. There are no chapter selection menus, but each episode has chapter stops.
Audio
Each episode is accompanied by an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack. There are optional English (hard-of-hearing) subtitles available for all except the preview trailers on Disc 1. The soundtrack sounds very much the way it did when I watched those select few episodes back in the 90's. Although I notice at times that laughter stands out. It could almost be a surround mix.
Extras
Buena Vista has included bonus trailers, a blooper reel, and a documentary that make up the extras packed into the final season of “Home Improvement”. Read further for insight into these extras: DISC ONE: There are only some bonus trailers presented on this disc for: - "Wall-E" which runs for 2 minutes 30 seconds. - "The Nightmare Before Christmas: 2-Disc Special Edition" which runs for minutes 1 second. - "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" which runs for 32 seconds. There is an option within the Set-up menu to ‘Register Your DVD’. Here, you will be given instructions on how to do this, as well as a list of the benefits that comes with doing so. DISCS TWO & THREE: There are no extras presented on these discs. DISC FOUR: The blooper reel runs 6 minutes and 8 seconds. This is pretty much self-explanatory. It’s basically all of the foul-ups, bleeps, and blunders that have taken place throughout the season. The documentary "Tim Allen Presents: Home Improvement, The User’s Guide" runs 42 minutes and 34 seconds. This was originally taped live at the Wadsworth Theater. It starts off with a ‘Tool Time’ skit before going into the actual program. Basically, Tim Allen wanted to do a reunion special just THREE years after the show had ended instead of many years later, like some shows. You also get clips from the past eight years. Basically, Allen introduces clips from various seasons and gives the audience some information that people may or may not know.
Packaging
Home Improvement: The Complete Eighth Season” is a 4-DVD set with all four discs placed into a single clear Amaray keep case with a cardboard slip-case. There are producer’s notes on the other side of the cover art.
Overall
|
|||||
|