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| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
remains to be to provide you, the entertainment community with
the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
link to the most popular dvd movies. |
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“Family
Guy: The Freakin' Sweet Collection”
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Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Comedy |
| Video: |
1.33:1 Full
screen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
2.0 |
| Languages |
English,
French |
| Subtitles |
English,
French, Spanish |
| Length |
112 minutes
|
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
12/14/04
|
| Studio |
20th Century
Fox Home Video |
| Commentary:
|
Commentary
tracks on “Road to Rhode Island”, “I Am Peter Hear Me Roar”,
“Lethal Weapons”, “To Love and Die in Dixie” |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
“American Dad” preview,
“Family Guy” preview for fourth season |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
1 deleted
scene restored to “Road to Rhode Island” |
| Music
Video: |
No but a couple of funny
and offensive songs |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Seth MacFarlane,
Alex Borstein, Mila Kunia, Seth Green, Mike Henry, Butch Hartman
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| Written
By: |
Seth MacFarlane,
, Gary Janti, Chris Sheridan |
| Produced
By: |
Ken Dennis,
Mike Barker, David Zuckerman |
| Directed
By: |
Peter Sihn,
Pete Michels, Dan Povenmire, Glen Hill |
| Music:
|
Ron Jones,
Walter Murphy |
| The
Review: |
About as politically incorrect as
a modern cartoon for adults could possibly be, “The Family
Guy” failed to generate the ratings Fox was looking for when
it was looking for its next “The Simpsons”. DVD gave life
to “Family Guy” again (along with blockbuster ratings in syndication)
and now the show which was cancelled after a couple of seasons
has found new life on, of all places, Fox. Vindication must
be sweet for creator Seth MacFarlane although not necessarily
for everyone else. “Family Guy” is offensively funny with
its play on stereotypes. It’s a funny show but it’s not one
that everyone will relate to and it lacks the intelligent
satire of, say, “The Simpsons”. That isn’t to say that “Family
Guy” isn’t funny. It is but MacFarlane’s creation tends not
to have the depth of “The Simpsons”. This single set of episodes
features MacFarlane’s favorite episodes. If you’re not sure
if you’ll like the show, pick this one up and dive right in.
You’ll know in about five minutes. ***
Featuring the banned episode “When
You Wish Upon A Weinstein”, the uncensored version of “Road
to Rhode Island” (with a funny and four letter laced commentary
track by Stewie (the baby with an evil genius’ mind) and Brian
(the talking dog who regular has more than his share of drinks).
In “Road to Rhode Island” Peter and his wife Lois decide to
try self help videos to improve their relationship. Unfortunately,
it turns out that the “relationship” tapes feature porn (so,
of course, Peter wants to watch them but it’s the section
of the tape “only for men”) while Lois is mystified as to
why he’s sitting naked to watch a relationship tape. Meanwhile,
Brian (the talking dog) is sent cross country to pick up Stewie
from Lois’ parents and ends up looking for Brian’s mom (who’s
been stuffed and is currently being used a night stand. It’s
bizarre, over-the-top and funny in the best possible way.
If this sounds like it might appeal to you by all means pick
up the series and this set of Seth MacFarlane’s favorite episodes.
---
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| Image
and Sound: |
“Family Guy”
looks exceptionally good on DVD with a sharp transfer, none
of the transfer issues that have “dogged” some other cartoons
on DVD. Featuring a high definition transfer, the animation
sparkles. |
| The
Extras: |
Although
it’s not really an extra, you do get the uncensored version
of “Road to Rhode Island”. It’s only 30 seconds or so that
were cut in light of 9/11 (you’ll understand when you see
it) and it doesn’t do anything for the episode per se but
hardcore fans may want it just for those cut lines. There’s
also two featurettes that are really nothing more than advertisements
for the forthcoming fourth season of “Family Guy” and MacFarlane’s
new show “American Dad”. MacFarlane discusses his new show
(which sounds as funny and bizarre as “Family Guy”). The first
6 minutes of “American Dad” is also included (personally I
would have included a full episode to entice viewers and it
also would have been a great added extra).
|
| Commentary:
|
Seth MacFarlane
provides quite a few voices for the show and provides the commentary
for “Road to Rhode Island” in character. Of the five episodes
four of them have commentary tracks which are both quite funny
and informative. “Lethal Weapons” features Steve Callaghan,
Garrett Donovan, Chris Sheridan and MacFarlane riffing on the
origin of the episode. MacFarlane writers Daniel Palladino,
Callaghan, Danny Smith and Mike Henry also illuminate us on
“To Love and Die in Dixie”. Finally MacFarlane, Sheridan, Alex
Borstein and Craig Hoffman do the duties for “I Am Peter Hear
Me Roar”. Again, most of the commentaries are pretty funny and
informative although nothing matches the commentary provided
by “Brian” and “Stewie” for “Road to Rhode Island”. |
| Final
Words: |
A hip, funny
series that will offend half the audience out there, “Family
Guy” may not have the depth of “The Simpsons” but it throws
enough jokes at the audience so most folks won’t notice it.
The commentary tracks here are exclusive to this edition of
the episodes. Honestly, this is a double dip but there are just
enough extras to make it worthwhile to hardcore fans. |
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