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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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The
Real World: New York - The Complete First Season
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Reviewed
by: |
David
Litton |
| Genre: |
Television
Drama |
| Video: |
1.33:1
fullframe |
| Audio: |
English Dolby
Digital 2.0 |
| Language: |
English
|
| Subtitle: |
None
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| Length: |
Approx.
1080 min |
| Rating: |
Not
Rated |
| Release
Date: |
09/24/2002
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| Studio: |
Paramount/MTV |
| Commentary:
|
Commentary
with series creator Jon Murray |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
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None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
Yes |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Pilot episode,
Julie's Acceptance Letter |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Norman Korpi,
Julie Oliver, Andre Comeau, Rebecca Blasband, Eric Nies, Heather
B., Kevin Powell |
| Screenplay
by: |
Written by:
N/A |
| Produced
by: |
Assorted |
| Directed
By: |
Anthony Dominici
|
| Music: |
Christopher
Brady |
| The
Review: |
Well, here it is: the first season
of the show that started it all. To be honest, I've never
really been that intrigued by "The Real World," outside of
a few lazy days where MTV aired endless episodes in order
to play catch-up before the following season arrived. The
concept was somewhat intriguing: seven people being placed
into one dwelling while the cameras capture their interactions
and activities. Sound interesting? It can be. A solid effort?
Mostly. Memorable television? Hardly. ***
Quoted as the "birth of reality
TV" by the liner notes of the DVD package, "The Real World"
was a groundbreaking show, but over the years it degenerated
into nothing more than futile attempts by Gen-Xers to get
their big television break, and as the series grew, it became
more salacious, more influenced by outside forces like fame
and fortune, and less entertaining than a "Girls Gone Wild"
video. But to its credit, the first season was ultimately
the most inspired, lacking the foreknowledge of what would
happen to these characters which kept things unforeseen and
mildly intriguing. Despite the flack, the series has garnered
its audience, and those devoted to the show will no doubt
warm to the presentation on this DVD.
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| Image
and Sound |
All things considered, this presentation
of "The Real World" is better than it has any right to be.
The use of analog video certainly provides some obstacles
for the DVD creators, as much of the image has the potential
for fatal flaws and blemishes. Surprisingly enough, they have
thwarted such disasters by giving us a transfer full of non-smearing,
somewhat drained colors, clarity that is hazy in many respects
but good for what it is, and overall quality that makes the
set definitely worth it for fans of the show. ***
The sound is pretty much what you
would expect, with little use of the surrounds or deep bass,
and a heavy concentration on the center channel. Dialogue
can sound rather harsh at times, but its audible, and I'm
thinking that's all that's going to matter to those looking
to purchase this set.
|
| The
Extras |
Not
too much in the way of extras, but certainly not a bare-bones
release by any means. Along with the commentary snippets, the
series' pilot episode has also been included. Filmed rather
poorly and lacking the style of the actual shows that aired
on the cable network, this beginning shows the roots of "The
Real World," but is ultimately for diehard fans of the series;
even they may be disappointed. Cast profiles provide some information
on what the seven participants are currently up to these days,
and an acceptance letter for Julie is a nice, if forced, add-on.
Also, there is the option to play all of the episodes start
to finish with the imposing opening credits... now there's a
way to waste an entire afternoon. -- |
| Commentary |
The
commentary isn't really a commentary, but more like small audio
interviews with co-creator Jon Murray, who talks about a great
deal of things ranging from the participants' lives on and off
the show, to the impact the series has had on the real world.
It's nothing too terribly special, but for those willing to
take the plunge, it doesn't disappoint. |
| Final
Words: |
If
you must own one season of "The Real World," this would have
to be it. After countless viewings of the following entries
that took place in all manner of locations with all types of
fame-hungry twits, this would have to be the most honest and
original of the entire series. The two-disc DVD does justice
to this season, both in presentation and supplements, which
are few but fun. A nice way to spend a rainy day. |
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