Futurama – Volume
7
(Fox DVD Set)
Picture: B Sound: B Extras: B Episodes: A
Futurama is back and
better than ever! Though the episodes
housed in Volume 6 were very well
done, at times it did seem out of line with the previous Futurama mythos and style. Futurama: Volume 7 is a return to the Futurama we all know and love; heavy on
nerdy/nostalgia and less so on today’s pop-culture.
Futurama: Volume
7 delivers
13 episodes from the latest season that aired on Comedy Central. The episodes on Volume Season are as follows:
1. The Bots and the
Bees
2. A Farewell to
Arms
3. Decision 3012
4. The Thief of
Baghead
5. Zapp Dingbat
6. The Butterjunk Effect
7. The Six Million
Dollar Mon
8. Fun on a Bun
9. Free Will Hunting
10. Near-Death Wish
11. 31st
Century Fox
12. Viva Mars Vegas
13. Naturama
There are stand out episodes like “ZappBingbat”
and “A Farewell to Arms,” but in reality all are truly wonderful. The series is absolutely crazy with each
character (and their flaws) shining through, making each episode an absolute
joy. I laughed throughout each episode
and left me wanting more; FINALLY I had the Futurama back I once knew!
My one complaint about this season (and perhaps the last) is that
whereas the series was never exactly linear, it had a nice flow that allowed
for large story arcs (spanning seasons) and logical continuity; Volume 7 appears to somewhat break that
pattern. I found myself confused by some
of the characters choices and departures from their normal doings/misdoings;
straying from an established path and messing with continuity. This is a minor gripe that would only be
noticed by nerdiest of Futurama fans, but nevertheless a gripe.
Again the entire season is wonderful and the only thing that would
make it better would be able to view it on Blu-ray High Definition.
The technical features on this DVD release are nice, but not as nice
as the previously reviewed Volume 6 Blu-ray. The picture is presented in a 1.78 X 1
Widescreen that has crisp, clear image and bright colors. The image is of wonderful quality, but again
not the same as what is delivered on Blu-ray.
The sound is a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound that uses the full
speaker range with dialogue and musical scores coming through with ease. It does not have the boisterous, rounded
quality of a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, but fine nevertheless.
Extras include the following:
·
Full Length Audio Commentaries on all 13 Episodes
o
Very fun, very informative with much of the cast and crew
participating.
·
Bonus Commentary on “A Farewell to Arms”
·
Alternate Ending for “Zapp
Dingbat”
·
Christopher Tyng’s Big Score: A
Jam Session with Futurama’s Innovative Composer
o
A featurette that truly exemplifies the hard work and
brilliance that goes into bringing the series musical scores to life.
·
Futurama Karaoke: Sing Along With Your Favorite Characters
·
Mobius Trip: Infinite Futurama Screen Loops
·
Too Good for TV: A Smorgasbord of Deleted Scenes
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
