The
Boondocks - The Complete 4th Season
(2014/Sony DVD Set)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C- Episodes: C
After
a long hiatus The Boondocks returned to Cartoon Network's
Adult Swim with much fanfare. Like many Adult Swim series (Aqua
Teen Hunger Force, The Venture Bros, Super Jail,
etc.) it was always uncertain if The Boondocks was going to
return with new episodes; with continually clashing updates from
creators, the network, and even fan site. So fans were elated when
it was officially announced that The Boondocks would get new
episodes. Unfortunately The Boondocks that fans came to know
and love over the first three seasons took an odd change of direction
in its 4th Season; no longer
embodying the deep rooted (at times dark) sociopolitical humor that
it once had, instead almost becoming a caricature of itself. In its
place was a series that thought it was giving fans what they wanted;
instead of actually delivering.
Right
off the bat, fans can see the series is in trouble as series creator
Aaron McGruder is gone; no longer touted as creator or writer on
these episodes. Moving forward fans are not treated to the
15-episode run we were accustomed to, shortened to a presumptuous and
garbled 10-episode season. For those unfamiliar with The
Boondocks people may view the series as dry and preachy; but its
true agenda has always been tongue in cheek sociopolitical commentary
or satire. Whereas the series characters may seemingly be on a
soapbox or even at times uncomfortably political; it was consistently
self-aware with satire being the a means to convey its
unique/intelligent brand of comedy.
Season
4 seems to miss the boat as the season as a whole is NOT
particularly funny; destroying that fine balance of political satire
and comedy. Instead, we are subjected to a barrage of preachy,
social commentaries that are not funny, nor whole heartedly
effective. The episodes never ease the sociopolitical tensions with
comedy and satire, but instead host hours of uncomfortable moments
that certainly have Aaron McGruder shaking his head.
Once
again the creators/writers of these episodes seemed lost, with each
episode banking on standout characters from the past (like Uncle
Ruckus) to (ineffectively) carry the episode. Whereas these
characters were solid gold in moderation in previous episodes; here
they felt forced and distracting.
The
Boondocks is a great series that should have remained a three
season run; unfortunately sometimes it is hard to let it go.
The
technical features on this DVD set are actually some of the only
shining moments. The picture is stunningly well done here on DVD
with the great artwork/visuals of The Boondocks continuing
even in a lackluster season. The anamorphically enhanced picture is
crisp, clean, and clear with a mostly Autumn-like color palette
utilized and bursts of color shining through. The image is a 16 x 9
composition that displays like art and is one of the only components
true to the first 3 seasons. The sound is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1
track that is solid; getting the job done in a clean concise manner.
The sound utilizes all speakers and the series use of music is nicely
displayed here.
There
are 2 extras:
Boondocks
Beats
Writers'
Perspective
