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Category:    Home > Reviews > Fantasy > Comedy > Animation > Role Playing Games > TV > Adventure Time - The Complete Fifth Season (2014/Warner Bros./Cartoon Network Blu-ray Set)

Adventure Time - The Complete Fifth Season (2014/Warner Bros./Cartoon Network Blu-ray Set)



Picture: A- Sound: B Extras: B- Episodes: A-



Adventure Time is like a fine wine; enjoyable from the very beginning, but certainly better with time. The series' creators have managed to refine and distill the animated comedy to the point of near perfection. Each episode is unique, over the top, and brilliantly creative. In its Fifth Season, Adventure Time manages to not only keep the momentum created be its previous seasons, but surpasses it exceptional comedy with a vivid imagination.


To read more about Seasons 1, 2, and 4 here on the site, please refer to the links below:


Seasons 1 & 2:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/12257/Adventure+Time+%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E


Season 4:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/13137/Adventure+Time+%E2%80%93+The+Compl



This season picks up where last season left off (Yes! There's continuity!) and goes on to introduce a series of new concepts and surprises; slowly adding layer, after layer. There are new characters to be seen, (obviously) adventures to be had, dimension jumping, fan-fiction brought to life, and a plethora of deeper/darker topics explored than anyone could or would expect from an animated series.


It would not be right to spoil the episodes, as again there is continuity and surprises; but I can name some this reviewer's personal favorites. These would include Simon and Marcy, The Vault, Apple Wedding, Billy's Bucket List, Time Sandwich, We fixed a Truck, and Blade of Grass. Of course there are many, many more excellent episodes in this season's 52 'righteous; episode run; but these are the ones that particularly stood out.


Adventure Time is a unique series in that it allows for character development. We are not subjected to an 'adventure of the week' type series (though they do poke fun at that concept); instead over five seasons the audience has learned who these characters are, what makes them tic, and to always expect the unexpected. With a solid understanding (after 4 seasons of development) Season 5 finally has the opportunity to have the characters grow; while concurrently exemplifying that everything, no matter how crazy and disjointed, has meaning and purpose.



This new release of Adventure Time: The Complete Fifth Season comes packaged once again as 2-disc Blu-ray eco-keep case and cardboard slip cover. This time around the packaging featuring the character Jake; just the same as previous season releases have highlighted one character as the slip cover. The picture is presented in a brilliantly vibrant 1.78 X 1, 1080p, AVC encoded aspect ratio. The picture is crystal clear from beginning to end and in line with the Fourth Season release; again demonstrating inky blacks, coupled with an admirable color palette. The sound is simpler, again, in a lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo that is certainly balanced and clear; but lacks the energy and range this lively series deserves. Why no lossless track? The previous sets were the same, but this still works well enough.

The extras are minimal, but worth a look, including:

  • Adventure Time Forever featurette

  • Animatic Clips

  • Special Snail Hunt



    - Michael P. Dougherty II


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