American Dad! – Volume Two
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: B-
Seth
MacFarlane attempts to make lightening strike twice with his offbeat American
satire with American Dad. On 5/15/07,
20th Century Fox released American Dad:
Volume Two, which is about a year between DVD volume releases. American
Dad had a rough start at first and to put it simply was just not very
funny. To this reviewer the initial
dilemma was that audiences were expecting another Family Guy type clone from creator Seth MacFarlane, but once the
viewer realizes the distinct, unique, and personal charm American Dad demonstrates the series is quite humorous. Here is a quick summation of the series.
The
series stars Stan Smith a CIA Agent who is so preoccupied with America and his
job that his family must find a way to balance his goofy an often hazardous
antics. The rest of the family consists
of Francine (the mom) who dances the thin line between quirky head of household
and moron, Hayley (the daughter) who is too righteous and hippie for her own
good [picture Lisa Simpson but dumber], Steve (the son) who embodies extreme
nerdom in a world where his father attempts to be ‘captain cool’, Roger (the in
house Alien) who was rescued from CIA experimentation by Stan and now spends
day and night drinking and basically being a squatter, and finally Klaus (the
fish…maybe) who is a goldfish with the brain of a East German Olympic Skier
[I’ll leave it at that].
The show
is wacky and if you like politics or watch FOX news or even CNN this series
might tickle your political heart strings.
The show is quite a large deviation from the nonsensical humor
associated with Family guy (though the animation style remains consistent), but
once you understand the drier humor of the series it is quite enjoyable.
This 3-disc,
415 minutes set finishes off the remaining 10 episodes of Season One and continues into Season
Two with 9 more episodes of political and family turmoil. This reviewer more so prefers strict Season
Sets, but for true fans of the series or even Family Guy this is a box set to
surely pickup.
The
technical features on this set are nice, clean, and to the point. The picture is presented in the expected 1.33
X 1 Full Screen but definitely deserves the Anamorphic Widescreen
treatment. The picture as with most new
animation is clear and crisp with only mild color issues at times. The sound is basic and by no means impressive
in its Dolby Digital Stereo format, only doing the bare minimum for a series
that some consider a lukewarm Family Guy. The extras don’t add or detract from the box
set, but it is nice that features are there with extras including commentaries
for each episode, featurettes, and deleted scenes (ok that they were deleted
mostly). Overall, a nice box set that
does not go out of its way to impress.
The
series is by no means ‘deep’ but it does have its spot on satirical moments,
especially if you are not a George W. Bush fan.
The satire is not as strong or meaningful as say the geriatric Simpsons
series or the message spouting boys over at South Park, but with Stan Smith
trying to find to balance for his love of America and the love he has for his
family hilarity often times ensues. Good
morning U.S.A.!
- Michael P Dougherty II
