The Boondocks – The Complete Second Season (Sony DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B
Controversy
seems to follow the Boondocks where
ever it goes and what ever form it is in; and for good reason. The brilliantly crafted animated series
originally started as a brilliantly crafted comic strip that garnered just as
much controversy today as the day it came out.
The First Season of the
series was nicely reviewed a long while on this site, but managed to do a solid
job of giving a generalized plot synopsis that this reviewer will refer readers
back to:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3996/The+Boondocks+-+The+Complete+First
Knowing a
little background on the series, not much has changed. The Liberally minded youngsters, Huey and
Riley, continue to spread havoc throughout their community in their own
destructive yet inspirational manner.
Granddad is still fighting for his peace and quiet as he attempts to
drift into retirement. And Uncle Ruckus
is still the same old black hater he always was.
It has
been way too long since the world has seen a Boondocks DVD release (almost 2 years to be exact) and the Season 2 release in no way will disappoint
long time fans. The series returns to
DVD as watchable as ever with its brilliant use of edgy dialogue, odd
situations, politics, eye catching animation, and so much more. The 15 outstanding episodes definitely kick
it up a notch from Season One (which seemed hard to do) and it is nice to see
the ‘banned episodes’ resurfacing on this DVD set. This reviewer is still trying to figure out
why the episodes were banned?
The
episodes on this season set are as follows:
- …Or Die Trying
- Tom, Sarah and Usher
- Thank You For Not Snitching
- Stinkmeaner Strikes Back
- The Story of Thugnificent
- The Hunger Strike*
- Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
- Shinin
- Ballin’!
- Invasion of the Katrinians
- The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show*
- One of the funniest episodes to date that
concurrently addresses a lot of deep rooted issues on race.
- Home Alone
- The S-Word
- The Story of Catcher Freeman
- The Story of Gangstalicious, Part 2
* =
‘Banned Episode’
The
technical features on this Second Season
release are well put together and do the series justice. The picture is once again presented in 1.78 X
1 Anamorphically Enhanced Widescreen that leans toward the autumn color scheme,
but this reviewer feels that is fully intentional. The picture remains crisp and clear
throughout, presenting an image that many animated series have yet to achieve
on DVD. This reviewer looks forward to
Blu-ray transfers. The sound is
presented in a nice Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo with solid Pro Logic surrounds
that do an adequate job presenting the series, but by no means is anything
special. The series is heavy on the
dialogue and minimal on the action, so mostly presenting from the front is not
an issue; but for a series that also utilizes a good deal of music a more dynamic
sound would have been very beneficial.
Overall, the entire series presents like a smooth jazz composition that
has an infusion of hip-hop, urban style that stimulates the mind and eyes;
overall, admirable.
The
extras are also well presented and plentiful.
They include:
- Behind the Boondocks
(approximately 17 minutes)
A deeper and different look into the series than was seen
for Season 1; looking more into the production, series mythology, and voice
work.
- Introduction to ‘The Hunger
Strike’
Intro to one of the Banned Episodes
- Introduction to the ‘Uncle
Ruckus Reality Show’
Intro to one of the Banned Episodes
Creator Aaron McGruder and some of the producers show up
to give commentaries on 4 different episodes (2 of which were banned
episodes). There is joking around and
good spirits all around, with much of the discussion centering on the legal
woes of the banned episodes, but none of the commentaries are too detailed and
feel very much like standard DVD tracks.
A funny look into how the voice actors have some friendly
rivalries around the set.
A funny compilation of all of the voice actors saying the
infamous ‘N-word’ around the set. *Gasp*
- The Cast: Regina King, John
Witherspoon, Cedric Yarbrough, Gary Anthony Williams, Jill Talley, Gabby
Soleil
- Minisodes
Once again Sony oddly includes some mini episodes of other
catalog series such as Spiderman and
Married with Children. An odd choice and an obvious promotional
stunt.
This
reviewer highly recommends the series and can honestly say that it is one of
the best animated series on television today.
It hits hard and strong with its use of solid animation and
controversial issues, but at the same time keeps the audience intrigued and
laughing with its use of intelligent comedy.
An uncompromising series that pushes all the right buttons.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
