Robot Chicken – Season 4 (Cartoon Network/Warner DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B- Episodes: B
Honestly,
Robot Chicken has grown on me over
the years. The brain child of Seth Green
at first had me as giddy as a schoolboy when it first premiered. Classic action figures and quirky Adult Swim
comedy added up to solid gold in my book.
But after a while of viewing the series I was quickly disheartened by
the warranty voiding use of the action figures and often times not-so funny
sketches. The quick 15minute episodes
are composed of many cut scenes and small extended segments. So as previously mentioned I dismissed the
series on television for a while and enjoyed the other series Adult Swim had to
offer. When I revisited Robot Chicken in the Adult Swim Box Set recently, however, I
was thoroughly impressed. The series is
odd, but pleasingly creative. It manages
to blend elements of satire and pop culture with ease; all while arising
countless memories from my childhood as it dusts off the toy chest and brings
out the classics.
The 20
episodes in this Season Four set are
presented in the same sporadic channel flipping style as they always have
been. It would be impossible to sit here
and name ever reference the series makes but I will try…there is Speed Racer,
Justice League, Tila Tequila, A-Team Star Trek, Wuzzles, Star Wars, Aliens,
Santa Clause, Ryan Seacrest, Snorks, Dukes of Hazzard, Transformers, He-Man,
Hannah Montana, Count Chocula and so on and so forth. Let’s just say there is an insane amount of craziness
going on and Robot Chicken presents it in a brilliant way.
If
nothing else the series is overflowing with radiant nostalgia that is not only
creative, but greatly fun. The writers
and everyone involved seem to be having a good time and it translates to
something wonderful for fans to watch. I
say keep up the good work.
The technical
features of the DVD are by no means outstanding, but they get the job
done. The picture is presented in a 1.33
X 1 full screen that is often times gritty and a tad soft, but has bright
colors, nice black and solid contrast.
The sound is a 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo track that is nothing
impressive, but it gets the job done as it is crisp and well balanced.
The
extras include Audio Commentaries on all 20 episodes and they are funny and
thoroughly enjoyable as the cast and crew divulge fun tid bits and even more
insanity. Also included are San Diego
Comic Con ’08 Panel; Day in the Life; New York Comic Con ’09 Panel; Video
Blogs; Australia Visit (where apparently the series just took off); Alternate
Audio; Deleted Scenes and Animatics. All
in all I would have to say the extras are very good and have a good rewatchable
quality.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
