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Techtite's DVD Reviews! |
"Although admittedly a bit dated by modern TV standards, there is a reason classic TV lasted for over six seasons, and it shows." --from the review ------------- Sidebar :: ------------- No Sidebar Comments for this review. Yet... ...
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Fantasy Island:The Complete First Season
Click picture to order. A Techtite ReviewAs always, a review of both the series and The DVD (extras!) The Series: "Smiles, everyone; Smiles!" Such was the humble request of host Mr. Roarke, as he welcomed another weekly batch of vacationers to Fantasy Island. The fun of this strange (and never explained) island's powers is how every wish is fulfilled, no matter how impossible. Consider this series sort of like The Love Boat meets The Twilight Zone; a fitting comparison, given how many years Love Boat was this Island's lead-in drama series, from its premiere in 1978, right up to its final episode in 1984! I think what really sold this series in the 1970's was how imaginative and inspired the "fantasies" were of the guests. These weren't simple dreams of finding your favorite golf shirt or shaking hands with a favorite celebrity. In some cases all of reality was bent, "Twilight Zone" style, so when it came to dreams and fantasy and your wildest whim: anything goes. A couple was able to see their daughter they gave up for adoption 12 years ago, through the magic of Fantasy Island. An unhappy marriage is able to relive the day they got married. An otherwise unremarkable accountant is given the sports skills to be a famous baseball star. But is fantasy all it seems? There are lessons at every turn, as it was on 1970's TV. True, this series' bread and butter was its guest roster, or more specifically, who starred in each episode. It would be of little consequence if someone's "fantasy" was fulfilled, if you could care less about the character! That said; though it admittedly helps if you're a fan of 1970's TV shows, it is impressive how many stars this series nabbed, in just its first season. The guest list roster for season one includes Adrienne Barbeau, Don Knotts, Lyna Day George, Lisa Hartman, Juliet Mills, Mary Ann Mobley, Family Feud's Richard Dawson, and yes, even the original Marcia Brady herself, Maureen McCormick. Even lead stars of this series' former lead in joined the fun, including Love Boat's most popular cruise director, Lauren Tewes, and "ship doctor" Bernie Kopell. What makes these roles so much more amusing if you remember the stars' biggest roles is: they're so against type, as it were. If you've been enjoying the classic sitcom Soap on DVD, take a look at Diana "Corrine" Canova in episode 3. Quite a change from Corrine Tate, eh? Likewise for Lauren "Love Boat" Tewes, whose character in episode 6 is not exactly "Julie your cruise director"...! Fans of the 1980's sitcom Facts of Live might be equally amused at a young, 12-year-old Nancy McKeon in the pilot episode. Given the hard-edged character she played in that later teen sitcom, this cameo appearance may prove quite amusing. Then there's a very young Mary Frann, long before her role as Bob Newhart's wife, in 1980's Newhart. It's even intriguing to note how different the typical Playboy bunny looked back in their "girl next door" days, with such guest stars as Sandra Theodore and of course Barbi Benton. This is just a small taste of what this DVD set includes, which consists of the 16 episodes that started it all, including the original pilot movie(!). The digital transfer is not always spectacular, but it is acceptable if you think of the source material. Mind you; these are episodes from a day and age where nothing was digital, so the quality is not just in the re-mastering (which was allegedly done here), but also the quality of the original footage, 30 years later. What's interesting is how DVD-quality the original pilot movie is --which would logically be the oldest footage-- yet some later episodes are not as crystal-clear. They are of course more than acceptable, but kids used to digital quality this or that may notice the occasional "graininess" in the picture. It isn't a bad picture though, and if you've been trying in vain to preserve 20 year old video of the show, forget it: this is better. I'm just saying this to be informative, not to keep buyers at bay. In conclusion, another fine classic TV series is preserved on DVD, as is proper. This is a great "fantasy" come true for fans. As for people who never saw it; if you love classic TV, you're in for a real treat here.
The DVD: Beggers can't be choosers. Sure it would've been nice to add a commentary track or two, but there's a slight wrinkle in that plan. Hervé Villechaize passed away in 1993. Ricardo Montalban, while still alive, is 85 years young, and probably not too keen on an audio commentary track. He was keen on a nostalgic featurette however, and that's good news. As such , enjoy no less than two behind the scenes features, titled "Creating the Fantasy" and "Spending the Day at Fantasy Island." That's something, right? As for more...well, maybe on later season DVDs. Mind you; this isn't even covering the fact that these episodes are all remastered for DVD-quality viewing, which is more than I can say for most TV releases on DVD lately. Not only that, but the episodes are included with their original commercial teasers from the 1970's; a very nostalgic touch. Not that classic TV needs added touches, but it's still nice to have some extras, right?
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