KryptonSite's DVD Review Column #1: Supernatural & Legion
Reviewed
by Craig Byrne
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We're going to make the DVD Reviews column a regular thing here on K-Site, and to start with our first regular column we have two reviews from last month which should be of interest to K-Site readers.
First off, we have KryptonSite Forum favorite Supernatural (starring the former Jason Teague himself, Jensen Ackles!) And then, we get a preview of something that may be in Smallville's future with Vol. 3 of Legion of Super-Heroes. The reviews follow. Our apologies that the reviews are a little late getting up - this has been a busy month full of TV premieres!
Supernatural: The Complete Third Season
Starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki with Katie Cassidy and Lauren Cohan
Warner Home Video
16 episodes on 5 discs
Official Site: www.supernaturaldvd.com
Release Date: September 2, 2008
If you're enjoying the new and very well-received episodes of Supernatural from this season you might really enjoy playing catch-up. The five-disc Supernatural: The Complete Third Season follows through on an arc that will surprise you.
I admit, I am not as well-versed with Supernatural as many who post on this site and am still getting acclimated to it. Watching more episodes, I still have the same feeling I had before - Jensen Ackles is great, especially when he can be funny; I haven't really warmed to Jared Padalecki. This DVD set does, however, introduce me to that world and shows me why people are so fond of it... and even though there are fewer episodes than usual, you definitely get your money's worth.
So what makes this set so good, beyond the episodes? Beyond some really good documentaries, which include a look at the show's special effects, there are "Closer Look" introductions for more than half of the episodes on the set. These intros - which come off more like mini-interviews - show you a glimpse into the talented people who work on the show, and reveal a bit of their process. I was particularly interested in the intro by executive producer Eric Kripke on the Christmas episode, where he confirmed that their take on the "CBS Special Presentation" at the start was an intentional and very important choice. I also learned that Kim Manners is a man - for some reason, whenever I saw that name I assumed it was a female. Oops.
Either way... I admit I'm still going through the episodes but I like what I see already, even though I have not seen much of the first two seasons, either. The extras on this set (including a gag reel) make it a must-have for any Supernatural fan, though. I would be a REALLY happy camper if the same types of extras were on the Season 8 Smallville set.
Order your copy of Supernatural: The Complete Third Season and support KryptonSite!
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Legion of Super-Heroes: Volume Three
Warner Home Video
5 episodes on 1 disc
Release Date: September 9, 2008
My first impression of the animated Legion of Super-Heroes series was a bit mixed. While I've always enjoyed the Legion's comic book incarnations, I didn't understand what was so wrong with using the characters and designs employed on Superman: The Animated Series or their appearances on Justice League Unlimited.
I also was bugged by the whole "not-calling-him-Superboy" thing when it was pretty clear that this version of Superman SHOULD be Superboy.
Unfortunately, that meant I was missing out. Like the Teen Titans, this one got better with time, and in this set - comprising the final episodes of the first season - they're totally into a good groove.
My favorite episode of this set is the very first one, "The Substitutes," which pretty much incorporates the "Legion of Substitute Heroes" storyline from the comics.
I'm surely out of the target demographic for this animated series, but not once did I feel talked down to. I was also impressed that the character of Bouncing Boy was given such a prominent role - not treating him as "the fat guy" but instead making him a VERY important part of the team.
This is a great (and very cheap) release but I hope that Warner Home Video releases season sets eventually, because as good as 5 episodes of Legion could be, a whole season could be even better. Sadly, production has stopped on Legion, ending it with only two seasons. I am really looking forward to seeing Season Two as I have not seen it at all.
And, of course, acclimating yourself to the Legion could get you ready, because you never know when they might show up on Smallville ;) 4.5 out of 5 stars for this one - the only thing better would have been a season set.
Order Legion Vol. 3 from Amazon.com and support KryptonSite!
Next up in the KryptonSite DVD Review column... new Doctor Who releases! See you soon!
