Adventure Time –
The Complete First Season + The Complete
Second Season (2010 – 2011/Warner Blu-ray Sets)
Picture: A- Sound: B Extras: B-/B Episodes: B+
The long awaited Blu-ray release of Adventure Time: Seasons 1 & 2 (sold separately) has finally arrived! The animated series that throws caution to
the wind as it releases a barrage of creativity and unbridled humor on
audiences. Adventure Time is a series that any age can enjoy and it is due to
the fact that creator Pendleton Ward utilizes a plethora of pop culture, video
game, anime, and other references to propel the fantasy stories forward. Though not embodying the gross out factors
that series like Ren & Stimpy or
Rocko’s Modern Life had; I believe Adventure Time to be reminiscent of that
free spirited creativity that Nickelodeon pushed for in the early ‘90s. This seemingly free spirited, yet cleverly precise/planned
brand of animated humor makes Adventure
Time one of the best and most innovative series on television today.
The heart and soul of Adventure
Time plays like a game of Dungeons
& Dragons, but again utilizes the plethora of other factors already
mentioned. The series most definitely
uses an off-brand of humor and animation styling; never feeling restrained and
in turn taking it to the next level. I
had only had the opportunity to view the series in pieces previously (having
been released on volumized DVD sets); never whole heartedly appreciating
(understanding?) the genius that is Adventure
Time. What I understand now is that the series must be viewed as a
whole. This is not (too much) due to
continuity, but rather because the viewer must gather the nuances of the
characters and their world to value the developing relationships. The series is truly an adventure.
These adventures follow Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio) and
Finn (Jeremy Shada) the ‘Human.’ They
live in The Land of Ooo with various kingdoms ruled by a variety of wacky
princesses. Together with Jake [who has
the inexplicable ability to stretch…no not fetch], the 12 year old Finn looks
for trouble and treasure helping anyone he can along the way; demonstrating his
kind hearted, heroic nature. He battles
powerful foes and uses his ability to shape shift to his advantage.
The adventures and often time troubles that the duo gets
into are odder than the animation itself.
As the 26 episodes of Season One and
into the 26 episodes of Season Two,
the quests get increasing peculiar and seemingly haphazard. But again this is why the series is
intriguing, what seems haphazard one moment is perfectly precise and as
intended the next; leaving the viewer surprised and fully entertained.
I had thought the series (obviously) had taken place in the
head of a young boy (or at least it seems implied) where adventure, treasure,
princesses, and trouble are the most awesome things ever. Now, after viewing the series straight
through, however, I think the writers may be more creative than that and
perhaps (just maybe) Adventure Time could
be some kind of post apocalyptic world…but who knows? Every episode has a good sense of heart,
soul, and silliness with a creative animation style that holds your interest.
The episodes are only 11 minutes long, which might seem
short, but in actuality is just right.
Enough time to tell the adventure tale, wrap it up, and move on to the
next. What the creators accomplish in
those mere 11 minutes is impressive; catering to children, but at its core
being much more mature and referential.
The series has a ton of dark undertones, sexually implicit moments, gross
gags, pop culture awareness, and an ability to explain life like Sesame
Street but
on another level (wave length?). So
parents might worry that the series is TOO MATURE for their kids, not at all as
the jokes intended for adults are so cleverly disguised it goes right over the
youngsters’ heads.
Both seasons of the series
are presented in a wonderful (near perfect) 1080p VC-1 encoded, MPEG-4, 1.78 X
1 widescreen. The picture clarity is
stunning, the colors are bright, and black levels are very nice. There isn’t much detail and the outline of
characters can be a bit rough, but both of these factors are intended and not
criticisms of the Blu-ray transfer.
There are a few moments of horizontal banding, but nothing so overt that
it becomes off-putting. The sound is not
as stellar as the visuals as it is only presented in a lossy Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo presentation. The stereo comes
through clearly in the front without issue with clear, concise dialogue/sound
effects. We must remember this is a
children’s series, but I would have still loved a Surround track; especially
with the host of absurdity that is going on, on screen.
Extras are nice and include
the following:
Season One
·
Audio Commentaries
for four (4) episodes
·
2 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
o
Not very insightful, but both are VERY funny as they act
as tongue in cheek looks into the creative process
·
Music Video
o
Again a odd take on the series as a live action music
video is shot; still very amusing
·
The Wand
o
A short with Jake and Finn finding a wand (~2minutes long)
·
Finndemonium
o
Shows off some very nice fan art
·
Adventure Time Music with Casey and Tim
·
Animatics
Season Two
·
Commentaries on ALL 26 episodes
o
A huge upgrade that concurrently delivers hilarious
moments and insight into the developing series
·
The Crew of Adventure Time Interviewed by Pendleton Ward
o
Again an absurd pseudo-interview process that has the crew
displaying a variety of reactions to a mysterious video Pendleton is showing
them
A brilliantly absurd series that will have audiences demanding more.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
