Dinosaurs – The Complete First & Second Seasons
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C
There is such a thing as overproduction and becoming
fetishized with the product versus any substance and that has always been my
problem with the Jim Henson Company TV show Dinosaurs, an attempt at a
hip comedy about a dysfunctional family in the past. The rare miss by the company tries to meld humor and the
dysfunctional in a way that still wants to be cute, but not deal with the
consequences of the dysfunctional.
The baby dino is supposed to be “cute” but it is by an
artificial and even sick 1980s standard that we are born with some “original
sin” of the entitlement to be annoying in a (and because of growing up in a)
capitalist society. That the youngest
of three Sinclair children imitate the immorality of acceptable lack of
parenting and deadening consumerism (read yuppie 1980s) is disturbing. This is why the show bombed and is a cult
item today, but Disney would like to see it have a new life. As compared to something superior like The
Flintstones where the past and consumerism are rightly spoofed and the
family is a healthy one, inspired by The Honeymooners, this is inspired
by make-up effect and costume innovations that without a story are soulless. All the show becomes is a forerunner of all
the soulless digital film and TV production we suffer through now. The Simpsons had nothing to worry
about.
The 1.33 X 1 image is too soft for its age and that does
not help represent the make-up, costume and production work to its best
extent. Color is also a bit off, while
the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no real surrounds and is adequate at
best. Extras include a few featurettes
and some Easter Eggs for those who feel like searching.
- Nicholas Sheffo
