Audio Video News

DVD: Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series—Shout! Factory
Video: 4
Audio: 3
Extras: 4
This series about high school misfits barely completed a semester during its original run, but it gained a devoted following. The six-disc, 18-episode series includes five installments that never aired on NBC, and they're a real find for fans that can't get enough of early '80s nostalgia.

As someone who was in high school during that time, I found the show's portrayal of the period—and life as an underclassman—to be dead-on. The struggle to fit in was a recurring theme, along with raging hormones and the tangible pressure to keep the grades up. Episode 5, "Tests and Breasts," in which Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) is accused of helping lead "freak" Daniel (James Franco) cheat, and the nerdy threesome led by young Sam discover pornography, is a great example of all of the above.

The set includes—count 'em—29 audio commentary tracks, featuring the creator, producer, various directors, and virtually every combination of actors. One track even features a pair of actors in character; others enlist the actors' parents, die-hard fans, and even DreamWorks and NBC executives. If you like the show, you're bound to enjoy these commentaries. Each disc also has assorted minor but amusing extras, including deleted scenes, audition tapes, and some raw behind-the-scenes footage. The 1.33:1 picture is good for television, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack mostly benefits the '70s and '80s tunes.

Still, it's the well-developed characters and insightful scripts that are the main draw. Either you'll long to return to that innocent time or be thankful you survived it.—Gary Frisch

DVD: Peter Pan—Universal
Audio: 3
Video: 4
Extras: 5
My daughters, six and 13, have put this live-action version of J.M. Barrie's story in heavy rotation on our player. Fine with me. It's a wonderful film in every sense. The first-rate acting, outstanding special effects, and imaginative sets will make you believe in Neverland, flying children, and, of course, fairies. It's a little darker than your typical Disney/Mary Martin brand of Pan, though. The pirates are more menacing, there's definite physical attraction between Peter and Wendy, and the film doesn't shy away from the consequences of Peter's unwillingness to grow up. All of this makes for a surprisingly multi-layered film that we all enjoy, even if it's on different levels.

The disc's bonuses are perfect for the film's younger audience. Bundled into sections that correspond with the movie's major sets (Hook's ship, the Neverland forest, and so on), the extras go behind the scenes with fun and lively vignettes that are heavy on visuals and light on commentary.

Wide- and full-screen versions of the film are available (but should have been bundled on one disc). The 2.40:1 anamorphic version is beautiful, if a little soft in spots. I also expected a fuller sound from the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack: a brighter clang from crossed swords, a deeper boom from cannon fire, and I wanted to hear Tinkerbell really fly around the room.—Drew Hardin

DVD-Audio: Elton John—Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Island/Universal)
Those of us who went to high school during the 1970s have Goodbye Yellow Brick Road stored in the brain alongside our basic motor skills. Relentless airplay helped, but so did Sir Elton's knack for melody, his stock-in-trade long before he acquired knighthood and covered his forehead with that wig.

Time has been kind to this sprawling collection, initially released as a double LP. Graceful ballads like the title track and "Candle in the Wind"—later rewritten to eulogize Lady Di—have always been Elton's strength. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" moves into hard-rock territory by leaning on Davey Johnstone's exuberant chainsaw guitar riffing.

The track that benefits most from the 5.1 remix is "Bennie and the Jets." Redoing the fake crowd noise in surround makes it even spacier. Even without augmentation, the song would be unique in E.J.'s canon: a stuttering, goofy, whimsical masterpiece.

The making-of documentary on the second disc mixes contemporary interviews with period footage showing Sir Elton in all his finery, along with the skinny young men in bellbottoms who left their own indelible impressions on what's become a durable classic.—Mark Fleischmann