Of course, the complete seasons box sets (often spotted for around £17 a set) have only just got around to Season 4, with another 12 seasons to go - so this disc, along with the others in the classics range, will go a long way to filling the void during the long wait for completion. But overall, there are laughs aplenty here for converted and non-converted alike, and a couple of the episodes have been shown very rarely on the endless re-run trail too. (`Treehouse Of Horror X` being the exception with it`s three tales in one approach that doesn`t quite lift-off). The `classics` title creates a high level of expectation - and three of the four episodes on this disc deliver the goods. Cruel but probably accurate at the time of release!Ĭonclusion This disc is a DVD version of a popularly available (and much bought) VHS from a couple of years back. At that point we cut to an empty Euro-park with tumbleweeds blowing through it. The funniest moment in this episode is where the park attendant says `If this is what`s happening here, I`d hate to see what`s happening at our Euro resort`. Robots in the park go berserk and start attacking the humans though Homer saves the day. This shows the family on holiday at a Disney style theme park that seems to celebrate violence. Finally `Itchy And Scratchy Land` which is direct hit at Disney. `Das Bus` show Bart and friends on a school trip that sees their bus plunge from a bridge to waters below, only to be washed up on a desert island. `Homer Goes To College` is a wonderful episode that sees Homer back at College (after single-handedly causing a nuclear meltdown) to brush up on his `nuclear industry` skills for work. But the other three episodes more than compensate for the opening disappointment. And finally a Y2K meltdown which could have been funnier than it was. The next clip sees Bart obtain super stretch powers via an X-ray machine, joining up with sister Lisa to form super-duo, Stretchman and Clobber. The first of the three sees Marge running over the next-door neighbour who`s out on a `fog walk` (Ok - that bits funny), though he later turns out to be a werewolf anyway. It`s disjointed, inconclusive and lacking in belly-laughs. The episodes on offer here are mostly worthy of the `classic` tag - with one bizarre and notable exception, `Treehouse Of Horror X` which is three mini-episodes in one. Needless to say it offers all the other advantages of the DVD format over the VHS too so now these are out there`s no contest. It also offers the opportunity to view the episodes in any one of half a dozen languages and I`ve got to say (yes - I tried it!) that the French Homer is brilliant. So what does this particular disc offer up? Well, exactly the same as the VHS version with the same title which has done the rounds for a while. It`s one of the few series that I find myself laughing aloud to. Damn funny! It`s funny to children who love its zany and anarchic humour and it`s funny to grown-ups who appreciate its dry and sardonic wit. But without falling in to the dreary trap of penning a post-Freudian critique (of the `comedy`s a serious business` variety), I suppose its main appeal is that it`s funny. Of course Homer is a self-centred, self-serving fool in his own right, but as the underdog he wins us over every episode. It`s essentially a cynical view of a hollow world - filled with transparently self-serving manipulative people who constantly beat up on the little man (Homer). When you analyse the appeal of the `The Simpsons`, it`s difficult to understand how this anarchic cartoon series, full of hypocritical, dumb ass yellow folk can be such a universal source of pleasure. As one of the many `anyone elses` who laugh aloud every time I see an episode, but who has yet to feel the need to add any seasons to my collection (it`s rarely off-air after all), I found this 4 episode disc a real treat. With Season 4 recently released, these almost random episode samplers provide some solace to the serious collector (awaiting the remaining 12 seasons to hit the racks) as well as providing a fun taster for anyone else. ![]() ![]() It`s a testament to the popularity of this endless running series that it has such a devoted fan-base, and I`m guessing that this volume will go down a treat with the hardcore. ![]() This volume is one of the remaining `previously released on VHS` classics. Introduction The UK has already had the first five Classic DVDs on their shelves (The Simpsons Go To Hollywood, Bart Wars: The Simpsons Strike Back, The Simpsons: Too Hot For TV, The Dark Secrets of The Simpsons, and The Simpsons Greatest Hits).
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