I consider myself to be a dedicated fan of The Simpsons. I have watched it since it's first airing more than 20 years ago. Suffice to say, when the 20th Anniversary Edition was being released, I was excited. I knew they were doing this particularly for the switch to HD, but I was also excited about having a new season in my hot little hands. Unfortunately, the release was shortsighted and poorly executed. Firstly, the packaging is terrible, just as Seasons 12 and 13. It is difficult to retrieve discs from the cardboard slots, and I swear every time I remove the disc I'm afraid it's going to get scratched. Along with this, the outer packaging is annoying. You have the white sleeve, which is easy enough to remove, but then the cardboard case is closed on both sides. You have to open the flap, remove the accordion DVD holder inside, and then fight with the tight cardboard sleeves to remove the disc itself. It seems as if the creators almost want to keep me from watching their later seasons. It may not be so, but it does feel that way.
Secondly, the features are non-existent. I knew this when purchasing the DVD set, but I didn't know that "No commentaries" also meant absolutely nothing at all but a sneak peak trailer of a TV event I watched before the set was released. What kind of thinking is this? Even if it's rushed, they can't put anything else on the DVD to let the fans know they still care? Honestly, if they could put a sneak peak trailer on the set, why not a few text bios? How long could it possibly take to add a handful of text bios, even about just the main characters? This lack of foresight has cost them some of my good will. I love The Simpsons, but I don't tolerate being cheated or taken for granted.
Now, onto the series itself.
I love The Simpsons, I do. They have been a constant in my life since I was a child, and they still make me laugh. Yes, the quality has slid somewhat, but to me, a "bad" Simpsons episode is still better than most "good" sitcoms. I think the problem lies in the fact that we've seen it all before. We know what's going to happen, so the best thing is to just take pleasure in the characters themselves. Unfortunately for some, myself included, the characters have been given the bum's rush as well. Homer went from a deeply flawed but caring father and husband to an apathetic shadow of his former self. He went from "bumbling, good natured oaf" to sadistic, selfish egotist. Why did that have to happen? The great thing about cartoons is that they don't age, that they don't need to face the realities we do every day. I love The Simpsons because they could take an unpleasant reality and turn it on it's head. Homer having a heart attack shouldn't be a topic found to be funny in most sitcoms, but on The Simpsons, the execution was so well done that I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. That is excellent writing. It's the mark of a truly great production. I haven't seen that kind of heart from The Simpsons for years, including the 20th season (this set). However, that does seem to be changing now, and I look forward to a rejuvenated Simpsons.
To summarize:
* Fair to middling episode quality (for the Simpsons)
* Terrible Packaging
* No extra features whatsoever
Final Rating:
2 out of 5 stars.
John, Dedicated Simpsons fan
Seems pretty much indestructible. Does exactly what it says on the tin, from A to B in relative safety. No regrets, and it is already well on the way to paying for itself. Certainly far more fun, and better for the health than riding the underground or local buses.
