Release Date: 06/15/2004
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DD5.1/DD2
Run Time: 506 min
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
It seems that with each subsequent DVD release of
The Simpsons,
20th Century Fox successfully manages to edge up the standard in regards to both presentation and extra features -- and with the release of
The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season, that trend thankfully continues. Each episode is presented as originally aired in 1.33:1 full-frame, offering bright, solid colors and little evidence of edge enhancement. The image is stable and the menus easy to navigate. Audio is presented in a selection of either closed-captioned English Dolby Digital 5.1 or Spanish or French Dolby Digital Stereo with optional English or Spanish subtitles. Though the show's visual scheme doesn't necessarily offer an abundance of directional effects, the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is clean and bold throughout.
Of course, one of the main draws of each release thus far has been the bonus features, and as stated before, this one certainly doesn't disappoint. By this point, commentary on all episodes is almost expected, and creator
Groening and crew serve it up with enthusiasm, wit, and entertaining insight (
Groening also provides an entertaining introduction to the season). Illustrated commentary on select episodes offers the inclusion of a "telestrator" in order to give the commentary a more visual flare, but ultimately serves little purpose aside from distinguishing
Patty from
Selma and giving the restless creative souls a chance to doodle on the screen. For those who seek bonus features that are a bit more "hands on," animation showcases on select episodes offer a peek behind the scenes of
The Simpsons as it passes through the various stages of creative visual process. It's a great learning tool for aspiring animators, with the picture-in-picture presentation giving a great feel for the various stages of animation. A look at the animatics will also be of interest to those who seek to know more about the creative process behind this enduring
sitcom. Commercials offer a look at everyone's favorite yellow family as they pitch various products, and deleted scenes are fun to watch, if for nothing else than completist purposes.
Featurettes on this release are a real treat; from the controversy over the New Orleans song in "
A Streetcar Named Marge" (which writer
Jeff Martin claims was simply a riff on a similar tune in
Sweeney Todd) to "Bush vs. Simpson" (in which
Jim Brooks details the war waged by former first lady
Barbara Bush and the awkward meeting that followed), it's great to hear the creative forces comment on the sometimes mixed public reaction to the wildly
satirical series. A promotional piece hosted by
Groening discusses the characters and appeal of the series, and fans will certainly relish the opportunity to hear the residents of Springfield speak in Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, and Castilian Spanish, thanks to a special language feature on the first episode of the season. Thanks to a great presentation and an impressive selection of bonus features, this set is a great addition to the collection of any true
Simpsons fan.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
