DVD Picks & Pans: Summer Smorgasbord, Second Helping

Military.com - Tom Miller

The summer viewing feast continues with a sci-fi adventure for those looking for something lite; the first season of a contemporary drama about Army wives; the fourth season of one of television's classis police dramas; and the final season of one of television's favorite family comedies.
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"Jumper," DVD-2008 ($29.99, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment) Also available in 2-Disc Special Edition and Blu-ray. 

The premise here is enticing:  There are, among us, people who possess the ability to instantly transport themselves from one place to another. 

The execution, while entertaining, doesn't live up to expectations. 

Our hero, David Rice (Hayden Christensen) accidentally discovers his unique talent as a teenager and uses it to escape a dreary life and to enrich himself by robbing banks.  It's easy enough when one can instantly appear inside a bank vault, scoop up the cash, and leave just as quickly.

David is leading the high life: partying in London by night; surfing in Fiji the next morning: picnicking at the Pyramids that afternoon.  But, it can't last.  Otherwise, this would be a travelogue, not an action movie.  What's needed is a little conflict.   

And, conflict is lurking in the person of Roland (a white-haired Samuel L. Jackson), one of a mysterious group of assassins called paladins who hunt down and eliminate jumpers like David.  Why?  Because they can. 

Actually, when David asks Roland that very question, he's told that it's because he will inevitably do something bad.  Maybe the paladins, like Nic Cage's character in "Next" can see the future.  Maybe we'll find out in the inevitable sequel.  (The way this thing ends almost screams sequel.)

And the chase is on.  And stays on until the end.  Along the way, David hooks up with Griffin (Jamie Bell), another jumper who schools him in escape and evasion, and his high school dream girl Millie (Rachel Bilson), who always wanted to travel to exotic locations.  Lucky girl!

The plot is thin, but the action's intense.  The characters are superficial, but the lead actors are attractive, especially Bilson, and the acting is serviceable.  It's a lite summer snack: tasty enough but not too filling. 

Military.com Rating: ** ½

(DVD extras: The standard edition reviewed is barebones.) 
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"Army Wives: The Complete First Season," DVD-2008 ($39.99, Lifetime/Buena Vista Home Entertainment)

All thirteen episodes (on three discs) of this drama about Army wives during a time of war arrive on DVD this week.  Produced by "Grey's Anatomy" executive producer Mark Gordon, "Army Wives" features plenty of romance, attractive stars, and storylines snatched from the headlines. 

The program follows raucous and impetuous Roxy (Sally Pressman) as she weds Pfc. Trevor LeBlanc and moves with her two children to Ft. Marshall, a fictional post in South Carolina.  There she meets and bonds with a group of Army wives—and one husband— including Claudia Joy (Kim Delaney), Pamela (Brigid Brannagh), Denise (Catherine Bell), and Roland (Sterling Brown).  Bell, Delaney, Pressman, and Brannagh are all excellent. 

Among the issues explored are war-time deployments, physical abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adultery.  The narrative can be melodramatic at times and the outcomes predictable, but "Army Wives" is a rare and basically honest effort to tell the stories of that small minority of American families who are bearing the burden of the Global War on Terror.  That alone makes it worth watching. 

The season's final episode is a cliffhanger and ends with a hostage situation at a local bar.  Fortunately, the ratings have been solid—it was the highest rated premiere in cable network Lifetime's 23-year history—and the show has been renewed for a second, nineteen-episode season starting June 8, 2008, on Lifetime. 

Military.com Rating: ***

(DVD extras include a Q&A session with the cast; episode commentary from director Ben Younger, actors Kim Delaney and Katherine Bell, and more; real Army wives telling their stories of life in the service; bloopers, outtakes, and deleted scenes; and more.)
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"Hawaii Five-0: The Fourth Season," DVD-2008 ($49.99, CBS DVD/Paramount Studios Home Entertainment)

For twelve years (1968 until 1980) and 278 episodes, when there was trouble in paradise, you could be sure that Steve McGarrett and his Hawaii Five-0 officers were on the case. 

McGarrett (Jack Lord), a former Navy officer, heads the fictional statewide police agency that spends much of its time chasing international spies—the deadly Chinese agent Wo Fat (Kheigh Dheigh) is a recurring nemesis—organized crime figures, and the other dangerous criminals who inhabit paradise.

McGarrett, hard-nosed and no-nonsense, is ably assisted by officers Danny Williams (James MacArthur), Chin Ho Kelly (Kam Fong), and Kono Kalakaua (Zulu). 

Filmed on location in Honolulu and around Oahu, the series benefits from exotic scenery, solid acting, straight-forward story-telling, and plenty of action. 

A Nielsen fixture, the show was nominated for five Emmys and won two.  "TV Guide" recently listed McGarrett as #9 in a survey of favorite television detectives.  The show's catchy theme song, composed by Morton Stevens and recorded by The Ventures, rose to #4 on the "Billboard" chart and is the unofficial fight song of the University of Hawai'i. 

"The Fourth Season" includes all 24 episodes on six discs. 

Military.com Rating: ***

(DVD extras include episode promos.)
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"Home Improvement: The Complete Eighth Season," DVD-2008 ($23.99, Buena Vista Home Entertainment)

The eighth and final season of one of television's most popular comedies—28 episodes on 4 discs--arrives on DVD this week. 

Through eight seasons and 204 episodes, Tim "The Toolman" Taylor (Tim Allen) kept us watching and laughing.  Tim, of course, is the lovable, accident-prone host of "Tool Time," a home improvement show on local television in Detroit. 

The program centers on Tim's adventures and misadventures on the job with nerdy side-kick Al Borland (Richard Karn) and at home with wife Jill (Patricia Richardson) and sons Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and Mark (Taran Noah Smith).  Next-door neighbor Wilson (Earl Hindman) could always be counted on for sage advice when Tim found himself in a quandary—which was habitual. 

The series was never out of the Nielsen Top 10 and was rated #1 for the 1993-94 season.  Allen won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series and the show won seven Emmys. 

In the final season, Tim quits "Tool Time" and the family prepares to sell their home and move to Indiana for Jill's new job.  Guest stars include Oprah Winfrey and former race car driver Mario Andretti.  The Toolman will be missed.  Military.com

Rating: ***

(DVD extras include a blooper reel and a reunion special: "Tim Allen Presents: The Home Improvement User's Guide.")
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DVD Picks & Pans Smorgasbord Ratings Guide
* Have the Rolaids handy
** Two words: fast food
*** Tasty
**** Succulent

Copyright 2009 by Tom Miller