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Red Dwarf - Series 2
Episodes:
“Kryten”, “Better Than Life”, “Thanks For The Memory”, “Stasis
Leak”, “Queeg”, “Parallel Universe”
Stars:
Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Norman Lovett
Guest
Stars: Matt MacDonald, David Ross, Dona DiStephano, Mark Williams, Charles
Augins, Hattie Hayridge, Suzanne Bertish, and Angel Bruce,
Writers:
Rob Grant and Doug Naylor
Producer/Director:
Ed Bye
Executive
Producer: Paul Jackson
Feature
length: 176 minutes
Extras:
Cast Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Original BBC Trailer, “Red Dwarf
A-Z” Documentary, Doug Naylor Interview, Alternative Personalities Featurette,
Tongue-Tied Uncut Music Video, Special Effects Footage, Isolated Music Cues,
Audio Book Chapters, Photo Gallery, Web Link
Languages:
English Stereo
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions
Packaging:
Two-Disc Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 6 Per Episode/36 Total
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of Television Broadcast: 1988/DVD Release: 2003
Broadcast
Network: BBC-2
Home
Video Distributor: BBC Video Through Warner Home Video
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
The
misadventures of the crew of the mining vessel Red Dwarf making their
three million year trek back to Earth continue on DVD with BBC-Video’s “Red
Dwarf II: The Original Series Two: 2-Disc Set.”
Learning
that series two was green lighted while still producing series one, the
production team of “Red Dwarf” worked hard to correct anything they felt
they were unable to accomplish in the first series and tried to bring the
production value of the show up by introducing a new character that would become
a series regular in the third series as well as shooting on location and
building more ships and backgrounds for more effects shots. As a result the
series would begin to make the crossover from international cult phenomenon to
one of the most successful mixes of sci-fi, comedy, and even drama the BBC has
ever produced.
The
region one DVD release of “Red Dwarf II: The Original Series Two: 2-Disc
Set” is also one of the best DVD-Video releases to make the transition across
the pond from BBC Video and holds up pretty good against many American domestic
releases too. All six series two episodes are presented in their original
(1.33:1) broadcast aspect ratios as they originally aired and not enhanced with
needless CGI as some of the later repeats of the earlier series have been
presented. The quality is quite good for an analogue videotaped show from 1988.
There is a slight bit of artifacts in the resolution, but overall I think these
definitely look a lot better than the PBS broadcasts I saw in the mid 1990s.
Clear digital quality English Stereo Sound is provided with optional English
Captions and Closed Captions for the hearing impaired encoded onto the dual
layered disc. There is a humorous cast commentary for all six series two
episodes as well and one can sense the great fun they had making the series here
too. All six shows can be viewed individually or as one reel. These commentaries
are supported by the “Ten Year Anniversary” documentary “Red Dwarf A-Z”
(29:59) with videotaped interviews with the series cast and the creative
behind-the-scenes team as well as clips from episodes taken from the eight
series that have been produced so far. Guest interviews by “Red Dwarf”
admirers include Stephen Hawking and Patrick Stewart.
This is supported by a new interview with Red Dwarf Writer Doug Naylor
(17:05) and another cast featurette entitled “Alternate Personalities”
(3:20).
Other
extra features include a reel of deleted and alternate scenes from series two
(18:14), outtakes under heading “Smeg Ups” (6:33), the original BBC Series
Two Trailer (: 35), raw motion control special effects footage from series two
(4:15), Chris Barrie reading two-chapter selections from the “Red Dwarf”
audio book “Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers,” a web link to the “Red
Dwarf” website, and a gallery of photos as well as home video cover art from
the US, UK, and Australia.
Isolated
music cues that can be listened to collectively or individually are also
provided and include “Main Theme Song,” “”Opening Theme,” and
exclusive to this edition are music cues for the “Tongue Tied Song,” and
“High Noon.” In addition the complete and uncut “Tongue Tied” music
video like sequence (3:31) is also included among the extra features.
There’s
an additional animated featurette Easter egg (2:28) on disc one with creative
team members behind the series discussing the impact “Red Dwarf: Series II.”
Just highlight the watch on the console and you will be lead to an animated
transition where you will see “Holly’s Holly Hop Drive” and press enter on
your remote.
The
menus are beautifully animated with full motion transitions and moving scene
selections and all of the interactive menus on both discs are easy to navigate.
A 12-page insert with notes on each episode, series background, and anecdotes is
included within the single disc sized two-disc DVD keep case along with a “Red
Dwarf” merchandise advertisement and some “Red Dwarf II” character cards
sealed in plastic. Watching series two I began to notice aspects from the show
that some other sci-fi series appear to have emulated from shows as diverse as
“Futurama” and “Farscape.”
Overall
this is another fine DVD release and a must for fans of the show. “Red Dwarf
II: The Original Series Two: 2-Disc Set” is available on DVD-Video now.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Red Dwarf - Series 2