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117 of 120 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Grrrr.. These are not full "episodes"; they're snippets., November 2, 2000
I've been a huge Bean fan for years, and it was an easy decision to buy this DVD based on the description. I did my best to put on his homeroom sketch for my high school talent show, and almost got it approved, but anyway, that's another story. Mr. Bean is indeed an instant classic, and even if you think you hate British comedy, this will probably win you over anyway. However, beware that you are NOT purchasing 11 full "episodes". You are purchasing a single flashback episode that flashes back to 11 short selections from Bean episodes. If you dont believe me, note that the total running time is 77 minutes. Subtract the movie trailers, the credits, the intro, and what you have is about an hour of footage, about half of which is the filler between flashbacks. Now, it is quite hysterical filler about Mr Bean rummaging through his attic and playing with his teddy, but it's still filler, and it's still a flashback episode. If you hate flashback episodes then dont bother. To paint by numbers, the episode "Mr Bean Helps a Street Performer" is about 1 minute and 5 seconds long. Most of the episodes are around 2-5 minutes long. Now, multiply that by 11 episodes, and you have about 40 minutes or less of old Mr Bean highlights for the price of a full DVD. If you ask me, you're money is better spent on Monty Python episodes, or for that matter, the Rowan Atkinson Live tape!
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37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wait for the complete series on DVD, May 11, 2002
Don't get me wrong, the footage is 5 stars - hilarious, being made up of skits from the BBC sitcom, "Mr. Bean", starring the brilliant Rowan Atkinson, but it is just a compilation. True fans will save their money for the complete series on DVD. Well, we have Blackadder, now where is Mr. Bean and "The Thin Blue Line" on DVD? Bean is completely opposite of Blackadder and Thin Blue Line in that as Bean, Rowan is all but mute and completely relies on physical comedy, where as in Blackadder (as Edmund) and Thin Blue line (as Inspector Fowler) Rowan talks his head off and the main source of comedy is in the dialogue, although physical comedy is not absent by any means. Those who only know Rowan for being Bean may be shocked when they see Blackadder or Blue line for the first time because of the drastic character change, but trust me he's just as funny with words as he is with physical action. "The Best Bits of Mr. Bean" is fine for a rental or for an extremely casual fan, but bigger fans of Rowan and Bean are still waiting for the complete series on DVD. I can highly recommend the Blackadder 5 disc DVD set, which contains all 4 series (24 episodes), a reunion special, and other goodies (read my review of that item for much more detail) but I recommend saving your money for the complete "Mr. Bean" series. The BBC series' "Mr. Bean" and "The Thin Blue Line" are essential comedy and I can't wait until they are represented as well as the brilliantly hilarious "Blackadder" series.
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarity from Mr. Bean, September 15, 2007
"The Best of Mr. Bean" contains short vignettes about the happenings in Mr. Bean's life, whether it is a trip to Harrod's at Christmas time, or his birthday, New Year's Eve, after holiday sales, the horror film, church, a trip to the beach or park, a visit from Royalty, and more.
Some of the quirkiness you come to associate with Mr. Bean is just that; it's what makes him tick.
The humor is sometimes pratfall but also intelligent as well. On the other hand, there is a darker side to Mr. Bean that you may not recognize until you see it, so be forewarned, it could be misconstrued. Personally, I felt a bit saddened by some of this darker side, but usually Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) adds just a bit extra that doesn't leave you feeling put out.
There is some adult humor but children will recognize this; for example, the thumb caught in the fly of the pants; there are few if any other double-entendres that would cause parents to be concerned.
I would rate this humor as PG or PG-13, because there is one scene of rear nudity that discerning parents may want their children to miss.
All in all, a funny DVD that has its best moments interspersed with slower parts; sometimes predictable, but classic bits just the same.
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