Customer Reviews

Cowboy Bebop Remix, Volume 2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is (also) a review of the REMIX VERSIONS. I won't go into the awesomeness of Cowboy Bebop other than to say that it is the best anime series ever, I'd even call it one of the best television shows ever!

While it has been universally noted on various postings about the remix versions that the sound is significantly better than the original sessions, there are multiple varying reviews on the PICTURE QUALITY. Some say there is no difference at all, some say it's a bit better, some say it's a lot better, all say they have "checked" both versions. Well, I took it a step further. I watched both versions side by side on an Avid Nitris Professional video editing system with high definition high resolution (HDHR) monitors and here is the DEFINITIVE ANSWER. There is a difference, they lightened it and did a very slight color correction. Basically, the old versions were a bit dark and some of the detail went unnoticed while the remix versions are lighter and there is more visible detail and color. In terms of viewing expeirience this means that a majority of the scenes look noticibly (if marginally) better. There are certain scenes, however, where the lightness works against it. Some of the more noirish scenes look a bit bleedy. Overall I would say that there is a difference in video quality and that the difference is mostly an improvement. But, even to the die hard fan the difference is negligible.

If you don't own the originals, if they're scratched, if you're a huge fan, if you have an awesome theatre system with good surround, or if you have a crappy small tv and can't see the detail in the image, GET THE REMIX. If not, while they are cool, they're not worth the $30 a pop.

The 5.1 remastering of this classic and iconic series continues. The sound is great, but the picture pretty much looks the same as the original release so there's no sense in investing in the remixes unless you have a home theater system. Spike, Jet, and the ever curvaceous Faye Valentine are up to their ears in trouble in these 5 episodes. First off, Spike investigates a bounty who has been killed by a wheel-chair bound vegetable and the mysterious harmonica playing child who seems to be his nurse. In "Heavy Metal Queen" composer Yoko Kanno ratchets up the 80s hair band rock as the Bebop crew gets help from a muscular space trucker woman who hates cowboys and whose affinities for music go back a couple of hundred years. "Waltz for Venus" is probably the weakest of the episodes because it features a sniveling loser who wants to be just like Spike when he grows up....actually, he's already grown. Get a life. Radical Edward, hacker genius, joins the crew in the ninth episode, and it's about time. She's been following the exploits of the crew for some time, or rather their failures, and she offers her services when the crew encounters a sentient defense satellite involved in illegal activities. The last episode centers on Jet as he pays a call on an old girlfriend trying to run from her debts to some very bad people.

Bebop is one of the greatest sci-fi series, bar none, and goes beyond the realms of anime. I would say it even leaves Star Wars in the dirt! The realism of the characters is what gives it charm. They can be pushy, lazy, brave, cowardly, and caring for each other (even though they won't admit it). What series wouldn't be funny when the dog, Ein, is really the smartest one of the whole crew. Even though he can't talk, some of his reaction shots are hilarious in a Charlie Chaplin sort of way. The dub on this show is the greatest and outstrips the Japanese track hands down. I NEVER listen to English dubs, EXCEPT for Bebop. Once again, the music of Yoko Kanno blends in with the animation and shows why she is the greatest living composer of music on the planet! This is the perfect show to introduce any reluctant friends to the world of anime.

The only extra here is a boring episode commentary by the English voice actor of Faye and an ADR producer. Dull stuff.

i love cowboy bebop. the improvements on this series make it more enjoyable as well.

Cowboy Bebop Remix Volume 2 includes the sixth through tenth episodes of the series. During these episodes, we are introduced to Edward (a tomboy genius computer hacker), and we also start seeing some of the characters' back stories.

The only "real" DVD extra on this disc is a commentary on the episode "Ganymede Elegy"; providing the commentary are Wendee Lee (the American voice actor for Faye Valentine) and Yutaka Maseba (the English ADR Director). I have to say I was disappointed that this was the only true extra included on this release. I wish they could have included interviews with various cast members about the particular episodes on this disc. I just feel that this release was only given "bare bones" for extras, and that providing one or two more special features would have improved this release greatly.

This second disc in the series presents another quality effort, with very good graphics, a considerable amount of humor and some outstanding music. There is a clear parallelism with the first session, in terms of the first few episodes being a stand-alone product, then introducing a new character in the fourth and finally exploring the past of a character in the fifth. Faye Valentine, the hard-headed tomboy has already established herself as part of the gang, as has Ein, the dog. In this disc, we find Radical Ed, a hacker kid that brings some silly humor to the table, together with some smart use of technology. In the final episode things once again get serious and we witness Jet Black going back to his hometown (read that as planet) with Spike and the rest of the crew. Here, he will find a former lover and old wounds will bleed once more.

This is a highly enjoyable series, and it has some of the best music around. In this case, we get to experience from blues to heavy metal, and the songs always fit the mood of the scene to perfection. In terms of the Extras, the disc includes some interesting interviews, especially the one in which Kawamori explains the theory behind space travel as portrayed in the series. This new remix version has a very good video quality and breathtaking audio. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and newbies should seriously consider jumping right in!

Cowboy Bebop is great (as i said b4 in the first review), and i couldn't help getting no.2. So far it surpasses the first. THe best episode is definitly "Ballad of the Fallen Angels" which may well be the best ever, and Ed's episode is great too. SF is ok, but the first was better.

I've recently bought the whole set of the cowboy bebop series which i couldnt get complete until now but big dissapointement the 2 dvd didnt have the sleve that the other 5 had. I dont know why, but anyway, the series look much better and sounds better...a total 10% excellente!!!!! adios amigos

This DVD collection is great. I know great, I have seen more movies than you, and know more than you. I'm also in a band. Anyway, I love this show, and you will too, if you know anything about anything. Fav episode, 'Pierre Le Fou'.

high fives world wide.