Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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99 of 106 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Akin to reading a Great book that is Impossible to put down, July 25, 2007
In the Fall of 1994, ABC premiered what Entertainment Weekly would eventual hail as "the greatest cancelled television series of all time." Airing for a total of 19-episodes, with the final installment airing February of 1995, "My So Called Life" not only jump-started the careers of Claire Danes and Jared Leto, but garnered young Danes a Golden Globe for her performance (she was the youngest actress to receive the honor). Years after the show was cancelled ABC regretting their decision by trying to make lightening strike twice by producing similar series, yet ultimately known of them would garner the acclaim or magic of MSCL. Eventually TV Guide would call the series "the sixth best cult show of all time."
The premise of the show is simple enough, but yet complex enough to make it unique. Premiering in 1994, right at the emergence of the teen-soap genre MSCL was a breath of fresh-air. Unlike "Beverly Hills 90210" and latter "Dawson's Creek," this series was grounded in reality. Instead of glorifying every teenage rite-of-passage for film, the series seems to gloss over these moments in favor of the emotional outburst they produce: much like real life. Many people don't remembers every detail or their prom, first kiss, and first independent car ride? Yet they remember exactly how they felt, and MSCL capitalized on these moments.
The show follows 14-year-old Angela as she tries to ultimately survive not only her freshman year of high school, but the highs (and lows) or first love, as well as becoming her own independent self - separated from the person she tried to be for other people in Middle School. High School is a turbulent time for anyone from the Jocks to the Brains to the Leadership to the Outsiders. Everyone has their ups and downs, just like Angela. But she makes it harder on herself, and yet easier by befriending two outsiders, when she had always been part of the `in-crowd.' The audience follows Angela's transition from quiet wall-flower to her beginning to emerge from her cocoon sometime towards the end of her first year of high school.
While on the outside the show may seems like another "90210"/"The OC" teen-soap, but it really isn't. This is a rich, emotional, and movie relationship-drama that once it gets your hooks into you, you cannot stop watching. Unlike most shows of its genre its realistic and each of the major characters represents a person you probably knew in high school. Yet, they probably weren't the most popular kids. They were the kids you were friends with, hung out with, the ones you actually knew. It is a downright disgrace that ABC only allowed this series 19 episodes. More than almost any other show I've ever watched I would have loved to watch these character bloom into full-grown adults through their high school (and possibly college years).
But what we are ultimately are given is just this one 8-month snap-shot into these characters lives. But this could ultimately make this show the masterpiece that it really is. There was no room for it go downhill, no room for error. And forever it will be remembered. It has been years since my sister and I sat up all night long one weekend watching horrible copies of these episodes on VHS, and I cannot wait for Halloween, when I will finally have a chance to watch them on DVD, almost anew.
This incredibly comprehensive box set includes all 19 episodes uncut (in their ORIGINAL full-screen presentation) on 6 discs. The special features so far include: Interviews with Edward Zwick/Marshall Herskovitz/Winnie Holzman (creator/producers), Todd Holland/Jason Katism/Scott Winant (Directors), Wilson Cruz/Paul Dooley/Devon Gummersall (cast); Audio Commentaries on "the pilot," "Life of Brian," "So-Called Angels," as well as additional episodes; Deleted Scenes; Promos' Book with tridutes from Joss Whedon, Winnie Holzman, and Janeane Garofalo; and more.
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58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We had a time--didn't we. Didn't we have a time., October 30, 2007
"Okay, so maybe he's bi. Who cares? His cousin can still DRIVE."
MSCL is full of best-line-ever-lines like that. It is the only show that forever changed the way words arrange themselves in my head, which I guess kinda makes Holzman (et al) the Joyce of network television.
The series finale, ep 19, aired on my 12th birthday--meaning, this show has shaped half of my life. The amazing thing about MSCL is how much it grows up with you, even though, obviously, the episodes are the exact same 19 episodes they always were. The writing and acting is so layered, complex and rich that the show affords new meanings and interpretations, even as its viewers "grow up."
I owned the previous DVD box set, and this one is a major improvement for several reasons:
1) Six episodes have commentary w/writers and actors, including Claire Danes in "Self-Esteem," Devon Gummersall in "Life of Brian," and (my favorite) Wilson Cruz in "My So-Called Christmas."
2) Extras DVD with cast and a making-of/retrospective featurette, and interviews w/Danes and Holzman.
3) Great 36-pg book, lovingly made, with episode liner notes, song lyrics, letters, and other wonderful memorabilia. Includes notes from Holzman and an essay by Janeane Garofalo.
4) Much better title screen/menu, both aestically and functionally. Each disc opens with a 20-sec famous clip ("I'm in love/His name is Jordan Catalano..." for disc one; Angela's "Can you please just explain geometry to me?" plea to Brian for disc 4)
5) Much better, more streamlined packaging overall.
NOTE: I can't comment on image quality between this DVD set and the 2003 one. I watched both on an HDTV w/progressive scan DVD player, and both looked beautiful to me. I have no idea if this DVD set is supposed to look better or enhanced in some way from the previous version--basically, it looks and sounds great.
Buy one for yourself and for everyone you know. Even if they're 12. They'll need it.
In closing, "Two words: Ti-no."
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is, like, one of the best TV shows ever., August 10, 2007
I agree with the other reviewers who described "My So-called Life" to be a realistic portrayal of teenage life in the early 1990's. The program premiered when I was a sophomore in high school, and I could completely relate to the character of Angela Chase, who was portrayed so poignantly by Claire Danes. Angela was the quintessential teenage girl, and I remember watching the show and reciting Angela's lines along with her, even though I'd never seen the episodes before. Everything about the show was incredibly realistic by television's standards, and Angela's problems were so similar to the issues other young girls deal with: relating with parents, fighting with siblings, having secret crushes and offbeat friends. Back in high school, I dyed my hair red just like Angela...I even related to her character's clothes: I was all about flannel shirts back in those days! (I don't think I said "like" as much as Angela did, though, but most teens used to talk that way, and still do!) When the show was canceled after only 19 episodes, I was devastated. To this day, I do not understand why more viewers didn't tune in to watch this amazing program.
Anyway, I am so excited that "My So-Called Life" is being re-released on DVD. The first DVD set was ridiculously expensive and was discontinued after a very short time. This new set is much more affordable at just under $50, and it also contains numerous bonus features, including an interview with Claire Danes. The DVD set also comes with a collectible booklet that contains full-color photos and production notes about the show.
I can't wait to own a copy of this amazing series, and I hope that a new generation of teenage girls discovers all that "My So-Called Life" has to offer.
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