Product Details

• Actors: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari
• Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: September 4, 2012
• Run Time: 474 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (137 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0053O8ACS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,088 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After languishing for three seasons in the shadow of the similar and more successful mockumentary series The Office, Parks and Recreation steps out on its own in the fourth season by taking a page from its better-known predecessor's playbook--namely, a combination of strong writing, an exceptional ensemble cast, and carefully chosen moments of genuine warmth and feeling. Part of the season's success must also be attributed to a solid central story arc--Leslie (Amy Poehler) Knope's run for the Pawnee city council--that also provides a structural hub for the many secondary storylines afforded to the large cast. The arc helps to ground Poehler's character, finally elevating her from a hapless Michael Scott carbon to an underdog whose goal of improving her standing is often challenged by the wide variety of extreme personalities in her orbit. Her biggest obstacle of the season is her council-race opponent, the overly confident but woefully unqualified Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd), who expects to coast to victory on his family wealth and superficial appeal. Leslie's attempts to manage her campaign while contending with a new romantic relationship with Adam Scott's Ben Wyatt and her parks and recreation staff, which have signed on as her campaign team, are told in smart, funny strokes that avoid the occasional buffoonery of past seasons and give Poehler a terrific showcase for her numerous talents (including directing an episode, "The Debate"). The supporting players also enjoy their own quality storylines this season, most notably Aziz Ansari's Tom Haverford, whose entertainment company crashes and burns in spectacular fashion, and Nick Offerman's Ron Swanson, who contends with not one but two ex-wives--both named Tammy--with designs on controlling his life. There are also an array of excellent guest turns, most notably Patricia Clarkson and Megan Mullally (Offerman's real-life spouse) as the Tammys, as well as Louis C.K. as Leslie's lovelorn ex-boyfriend. All of these factors contribute to a breakout season for a series that has in many ways supplanted The Office as one of the best workplace ensemble comedies on television. The four-disc set of season four includes all 22 episodes, as well as extended cuts on four episodes, including Poehler's director's cut for "The Debate." A slew of deleted and alternate scenes provide a look at the improvisational work that goes into many episodes, while an uncensored gag reel highlights some impressively colorful flubs. The Swanson Zone focuses on Ron's defiantly libertarian and occasionally bizarre worldview, while Road Trip allows supporting players Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza to step into the spotlight for a quartet of vignettes that follow their misadventures on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Leslie's campaign ads and several amusing promotional videos round out the supplemental features. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

Four-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation) returns for the hilarious fourth season of Parks and Recreation. The ever-enthusiastic Leslie Knope (Poehler) has her sights set on the City Council, but political campaigns are never easy - Leslie must deal with shady journalists, a deep-pocketed opponent (guest star Paul Rudd), bus accidents, and even a still-smitten old flame in her quest to serve her beloved hometown. This Peabody Award-winning season features "TV's funniest ensemble cast" (Entertainment Weekly) and phenomenal guest stars including Rudd (Knocked Up), Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) and Louis C.K. (Louie). Catch all 22 episodes uninterrupted and commercial free, from Primetime Emmy Award winners Greg Daniels (The Office, The Simpsons) and Michael Schur (The Office, Saturday Night Live).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Comedies on Television June 3, 2012

By T. A. Daniel TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Who would have thought 3 years ago that Parks and Recreation would one day be better than The Office? To anyone who has seen Seasons 2 or 3 of Parks and Recreation, this shouldn't be a surprise; this show is one of the best comedies on air right now.

And Season 4 does not disappoint.

At the end of Season 3, Leslie Knope is asked to run for public office with city council elections on the horizon. The first episode of Season 4 picks this thread up directly: the crux of this season centers around Leslie running for office. Unlike previous seasons, this one has a very real and cogent through-line; every episode advances this storyline to some degree. While some of these episodes are serialized in nature, they also do stand alone as fantastic episodes of television. The writing on this show involves a great mixture of wit, awkwardness, absurdity, and sentiment. While many of us were worried that the budding romance between Leslie and Ben would be cheesy and boring (e.g., Pam and Jim,) the writers don't drop the ball.

With all of this said, I don't feel like Season 4 was quite as good as the previous two seasons. This put off many long-time fans, but even with the slight decrease in quality, this season was still head and shoulders above most of today's television. If you are a newcomer to the series, I would recommend starting from the beginning; not necessarily because you will miss too much of the story, but because the earlier seasons are just as funny (and sometimes funnier) than this one. If, however, you have watched the previous seasons of Parks and Rec, Season 4 is worthy of your time, energy, and money.

Recommended for fans of: The Office, Community, Arrested Development....

Particular highpoints of the season:
Episode 2: Ron and Tammys (hilarious finale involving moonshine and Ron Swanson)
Episode 15: Dave Returns (features the return of the awkward cop played by Louis C.K.)
Episode 19: The Debate (the epic showdown between Ms. Knope and her opponent, Bobby Newport Jr.)
Episode 21: Win, Lose or Draw (the satisfying conclusion to the campaign and the season) Read more ›

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BURT MACKLIN, FBI! July 5, 2012

By GOB

Format:DVD

Parks and Rec is always hilarious, everyone knows that. Between the great Ron Swanson, Leslie, Andy, and every other character on the show, Parks is one of the finest comedies currently on television. Season four showed no drop in quality whatsoever. And on top of all of the brilliant comedy, it also had some very touching emotional moments that are hard to forget. I love this show!!

And how can I forget to mention Paul Rudd's fantastic performance as Bobby Newport Jr! The guy was hilarious and I predict a best guest actor in a comedy Emmy nod for him!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Was already excited - this video sealed that. September 3, 2011

By Megan @ Book Brats

Amazon Verified Purchase

I only got into Parks and Recreation over the summer, but I devoured three seasons worth of episodes on 10 days. That's how awesome this show is. Of course when I saw this preview up on Amazon for download, I clicked and watched. My excitement level went from "So excited!" to "Oh my God I need to go celebrate this awesomeness at the Snakehole Lounge like right now."

If you haven't watched Parks and Recreation yet, you should really rethink your choices in life because by not watching this show you're probably depriving your funny bone of one of the best medicines it could ever have. And once you're done with season 3, watch this and prepare yourself for season 4. Trust me, I wouldn't lead you astray. If I wanted to do that, I'd tell you to watch Two and a Half Men and cringe through it.

Parks and Recreation is one of the funniest shows on television, hands down, and this preview does not disappoint.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite shows on TV March 1, 2013

By Coaster Pal

Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase

Amy and the entire ensemble (and the writers) continue to bring consistently funny performances and dialogue to the TV comedy world. I hope this show runs for another 10 years--at least. It manages to surprise me and make me laugh out loud, and that's rare in TV comedy these days.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This show is hilarious February 18, 2013

By Rob Houbeck

Format:Amazon Instant Video

I don't know how I never watched this from the beginning on television. All the characters are funny and the show just works. Do yourself a favor and watch all of the seasons.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very funny February 10, 2013

By susan hartridge

Format:Amazon Instant Video

I laugh out loud at least once every episode. I like the nuances of all the characters and how they are represented

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars gotta love it February 10, 2013

By Janis Hendler

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Parks and Rec" is not for those expecting entertainment arising from realistic situations, but for those who appreciate and enjoy semi-realistic relationships set against ridiculous situations. Maybe there are towns like Pawnee scattered all across the nation; maybe not. But love and friendship surmount the silliness of government wall murals depicting women getting punched and Native Americans being butchered. If you're looking for p.c., it ain't here; but hasn't escapism always been a strong basis for humor, especially in economically challenged times?

The acting in this implausibly wonderful series is damn near flawless. There are times a viewer might wish the characters weren't quite so obtuse, but you love 'em anyway. You can't help but root for the romances (although Tom and Anne are definitely pushing it) and be frustrated by the tribulations. This is, plain and simply, TV comedy at its best.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Always fun! December 17, 2012

By Julie

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm hooked on this show. Always funny, clever and quick. I look forward to Season Five! 4 more words required.