Customer Reviews

Sealab 2021 - Season 1

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

If you stay awake long enough to catch Adult Swim on Cartoon Network Sunday nights (starts around 10:30 p.m. CST, my old time zone- now I'm on the east coast, and everything starts an hour later), check out "Sealab 2021". It's a spoof off the old 1972 cartoon "Sealab 2020", except that the original '72 crew has been replaced by a bunch of lunatics who probably shouldn't be allowed out of doors. Perhaps that's why they've been confined to an underwater lab where they can't hurt anybody (well, almost anybody). We loyal fans have long awaited Adult Swim gems to come on DVD, and with "Sealab 2021", you get the following eppys:

*I, ROBOT- News of a monkey whose brain has been implanted in a robot prompts the crew to have a long-winded "discussion" about the fate of their own brains.

*HAPPYCAKE- Captain Murphy is devestated to find his beloved Happy Cake Oven is missing, and orders the crew, along with a Jacques Cousteau-like narrator, to search the waters for it. Meanwhile, a giant squid endangers the life of the crew; or as the narrator sees it, "uses it's tentacles to cradle me like a Mother's arms".

*RADIO FREE SEALAB- Captain Murphy is bored and decides to use the lab's emergency radio beacon for a pirate radio station, starring as "Howling Mad" Murphy.

*CHICKMATE- Debbie questions the male crewmembers to see who will make the best Father for the baby she wants immediately, and Stormy almost learns a valuable lesson in race relations.

*LOST IN TIME- Bizarre episode in which Stormy and Dr. Quinn are mysteriously transported 15 minutes back in time to save Sealab from an explosion- even though the same explosion happens again, starting the vicious cycle all over again.

*PREDATOR- There's an invisible yet shimmery ghoul aboard Sealab that has the crew cowering in the corners. It's up to Dr. Quinn (with Dolphin Boy as bait) to capture the fiend.

*LITTLE ORPHAN ANGRY- Griffin, a terminally ill orphan, comes aboard Sealab to live out his dream. But Griffin's heart is not as pure as everyone thinks. Meanwhile, Capt. Murphy morphs into a germ-a-phobe freak as he fears a Bubonic Plague outbreak.

*WAKING QUINN- The eppy is a bit hard to follow- Stormy wants to show Dr. Quinn his new hairdryer while Quinn is in the water- yes, Dr. Quinn is electrocuted and bizarre happenings are afoot.

*ALL THAT JAZZ- In one of the funniest episodes, Capt. Murphy gets trapped underneath the BeBop Cola machine. Unfortunately for him, everyone else is at a concert. A year transpires before he is found, and in that time he loses all his teeth and becomes addicted to scorpion venom.

*MURPHY MURPH AND THE FENG SHUI BUNCH- This is my all-time fave eppy. Capt. Muprhy is dissatisfied with the disharmoy of the Sealab decor. He hires an extortionate Feng Shui "master" to redecorate everything- but "Master Loo" is a con artist who convinces the crew to buy his crap oragami and persuades Murphy to spend $50,000 on a solid gold toilet. Ofcourse, only Dr. Quinn sees through him.

*IN THE CLOSET- Capt. Murphy gets everyone stlocked in a closet, and tempers begin to flare.

*STIMUTACS- The ver witty Sparks has come up with a new drug that everyone wants,but the side effects are grotesque- and additctive.

*SWIMMING IN OBLIVION- A compliation of past episodes dominates this season finaale, including the informercials for the "Debbie Gone Wild!" DVD's.

Some of Sealab's best episodes were in it's first season, and thankfully they're all here.

Sealab 2021, what a great show. Finally going to be released on DVD. This version is a little short though. It's only 156 minutes long. There are 13 episodes on this version. This show is really funny and you'll be laughing all the way through it. Being a fan of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost, and other cartoon network DVD's I bet this one is going to be good too.

Below is a list of the episodes on this Season 1 DVD(s) of Sealab 2021.
1- I, Robot
2- Happycake
3- Radio Free Sealab
4- Chickmate
5- Lost In Time
6- Predator
7- Little Orphan Angry
8- Waking Quinn
9- All That Jazz
10- Murphy Murph And the Feng Shui Bunch
11- In the Closet
12- Stimutacs
13- Swimming In Oblivion

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Pitch Pilot
I, Robot- Alternate Ending
Radio Free Sealab Uncensored
Little Orphan Angry (Deleted Scenes)

Incredibly funny show. Some of us older folks might remeber the origional show, sealab 2020, quite possibly THE worst cartoon ever made. Belive you me, 2021 is nothing like its counterpart.

2021 starts off by using old animations from the origional, and redubbing it with a VERY talented set of voice actors, including Ellis Henican, writer for New York Newsday, Erik Estrada, and of course the legend himself, Harry Goz(Fiddler on the roof, chess, many other stage productions. R.I.P.

Abstract humor fueled with social commentary and references to many many classic movies and shows(after watching all that jazz, check out disneys "Black hole" and look for the "toaster looking" robot who tries to help the trapped captin)

The dvd itself is good, but perhaps a bit lacking on features, but for purists like me, im buying the disc for the show, not the dvd extras. The pitch pilot is a must see. The show is a 5/5, but the disc i'd say maybe 4/5. The lack of extra's is due to how AdultSwim is marketing the disc. If you remember ATHF vol1 had few extras as they wanted to see how well it sold before going extra crazy, like they did with vol2. I'd expect the same for Sealab vol2.

Highly recommended to fans of the simpsons, Family Guy and Futurama.

Oh and for people who write reviews without any knowledge of the show, Yeah, there are 38+ episodes(newest season is still airing),not only about a dozen

Part of the early wave of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, Sealab 2021 spoofs the campy sci-fi cartoons of the 60's and 70's as we are introduced to Captain Murphy and his crew aboard an underwater research station called Sealab. Each of the 13 episodes contained here find the crew getting into all sorts of absurdly hilarious shenanigans, many of which end up with Sealab imploding. Purposely tacky in terms of animation quality and containing some very off the wall humor, Sealab 2021 garnered a loyal cult following, even though it is still to this day overshadowed by other Adult Swim shows like Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The DVD set by Warner Bros. however is supremely disappointing in terms of features and presentation. Why the 13 episodes (roughly about 11 minutes in length each) are spread out on two discs is absurd to say the least (most likely done to snare more cash), and the features are lacking. Even though we get a few deleted scenes, a commentary would have been nice, or even a making of. All in all, this is worth picking up for die hard fans of the show (and you all know who you are), but don't expect anything else to go along with the pricey package.

First off, caveat emptor. If you're buying this series without knowing anything other than what the reviews said, that's your own lookout. You can easily find out what's what with a little research on your part without spending what people apparently think is a lot of money. It's a very *funny* series based almost entirely on animation cells ripped from a previous series -- SeaLab 2020. That series was about as funny as sticking wood splinters under your toenails. This, however, is...well, funny. Even funnier if you sit through the horrible thing it's pulled from.

Second, on the money thing. I really don't get that. I bought this for 19.99 at a local store the day it came out. I'm used to paying 19.99 or *more* for single DVD movies; getting two DVDs for that price isn't exactly a ripoff. Right now, I've got literally thousands of examples of DVDs with less content per disc, less DVDs per package, for more money. Two DVDs just means they had much more room for extras. They overshot a little, but if they hadn't, then you'd be missing something that you otherwise got. And just remember, if you think that price is a little high and wish it were lower, think of those poor 'creators' of this show and how they're only seeing a fraction of what you spent. Even with mass production, the money disappears fast. They deserve their dime.

They deserve more than just a dime. This is one of those rare, consistently funny cartoons. They're into, what, season 3 now and they're still funny. And they're still on the air. That's more than I can say for some things that I've liked. I hope season 2 follows 1 out on DVD quickly and that 3 isn't too far off either.

So, anyway, thanks guys [as if they're watching]. Keep up the 'good' work, because starving children in third world countries don't have quality funny-stuff like this. And that's what makes first world countries so great....

Here are the episodes:

EPISODE GUIDE to SEASON 1
Hopefully the disks will contains the pilots, I dont see why not

Pilot
P-1 2003 21-Dec-2000 Radio Free
P-2 2001 30-Dec-2000 I, Robot
P-3 2002 30-Dec-2000 Happy Cake

Season 1
4. 1-1 2101 02-Sep-2001 Chickmate
5. 1-2 2102 16-Sep-2001 Predator
6. 1-3 2103 30-Sep-2001 Lost in Time
7. 1-4 2104 14-Oct-2001 Little Orphan Angry
8. 1-5 2105 21-Oct-2001 Waking Quinn
9. 1-6 2106 28-Oct-2001 All That Jazz
10. 1-7 2107 09-Dec-2001 Murphy Murph and the Feng Shui Bunch

I would assume they would include the pilots. I mean, I,robot is classic !!

This is one of the funniest, smartest and most entertaining cartoon on television. Each episode is around 15 minutes a piece (like most Cartoon Network Adult Swim toons).

If like bizarre humor, you'll love this cartoon ! Plus,its cheap compared to many other seasons on DVD.

Let's face it: Sealab 2021 isn't for everyone. Either you "get" this brand of bizarre, off-the-wall comedy or you don't. The series' style of humor tends to be juvenile, but fortunately without routinely stooping to body humor or bathroom jokes. Most episodes are peppered with hilarious cultural references. In fact, in its own way "Sealab" is really smart TV-- one of those shows that you can watch over and over, and continually pick up on things that you missed in previous viewings.

Season One is probably the most solid of the "Sealab 2021" compilations on disc. You won't find an episode on this collection that isn't funny for one reason or another, although some episodes are clearly more memorable than others! My take on the individual episodes:

I, ROBOT- As disaster looms over Sealab, the crew seems more preoccupied with discussing what would happen if their brains were placed in robot bodies... robot bodies with the strength of ten gorillas! (A+)

HAPPYCAKE- The captain's 'Happy-Cake Oven' is stolen, and members of the crew are sent on a suicide mission to retrieve this vital equipment. (A)

RADIO FREE SEALAB- Captain Murphy launches a pirate radio station, much to the chagrin of the FCC. (A)

CHICKMATE- Debbie's biological clock is ticking, and the guys are eager to offer their biological services. You get the drift. (A-)

LOST IN TIME- Stormy and Dr. Quinn fail to save Sealab from an explosion, which catapults them back in time. Using their knowledge of the future, they attempt to save Sealab a second time... and fail again, sending them back in time once more. And so on. (A)

PREDATOR- There's a hungry intruder on the station. Can it be stopped in time? Don't forget to use Dolphin Boy as bait. (B+)

LITTLE ORPHAN ANGRY- A dying child's last wish is to visit Sealab. Oh, and also to rob the place blind. Did somebody say this kid was sick? (B+)

WAKING QUINN- The most bizarre episode in Season One. Dr. Quinn is electrocuted, and most of the episode consists of his flashbacks and frenzied hallucinations. (B-)

ALL THAT JAZZ- Captain Murphy is trapped under a fallen vending machine while the crew is on an extended vacation. Just how long can the captain survive on Be-Bop Cola and scorpion venom? (A+)

MURPHY MURPH AND THE FENG SHUI BUNCH- Captain Murphy hires a Feng Shui master (can you say 'con artist?') to redecorate Sealab. Time to get rid of life support and all that other useless junk. (A-)

IN THE CLOSET- The entire crew gets locked in a storage closet, where the only way to pass time seems to be knocking each other unconscious. (B-)

STIMUTACS- Sparks creates a new drug... er, dietary supplement... and the rest of the crew just can't seem to get enough of it! (A+)

SWIMMING IN OBLIVION- An animated "behind the scenes" look at the set and cast of Sealab. This is also the first time you see the infamous "Debbie Does Wild" video. (B-)

Can something be so retarded that it's brilliant? well, Sealab answered that question with a mighty yes. Every episode has a plot that seems as if they were written by a drugged up social science professor. The jokes may be repetitive at times, but that's just part of their charm.

I've seen people moaning and whining about the animation, and that to me is just a testament to how people seriously don't get this show. It's SUPPOSED to look like that, it's a parody of sorts. Most of the shows look like photoshopped versions of their original, that's part of the show's charm. There was an episode where they only show a picture of sealab while the characters continue with their dialogue, dialogue that I find charming and quick to the point like Aqua Teen.

For the price tag...it's only 20 something dollars. C'mon now, I wanted more episodes as well, and I know that you could fit double the amount of episodes on both DVDs, but it's still a great price.

Oh yes, for the person that called Courage The Cowardly dog an "abomination of American mediocre toonists", you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Courage, along with Time Squad and Samurai Jack, are just a few of the shows given on cartoon network that have something other shows don't have, well two actually, and that is ORIGINALITY and most of all, PERSONALITY. Unfortunately, no one appreciates them, so we're bound to be stuck with cartoons that are going to do nothing but try and be like everything else.

I sure as heck don't want every cartoon to be like Futurama or The Simpsons. While those are excellent, everything else doesn't need to mimic them. I wouldn't have Aqua Teen or Sealab, or even Courage the Cowardly Dog if we followed that way of thinking. These shows do in 11 minute episodes what it takes others an entire half an hour to do.

Buy this, it'll be the best twenty dollar purchase you'll make in a while. That is, until volume 2 appears.

Among all the not so great shows today, there arises this masterwork of comic genius. It exposes cliches of modern culture and cinema with mordant insight and even parts that seem to be completely random are funny. While characters on other shows are talking non-stop, there is on Sealab the Pregnant Pause. For example, a few seconds of nothing but background humming while Dr. Quinn is stunned by Captain Murphy's latest idiotic idea. Supposedly these people are here to do research and monitor the kelp harvest but they do anything but. The writers pack every manner of improbable scenario into the confines of an underwater station that seems to blow up at the end of half the episodes. Another element of hilarity is added in the fact that this show is based on a seventies kids cartoon that didn't even last a full season. The style of the animation makes it look like it should be a 'serious' show, but it spins completely out of control every time. The animation in some parts is made intentionally so low in quality, that it makes me crack up. I find it funny even when I see the characters run because you could get almost get a more convincing motion with one of those flipbooks. The dialog in this show is outstanding and very quotable, the mannerisms of the characters will stick in your head forever, and the satire is irresistable. It has everything! It is life incarnate!

Sealab 2021 is [Adult Swim]'s demented, bizarre, and irreverent comedy cartoon about a small group of people living in a laboratory under the sea. In the 70's, Hanna Barbera made a short-lived and terrible educational show called Sealab 2020. Sealab 2021 has taken the animations from 2020, altered them, and added unbelievably bizarre, warped, and hilarious scenarios for the crew.

The thirteen episodes on this DVD are extremely funny. In one episode, Captain Murphy loses his happy cake oven and sends the crew on a suicidal mission to retrieve it. In another, Sparks gets the crew hooked on a home made drug called Stimutacs, which results in unbelievably wacky responses from the crew members. Also included are episodes with a Feng Shui con artist, scorpion venom addictions, vicious alien predators, and pirate radio stations.

Sealab is very funny, but don't expect it to be your cup of tea. It definitely has an acquired taste. Animation is very crude and simplistic, episodes are unbelievably twisted, and random occurences abound. I'd highly recommend you watch an episode or two on TV before buying this DVD. Sometimes the episodes consist of the crew bickering about something for the whole episode, such as the episode in which they discuss what they would do if they implanted their brains in robot bodies.

Also, don't let the complaints about the size of this DVD sway you. Sealab has over 150 minutes of run time, while most comedy movies are only 90 minutes. Sure, it isn't packed with extras, but it shouldn't be enough of a shortcoming to sway a fan.