45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The legend continues..., September 30, 2005
This review is from: Smallville - The Complete First Four Seasons (DVD)
Since I'm much too lazy to attempt to review every season individually, I'm going to make a clumsy attempt to review the entire show at once. I have recently become absolutely obsessed with this show. For a long time, I just caught a stray episode here and there, and didn't really watch it religiously, but through the generous nature of a good friend, and the magic of DVD's, I was able to get ahold of and watch all of the first three seasons. After that, the decision to buy this set was easy.
"Smallville" is basically the next incarnation of the Superman mythology, but rather than just being another iteration of the same old thing, it manages to be a fresh and hip new spin on the concept. It centers on Clark Kent growing up in Smallville, and discovering his super powers and origins, all while trying to lead a normal life as a teenager. One of the best things about the show is how it brings so many more levels of emotional depth to the character. This was the beauty of Spiderman, for example, that he was also a kid in addition to having these amazing powers, which made him more relatable and more real to a young audience, and Gough and Millar have successfully brought that same quality to Superman. He's always been previously depicted as a nearly perfect character, and this is the first time we see him as a human with his own problems and inner conflicts, and I think that makes him that much more of an interesting and sympathetic character. Plus, it's great to see more of his relationship with his parents, and how they helped to shape him into the man he'll one day be.
Also, what they've done with Lex Luthor on this show is just remarkable. Rather than just having him as the quintessential super-villian, he starts out as a good guy, who befriends Clark, and becomes sort of a big brother/role model character for him. However, we see from the start that evil runs deep in the family, with his tyrannical, crime-lord father Lionel. Throughout the show, we see hints that Lex will eventually follow the same path, and that he's always trying to resist becoming his dad, even though we know that somehow he eventually will. When you put this, and his friendship with Clark into context with what kind of person he eventually becomes, it adds so much more to the concept than just the simple "Hero vs. Villian" thing. Also, Michael Rosenbaum is a remarkably talented young actor, who brings so many more dimensions to the character than ever before.
The show begins relatively simple, setting up for everything that will happen later on. The basic idea that we have to begin with is that the kryptonite from the meteor shower has infected a large number of the townspeople, and given them super powers. This provides Clark with a wide supply of foes to battle, to sharpen his skills as a superhero. And once again, we have a human quality here, that we've never seen in any past incarnations of "Superman". The villians are seemingly normal people, usually kids, with no costumes or anything. It adds a greater sense of realism, and I really like that.
Gradually, with each season, the plotlines have gotten more complex, with Clark slowly learning more and more about his abilities, and where he comes from, eventually leading up to the more "Superman"-like adventures we'll be seeing in season 5. Each season has been better than the last, and everything is really falling into place nicely. The pace of the show has been great, and the writers have done a great job of staying true to the mythology, while simultaneously taking it into new and interesting directions.
Technically speaking, the show is fantastic as well. The actors all have great chemistry, and all bring something special to their characters. Tom Welling is easily the best Superman since Christopher Reeve, so good in fact that I've almost forgotten how bad Dean Cain was. It's also great to see veteran actors like John Schneider, John Glover, and Annette O'Toole in there with the younger actors, as well as guest appearances from past "Superman" stars, like Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp, and even Mr. Reeve himself. There is also a great deal of subtlety and detail in the show, as far as lighting and camera angles (watch the commentary to get an idea), and the subtle use of color to create just the right atmospheres for the scene. Also, the special effects are among the best I've seen on a television show. These guys really put a great deal of time and effort into putting everything together.
I really can't say enough about this show. Everything about it is just so wonderfully engaging, and masterfully executed. Those who deride it and compare it to "Dawson's Creek" just because it's on the WB are being far too superficial, and aren't giving it nearly a fair enough chance. "Smallville" is easily one of the best incarnations of Superman yet.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A super collection for fans, new and old., February 13, 2006
This review is from: Smallville - The Complete First Four Seasons (DVD)
I have reviewed each of the four season sets individually, so you may read my specific comments and criticisms. But, overall, as a 4 box set, this is a great collection for new and old SMALLVILLE fans...of all ages (well, it def should get a PG rating).
The special features are pretty much negligible, aside from some interesting commentary tracks. But the deleted scenes prove that they were justifiably cut and the "Chloe Chronicles" are downright awful.
This is a great set to own just for the episodes...the way you would want to own a complete collection of comic books. Not every issue is as valuable as another, but you wouldn't want to have an incomplete set!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Smallville...Please step your game up!!!, May 23, 2007
This review is from: Smallville - The Complete First Four Seasons (DVD)
I know everyone's jumping on the bandwagon with how great this show is. Not alot of critique. Hmmm...maybe because of pretty boy Tom and princess Lana. This show could be so much better. It has its good episodes but in only half of all 4 seasons!! This is more like me pleading than me scorning. Come on, quit the 'I luv Lana,' 'I need Lana in my life' crap and get to some action, drama, thriller type Pre-Superman brawling. Even at the end of the sixth season he doesn't learn to fly. Why is it that the only time Clarke flies is when he is taken over by Jor-El, when he wears that retarded red ring or when he is cloned by that stupid phantom (season six)??? Enough with Lana. I wanted her to stay dead instead of Clark's dad. She's annoying and holding Clarke back from really moving on. Cloey's my choice. Clark never has a good fight.They should stage him in some good fist throwing action with some alien brawlers. It's simple...I WANNA SEE SOME ACTION!!!
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