Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Probably the Best Season Yet., June 25, 2009
I am one of the rare "Smallville" fans that greatly prefer the darker seasons of late to the light-hearted, freak-of-the-week seasons that the show started with. Season 8 introduced the marvelous Tess Mercer (as excellently portrayed by Cassidy Freeman) who filled the shoes of an MIA Lex Luthor with more charisma and grace than, dare I say it, the great Michael Rosenbaum in the past couple seasons. Also among the characters this year is Davis "Doomsday" Bloome, who is taken to the next level by Sam Witwer, who plays the role in such a way that the viewers can actually sympathize for the tortured, lonely murderer that Davis has unfortunately become.
There are only two problems that I have with season 8. The first is that around episodes 8.03-8.05, the show lagged. A lot. The episodes, I thought, were quite boring and just not the best work that the "Smallville" writers have put forth. Specifically 8.03 "Toxic," which could've been a fantastic exploration of Justin Hartley's Oliver "Green Arrow" Queen character but ended up being a bland, practical snorefest.
The second problem is the Lana-arc in episodes 8.10-8.14. While 8.10 "Bride," 8.11 "Legion," and 8.12 "Bulletproof" were all outstanding and Kristin Kreuk delivered on every front in her reprisal as Lana Lang, the storyline of giving Lana super powers was extremely unwelcome to most fans (myself included) and, if anything, ruined what could've been a perfect end to the lengthy Clark/Lana storyline that has haunted "Smallville" since the first episode. 8.14 "Requiem" is a good episode, mind you, but the poorly done super!Lana storyline brings it and 8.13 "Power" down as the worst episodes of the season.
Now, there are definitely some blockbuster episodes that were perfect, in my eyes. The entire slew of episodes from 8.15 to 8.21 were brilliant - specifically 8.15 "Infamous," 8.16 "Turbulence" (a brilliant and emotionally raw exploration of the characters - specifically Jimmy Olsen), 8.18 "Eternal," and 8.21 "Injustice." Watching this season, I was in awe at how much the actors and actresses - and their characters - have grown since they were first introduced to us and I have yet to be disappointed by the work turned in by the fantastic Tom Welling, the outstanding Allison Mack, and the stunning Erica Durance.
Overall, I highly recommend that new viewers catch this season when its on sale and all "Smallville" fans should purchase this boxset as soon as it's released. As we enter season 9, which may very well be our last "Smallville" season, I have high hopes that the show will kick it into high gear and go out with a bang.
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54 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arguably Smallville's Best Season Yet, March 24, 2009
Before I get to my review, let me give the run-down of what this DVD set has to offer, according to KryptonSite. The Blu-Ray version may differ.
For starters, the current release date is August 25, 2009.
It'll include all 22 episodes from Smallville's eighth season, as well as the following features: cast & creator commentaries (including Geoff Johns for "Legion"), unaired scenes, a featurette titled "Smallville's Doomsday: The Making of a Monster," and another featurette called "In the Director's Chair: Behind the Scenes and Calling the Shots with Allison Mack."
Awesome features for an awesome season.
Now, on to my review...
I've been a fan of the show since day one, but I wasn't expecting much from Season 8.
This time around, Lex and Lana aren't recurring characters. Also, the original producers didn't return. To say the least, I was fearful.
To my pleasant surprise, however, Smallville's eighth season has become my favorite yet. It's darker. It's edgier. Finally, Clark is making the transition from farmboy to superhero.
Don't get me wrong. This season has its missteps, like any other in Smallville's history. But I'd say that, overall, this has been the most entertaining season yet. Here's why...
- Clark is more heroic than ever
- Chloe gets some spotlight for a change
- The Lois and Clark relationship begins to blossom
- Some loose ends are tied (Lex, Lana, Kara)
- More input from the Justice League
- The introduction of Tess Mercer, a worthy replacement for Lex
- Sam Witwer as Doomsday
And let me repeat that. Sam Witwer as Doomsday.
He successfully turns a 2D character with no personality into one of the most intriguing, exciting parts of Smallville history. I think I enjoyed his performances more than any others this season.
Let those Season 7 wounds heal.
Enjoy Season 8 of Smallville.
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18 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Buy with Caution, June 12, 2009
I'm in no way a casual viewer of this show but I'm approaching my review as if the reader has very little experience with Smallville.
If you have never seen the show you might enjoy Season Eight as you have no benchmarks established. I personally thought this season to be one big, huge let down. There were episodes that were flat out painful for me to watch, however, there were some good moments too.
If you are a Tom Welling fan as opposed to a Smallville fan I can strongly recommend this season over all others. Tom's just smokin' hot in Season Eight. Five Stars just on this point (shallow as it is).
If you are a fan of Allison Mack/Chloe Sullivan I would recommend this season with a lot of caution. Chloe experiences a lot of ups and downs. Chloe is the second most important character and like Clark, appears in every episode. She interacts mostly with Clark, Jimmy, and Davis. Do not expect sunshine and rainbows for her. The good is quite good and my purchase is exclusively for those good moments, but I'm not sure an average viewer would glean the same appreciation for those moments as I do. Two and a half stars for Chloe.
If you have been asked by your child to purchase this season and you think it's family safe, I would like to point out some things that might concern you. Although not too graphic, there is premarital sex on this show, even with Clark (no, just because he's suppose to be Superman doesn't mean he's held to a higher standard), the episode "Instinct" has some pretty lude sexual references that might be hard to explain to a younger mind, there is drug addiction, and there is a suicide attempt in the episode "Eternal". There is much playing around with Christian religious motiff. Those things might be important to you or you could care less. Three stars for family safe.
I am most definitely not a fan of Lois Lane. I would like to point out though that Lois appears in only twelve episodes, so if you're buying believing she's in every one, that's not true. No stars for Lois.
Lana Lang exits Smallville and Clark's life in a five episode arc. I can recommend this arc if you are a Lana fan. If you're not a Lana fan, you're not going to like it. No stars.
If you are a Lex fan, run and hide from this season as Lex makes only one appearance and that actor is not Michael Rosenbaum. If I could give negative stars, it would be for this sloppy tied up loose end. No stars.
To me $38 dollars is a lot of money to spend on something. I personally don't recommend anyone spend that sort of money unless you're 100% sure you'd be satisfied. Buy with caution is my advice.
I'd give this three stars but the "Doomsday" finale forces my hand and I have to give it two.
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