Customer Reviews

Todd McFarlane's Spawn - The Ultimate Collection (Animated Series) [VHS]

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Forget the movie, Spawn the animated show is great. The movie kinda ..., and didn't come close to the level of the comics. The comics were always violent and awesome. The movie was not. But the HBO mini-series Spawn came much closer to the comic books, and achieved brilliance in American anime. The story was great, the animation was great, the voice acting was great- the whole series was put together fabulously, and it didn't go commercial like the movie. It stayed true to Spawns roots, it was dark, it was emotional, it was violent, it had a sick sense of humor.(it was not intended for kids- there is alot of cursing, nudity, violence, etc). All-in-all Spawn was one of my all-time favorite animes, American or Japanese.

What about this DVD collection? Well the fact that all 3 seasons of Spawn are put into one shiny box is enough to make it great. Don't expect too much out of the bonus disc. It is an added feature but in no way should be the reason you buy this set. Buy this set because Spawn the anime was insanely good, it will put you in a dark world of intrigue that only the best movies and stories can achieve.

Excellent collection from the HBO animated series. First selection introduces the audience to the central plot and key characters, as well as setting the tone for the rest of the videos in the package. Second selection picks up where the first leaves off, though seemed to lack the excitement of the first. Third selection brings back the intensity of the first, as well as twisting the plot and bringing it to a climax while leaving us wanting more. Don't necessarily have to be familiar with the "Spawn" story to enjoy this package. Can't wait for the forth season! NOT SUGGESTED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13!

I always liked comic book characters with a dark gothic theme. It is why I liked Batman comics, "Batman" the movie, the Batman animated tv series, and "The Crow" movie. When Spawn came out on Image comics, for some reason or another, it didn't catch on with me as it did with DC and Marvel comic characters. I didn't get any of the comics and I didn't really look into it, to the point of actually starting to collect it. Now that I have seen the animated series, I wish I had. I was familiar with Todd McFarlane's artwork in "The Amazing Spider Man" and "Spiderman" and I thought he was one of the most talented comic artists in the business, the other great talent in my opinion, is Jim Lee illustrator of "The X-men" and "Wildcats". I've since outgrown comics, but a year ago, I rented the movie "Spawn" and I really liked it. So I decided to rent the first animated movie. It was pretty good so I decided to rent "Spawn 2" which I thought was even better than the first. Spawn in the second installment is darker and more powerful than in the first installment. After watching these movies and checking out the reviews on Amazon.com of "Spawn 3", I decided to buy the DVD ultimate collection. I got it and I wasn't disappointed. The third installment was as good as "Spawn 2". The series is not comic book like with heroes fighting the bad guys, but it centers on one character's fight against himself and all the demons that haunt him upon his return to earth after spending 5 years in hell. The series acts out like a drama with violent action sequences and sexual connotations. Al Simmons really loves his wife Wanda and when he was sent to hell, he made a deal with the devil, known as Melboldia, to lead hell's army on earth against heaven, in turn he would get to see his beloved wife again. When he returns to earth as hell's Spawn (offspring), he obtains amnesia and is mentally and emotionally disturbed, taking it out on the criminals that invaded his space, a dark alley he claimed as his domain. The scenes of his presence on the roof of the abandoned Catholic church near the alley are visually stunning. Anyway, he is accompanied by an evil clown, the Violator, which taunts him, invades his dreams, and litterly drives Spawn mad. The Violater makes the clown in the movie "It" seem like a circus side show reject. Anyway, as the series moves on, Spawn seems to get darker and the story gets more involed in the turmoil that plagues Spawn's soul. It's a very complex story line with, Japanese quality animation, also another reason the series is appealing. I reccomend this movie to any Spawn fan or any mature fan of comics and anime. But I must warn that this movie series should only be viewed by adults because it is very violent, has foul language, and contains sexual situations.

The Spawn DVD collection is a great item to watch and own. The story is done is a very realistic and articulate manner. It provides action, suspense, and keeps you hooked from the first time you watch it. While this series is definitly not intended for young children, it should also not be viewed by those that have a weak and ignorant mind. To fully appreciate this set you should be open-minded and enjoy every DVD for what it's worth-which is to say a masterpiece of animation and voice acting. This set is one that can be watched over and over again with the same excitement as watching it for the first time. If you are a fan of dark action comics like Spawn or Batman, then this is a must have collection. If you are into action then you should perhaps only buy one season at first-just to see if you like it. However, I believe that you will not be dissappointed. One of the best things about the Spawn collection is that it ends how all forms of entertainment should end-it leaves you wanting so much more.

Spawn is above all a well-drawn animated movie with a strong story backing it up. Be adviced; this is definitely not supposed to be viewed by kids... The cartoon is drenched with violence and adult language (my little brother however thought it was top notch) ;) I think this creation of Todd McFarlane deserves a place in most videocollections.

spawn was an animated series that hbo aired every midnight dark gory filled with cussing and murders this wasnt a kids cartoon it won over many people with its great storys voice acting and killer visuals spawn was a guy who died and went to hell but was offered a chance to leave hell if he fought other evil forces so he roams earth fighting other demons and protecting his wife and kids who cant see him its kinda sad in away for a cartoon seeing him watch his former family and want to hug them and talk to them but they cant see him(kinda like ghost) but what he can do is kill anybody who messes with his family and he does that really well spawn made todd mcfarlane a star and had several sucessful seasons before it ended this dvd set has all 3 seasons and should be in your collection dont waste time with the lame spawn movies they were something totally diffrent buy this and see why todd mcfarlane was once king of the underworld

This is an excellent example of American Animation that isn't corny or for kids like the common stereotype. The voice acting for this series was done perfectly. Animation is flawless. Are there any problems? Yeah you bet. The first Season is the best. Afterwards, the clown rarely seems to appear at all. Spawn didn't seem to fight that many people from hell. At the end of the third season is when it really started to get off the ground. But that didn't stop HBO from yanking it due to low ratings. I could tell that if there had been a fourth season that it would be the most violent/kick$$/entertaining of them all. Any other problems? The DVD's themselves. I hate double sided DVD's, they get really dirty in my house for some reason... I heard that there is a problem with the Audio and directors commentary in the Third Season when sold separately. That problem is fixed here. The bonus disc is a little interesting, not necessarily essential, it talks more about the creative process and how Spawn was created(by Todd MacFarlane). The package is cool too, and it's great to carry around all the discs in one box. This is a Show that HBO need to give a second Chance. But that may never happen because the movie sucked so much and everything nowadays is about $. Despite these small problems, it's still so good I'm giving it five stars. If you like Spawn in any way shape or form, buy this now. Any other Superhero should bow down to Spawn due to inferiority.

Havig only been a fan of the work of Todd McFarlane for a short time now, I don't have that "Spawn expertise" that other long time fans of the series/ his work may have. However, I can easily say that the HBO animated series was far superior to the movie released in 1997 in the way it was able to convey the truly dark and menacing atmoshpere of the streets of New York City. The Spawn comic book series has a certain style that a live action movie just cannot express properly because the intricate story would just get lost in the special effects. I would highly reccomend the animated series to anyone who felt somewhat of a let down from the movie. Truly a unique and submersive experience.

I found that each of the Spawn videos had their own merits and with each new video making the character and storyline even better. Compared to the comic book the animated videos are much more concise and follow the plot with great style. Spawn 3 - Ultimate Battle particulary impressed me. Todd Mcfarlane and company are now dipping into the urban myth that is Spawn. I can't wait for the next season!

This is an awesome anime collection. It's dark, it's anime-arific, etc. The only thing I have to say is that if you like this genre/series then be prepared for the let down of a lifetime when you realize that it just kinda ends. I guess they were going to do a 4th season but it fell through. I have no clue. But just when it gets really interesting, it friggin ends. So it's an awesome watch while it lasts but be prepared for the "What the hell moment!?!?!?!?!?" I have read that the series was going to be continued, so hope might still remain, but I would not count on it.