Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re-meet George Jetson........., February 8, 2009
Fans of all ages need no introduction to Hanna-Barbera's Classic TV series `The Jetsons,' but may be confused by the origin date of this fabulous DVD release: 1985!
That's because the "original" Jetsons, which debuted Sept. 23, 1962, lasted for only one season on ABC, but became much more successful when it eventually ended up in syndication. (Those episodes have already been released on DVD. The Jetsons - The Complete First Season)
That successful syndication led to a brief revival in 1985 with all-new episodes. The new series, referred to as `Season Two,' boasted more advanced animation, which had richer color, along with attempts to add content to make it seem even more futuristic than its parent show.
The first 21 Episodes from 1985's `Season Two,' have been collected here for the time in this three-disc boxed set from Warner Home Video. Jetsons-Season 2 V01
In addition, a special featurette, `Jetsons: Return to the Future,' is also included that focuses on the evolution of the series. Among those interviewed is animation expert Mark Evanier.
`The Jetsons' was originally conceived following the iconic success of Hanna-Barbera's `The Flintstones,' which featured a `modern' Stone Age family. Hanna-Barbera decided to turn their Bedrock success on its ear, creating a similar family cartoon, but changed the setting to their vision of the Space Age - the 21st century!
The Jetsons originally lived Orbit City, a city where the houses were literally way, way up in the air, like Space Age needles. The family included George, his wife, Jane, and their children Judy and Elroy, along with their beloved dog, Astro. A very sweet robot housekeeper, Rosie, equipped with an unexpected personality, soon joined the family.
So, the Jetsons lived the `average' life in Hanna-Barbera's future, which incorporated flying space cars, instant transport tubes, various robots and a host of other bizarre gadgets to make their lives a breeze. But, the wonderful thing about The Jetsons was that, regardless of the technology, their problems were the same ones faced by families of all ages.
In the original `Season One,' George worked at Spacely Space Sprockets, run by his pint-sized, ill-tempered boss, Cosmo S. Spacely. In `Season Two,' new characters were introduced, including a a second pet for the Jetsons named Orbitty, whose spring-like legs and suction cup feet enabled him to suspend himself on anything and in any direction. Orbitty is also able to change color to reflect his emotions.
The `Season Two' episodes collected here, along with the second-half of the 1985 episodes yet to be released, also aired in syndication, and generated the same level of success as the original episodes had. As a result, a second revival occurred, leading to 10 more episodes, referred to as `Season Three,' finalizing the episode series in 1987!
In addition, `The Jetsons' prompted two TV movies: The music-themed `Rockin' with Judy Jetson,' and then a true Hanna-Barbera crossover, `The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones.'
In 1989, `The Jetsons: the Movie' hit the big screen with its only film, which depicted the finale of the entire series. An important note, this movie is being released on DVD for the first time from Universal Studios. The Jetsons: The Movie It's being dedicated to the memories of George O'Hanlon, the voice of George Jetston, and Mel Blanc, THE master voice animator, who was also the voice of Mr. Spacely. Ironically, this movie was the final voice project for both men.
The 21 episodes in this DVD boxed set from `Season Two' are: Elroy Meets Orbitty; Rosie Come Home; Solar Snoops; Judy's Birthday Surprise; Super George; Family Fallout; S.M.A.S.H.; The Mirrormorph; Mother's Day for Rosie; Jetsons' Millions; Fugitive Fleas; Rip-Off Rosie; Far-Out Father; Astro's Big Moment; The Cosmic Courtship of George and Jane; Fantasy Planet; S'no Relative; Instant Replay; Haunted Halloween; Future Tense; and The Wrong Stuff.
We fans can only hope that after all of this time, the remainder of `Season Two,' and the 10 episodes comprising the final `Season Three,' will be released onto DVD very, very soon!
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Orbiting The 21st Century, June 1, 2009
We've often had wondered what the 21st Century would be like all these years, but still don't know what the future would be like. That was also said for cartoons as well. Back in 1962, The Jetsons were introduced to a whole new generation of cartoon lovers. The show was brought in as a spin-off from the massive success of The Flintstones. While the cartoons episodes like Rosie The Robot and Elroy's Mob were funny and full of life, it sadly was overlooked back in the 60's. Fortunately, in 1985, The Jetsons came back to be introduced to a whole new generation of fans young and old alike. Not only that, the episodes were much more dynamic and full of life more than ever. Now, those 80's great shows are finally coming to DVD.
The Jetsons: Season 2 Volume 1 is a simple and strong reintroduction to the first family of the 21st Century. The DVD collection contains over 20 of the classic cartoons that were not just entertaining for The Jetsons, but just a great deal of excitement for a whole new generation of fans. The episodes have all been remastered beautifully, and just a great reminder of what made The Jetsons so special. The collection of shows includes great episodes like Elroy Meets Orbity, which featured the debut of the lovely and adorable suction-cupped alien from an asteroid who hatched from and egg Elroy brought home from a field trip, The Cosmic Courtship of George & Jane, where George & Jane re-tell the tale of who they first got together, after George accidentally forgets about their anniversary of how they fell in love and then finding out their marriage ceremony was not legal from the person who conducted their wedding ceremony. For that notion the family goes to Las Venus to get married all over again. Also there is Family Fallout where Mr. Spacely convinces George and his family to go out a intergalactic game show for big bucks and prizes, where little do they know that Mr. Spacely and his family are challenging Jetson and his crew. The cartoon brings back a strong trip down memory lane for fans very well, and there also are a few extras here as well, including a behind the scenes reflection on what made The Jetsons so relevant and entertaining.
All in all, The Jetsons: Season 2 Volume 1 is a pure delight for anyone who has missed the classic cartoon series for years, as well as those who have been more interested in cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants or The Fairly Oddparents from Nickelodeon. I loved watching these cartoons when I was a kid, and I am very happy they are back for a whole new fans who feel like they've just went to orbit and young at heart. I just hope that there are more of the great episodes available soon from the series.
Price: B+
Remastering: B+
Extras: B
Overall: B
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0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Life of Riley" Plots in an Animated Future, July 11, 2009
"The Jetsons - Season 2, Volume 1" contains 21 episodes of the TV show that was the 21st-century equivalent of "The Flintstones." Created by animation veterans William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the show focuses on George Jetson, who works for Spacely Space Sprockets. George commutes in an atomic-powered bubble and lives with his wife, Jane, and their children in Skypad Apartments, which are raised and lowered on massive hydraulic lifts to avoid bad weather. A robot maid packs son Elroy off to school in a pneumatic tube each morning. Teenage daughter Judy spends her free time learning the latest dance, the Solar Swivel. Astro is the family dog. George's boss is Cosmo G. Spacely (voice of Mel Blanc). You'll see elements of "The Simpsons," "The Honeymooners," and "Life of Riley" in the assorted adventures, which rely mostly on family crises, but the futuristic setting gives the episodes a unique spin.
The original series was produced between 1962 and 1963 and rerun on Saturday mornings for decades. Its ongoing popularity led to further episodes produced for syndication between 1985 and 1987. The color episodes in this three-disc collection are from this period. An extra, "The Jetsons Return to the Future," examines how the second season was updated for a new audience. Interviews include animation historians and cast members.
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DVD ~ William Hanna
DVD ~ George O'Hanlon
DVD ~ Top Cat
DVD ~ The Jetsons
DVD ~ Chuck Jones
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