Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
37 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Any TAR is Good, But This Wasn't Best Season, September 26, 2005
Having Rob and Amber from "Survivor" compete on this show's Season 7 was obviously a bit of stunt casting (and, to a degree, was regrettable, because TAR shouldn't really need to resort to such attention-grabbing ploys) but as far as that goes, they were a definite upgrade from Alison from "Big Brother", who appeared in Season 5 along with her boyfriend Donny. It really shouldn't come as a shock that they proved to be excellent competitors, and there's one leg of the race in particular where the Robfather pulls a Jedi mind trick to convince some of the weaker-willed to dance to his tune.
Personally, I think Seasons 3 and 6 have been the strongest, but this edition has one really great team (Brian and Greg), the requisite team you love to hate (Ray and Deana), the token old couple (Meredith and Gretchen) that refuses to go quietly into that good night (NEVER bet on the old couple to be eliminated first on any TAR season), a stereotypically snarky gay couple (Lynn and Alex), and the ever-popular team where you can't believe the words that are coming out of their mouths (from Kelly--not so much from Ron). At least one of the teams had no real business being on the show--the word is that they were actually recruited by the casting agents, rather going through the audition tape process like everyone else, and it is pretty much evident. A member of another team spends so much time groaning and complaining about inevitable defeat that you'll want to hit the mute button whenever he shows up on the screen.
This season spends rather more time in South America than in previous outings and, unusually, scarcely hits Europe at all, and then takes a literally surprising direction for the home stretch.
There's plenty of drama, and at least three photo finishes with desperate flat-out sprints to the mat, and one of these is among TAR's all-time great moments to watch. And thankfully, no one proves to be as wretched and vile as TAR5's Colin and Christie or TAR6's truly loathsome Jonathan and Victoria.
Plus there is llama herding, so you know that you're in for quality entertainment. Until TAR3 and TAR6 come out, this edition is not too shabby.
|
|
|
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will Rob and Amber Survive the Amazing Race?, December 21, 2005
By the seventh season, the show is becoming familiar. Eleven teams of two with some kind of relationship follow clues in a race around the world. Along the way, there are also tasks they must perform to get their next clue. These tasks provide looks at the culture of the area they are visiting. Those of us watching at home get a nice geography and culture lesson without ever leaving out living room. As each leg of the race ends, the last team is usually eliminated, narrowing the field each weak until the final three teams race for the finish.
The teams this season fall into the normal parameters. There's a gay couple, several couples who are dating or married, a pair of brothers, an older couple, and a mother/son team. Frankly, it feels a bit like they have a template these days and are looking to fill certain pre set rolls. Still, this season had the standouts. Brothers Brian and Greg were nice guys everyone was rooting for. Ray and Deena were this season's fight from day one couple. Meredith and Gretchen, despite their age, proved to be tough competitors. While they often irritated me, I couldn't help but root for them. Kelly and Ron were the all American beauty queen/Iraq war vet couple. I started out liking them, but by the end they made me cringe. Uchenna and Joyce where such a nice couple, you couldn't help but root for them. And then there was Rob and Amber.
Whether it was supposed to be or not, this season of The Amazing Race became all about Rob and Amber, still riding high off Amber's win in Survivor All-Star. Unlike the last time TAR tried a reality show crossover, Rob and Amber proved to have real staying power, using their fame to find help along the way. And, of course, Rob was able to use his power of persuasion to get several teams to support his plan when it came to skipping the nasty food challenge. I hated Rob in both seasons of Survivor he was on, but I will admit I found myself rooting for them this go around. I think I found Rob's antics to be a breath of fresh air on the show.
Of course, the locations where excellent as well. The fact that they haven't repeated anything yet amazes me. Personally, I loved their trip through Botswana since my parents have been there twice. It gave me a chance to see the country in something other then still shots. Other highlights included Peru, Argentina, Istanbul, and London.
This season also featured some amazingly close finishes. Several times the team eliminated was only eliminated by a few minutes. The ending was a real nail bitter as well. Of course, this is partially editing, but even without that, we seemed to have lots of close calls this season.
The show is not as fresh as it used to be, with the casting falling into predictable patterns. But the show is still entertaining and slightly educational. This is the best reality program out there.
|
|
|
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I can't say enough good things about this TV series, and I am buying this particular DVD with great enthusiasm!, September 23, 2005
My, my, my - how opinions can differ!
To the other reviewer, all I can say is, "You've got to be kidding!"
I consider myself a discerning television viewer, and I simply can't get enough of this great TV show! And this is a show that we will watch over and over again, regardless of our already now knowing who wins in the final episode of each season.
The winning only matters the FIRST time you watch each season; subsequent viewings reveal all the subtle nuances of the competitions, when someone should have zigged when they'd zagged, and what we ourselves would need to know and use should we ever find ourselves in similar situations - and remember, this show is really a study of group dynamics, whether it be a competition between travelers to foreign lands, or in the boardroom, in your community, or at home between family members.
Finally, it is a refreshing approach to a travelogue - even if you are not into reality TV or competitiveness, the shear beauty of the photography and the fascinating interactions with the locals alone could have you hooked on "The Amazing Race" series!
And with regard to this particular race series - The Seventh Season - this turned out to be one of our favorites of all seven seasons!
Amber and Rob are certainly the new Ozzie and Harriet - I hope to see even more of them on Reality TV in the future! Amber's integrity, patience, and optimism are refreshing in today's cynical world. And Rob's mugging and whispered asides to the camera on his game strategy are both revealing and hilarious!
And yes, Gretchen's constant grousing became like nails on a chalkboard, but she also showed that she was a real trooper, had phenomenal endurance and drive, and a genuine heart of gold. Watching Gretchen with the locals put a big smile on my face.
And shame on the other reviewer for giving away the ending - there are readers here who may be purchsing this to watch for the first time!
I will say that I think that the winners most certainly deserved it - they went through great personal sacrifice and they also noticeably "grew" throughout the season, both as individuals and as a couple. And they were in the right place at the right time to win - this particular series ending shows that, in a competition of this nature, indeed, anything can happen!
And one of the things that I like best about this particular Reality TV show is that it is a wonderful example of Chaos - not even what seems like the "perfect plan" is exempt from the chaos factor, and even the seemingly best game players can come in second or third because of a last minute fluke.
This show is an awful lot like life in general, with beautiful scenery and fascinating locales thrown in as a wonderful bonus.
I am purchasing this DVD, "The Amazing Race - The Seventh Season" right now, just as soon as I finish typing this; I have already purchased The First Season DVD of this series, and I am greatly looking forward to purchasing ALL seasons, hopefully, in the near future.
In fact, we are purchasing EXTRA copies of these two currently available seasons, to give as Christmas presents this year to friends and family who share our enthusiasm for this great TV show.
Hats off to all involved, and please keep the seasons coming on television - and thanks, too, for making these two series available for purchase on DVD - I only hope that you will decide to make ALL seasons available for those of us who plan to watch these episodes over and over again for years to come!
I can't say enough great things about this particular DVD, and I highly recommend it for purchase here on Amazon.
Regards, Mrs. Kostrzewa/Michigan
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ Jeff Probst
DVD ~ Jeff Probst
DVD ~ Mark Burnett (II)
DVD ~ Mark Burnett (II)
