I Spy - Season 1
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Movie Reviews of I Spy - Season 1
Movie Review: How can we rate this right now?
Summary: 5 Stars
I was an early adopter of the original DVD releases. I'll get to their picture quality in a moment, but I've been a long time fan, thanks to a longer time fan some 5 years my junior (I'm 35), and double the proof that one doesn't need to be a Baby Boomer to appreciate quality stories! They're timeless and have an integrity sorely lacking in today's shows... but I digress...).
As for the existing DVD releases: The color levels were terrific, but the amount of scratches and dust marks on the film was... let's face it, they were bloody awful. The audio was reasonably well cleaned up too. For the prices at the time, they were VERY competitive for the amount of episodes on each volume. Indeed, 2 weeks ago I was re-watching "Court of the Lion" and wondering if the original DVD sales would amount to future interest... obviously, they were. I'm happy. :D But I digress; those who missed out on the original sales will be delighted at the new pricing - that redefines "VERY competitive" for the per-episode cost!
Now if these "remastered" releases take care of the scratches and flecks alone, while maintaining the terrific color restoration as seen on the original DVD releases, I'll really really really be happy. (And no doubt would look spectacular on blu-ray too and would be the incentive for me to convert to that format, hint hint hint... Not even James Bond has that power... but probably would once I get to see those titles out on blu-ray...)
Granted, I don't often double-dip, and I know naught any extras or, indeed, the quality of the restoration, but you can bet your sweet bippy I'll be pre-ordering and keeping my eye out for season 3's (hopefully imminent) release.
But why not season 3 at the same time as the previous two? Home to Judgment, Tag You're It, Suitable for Framing, Apollo, Anyplace I Hang Myself is Home, Carmelita is One of Us, A Few Miles West of Nowhere, and The Name of the Game (amongst others) are instant classics that transcend the quality of the peers this show competed against. Even "A Few Miles West of Nowhere" and "The Name of the Game", despite having a fair share of clichéd moments, still have a gravitas that works so much in their favor... unlike today, their plots weren't so worn out anyway... Again, I digress. I really hope this season is re-released as well.
Movie Review: I SPY great television
Summary: 5 Stars
I SPY great television
What makes I Spy so good? Its James Bond in 52 minute episodes. It is the great storytelling with two guys who like each other. Its filming on location, so when they say Mexico...its Mexico! Its Bill Cosby and Robert Culp interplaying with each other that seems so unscripted.
I Spy is over 40 years old. In saying that, it does not look 40 years old. Culp and Cos play spies, whose cover is a Tennis pro and his trainer...and they have such an amazing chemestry
So why should you get this box set, well as I said before Great storytelling. Great acting. Great guest stars on season one include such actors like Ivan (Horgan's Heroes) Dixon, Ciceley Tyson, Albert (Daniel Boone) Salami, Vera Miles, Roger C (Harry Mudd from Star Trek) Carmel, Lew Aryes, Godfrey Cambridge,Victor (King Tut from Batman) Buono, Jeanette Nolan, Howard Duff, Susan Oliver, and Carroll (Archie Bunker) O'Conner.Future seasons episode guest stars include Joey Heatherton, Boris Karloff, Ronny (Happy Days) Howard, Richard Anderson, Tony Bill, Leslie Uggams, and Jack Cassidy
The DVD in this collection are remastered and looks good. On a few episodes, Robert Culp does audio commentary..its interesting and exposing. Culp tell of many things, One would wish Cosby could do one, but he does not.
This is great work . a five star collection...BUT I have a minor problem. It is not about this collection, I wish the pairing of Cosby and Culp in the movie Hickey and Boggs would be available (its not) but the Culp appearance on the Cosby Show is and I Spy Returnsis! Culp and Cosby together is a treat
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
Movie Review: I Spy holds up well
Summary: 5 Stars
My brothers and I watched I Spy when it first aired and in syndication, and I've just started watching the first season on DVD. I love the location shoots, with now-familiar character actors like Mako, James Hong and Beulah Quo, and the writing holds up reasonably well, too.
I had recalled Kelly and Scotty as equals, but in the first several episodes, Robinson certainly seems to be the lead agent. They are friends, however, and both use the word "wonderfulness," the title of one of Cosby's comedy albums, a lot while bantering back and forth. I think Kelly uses it more than Scotty. The early episodes seem to feature more of Kelly's cover identity as a tennis pro than I recalled.
The first three of Robert Culp's audio commentaries bears little relationship to the background video of So Long Patrick Henry, The Loser and Court of the Lion but Culp authored those episodes and is effusively proud of them. He initially sounds hesitant, almost apologetic, in his telling of his background and the creation of the show, but warms to the subject. During his Court of the Lion commentary Culp describes meeting guest star and future wife France Nuyen.
Ideally Culp and Cosby would have been commenting together, laughing and joking as they did on the show, but at least we have them both in every episode.
Movie Review: ALL That Is I SPY
Summary: 5 Stars
GREAT NEWS ... I SPY is back again on DVD!! If you didn't pick-up the original set or have always wanted to see this great show from the 60s - now's your chance - and at a great price! I SPY was definitely the coolest and most realistic of the "spy genre" shows on 60s TV. The banter between Culp and Cosby is unsurpassed; the mixture of action/adventure/intrigue and comedy/romance/exotic locations is a joy to watch; plus the amazing music of Earle Hagen, add up to a viewing experience you won't want to miss.
For more on I SPY, be sure to check on THE "definitive" book on the series - "I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series" by Marc Cushman and Linda J. LaRosa (with a foreword by Robert Culp)
[...]
... Besides providing a complete and in-depth background and "the Story Behind the Stories," it also includes the real order in which to watch the episodes, not just the way they were broadcast. Everyone connected with I SPY who could be interviewed - was - including writers and production staff, and even censors' reports are included. A really great book for anyone interested in I SPY who wants to know the complete story. And come check out the "I SPY FORUM" too -
[...] - where fans of I SPY share all things "I SPY" everyday...
Movie Review: It's region-free !!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Weird title for a review but helpful for all europeans (like me). The disks are region-free and play just fine on every dvd player.
As for the show itself, it's fantastic. I tried it just because of the price and the 2 leading actors and i wasn't dissapointed. I had watched the 1st season of "The man from U.N.C.L.E" before the that and i pretty much hated it. Thankfully "I,spy" is a vastly superior show with real and subtle humor (not the silliness of "the man..."), good stories (if a bit dated but that's to be expected) , great acting and fantstic production values.
Bill Cosby is great and very serious in his role while Robert Cult impresses not only with his solid acting but with the way he moves around the scenery. The guy seems like he is a gymnastics' athlete in some action scenes.
The picture quality is a mixed bag. On the one hand the restoration is good and the picture is quite sharp and vivid and looks great on a good upscaler. On the other hand there are many dirty spots which might bother some people (not me).
For this price this set is a real bargain with many hours of entertainment. I definately plan on buying the remaining 2 seasons.