The Office: Season One
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.75 You Save: $20.23 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.42 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Office: Season One
Movie Review: Discomfort and Realism Have Never Been So Funny
Summary: 5 Stars
The Office almost didn't succeed. It wasn't because it wasn't funny (it is), wasn't well-acted (it is), or due to poor reviews (critics loved it); people were too afraid that it would pale in comparison to the British series of the same name upon which this show is based. Also, it is a very different style of comedy, which is a huge turn-off to people who are comfortable with the numerous (read: cookie cutter) sitcoms that flood the airwaves each year (Arrested Development fans know what I'm talking about). Anyway, with only a 6 episode first season, things looked pretty grim. Fortunately, the show was able to stay on the air long enough to win over a respectable fanbase, and now it looks like it will be here for a while. But about that first season...
The Office is an extremely innovated show; it is shot as a documentary, and the writers really outdid themselves to keep that whole motif going. Characters recognize the existence of the camera, gesture to it, try to hide from it during embarassing moments, and there are "confessional" scenes where the characters speak to the camera one-on-one. While we don't know why someone wanted to make a documentary about the inner workings of a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, we're sure glad they did.
Heading this branch of the Dunder Mifflin paper re-supplying company is Regional Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Michael is completely clueless in nearly every way possible. He doesn't understand when he is being racist/sexist/homophobic, he can't seem to grasp that he isn't as hilarious as he thinks he is, and even though he feels his people skills are tremendous, he is a very lonely man. Other series regulars include Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), a salesman who doesn't care that his career is going nowhere, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), a power-hungry sicophant who has even worse social skills than Michael, Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak), a temp who has recently started at the office, and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), the bored and soft-spoken receptionist. Jim has a secret crush on Pam, who is marrying a guy who works in the DM warehouse, though they have been engaged for 3 years, and there is still no set date for the wedding. One of the main reasons Jim is still at Dunder Mifflin is to be near Pam. Jim and Pam are good friends and partners-in-crime in a sense, as they constantly pull pranks on Dwight, who is as gullible as he is vindictive. Dwight is a by-the-book salesman who does everything Michael tells him to do in hopes that he will one day assume power. Michael doesn't really like Dwight, but he exploits Dwight's lust for power in order to use him for things that he himself would prefer not to do. In addition to the characters credited in the opening credits, there is a large cast of secondary characters, many of whom are played by the show's writing staff. Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez), Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey), and Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) are the firm's accountants. Other workers include Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling), Meredith (Kate Flannery), Stanely Hudson (Leslie David Baker) Phyllis (Phyllis Smith), Toby (Paul Lieberstein), and Creed Bratton (playing a parody of himself). Each character has their own unique and bizarre personality, adn they each contribute something to the show.
A lot of the humor on the show is derived from the uncomfortable situations caused by Michael's ineptitude and awkwardness. In addition to the hilariously terrible things that Michael says and does, the characters' reactions are priceless. For example, in the episode "Diversity Day", Michael makes all of the workers address each other using racial stereotypes, and the way everyone complies is great. Pam tends to get embarassed, Kevin comes up with random comments ("Maybe some spaghetti!"), and Jim often smirks at the camera.
While I don't feel that The Office was the best comedy on television (Arrested Development, I miss you so much! And Scrubs, so unerappreciated), but it is very close. It is a show that must be seen to be believed. Steve Carell is priceless as always, and the rest of the cast is great as well. Make sure you clock in on time.
Movie Review: Perfect Translation of the UK Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
"Abraham Lincoln once said that if you are a racist, I will attack you with the North. And those are the principles that I carry with me to the workplace." - Michael Scott, "Diversity Day"
Now that THE OFFICE has gotten a second season, let's hope the critics can finally quit prefacing their reviews with "Though it's not as good as the original ..." and registering their deep fears of another "Coupling" fiasco (since when was that "Friends" clone such a sacred comedy anyway?). It's time to judge the show on its own merits, and the DVD has afforded a great opportunity for that.
It's worth busting a few myths for those who didn't bother to give the show a chance:
1. This isn't just greedy Yanks ripping off a Brit hit to rake in the dough. The executive producers are Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (recognize those names, Office UK fans?) and the show was developed for US TV by Greg Daniels, who has The Simpsons and King of the Hill to his credit. There's every reason in the world to believe that these guys genuinely want to make a quality show. Besides star Steve Carell, the ensemble are all unknowns (a few are also writers on the show), and with no laugh track the show couldn't possibly be less "commercial."
2. The US version is not just copying the original episodes. They used about half of the original pilot script for the US pilot episode, but after that each script is original -- and excellent. My personal favorites are "Diversity Day," "Health Care," and "The Alliance."
3. Just because something is British doesn't make it more intelligent and subtle. I adored the original Office, but I think a lot of Americans mistook British reserve for subtlety. There was nothing subtle about Gervais' David Brent, a brilliantly horrifying character. Every other thing he said was wildly offensive and ridiculous -- just because he did it with a British accent didn't make it less obnoxious. Carell plays the American equivalent Michael Scott louder, but I think it's an absolutely appropriate character choice -- this is a translation of the show, not a carbon copy.
Carell has also gotten some criticism for not conjuring the David Brent pathos. But they've only done six episodes -- there's time for the characters to grow, so expect to see more layers to Michael Scott as the show progresses. Incidentally, I think Carell has already had some great moments along these lines: Check out the look on his face in the pilot when he pulls his "prank" on Pam and she starts crying, or in "Health Care" when he's hiding in his office with ice cream sandwich all over his face. The similarly over-the-top Dwight (Rainn Wilson) also shows more shades as the show goes on, particularly in scenes where Michael Scott (who usually acts as his mentor) turns on him.
SO HOW ABOUT THIS DVD? Well, it really helps to be able to watch The Office without annoying commercials disrupting the quiet tone. The EXTRAS are terrific: Five commentary tracks from all the primary actors, as well as Daniels and some of the writers. There are tons of deleted scenes included, which are as amusing as the material that actually made it into the episodes. I hope the next DVD will include outtakes, and I'd also like to see an on-the-set feature to show the unusual set-up of the show (it's filmed in actual offices above a normal soundstage).
Kudos to NBC for renewing The Office, despite not-great ratings. It's unfortunate that many of the people who would normally be the ideal audience for an untraditional comedy like this decided to hate it on principle. As a fellow fan of the original, I implore you to give this Office a chance.
Movie Review: Subtle Humor At Its Finest
Summary: 5 Stars
For the past few years, I considered the TV series "Family Guy" to be the funniest show on the tube for its ability to poke fun at anything and everything. Yet, more than likely due to the rather sick mind of creator Seth McFarlane, that show tends to beat you over the head (sometimes again and again and again) with its jokes in rather crude fashion. It can be hilarious, don't get me wrong, but a show like that can only stay fresh for so long without having to up the "shock ante" with every episode.
Just recently, though, I discovered "The Office" while utilizing a free trial of Netflix and was blown away by the subtleness of the humor that abounds in each and every episode. I had watched bits and pieces of certain episodes in the past, but beginning to watch them in broadcast order really helped me put the pieces together and enjoy every second of each 20-minute episode.
Basically, the show is set at the Dunder-Mifflin paper company in Scranton, PA, where a very diverse group of office workers work the 9-5 cubicle life under the "direction" of Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell). It's very much like a toned-down, more realistically-funny version of the feature film "Office Space". But here's the catch: Michael is, by and large, a complete idiot, and thus the office functions accordingly.
In this first season (only six episodes long, likely due to its "trial run" status in the U.S. to see if it could duplicate the success of its United Kingdom namesake show), all the building blocks of the show are put in place in terms of character development, relationships, and humor. Really, there are three reasons why the show (right from this very first season) resonated so much with American audiences:
First, is the notion that all the characters are so relatable to potential real-life situations. Everyone can relate to the idiot boss (Michael), the office suck-up (Dwight), the "normal" or "cool" ones (Jim and Pam), the pervert (Kevin) and the tightly-wound frosty woman (Angela), to name just a few. While those characters are of course amped up a bit from what a real office feels like, there still exists that sense that you yourself could just as easily be in the same situation they are.
Another reason this show is so successful is the focus on the characters of Jim and Pam. Both are acted extraordinarily by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer and are truly the heart and soul of the show. Audiences can easily relate to the romantic tension and silly pranks between the two because of what could be called a "normalcy complex": they are the two most normal, fun characters on the show, and thus the audience roots for them due to the fact that they represent what we want to be at work. Your heart will break as they both struggle to figure out a relationship that seems destined to be, but at the same time you will also laugh along with them as they pull their silly pranks on various office personnel.
Finally, though, what truly sets this show apart from any other comedy series I have previously seen is the fact that storylines are progressed from episode to episode. Unlike some half-hour comedies (like Family Guy) where, by and large, the slate is pretty much wiped clean after every episode, "The Office" instead builds on certain plot and character threads to create continuity. Thus, the characters actually grow and learn on screen in front of you, so to speak, and don't just stagnate repeating the same old jokes or gags.
Thus, I would pretty much recommend this show to anybody who has ever held a job (not too limiting, huh?!), as you will be able to instantly relate to the kind of antics that transpire.
Movie Review: Finally, a comedy I actually enjoy
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't enjoyed a comedy since Seinfield and Friends left the air. I've tuned in to a couple but they were either too silly and unrealistic or just the same ol' thing you can find elsewhere.
Also, it is rare to find a comedy (or even a show for that matter) that my wife and I both actually enjoy. Again, this hasn't happened since Friends and Seinfield left us.
However, this show caught our attention the first time we watched it. We laughed at this show not only because of the humor but because it reminded us so much (too much?) of our daily experiences at our own offices and past experiences. After all, haven't we all had to work for a Michael Scott or had a Dwight Schrute as a co-worker? Haven't we all been forced to attend mindless and misguided meetings?
Not only was the show funny, but the characters are fantastic!! They are fantastic because every single character reminds us of somebody. My wife and I will often say, "Oh, such-a-such a person is just like [blank]." Oh, it's great!!! Now, I've gone on to watch seasons two and three so these six episodes are nothing more than an introduction to the characters. In the seasons to come we come to understand them and even come to love them in their own way (yes, even Michael, Dwight, and Angela). Season one was little more than an introduction to these characters.
The most colorful is Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell. I don't know if he was a house-hold name before this show but this show seems to have vaulted him into the public eye as he has done Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, and some other movies coming up (like Dan in Real Life and Get Smart). Michael Scott is an interesting person. He is a terrible boss under the delusion that he is the world's greatest boss. Nothing shows this better than the cup on his desk that says, "World's Best Boss." Not only does he show you this boss but that he points out that he bought the cup himself.
The other fun character is Dwight Schrute, masterfully played by Rainn Wilson (who has also gone on to do a few movies). Dwight is the coworker that nobody wants to work with. He is stubborn, obnoxious, and just plain weird. He doesn't hide the fact that he loves his job but hates everybody there. The classic line from him is, "Downsizing? Oh, I'm all for downsizing. In fact, I brought it up in my interview when I was hired."
There is a bit of a love triangle formed as well. It doesn't take long to realize that the lovable Jim Halpert (John Krasinksi) has a crush on just-as-lovable Pam (Jenna Fischer) who obviously would be the world's most perfect couple except for one thing... Pam is engaged to Roy (David Denman). But some hints are dropped by Pam that things may not be the best between Pam and Roy because they've been engaged for six years.
Jim is also a fantastic character. He is the office practical joker who takes most of his antics on Dwight. Some of the best moments are not only Jim's jokes but Dwight's reactions to them.
Those are probably the four most important characters but all of them are great. You have self-righteous Angela, Ryan the temp, perverted Kevin, office-slut and alcoholic Meredith, talkative and cheerleader Kelly, stickler for the rules Toby, and matronly Phyllis. Just looking over those descriptions, can't you relate each character to somebody you know?
This is a show I hope stays on for a long time. It is so much fun to watch over and over again. We're most definitely keeping this DVD disk set in our home for years to come.
Movie Review: It was nice to meet some of you
Summary: 5 Stars
Remaking movies is bad enough, but remaking TV shows is even worse -- when that happens, there's ninety-nine atrocious shows for one good one.
But "The Office" is that one in a hundred that's good. Scratch that -- it's that one in a million that is AS GOOD as the Ricky Gervais series it sprang from, while still having its own unique flavour. "The Office - Season One" brings us the too-short-yet sweet first season of this show, full of outrageous corporate disasters filmed in a mockumentary style. It's absolutely sidesplitting.
The action takes place at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin (a paper corporation), presided over by Michael Scott (Steve Carell), a wannabe comic who claims to be a pal to all the people under him, despite driving them all up the wall. There's also the "fascist nerd" Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), bored everyman Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), and the beautiful secretary Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), whom Jim hopelessly longs for.
Michael is ordered to do some downsizing, which he spends the whole season trying to avoid. In the meantime, Jim and Pam spend a great deal of time mocking the rigid Dwight, even starting an "alliance" with him, Survivor-style. And the Scranton employees are faced with a disastrous basketball game, Michael's version of a diversity seminar, a sexy purse salesgirl, and (most horribly) a Dwight-planned health care package. He is the lion. Run!
Don't expect a typical sitcom in "The Office." No laughtracks. No punch lines. No gag humor... well, okay there's some. And few episodes have a clear-cut ending. Instead, we have the format seen in "This is Spinal Tap" and the Christopher Guest mockumentaries -- hidden cameras watching the madness. And what those cameras see is enough to make the world's cubicle-dwellers cry, because it's all so familiar... yet so twisted.
The first season (which is rather short at only six episodes) is also heavily flavoured with the British series' humour, right down to the stapler-in-Jell-O joke. But most of the humor belongs to this show alone -- loads of pranks from Jim and Pam ("That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion"), horrendously awkward problems (Michael tries to be "funny" at an aging employee's birthday party) and intertwined storylines about office romance and conflict.
But the best part is the dialogue -- deadpan, unspeakably funny dialogue, on any topic ("How do you know that they're fake?" "Leprosy? Flesh-eating bacteria? Hot dog fingers? Government created killer nano robot infection?").
Steve Carell has some big shoes to fill, but his earnestly manic, unconsciously offensive Michael Scott makes a brilliant boss that you would sell a kidney to avoid working under. Wilson is equally brilliant as the totally bizarre dork Dwight ("Through concentration, I can raise and lower my cholesterol at will"), while Krasinski and Fischer are quite likable as the mischievous everyman and his soul-mate (who is unhappily engaged to another man).
More subtle and yet goofier than just about any other American sitcom, "The Office" translates British humour into a great post-mockumentary comedy. Funny, witty, and horrifyingly true to life, the first season is a short, sweet experience.