The Office: Season One
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Movie Reviews of The Office: Season One
Movie Review: Find a cubicle in the back and enjoy the show
Summary: 5 Stars
I've never seen the British version so I can't compare them. All I know is this American version makes me laugh. This show is so different from most half hour comedies on American television. No laugh track, no stilted, overdone situations and so smartly written and acted that you won't catch every subtle joke or look passed between characters the first time you watch an episode.
Steve Carrell is brilliant as the clueless boss who believes he always has the answer when he doesn't even understand the question. The entire cast does a good job of making you believe they are real office workers, showing you how they push through the drudgery of another day selling paper products. Rainn Wilson has created a memorable character in Dwight Shrute; arrogant, power hungry, paranoid, dweebish and just slightly detached from reality but so much so you can't believe him as a real person. There's Jim, the funny, charming salesman who delights in moving Dwight's desk into the men's room or freezing his stapler in jello and his flirtations with Pam the receptionist who assists Jim in accelerating Dwight's paranoia by convincing him everyone in the office is forming alliances to get someone else fired.
This is an excellent show. Well written and acted; smart and funny.
Movie Review: With respect to Michael Scott...
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with a lot of what other reviewers have said; however, I must comment on the repeated "observation" that Steve Carell is not as good as the manager as Ricky Gervais was. Honestly, it isn't a matter of being "as good as." The characters are slightly, yet significantly different. Yes, they are each desperately needy and self-centered. Gervais brings to his character more manipulation and an uncurrent of unpleasantness which almost makes the viewer squirm. Carell's character is sweeter, less sleazy while still being completely inappropriate. Each is a dimwit, yet Gervais brings an occasional flavor of intelligentsia to his character with references to culture and literature that totally escape Carell's character. Each character is excellently represented by the actor, share similarities yet are not intended to be clones. This, by the way, is true of the other characters as well, yet less blatantly depicted.
Just FYI so you may judge if my opinion is worth squat to you...
I hate most TV. The only TV I've enjoyed since I've been a kid includes:
The Office (UK and US)
Buffy
Simpsons (often)
Moonlighting (save for the end of the final season)
Seinfeld
Kath and Kim (Australia)
Fawlty Towers
Movie Review: Hilarious
Summary: 5 Stars
There's something in watching Steve Carell act when you suddenly come to the conclusion that the man is not acting at all. He's that good. Michael, the character he plays is the boss of a paper supply company where a tv crew has been taping. You can tell immediately his employees pretty much can't stand him. He is an arrogant, sexist, awful excuse for a boss- but he think's the complete opposite. He tells the cameras that he thinks everyone there loves and admires and respects him. It's too damn funny cause you really believe he believes it.
Again, it all comes down to the flawless acting. And not just him, but everyone in the office is very natural at what they do-if they didn't it wouldn't be believable. It's very seamless and a joy to watch everything go down. You almost DON'T want to keep watching because it seems to pathetic and sad to watch a character like Michael do the things he does. But it is very addictive.
It's a comedy unlike any other. Those other shows rely on stupid gags and dumb jokes that are not even remotely funny. The Office relies purely on acting ability and flawless execution. And the ability to make it look as if it is not a show at all, but an everyday office environment. And in that, it succeeds brilliantly.
Movie Review: Funnier than anything else on TV
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, lets get this out of the way. The British and US versions of The Office are two different shows. As obvious as that statement seems, many critics of the show don't seem to grasp this simple concept. Steve Carrel does a great job at making this character his own. Thankfully he doesn't try to rehash Rick Gervais' portrayal (as briliant as it was). Fans of the British version's subtle wit may be disappointed, as NBC's version which, by the way, was directed by Greg Daniels, (The Simpsons, King of The Hill) takes more of an off-the-wall look at office life in a mockumentary meets reality show blend. The characters of Michael and Dwight are so perfectly obnoxious, that one can't help but relish in their personal failures. The rest of the cast could be found in any office across the country and their life-like reactions to Steve Carrel make for some intensely hilarious awkward moments. The uncomfortable pauses and stolen glances at the camera are also Highlights. In closing, if you want to see a British comedy, buy it on DVD or watch it on BBC. If you want to watch an impressively written exaggeration of the complexities of American office culture, buy season one of The Office, and watch for season two. I know I will.Movie Review: Witty, dry comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
NBC's "The Office" is a winner on all fronts. Unlike some sitcoms, the zany and original characters are just as important as the plots. You'll probaby recognize someone you know in Jim, the guy who's too smart for the job he's got but afraid too move on, or, if your not as lucky, you might be more familiar with Michael, the homophobic, racist, sexist, egotistical boss who rules over the employees of Dunder-Mifflin and is under the impression that he is everybody's best friend.
Season 1 is even less like a typical sitcom than Season 2. The first episode is a little slow, with no clear focus like most episodes have. Later on, though, this season picks up speed, featuring some of the best episodes of the series. Haven't seen the "Diversity Days" episode? It's worth the price of the DVD just for that one.
Fans romantic comedy will also find a home here, in the budding relationship between salesman Jim and receptionist Pam.
Younger kids won't get this, and even some teens may not catch all the references. Altogether though, The Office is a highly reccomendale show for plenty of people. I started watching at Season 2, and this DVD really helped me appreciate that more.