Comedies have been popping up all of the networks and the past seasons have had a lot of competition. With the release of the first season of The Neighbors on DVD it’s a chance to check in on a ditsy ditty that you may have missed in last year’s crowded market. The 3 disc set includes all 22 episodes and some added extras if you just can’t get enough of the goofy situations in the series.
The concept centers on the small gated community of Hidden Hills, New Jersey where Marty Weaver (Lenny Venito) has transplanted his family. Looking for a safe, calm and charming neighborhood for his wife Debbie (Jami Gertz) and kids Abby (Isabella Cramp), Amber (Claire Mamet) and Max (Max Charles) has finally brought them to this haven in the hills. When they start mingling with the residents they find it’s not the quiet life they were exactly expecting.
The funny and creative sitcom gets very loony when they find out the whole community is a settlement of aliens from the planet Zabvron. All the Zabvrons have taken names of famous people to try and fit into the American way of life and they can read minds, transport from one point to another quickly and many other things humans have only read about in science fiction novels. Writer Dan Fogelman keeps his weekly episodes light and whimsy with characters that are both likable and sometimes off the wall. He does insert some drama now and then to offset the wacky heavy theme.
He keeps his actors in the comedy zone with some very funny and sometimes silly dialogue. The situations get hilarious at times and I especially like the episode where the Marty and Debbie get blindsided with next door neighbors the Kersees inviting themselves to their weekend in Atlantic City. Not only do they take on the gambling tables, but Jackie Joiner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye) wants to have an Earthling wedding she never had.
I will admit that the first couple of episodes are hard to get through like many of the sitcoms this past year, but after a couple more chapters you are hooked. Each episode is only a half hour and exceptionally enjoyable without commercials to bother the flow of the comedic action. While the parents do take on the wittiest dialogue, I do like the very funny interaction of the kids. Dick Butkus-Kersee (Ian Patrick) is a stitch being able to read people’s minds and answering them before they even ask a question. Not your average alien, he’s more in control than any of the others living in the community including his father Larry Bird-Kersee (Simon Templeman) and older brother Reggie Jackson-Kersee (Tim Jo).
The DVD has some bonus features in the way of deleted scenes and a quick gag reel. It’s fun to watch if you are a huge fan of the weekly program. The biggest benefit I found is that there are no commercials to bother able to watch the entire series without interrupting the comedy track.
The visual properties using the widescreen format from its original television release on ABC are very good, especially since the film fills the whole 16×9 HD screen. The projection is clear and clean with no distortion whatsoever.
The sound quality is very good played through either the television speakers or any upgraded sound system. The dialogue using the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround is easily understood with no distortion. During the large family scenes you can hear intended cross talk and group chatter at times.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Jami Gertz, Lenny Venito, Simon Templeman, Toks Olagundoye, Clara Mamet, Tim Jo, Ian Patrick, Max Charles and Isabella Cramp.
Created by: Dan Fogelman
MPAA Rating: TV-PG DL
Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction
Running Time: 506 min
Video Release Date: September 24, 2013
Original TV Series Release Date: September 26, 2012 to March 27, 2013
Language: English, dubbed Spanish, French
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Video: Widescreen 16×9 TV’s with 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Number of Discs: 3 Discs with all 22 Episodes
Distributed by: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
