Actors: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hyden Walch, Tom Kenny
Created by: Pendleton Ward
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Running Time: 572 minutes
Seasons: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
I have to admit, I was not aware of this amazing show when it first started airing. I came in around the third season but I have never seen anything like this before. “Adventure Time” is an amazing blend of animation with fantasy and plenty of comedy. It is trippy, strange and completely weird but impossible not to love. The show’s creator Pendleton Ward is just 30 years old and has really delivered us a fantastic show not just for kids either, this show is for “kids” of all ages. There are some many pop-culture references through this series that literally brings out the fanboy in all of us. If you have never heard of “Adventure Time”, now is the perfect time to start. If you are a die-hard fan like myself, need I say more?
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Cartoon Network has released numerous DVDs for “Adventure Time” in the last few years but just recently started getting into the complete seasons, which I am big fan of. This is the first time that The Complete First Season is available on Blu-ray and also the first time that The Complete Second Season is available at all in full. Together these releases brings us, the fans, 52 episodes of this amazing show in glorious high definition. They also come in very cool slipcases. First season is Finn with a removable hat and the second season, surprised it isn’t Jake, is The Ice King, with removable beard. Very clever and a nice added touch!
The Complete First Season Official Synopsis: What time is it? It’s time for Adventure Time! Cartoon Network’s #1 hit comedy show and Emmy-nominated series centers on the post apocalyptic adventures of Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada), a human boy with a funny hat, and his friend Jake (John DiMaggio), a magic and mischievous dog. The Blu-ray includes all 26 episodes from Season 1 and tons of special features by Ward. The first season also comes packaged with a collectible slipcover and is a must have for any Adventure Time fan.
The Complete Second Season Official Synopsis: It’s one crazy adventure after another for human boy, Finn, and his best friend, Jake, a 28-year old dog with magical powers. They’re out to have the most fun possible and they sure do find it exploring the Land of Ooo! Whether it’s saving Princess Bubblegum (Hynden Walch), battling zombie candy, taunting the Ice King (Tom Kenny) or rocking out with Marceline the Vampire Queen (Olivia Olson), with Finn & Jake it’s always Adventure Time.
Like I said before the episodes looks quite amazing with their 1080p transfers and aspect ratio of 1.78:1. I watched this show on Cartoon Network HD and this really gives the show a real impressive make over. The most disappointing aspect of this release is the audio tracks. Oh man, they really let us down here. Each season only comes with a weak Dolby Digital 2.0 (192kbps) track. This is even
bad for DVD standards. The show is dialogue based, so it doesn’t suffer too much but if I am upgrading this series, especially for the first season on Blu-ray, then I expect Blu-ray quality audio tracks.
The Complete First Season features the same extras, which are replicated from its previous DVD release. “Behind the Scenes” features the show’s creator Pen Ward show us around the show’s offices. To top that there is a “Behind the Behind the Scenes,” which includes more strangeness inside the show. “Adventure Time Music with Casey + Tim” is a featurette with the show’s composers Casey James Basichis and Tim Kiefer. There are also four commentary tracks including “Trouble in Lumpy Space” & “Prisoners of Love” with John DiMaggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny and Pen Ward; “Tree Trunks” by Bettie Ward and Polly Lou Livingston and “Ricardio the Heart Guy” with George Takei, Tom Kenny, Hynden Walch, Jeremy Shada and Pen Ward.
The Complete Second Season extras are not as bountiful as the first but it makes up for it in its content. There are literally 26 commentary tracks includes. If you are a fan of this show, each one is better than the next. There is also a featurette “The Crew of Adventure Time”, with them being interviewed by Pen Ward. Topping this release off is my favorite part, even though it is not much of a bonus feature, if you like digital copies then these two seasons releases include all the episodes available to be added to your Ultraviolet digital streaming account!