Review of Friends Series 7, Disc 3

Introduction

Word up people, Jason here with a look at one of the recent instalments on DVD from the hugely popular Friends franchise.

My memories of "Friends" go way back when I was just a snot-nosed little punk, and I used to be over-amused by the humour, even going through a period in my life idolising Chandler (Matthew Perry). I thought it was cool to view such programmes, when in reality the only cult following this kind of show had was that of immature teenage girls. But regardless I watched practically every one of the shows for the first two years it was aired on Channel Four, and I never failed to laugh at the diverse ordeals of the six room-mates. I loved the chemistry between Chandler & Joey, the hilarious relationship antics of Ross, the eye-candy of Rachel & Monica, and Phoebe.... well I`ll have to get back to you on.

Unfortunately I grew tired of it, and in recent years, Friends has gone to hell. The characters are completely different to what they once were, and their humour is now tired. Maybe behind the scenes rifts have something to do with the shows demise, as its days certainly seem to be numbered. Reportedly the cast are now picking up $750,000 each, per episode! You`d think that these guys were critically acclaimed actors, let me tell you they`re not. With maybe the exception of Courteney Cox, who broke through with the Scream trilogy, the rest are still relatively unfulfilled in terms of Hollywood. Maybe that`s why these guys are still stuck doing a TV series seven years after its initial debut in the states.

Although I`m by no means still a fan of the show, I don`t think I`ve really given it a fair chance in recent years, so sampling four episodes from this DVD will rectify that I think.

The DVD consists of the following four episodes, as stated below.


*Show summaries taken from box-art


The One With All The Candy

Monica (Courteney Cox Arquette) is in a festive mood so she whips up some special candy for their neighbours - but the stuff is so good the mob nearly break down her door demanding more! Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and her new boyfriend Tag set the ground rules for their new romance whilst Ross (David Schwimmer), moved by Phoebe`s bike-less story, buys her a new two wheeler.


The One With The Holiday Armadillo

Ross wants to introduce his young son Ben to Chanukah - but the festival of lights cannot compete with Christmas delights. Meanwhile, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) can`t wait to move back into her newly refurbished apartment with Rachel - but she must first drive a wedge between Rachel and her current roomie, Joey (Matt LeBlanc).


The One With All The Cheesecakes

Phoebe`s delighted when her old flame David (guest star Hank Azaria, The Simpsons) comes back from Russia for a romantic one-night date - but her romantic evening is put in jeopardy by a feud with Joey over what constitutes a proper excuse to cancel their weekly dinner plans. Elsewhere, Rachel and Chandler (Matthew Perry) disgrace themselves when they repeatedly swipe deliveries of a particularly tasty cheesecake from their neighbours doorstep.


The One Where They`re Up All Night

Rachel and Tag`s first night together is put on hold when they realise they did not send an important package before they left work. Meanwhile, Ross and Joey are stuck on the roof, Phoebe can`t rid herself of a relentlessly beeping smoke alarm and Chandler and Monica annoy each other just enough to remain wide-awake.


So, is this a disc strictly for collectors and die-hard Friends fans? Or is it a worthy addition to anybody`s DVD collection?

Read on.

Video

This is basically a standard full screen presentation and barely any improvement over watching a VHS version. All flaws that you`d expect from a straight conversion remain intact, with the horrible colouring being the main culprit.

Audio

In my experience, when popular TV shows get transferred onto DVD, they at least receive a jazzed-up soundtrack that can only be reproduced on that format. Not so here, as once again the difference over VHS is marginal.

Features

Featured on its own side of the disc, are four extra-extended versions of the episodes that are exclusives. Although I wondered why they even bothered, as the difference is minimal and barely warrants the time & effort to swap the disc sides. But that`s the screwed up logic of WB for you.

Apart from this, there`s nothing else offered in terms of extras.

Conclusion

Throughout the entire combined 88 minute duration of the episodes, I never seriously laughed once. Sure there were times that lifted the odd smile, but even these were too infrequent for my liking. The show is now dated and in serious need of ceasing production all together. And on top of all that, the disc is feeble & packs little to justify a purchase. The video & audio quality can be found on some modern VCRs, and even the addition of the "extended" directors cut episodes do little to alter my opinion.

This is just a ploy from WB to make money and take advantage of the devoted fans who paid full price for EIGHT episodes on DVD previously. I find it shallow and premature of them to actually think people will buy this dreck.

I wouldn`t even recommend this to hardcore fans of the show, unless you could pick it up in a bargain bin somewhere.