Review of Joe 90: Volume 4

Introduction

This is the fourth disc of the collection, comprising another six episodes of adventures for young Joseph McClain and his father.

Every week, in his role as a very special agent for the World Intelligence Network, Joe would have huge chunks of his young mind overwritten with the expertise of whoever`s knowledge would be handy to him in his latest assignment. And he never once complained of a headache.

I could imagine such a piece of kit as the BIGRAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope Record And Transfer) used by Joe`s dad to siphon knowledge into his son`s head being a positive boon to students in place of last-minute cramming sessions. I can`t help wondering about fatherly concern for his son`s wellbeing as Professor McClain is not only willing to use his son as a lab rat, but is willing to let some second rate 007 called Sam Loover take the kid into perilous situations that could leave him seriously dead.

Of course, it`s all good old-fashioned "Famous Five" type adventuring from an era when children could play in the streets and not be afraid of perverts, drug-dealers or drive-by shootings. All young Joe has to deal with are international spies, mad scientists and plots to steal jet fighters.

Video

Presented in the original 4:3, the image quality is excellent, with minimum print damage, very good colour and contrast and no digital artefacting.

Audio

The sound is only in DD2.0 mono, and sounds a little shrill and tinny compared with the "Captain Scarlet" or "Thunderbirds" soundtracks.

Features

The episodes have subtitles, and there are galleries of character biographies and information files, episode photo galleries and design artwork.

Conclusion

For nostalgiaphiles, this is a long overdue visit to a fondly remembered tv show. While not as polished as previous shows from Gerry Anderson, and frequently quite cringe-making, it nevertheless has a certain batty charm and is definitely an improvement on today`s even more wooden CGI adventure shows on childrens` television.