Review of Fireman Sam: Let It Snow

Introduction

It may have been something to do with the way he drove that van, but I always preferred Postman Pat. Ok, so admittedly Fireman Sam had the whole `putting his life in danger` thing going for him, but the Royal Mail employee just had a noble edge to his work that saving people`s lives could never catch up with. You can mess about with hoses and pull people from burning buildings until Kingdom comes, but at the end of the day, people prefer a bright red van and a tuneful whistle. Actually, I think it was Jess…

This doesn`t mean that `Fireman Sam` was without merit; Where else would you find the hilariously un-PC stylings of Ms Bella Lasagne or the cheeky scampstery of little Norman Price`s assaults on Pontypandy`s quiet village life? In the show itself, the community spirit invoked was a genuinely warming one, although the use of the fire service for every problem or query occurring within a five mile radius did seem a little irresponsible - I mean, never mind that a dog has stuck his head through some railings, there could be a REAL fire going on up the road, and the only fire engine in that part of Wales was busy saving animals! I suggest you blame PontyPandy`s residents for any future tax increases.

The five episodes included on this DVD are `Let it snow`, `Fiery Finale`, `Joker Soaker`, `Pizza Palaver` and `Twichers in trouble`. However, those expecting the shows that were originally screened back in the late eighties (1987 onwards - cultural reference point = Rick Astley) will be disappointed; these episodes date from the recent remakes, which began in the heady yesteryear of 2004 (cultural reference point = Brian McFadden) and have kept coming, even despite their divergences from the original `source material`.

Video

The first noticeable difference between the modern day Fireman Sam and its late 80`s predecessor is the animation; in order to keep up with the likes of `Bob the Builder`, `…Sam` has had to employ CGI alongside its plasticine characters. As a result, the fire actually looks a bit more like fire, and similarly the water has a wetter, less confetti like appearance.

However, the purists will not be happy. Why create a putty world only to enhance it with the trickery of the modern age? Some may see this as cheating - and they`d be right - but it does help the gang to explore several more avenues of possibility, outside of the confines of the model world. Or so you`d think.

The picture quality is fantastic, and the use of a full colour palette should ensure that kids are both entertained and enthralled, despite the samey and unimaginative stories.

Audio

Messing with animation is one thing, but when you change a well-loved theme tune you`re on dodgy ground. Not only is the `Hero next door` signature song extended to twice its original length, it is also different stylistically - sailing too close to soft rock territory for its own good. My advice for the producers would be to jump this sinking ship whilst they still can, reinstating the original tune to its former glory.

They won`t.

Features

Disappointingly, the only features included are galleries and trailers of what are to come from `HIT Entertainment`. For a kids DVD, this is pretty shoddy - you`d expect some sort of interactive game (`Find the hose` or something similarly suggestive) to be on the Disc, and so points are dropped for failure to capitalise on this opportunity.

Conclusion

There are usually two markets for Children`s TV shows released on Digital Versatile Disc; the minors themselves who will watch the programs ad infinitum, and the `nostalgia freaks`, obsessed with reliving their childhood. Unfortunately, `Fireman Sam: Let it snow` is only going to appeal to the former group.

One reason for this is, other than the horrifically samey story lines, is the fact that these are NEW shows, with a different theme tune, (slightly more) politically correct accents and general watering down of the overall impact that the various nationalities and personalities brought to the eighties incarnation. Ok, so maybe Bella Lasagne`s cod Italian accent was a little over the top, but at least it raised a few harmless laughs; it`s hardly tantamount to `Love Thy Neighbour`s own unique and Neolithic form of racism.

For those who it may interest (ie. young children), you have to ask yourself one question; `is it really as good as it`s competitors?` The answer, when compared to `Bob the Builder` or `The Tweenies` is, I`m afraid, negative. Whereas the Neil Morrissey voiced DIY man`s series has seemingly tapped into the niche created when children are subconsciously exposed morning, noon and night to the likes of `Ground Force` and `Colin and Justin do things with houses … again`, the rescue service concept seems dated and tired in 2005 AD. `Fireman Sam` may be adequate, but in truth, it treads water alongside its rivals.

Of course, my shortcomings over these episodes could merely be because Mrs Price`s scream of `Nooorrrrmaaaaaaaaaan`, now less wailing and more cautionary in tone, just isn`t as funny any more. Maybe someone put her fire out.