Farscape 2: Starburst Edition 2 (2pc)

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Summary: Additional Information
Review: Additional information on this set: As with the first "Starburst Edition" set, this will have 7 episodes with extras, leaving eight episodes for Season 1 Set 3. Officially this is set 2 of 12, meaning the entire four-season series will be released 3 sets per season.

I had not purchased this series (opting instead to rent it...) because of the high price and MASSIVE packaging of the original release. These new releases are very nicely done, however, and it looks as though I'll be picking them up as they come out.

Outstanding that ADV chose to rerelease these so quickly when they realized what huge demand there was. Kudos the the folks who are putting these together.

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Summary: Just keeps gettin' better...
Review: As my review for the Starburst Edition Vol. 1 said, this is just fantastic how ADV Films is now releasing the Farscape DVDs. Capitalizing on the tele-broadcast of the Peacekeeper Wars, ADV decided that for stores that can only afford to keep newer titles on the sale racks, the best way to get new fans into Farscape (now that the Season 4 cliff-hanger has been adequately resolved) is to re-release the series in an easily affordable format. Instead of the rather expensive method the last time, $30-40 for 4-5 episodes, ADV is releasing 7-8 episodes for half that! Amazing deal for those who passed on the initial releases. Not only that, these new Starburst Editions come with new extras that have been updated to contain relevant info from the entire series, including the Peacekeeper Wars mini-series. Plus you get audio commentaries on just about every episode. On the first volume, you got 6 commentaries out of the 7 episodes. Pretty good deal, eh?

I was one of those who did pass on the first releases because I didn't like the way the first season was released. 11 single-wide* volumes of just 2 episodes each? BAD DEAL! Now way was I going to buy this series like that. Fortunately, for Season 2, they went the Andromeda route and did 5 double-wide** 2-disc volumes with 4-5 episodes each. Not bad, but still cumbersome for an entire season. But now with the Starburst Edition, you get 7-8 episodes in a single-wide 2-disc set. This is good for two reasons. Less volumes to buy per season and overall, and less space. Instead of 11 volumes plus 15 double-width cases, you can get the entire series on 12 single-wide volumes. So you can see, you will save a ton of shelf space. Then of course, if you buy the Peacekeepr Wars disc, that'll makew it 13 in total. Still a whole lot better than the original way. And if you're like me and constantly running out of room for your DVDs, this is great.

But anyway, about my experience with the show itself.... When Farscape first started back in 1999, I made an effort to watch. However, due to real-life circumstances, I couldn't catch it religiously. So I missed out on it and it finally got to a point where I just didn't even bother to watch it. Well, when the first Farscape DVDs hit the market, I kind of expressed some interest in getting them. But when I saw how they were releasing them at first as stated above, I said, "Screw that, I ain't buyin' them that way." It was a shame too, because despite having some misgivings about the Jim Henson Creature Shop effects in the series, I always like good sci-fi. And after seeing numerous trailers about Farscape on other ADV releases, I have decided that with these Starburst Edition releases and now that the series has adequately finished up with the Peacekeeper Wars, that I will dive into this series head first. After viewing the first volume, I can't wait for subsequent releases.

Great picture quality and an unbelievably emmersive 5.1 soundtrack. Watch "PK Tech Girl" to hear what I mean. Shame the Trek releases weren't this good in the sound department.

Like I said above, because I haven't really seen much of this series past the first third of Season 1, I can't really comment on the greatness this show became. It's a shame too, because I can't wait to collect and experience the entire show.

So if you want some great Sci-Fi at a cheap and affordable price, don't hesitate to buy Farscape: The Starburst Editions. Oh, by the way, the little extra "cool factoids" about the series in the DVD extras, are quite informative and interesting. Interesting trvia about the show. Good stuff.



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Summary: A new fan's praise...
Review: I have recently fallen in love with this series and I'm thrilled that I can now get them at a reasonable price and in space saving packaging. I can't wait to see them all!!!

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Summary: Farscape great; new Starburst set great; release dates not
Review: I just got into the show by picking up the Collection 1, of Series 1, then after watching it and becoming hooked, I had to go back and get Collection 2. The only problem is, now it's over a month until Collection 3, and a new collection every 2 months, which would take way too long for me to get my fill of the series. I will be forced to go out and find the old releases, just so I can keep watching the entire series.

This is a VERY POOR release plan as new, excited fans of the show like me are not going to wait that long to see the entire run. Who wants to draw it out that long. If you want sales, release each 3 sets of each series at one time, or we will go out and buy the old releases!!! Very poor marketing, in my opinion.

Now, as far as the shows, all 7 are strong episodes, with maybe the exception of Jeremiah Crichton, which even the cast picks on in the commentary. It's not a bad episode, it's just not the usual fun episode I've come to expect. Crichton has such a bad disposition throughout, it rubs off on the viewer!!

The standout episodes are DNA Mad Scientist and the best episode of the series I have seen thus far, They've Got a Secret. The past of D'Argo is revealed here, in an incredibly passionate performance by Anthony Simcoe. One of the strongest sci-fi episodes I have seen of any program of late.

The Flax is also quite well done, as we finally see Aeryn Sun becoming more Human than Sebacean, and even sharing a VERY erotic first kiss with Crichton. Aside from many of the original Doctor Who companions, Claudia is one of the hottest sci-fi actresses of all time. I so envy Ben Browder in that episode, as Claudia's lips are enough to.....well.....em....never mind.

The picture quality is superb and I don't think I have seen a sharper image from a DVD on my component wired DVD/TV. Zhaan's blue complexion is the bluest my set has ever been!

All in all, the sets are superb, however if they are slowly going to trickle out one every 2 months, I am not going to wait.

Rating:
Summary: Great extras...
Review: I love the fact that these are being re-released in more "compact" volumes. A certain mall retailer broke the street date on this item. Both collection 1 and 2 are both excellent! The extras on them are spectacular. Quite a few interviews and character bios.

The only downside I had with them were that instead of putting 3 or 4 episodes on a single sided disc, they put 2 episodes per side. So it's a little annoying flipping discs over. But, it's a small price to pay for the excellent extras and the lower price than the original releases.