Rating: 
Summary: Solid comedy but not up to Series 1 standard
Review: I ordered this DVD from the UK so I could have it months in advance of the US release. All the gang are back, along with a few new faces to enliven goings on at Wernham-Hogg.For the most part, this is a funny and sometimes very funny comedy. However, I suppose it has to be seen in context with Series 1 which, in my opinion, flowed better, was not so forced and didn't turn Brent into a parody of himself. Unfortunately, this seemed to happen in Series 2. Brent changed from basically being slightly irritating to being mentally unstable all, we're led to believe, in the space of a few weeks. Merchant and Gervais did admit that they were running out of ideas (hence the reason, after the Christmas specials, they killed the Series off) and this is apparent in some of the Series 2 episodes. In saying that, though, there are some genuinely funny moments, none more so than the out-takes, one of the many extras to be found on the DVD. This DVD is worth buying for the collection; funny in the most part but is shaded by Series 1.
Rating: 
Summary: My favourite comedy DVD.
Review: If you enjoyed Series One of The Office you will certainly not be disappointed with Series Two. Brilliantly written and extremely well acted it bears up well to repeated viewings (I must have watched this whole dvd dozens of times already and it makes me howl with laughter each time).
The extras are good too. The outtakes are hilarious and most of the deleted scenes could have stayed in the show without the standard of the comedy dropping. The "Making Of.." feature shows you just how much fun it must have been to work on the show.
Lovely stuff!
Rating:
Summary: As good as the original
Review: Rare for a sequel to be as good as the original, but The Office has done it. Gervais is a comedic genius! Wonderfully talented cast.
Rating: 
Summary: Mean-spirited and mercenary
Review: It's clear that Gervais and Merchant ran out of ideas and comic momentum for this heretofore *wonderful* show. I found the first series the best comedy I've ever seen (bar Fawlty Towers, of course) -- everything from conception to script to acting to direction was a brilliant observation on the worlds of us office drones. And it is this audience empathy that I feel that Gervais and co. exploit in their relentlessly cruel crucifiction of the David Brent character -- as if to say to us, "Well, you loved to hate this bloke earlier; how do you feel now that he's getting what he deserved?" I found no more character development in this series, despite having a fresh cast from the "Swindon branch;" they are merely unsympathetic observers of Brent's spiral downwards (can anyone remember the new characters' names, even?). There is little of the faux reality-show confessional to the camera that was used to great success in the first series -- what a wonderful way to flesh out the Slough gang. For instance, do we know why Tim refused the promotion? Did the writers know themselves, or were they just going for that punch line of having Gareth take over? Why bring the immortal Finchie back only to be the instigator to David making a lecherous fool of himself, again? The jokes and office by-play (if I can call such dispirited writing play) increasingly try for a laugh through crude humor; there is none of the subtle understanding of the unintentional hilarity of trapping a group of people together for 8 hours a day that was the intelligence behind the first series. Instead, what the creators give us is mean-spirited, serious revenge -- do we really want to see a person so desperate to keep a job that he is reduced to weeping and begging? For me, that crosses the line from comedy into a disturbing world of cruel spectacle -- a sort of modern-day Roman circus baying for blood. Is this voyeurism or wish fulfillment that Gervais thinks he's appeasing? Or was Gervais himself the desperate one, wanting his props as a "serious" actor? I also think that this second series is an example of indulgence on his part; knowing that he could name his price to the network, Gervais took the money and gave us all back a show that is simply a lazy reworking of his earlier inspiration. The moments of brilliance (the real-time wait for the writer to let her camera's batteries recharge while the tension in Brent's office becomes almost unbearable) only highlight what this series could have been -- a cunning, satirical look at a world unto itself rather than a self-serving solo performance. The rest of the actors do their best with what they're given, which frankly isn't much.
Rating:
Summary: Get it now!
Review: The 2nd series of 'The Office' takes everything that made the first series so popular (currently the biggest selling TV series DVD of all time) and produces another series of superb quality. For those not aware of the humour in the show, it is cringe worthy at times - but it is this insight into real peoples emotions and weaknesses that makes the show so appealing. Ricky Gervais, the writer and star of the show, has come from relative obscurity, to make something that is so relevant to people today - not just in England, but around the world. Following on from the 1st series, the 2nd series sees a continuation of the fall of David Brent, allowing for some darker comedic moments. The romance between Tim and Dawn continues, will true love ever prevail? But perhaps the highlight of the 2nd series is David Brent moving onto the consultancy circuit and becoming a motivational speaker. Slough did not know what it got itself in for....and as he walks out on the stunned group to the strains of Tina Turners 'Simply the best' you will really start to appreciate why this series has slowly made the world sit up and take notice. With just 2 Christmas episodes left before this show is forever consigned to the repeats channels, I strongly advise you to enjoy it now while it is fresh - this is the Fawlty Towers of our generation. The extras that come with the DVD are also well worth viewing, it is a total package.
Rating:
Summary: What a way to go out
Review: It is true that season two of THE OFFICE may have been less funny than the first, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't entertaining...because it was. The six episodes of that season are funny, moving and sometimes painful to watch. If it was true that the creators (Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant) felt that it was time to end the series, then what a way to go. And I won't give away the ending of the series, but it is simply heart-breaking (and unlike any ending you would see on any American sitcom). It could very well be the best British comedy since MONTY PYTHON or even FAWLTY TOWERS. Long live THE OFFICE!
Rating:
Summary: Mockumentary Madness
Review: How do you follow up on the incredible success of the first season of the hit sitcom THE OFFICE? Creatively, Gervais and friends had set the bar ridiculously high for themselves -- on the comic front with this wild set of characters thrown together into the cubicles of daily work life -- so, instead, they ventured into even darker waters and emerged with a classic ending to a show that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best ever produced ... on any continent. Is season 2 funnier than season 1? No. Is season 2 as equally important as season 1? Without question.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely incredible.
Review: I just got done watching all of season 2, and I have to say, it was probably the best 6 continuous episodes of TV I've ever seen. Season one (series one, sorry) was good. Really good. But I have to disagree with a lot of reviewers here and say that series 2 blows it away. They've simply upped the ante in every way. The comedy was twice as funny. In series 1, I would chuckle quite a bit, but mostly it was just an appreciation of the jokes as opposed to flat-out laughter. With series 2, however, there were many times where I couldn't breathe due to laughing so hard. The drama and tension has also increased substantially. I won't give anything away, but the final episode affected me emotionally even more than any film I've seen this year. I've never before seen such an amazing combination of hilarious comedy and true human emotion; and to think that it's all filmed as if it's real just blows me away--it makes David's akward moments that much more painful and hilarious, and the love story that much more bittersweet. If you enjoyed the first series, the second is an ABSOLUTE MUST. If you are sick of the same old junk on TV but have yet to watch The Office, go get series 1 RIGHT NOW, and pick up series 2 while you're at it, because you will definitely enjoy it. I don't usually give 5 star reviews, but this deserves it.
Rating:
Summary: "...in a way."
Review: Yeah. Right. David Brent (the center character of THE OFFICE) is the best, bloody, self-righteous boog-a-boo to hit DVD. The only bad thing I could possible mutter about the brilliance of this show is the fact that it only lasts 2 seasons and a 2-part Christmas episode long. Blast! "Come on, come on, baby!! Come on, come on, baby!!"
Rating:
Summary: Even more cringe-inducing humor! Excrutiatingly funny!!
Review: I love this show.I loved the first season,and am so glad season 2 is now out on DVD.The humor is dry,witty,scathing,embarrassing,delightful,and makes one squeamish..but in a fun way.
The acting,especially that of Ricky Gervais,is astounding..he allows himself to be reviled by everyone except his faithful toady,Gareth(another very fine actor!!),and makes you laugh while you squirm.There has never been a show quite like this one and I really wish there was going to be a season 3!! They set the bar very high for all future sit-coms,in my opinion.
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