CRITIQUE

Much like this summer’s critical dud, Van Helsing, Kingdom Hospital failed for various reasons, but two big ones were finding its audience and timing.

Much like someone finding their love of their life, the long journey of a show or movie finding its audience is sometimes more difficult then other times.  The Shawshank Redemption, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Citizen Kane all failed at the time period it was released because it failed critical attention and it had a hard time finding its audience.  Considering this series was pushed in the beginning and middle of 2004 to the ABC Network audience on prime-time television – it’s almost common sense why the show failed. 

Another factor is timing.  I’m sure, like Van Helsing – if this show was released to the mainstream public around Halloween time – it would have done just a tad bit better.

And that’s only half of it. 

The show pretty much plays out like a novel.  I’m sure you will get confused attempting to read chapter five of The Shining without reading the first four chapters.  The same can be said with this show.  There are various sub-plots and situations happening all at once and it would be rather confusing to figure them out if you haven’t paid attention the first part of the show.  One real example is every now and then about  half of the show – we see this headless guy trying to search for his head.  This is sort of an inside joke to something that occurred in the first half of the show. 

This show mixes horror and drama with satire, really.  Stephen King’s best stuff is the more serious but his best creative pieces of work come from his more sick and twisted sense of humor side.  Films like Creepshow and Maximum Overdrive are examples of King’s dark humor.  And that’s really what this show presents – a comical approach of a haunted place with both zany and lovable characters. 

There are no weak moments in the series.  It pretty much ends on a cliché note but nonetheless, considering how much of a failure this was on TV  - viewing it on DVD with no commercials and wasted five minute recaps of previous episodes.   It’s both a pleasure and treat to view the episodes in tact and for own viewing pleasure. 

THE VIDEO

Columbia presents Kingdom Hospital in 1.78:1 widescreen format. The colors are clear and the presentation is very good.

THE AUDIO

Columbia presents Kingdom Hospital in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. Most TV series converted to DVD still don’t work with stereo surround sound. Even Smallville sounds a bit awkward and distorted in stereo. But with Kingdom it works well. The music (and there are moments when the music plays a big role) and sound effects are just done right without flaws. Even the dialogue sounds clear without obvious distortions. 

THE EXTRAS

• Commentary by filmmakers

• Featurette: Patients and Doctors: The Cast of Kingdom Hospital

• Featurette: Designing Kingdom Hospital: A Tour

• Featurette: The Magic of Antubis

• Inside the Walls: The Making of Kingdom Hospital

The commentary track on the episode “Thy Kingdom Come” is the selling point of the extras. We get to hear from Stephen King, that is a treat all on itself. Hearing him, you can tell the guy is above and beyond intelligent and funny, his twisted sense of humor also shines in real life. King is mostly the man that keeps this commentary together since there are a few annoying quiet moments.

FINAL THOUGHTS