If there is
one major, single gripe about this Tales from the Deep
release it's that all nine episodes are presented out of order.
Instead of releasing this as an episode-by-season DVD, Paramount
just slapped nine random episodes on a disc and here we are.
Even though the episodes don't connect, which they usually don't
(for any regular show, unless you're talking about prime-time
shows like 24 or Oz), the quality of each one is
rather varied. Tales from the Deep feels a bit rushed.
Five out of
the nine episodes are actually worth your time and make you
laugh. The other four episodes lack plot and comedic ingenuity.
Each episode, except for the first one (running double time),
runs about 11 minutes. For the sake of simplicity I'll list the
good and the not-so-good episodes with some comments.
Good:
House Party (odd, but a
great and funny start)
Hall Monitor (great plot
concept, lots of fun)
Just One Bite (mmmh, tasty,
a krabby patty)
Tea at The Treedome (when
Bob needs water, funny)
The Paper (SpongeBob is hilarious
here, fun little story)
Not:
I Had an Accident (too much
is spent in one location)
Valentine's Day (it just
didn't feel like anything special)
Mermaidman and Barnacleboy
(little annoying, okay)
Born Again Krabs (starts
out good, doesn't continue)
Tales from
the Deep is a good collection for any SpongeBob SquarePants
fan. I don't consider myself a regular of the show at all, but
this DVD kind of gets me in the mood for more hilarious
adventures of SpongeBob and Patrick.
7 out of 10
The
Video
Don't expect anything
extraordinary here, but then again why should you? This is
essentially a Saturday morning TV cartoon (that is, if you don't
count the repeats throughout the week). All episodes are
presented in full frame reflecting the look the show. To be
honest, I didn't pay much attention to detail in the quality of
the presentation, because it doesn't really matter. This is a
funny, silly TV show that doesn't require great quality. The
quality is already there.
7 out of 10
The
Audio
All of the noise comes from
the front speakers. This show wasn't designed for sound, which
is why Paramount only offers us the dismal 2.0 Surround. Call it
lackluster. Call it average. In the end the audio sounds just
fine.
6 out of 10
The
Extras
"Underwater Sun" Music Video
- the same song as in the first episode with most of the same
footage
Drawing The Good Lagoon
- A storyboard feature that runs for about a minute or two. A
little interesting how it's done, but nothing special.
SpongeBob's House Party
Storyboard - Some careless storyboarding with sound effects
and dialogue. Why was this even included?
4 out of 10
Overall
Only five out
of the nine episodes are actually worth watching. Without much
quality in either video, audio, or features, this DVD release is
only for fans of the show. Perhaps the next release, Lost at
Sea, will feature an overall better set of episodes.
