Saturday, March 06, 2010

Blog Blu-ray Review: South Park - The Complete Thirteenth Season (3/16)

It is Saturday, so that must mean it is time for the weekly Blog DVD review! BUT wait! We are doing our very first Blu-ray review! We have finally gotten into the Blu-ray game and we will provide some Blu-ray reviews here and there from now on (both in blog and full reviews). So welcome to a special edition of Blog Blu-ray reviews! Today we take a look at Comedy Central/Paramount's South Park - The Complete Thirteenth Season. South Park of course is the popular cable animated series that is full of laughs for all ages...but kids under 16 really shouldn't be watching. See skees53's blog Blu-ray review of South Park - The Complete Thirteenth Season:

South Park - The Complete Thirteenth Season (Comedy Central, $57.99 Blu-ray/$49.99 DVD) brings everybody's favorite group of animated foul-mouthed fourth graders together for fourteen more episodes of life in their small Colorado town. The thirteenth season is more of the same show that we are all used to, but in the typical style of South Park, it becomes even more hilarious than before and pushes the envelope on every single event in popular culture. The Complete Thirteenth Season is available in a three-disc DVD set as well as a two-disc Blu-ray set, which will be the focus of our coverage (for the first time ever!).

The season begins with "The Ring," where Kenny has a new girlfriend and thinks that he may finally get a chance to lose his virginity (yes, a fourth grader thinking about that), but life isn't so fun for him when his new girlfriend has an obsession with the Jonas Brothers and inspires him to wear a chastity ring. Cartman brings vigilante justice to South Park in "The Coon." It is a battle of the sexes in the incredibly raucous episode "Eat, Pray, Queef." Kanye West is incredibly confused about a joke that Jimmy (but Cartman attempts to take credit for) invented in "Fishsticks," and is out for revenge. Cartman dreams of living the pirate life when he hears news reports of piracy in Somoalia in "Fatbeard," so he decides to travel to Africa to partake in the pirate life, which leads to an international crisis.
Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, and several others are alive again (if only for 22 minutes) in "Dead Celebrities," where Ike starts seeing dead people. Youth prostitution becomes big in South Park in "Butters' Bottom Bitch," and Butters is behind it all. In "W.T.F.," the boys are interested in joining the wrestling team at school after watching professional wrestling on TV, but when they find out that real wrestling is "lame," they decide to start their own wrestling federation, complete with all of the soap opera drama of WWE. In "The F Word," a certain word becomes the talk of the town when the boys spray paint it all over town, but it happens to offend the gay community of South Park. Move over, Rush Limbaugh, here comes Eric Cartman when he takes over the morning announcements and uses it as a forum to talk about whatever he wants in "Dances with Smurfs." The season ends with "Pee," where the kids go to a water park that is in a crisis mode--too many people are peeing in the water, which will cause the world to end--although Cartman's biggest concern is that there are too many minorities in the wave pool.

The episodes as presented on the set are completely unedited and uncensored, which means that it provides more than what aired on Comedy Central. Anything that could be seen as slightly controversial is included in the episodes, and there are no censors at all in this set, so don't be surprised to hear a few f-words (not including the one that was the focus of the twelfth episode of the season) here and there. Runtimes are as follows.

Blu-ray Disc 1:
1. The Ring (22:16)
2. The Coon (22:15)
3. Margaritaville (22:15)
4. Eat, Pray, Queef (22:16)
5. Fishsticks (22:15)
6. Pinewood Derby (22:16)
7. Fatbeard (22:17)

Blu-ray Disc 2:
8. Dead Celebrities (22:16)
9. Butters' Bottom Bitch (22:15)
10. W.T.F. (22:15)
11. Whale Whores (22:15)
12. The F Word (22:15)
13. Dances with Smurfs (22:16)
14. Pee (22:16)

The Blu-ray version of the set comes in a two-disc set that is contained in a digipak, as has been the case for all of the previous releases. The front of the package has a picture of all of the boys, with Cartman holding a piece of paper that is somewhat similar to his pirate map in the episode "Fatbeard" with a yellow background. The back of the package has another picture of all of the boys (though it is missing Kenny for some reason) along with the basic information about the set. Inside, there is a four-panel digipak. The outside of the digipak has full panel pictures of scenes from the episodes on the set. Inside the digipak, the far left and far right panels have episode information, and the two interior panels have snapshots from the episodes "Fishsticks" and "Dances with Smurfs." These two snapshots are also depicted on the disc artwork, with Disc 1 containing the snapshot from "Fishsticks" and Disc 2 containing the snapshot from "Dances with Smurfs." Disc 1 contains episodes 1-7, and Disc 2 contains episodes 8-14. The DVD version of the set, which was not available for review, contains three discs.

The main menu on each disc on the Blu-ray version contains video scenes from the episodes contained on the disc with the South Park "doomsday" music playing in the background. The options on the main menu include Play All, Episode Selection, Bonus Features, and Setup. Episode Selection shows all of the episodes on the disc, which pops up over part of the screen on the main menu (while the video continues to play), and Bonus Features (only on Disc 1) does the same thing. Setup allows you to adjust the audio (either Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Stereo) and also allows you to turn on commentary and subtitles. The pop-up menus (available only in the Blu-ray version) provide all of the same options with a slightly different appearance. Chapters are placed appropriately throughout each episode.

The video and audio quality of the Blu-ray version of this set is spectacular. There are virtually no flaws at all to be found in the video, and everything is crystal clear and incredibly sharp. As for the audio, it is available in Dolby TrueHD as well as Dolby Digital Stereo. Unfortunately, as I do not have an elaborate home theater system, I was unable to experience the Dolby TrueHD version of the audio as it was intended to be, but I found that the Dolby Digital Stereo version was still spectacular, and was a lot better on my less low-tech setup. Each episode on the set contains English subtitles.

There are a few nice special features on the set (all of them are the same on both the Blu-ray and DVD version), though the set still falls somewhat short in the special features arena. The special features can be found on Disc 1 on the Blu-ray version. "Inside X-Box: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour of South Park Studios" (4:35) is just a short behind-the-scenes tour of the production of the series. It is interesting to watch, but way too short. The set also contains several deleted scenes (7:14) that encompass the entire season. I don't believe that any of the previous releases have ever included any deleted scenes, so this is definitely a nice feature to see this time. Finally, the set contains brief audio commentaries from Matt Stone and Trey Parker on each episode, but as has been the case on the previous releases, these are way too short and not nearly insightful enough. Basically, they just come in for a few minutes at the beginning of the episode, then leave, which doesn't provide full insight into the episode, as a commentary should do.

This set is the very first Blu-ray that I have ever owned and watched. In fact, I purchased my very first Blu-ray player specifically for this review, and I have to say that this series was a great place to start on Blu-ray. I've never seen the episodes of the series in high definition (my cable company doesn't provide Comedy Central in high definition for some reason), and I have never before seen this series look so great. The set is virtually flawless (aside from the somewhat dismal special features), and really demonstrates the true glory of what Blu-ray is all about. I haven't seen the DVD version of this, but if past releases are an indicator, the episodes on that version should look great as well, although I would strongly recommend the Blu-ray version if you have a Blu-ray player. Head on up to South Park and meet these friends of mine!

-- Reviewed by skees53
(4.5/5 stars)

To purchase the Blu-ray set, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

To purchase the DVD version, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
South Park TV.com Page


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, September 26

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 25)

Tuesday, September 26

  • Tina Fey (Only Murders in the Building/30 Rock) - Catch Tina on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • J. B. Smoove (Blockbuster/Curb Your Enthusiasm/The Millers/'Til Death), Al Madrigal (Lopez vs Lopez/About a Boy/Gary Unmarried/Welcome to the Captain) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - J. B., Al and Whitney are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new album and tour, Big Boss Tour, her platform, KeyTV, and new motherhood on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani discusses her latest cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Pamela is taking over the whole show and telling Drew all about her career and what she's up to now on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Sam Jay (Bust Down) - Sam will be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Kerry Washington (Unprisoned) - Kerry talks about her new book Thicker than Water: A Memoir on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny talks about The Masked Singer on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Christopher Knight (The Brady Bunch) - Christopher will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:40am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

09/25 - Laff Fall 2023 Schedule with Last Man Standing and Man with a Plan; Upload Returns October 20
09/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 25, 2023)
09/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: An End on the Horizon for WGA Strike?; Hallmark Ready for Christmas
09/22 - The Santa Clauses Season 2 Launches November 8; CBS Alters Fall Schedule
09/21 - Penn & Teller: Fool Us Gets New Return Date; Netflix's Unicorn Academy Premieres November 2
09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
09/13 - TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV
09/12 - Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen Gets CBS Late Night Run; Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy Special
09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
09/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 11, 2023)
09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company
09/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 4, 2023)
09/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: No Third Season for How I Met Your Father; Spectrum Dispute with Disney Could Spell End of Cable
09/01 - September Is Anniversary Month on Hulu; Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Returns for Its 25th Anniversary
08/31 - Max's Original Comedy Series Starstruck Season 3 and Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Premiere Dates; AXS TV Announces Fall Programming Lineup
08/30 - The Partridge Family Coming to AXS TV Starting Oct. 2; CBS to Air A Tribute to Bob Barker Special Aug. 31, Marathon of Match Game Episodes to Air Sept. 2 on Game Show Network
08/29 - Once Upon a Time Coming to Hulu; Young Love Launches on Max in September
08/28 - Remembering TV Legend Bob Barker; Wolf Like Me Returns in October on Peacock
08/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 28, 2023)
08/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Date Set, With CBS Also Airing First Two Episodes; Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Cancelled
08/25 - Rick and Morty Returns October 15; Switch New Season Begins September 18 on Game Show Network