Going into The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season release, the big question on every Simpsons fan's mind is, "Is it worth it if I already own the DVD set?" Though there are no new extras on the Blu-ray, the video quality is up to par with most animated Blu-ray releases. The show didn't switch to widescreen until its Twentieth season, so everything is still presented in a standard 4:3 format. Where the release really shines is in how clear everything looks. Colors are vibrant without any banding or aliasing. The level of clarity adds a neat sense of "pop" to some scenes. You can almost see the separation between cels and backgrounds, creating an almost 3D effect.
Up front, I have to admit I'm not as avid a Simpsons fan as I was when the show first began. I still catch an episode here and there, but don't keep up with it the way I used to. That will probably change after this weekend.
I know animated satire isn't exactly a unique thing on TV these days, but when a show manages as spectacular a run as The Simpsons, you know someone is doing something right. Season Thirteen kicks off in spectacular hilarity and manages to keep things running until the last episode. The season features everything from a talking house (voiced by Pierce Brosnan) that only has eyes for Marge, to episodes tackling religion and medicinal marijuana. Not every episode is a winner, though every one guarantees at least one major laugh.
The one thing I really like about The Simpsons, and the reason I think it's managed to maintain its popularity for so long, is its style of humor. The show isn't afraid to charge into controversial issues, but it never goes for the jugular like other series. I know some viewers want nothing less than complete and total ridicule of a subject, but that's just not the show's style. Situations are funny without ever becoming uncomfortable or offensive. Well, that is unless you're Brazil.
The most noteworthy aspect of Season Thirteen was the episode "Blame it on Lisa," which managed to piss off Brazil. The reasons, and eventual fallout, are covered in the extra, "Blame it on the Monkeys."
Much of the show's humor lies with its eclectic cast of characters. Every member of the family (well, except Maggie) gets their turn in the spotlight, as do most of Springfield's motley crew of residents. Chief Wiggum tangles with unemployment; Moe decides to revamp the tavern; and Mr. Burns looks for love. Again, there are some duds, but even weaker episodes are able to pull through thanks to the cast.
Each episode comes with its own set of bonuses, namely deleted scenes or commentary (or both). Deleted scenes add a little extra footage, though I personally didn't think they added much to the episode. However, some lack coloring or other details, which is neat. All of the deleted scenes are also available as one montage with optional commentary.
Commentary, on the other hand, is fascinating, especially for fans curious about the show's inner workings. Commentary isn't exclusive to what's going on in a particular episode. For example, the "Brawl in the Family" commentary track eventually breaks down into a discussion of the producer's thoughts on the series' success and matching voices to characters. Obviously, commentary isn't something for first-time viewers, but its great for fans who can quote each episode by heart.
What commentary lacks in organization, it makes up for in star power. Several guest stars (like Stan Lee, James Lipton and Joe Mantegna) take part in their respective episodes. The Stan Lee track, which breaks down to "A Conversation with Stan Lee," is one of the best in the bunch and a must listen.
Ralph takes the main stage with the Season Thirteen Blu-ray. He's the set's cover-boy, but also the focus of two features. "Ralphisms" is a short montage of Ralph's sayings throughout the years. A second, slightly longer feature, "The Sweet Smell of Ralph," is a montage full of Ralph's best moments from the first thirteen seasons. The real surprise with the feature is watching Ralph's evolution from a background kid in Lisa's class into one of the shows most quotable characters.
Would-be animators are going to absolutely love the Animation Showcase. These consist of two short sequences in both storyboard and animatic form. A real highlight of the feature is the inclusion of the episode's animated sequence in a small window. Seeing the storyboards side-by-side with the finished product is invaluable for students. Major kudos to whoever made the call; it has definitely found a spot in my class.
Animation is also the focus in "The People Ball," which offers some interesting background information on the people ball sequence in "Sweet and Sour Marge." Finally, there's a short gallery of Season Thirteen characters.
The final two features include a short introduction from creator Matt Groening and a montage with footage from various Simpsons videogames.
I was pleasantly surprised with The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season. I never expected to enjoy the set quite as much as I did and am already looking forward to further Blu-ray releases. For fans who've been keeping up with Simpsons releases from the start, there isn't much here to warrant a repurchase unless you're the type that wants the best possible version of the show. For everyone else, The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season is a great place to start.
