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Home Theater Movie Renter's Guide - September, 2011

"The Office: Season Seven" (Blu-ray) - Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

This set includes 26 episodes of one of televisions funniest comedy series. By the seasons end, Michael Scott prepares to leave the show and a host of cameo stars “audition” for the office manager spot. If you are a fan of this show, you will want to pick up this set to complete your catalog…and be part of Carell’s fare well.

Commentary

So how do we get rid of a main character in a long running show? We sideline him more and more until he is almost invisible by the time the season ends. The character that was for six seasons the driving force of nearly every single episode is now rarely featured. There are very few episodes that allow him to take center stage and this hurts the show, badly. However, the season as a whole is still a humorous joy to behold. Included is “Threat Level Midnight: The Movie”, which is crazy, if not the “jumping the shark” episode. Though starting to float farther and farther away from its prime, The Office: 7 is still relatively good as a whole and a “must have” for all the loyal fans, especially since it is Michael's swan song. He will be missed. Can the show go on without him? My Magic 8-Ball says, "Doubtful"!

Technical

Picture quality is very good, with all scenes being well lit and detailed. Sometimes the whites can be a bit blown out, especially if someone is in front of a window. Occasionally a color will “pop”, but the office environment does not display a lot of eye candy. Sound is clear, but obviously, dialog driven with little use for the surrounds and sub.

Extras

Lots of extras, including commentaries, outtakes, bloopers, and over 100 minutes of deleted scenes. A collectable poster is also included in the package that parodies Georges Seurat's famous painting "A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande-Jatte." Did I mention “Threat Level Midnight: The Movie”?

3 D

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