Angel is a spin-off from the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although it was aimed at fans of Buffy, you can still enjoy this series if you haven't seen much or any of Buffy. I don't know why this DVD has been put in the horror section, since it's not scary.
Angel (David Boreanas) is a vampire cursed with a soul, recently moved to LA. Shortly after his arrival, he meets Doyle (Glenn Quinn), a part-demon who receives visions from the Powers That Be. He has come to help Angel make a connection to the people he is trying to save. Also helping him make a connection is Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who has also joined this series from Buffy. Failing to start a career as an actress, she convinces Angel to start up a private investigation company, Angel Investigations, looking into the demonic activities and saving the innocent. Also joining the cast, later in the series, is Wesley (Alexis Denisof), a fired Watcher turned demon hunter, and not doing very well at this job.
What makes this show so original is its bad guys. Although it contains a mix of demons and vampires similar to those in Buffy, the main villains are in fact a law firm. Wolfram and Hart specialise in demonic clients, meaning they are frequently pitted against Angel. Since they aren't necessarily trying to kill Angel each episode, it isn't too much of a blow to their believability as evil villains that the good guy almost always wins through.
Angel is a lot darker than Buffy in some of the themes it addresses, but the whole show is approached with a sense of humour that makes it highly entertaining, but doesn't detract any meaning from the depth of the plots.
The plotlines are deep and complex, always leaving you guessing, but showing that the writer's know precisely where they are going. They aren't so confusing that you're left unsure of what's going on, but are never predictable.
The effects are brilliant. Computer graphics, guys in suits and models all combine for a brilliantly believable mix of magic and demons.
The DVDs come with highly entertaining commentaries on many of the key episodes, revealing the creator's (Joss Weadon) inspirations and intentions. These are well worth listening to.
There are also featurettes and cast interviews, but these, in my opinion, don't add a great deal to the show.
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Production Year: 1978 - Horror - Director: John Carpenter - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Donald Pleasence, P. J. Soles, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Loomis
Production Year: 1980 - Horror - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Peter Cushing, Diana Dors, Denholm Elliott, Brian Cox, Sian Phillips
I would have loved to know more about the "new" packaging, any idea how it compares to the old book format? And I'd have loved to know more about what you thought of the special features...they're what really make me buy boxsets rather than recording them off the TV. Personally I loved the first season (and the second and third) but was very disapointed with four, and the way season five ended....well just don't get me started on that.
The vampire Angel leaves Sunnydale for Los Angeles where he uses his powers to help ... more
people. Meanwhile spoiled Cordelia is trying to make her way in the City of Angels - and her path is destined to cross with Buffy's true love. Episodes comprise: 1...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
A centuries-old vampire cursed with a conscience, Angel (David Boreanaz) has left the ... more
small California town of Sunnydale and the only women he ever loved, Buffy, to take up residence in Los Angeles. Once there, he is immediately befriended by Doyle, a ...
Advantages: Storylines get more personal, the stakes (haha) become higher, getting to know the characters better Disadvantages: Getting enough money together to buy the whole box set - but it's Christmas!
![Angel Season 1 (New Edition) [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78491681.jpg "Angel Season 1 (New Edition) [DVD]")
Dec 26th, 2005
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