Angel - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	All 22 Episodes in one boxset  |  Angel singing Mandy
Disadvantages:	Still too dependent on viewer having watched Buffy

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

After having watched all seven seasons of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and owning them on DVD, I decided the time had come to purchase the boxsets of the spin-off series Angel. Although I enjoyed the first season, I felt it was perhaps a little disjointed, so when I started on this the second season I was a little apprehensive, but was I right to be so? Read on and you'll find out….

---About the Season---

The season begins in a karaoke bar, and a red-horned, green-skinned Demon singing "I will survive" and introducing Los Angeles a city of bright lights and dark streets, we then cut to our various heroes as they carry out their duties as protectors of the helpless while dealing with their personal demons.

We see Angel, trying to come to terms with the fact that he may one day become human once more, Cordelia is still trying to "make it" as an actress, while enduring head-splitting visions of those in danger. Wesley, as bumbling as ever has now become a firm member of the evil-fighting trio that is Angel Investigations.

Meanwhile, in the offices of Wolfram and Hart, Darla is coming to terms with not only being brought back from Hell, but actually being human…..

As the season progresses we are teased with an excellent insight into Angel's background, and how he became the hero he is now, as well as an exploration into personal relationships, some humorous interludes, terrible singing and of course violent confrontation.

The characters seem to be a little more developed in this season, as the actors become more at home with the series as separate entity to Buffy, and the introduction of Gunn as a main character really helps to complete the cast. However, I must say that my favourite character is The Host, he brings the same humour that Xander brought to Buffy, and his singing is excellent.

I was a little disappointed that once more there was no complete story arc, but there were several episodes that followed on from each other, most notably the final three, which were set in Pylean dimension and rounded the season off perfectly. I also felt that there were, perhaps, still too many references to Buffy that the casual watcher wouldn't have understood, really you need to have watched Buffy as well as season one to get the best from this.

---About the Characters---

The number main characters in this season has almost doubled, with two new allies for Angel and a main character that needs saving from herself. I will only give short introductions to the characters here, as part of delight of this season was learning so much more about characters that I thought I knew so well.

--Angel - Played by David Boreanaz--

The vampire with a soul, whose mission is to help the helpless. This season really does go into the dark reaches of Angel's character and past, and suddenly he becomes someone that I can actually truly empathise with.

--Cordelia - Played by Charisma Carpenter--

Former Prom Queen with a b*tchy side, Cordelia, has had a lot of growing up to do after being blessed (or is that cursed) with visions from The Powers That Be. Although we are shown her stronger, more responsible side, we are never quite allowed to forget her shallow love of designer clothes, money and the trappings of wealth.

--Wesley - Played by Alexis Denisof--

This season is truly a coming-of-age for the failed watcher, we see him turn from bumbling idiot to an inspirational leader. Far more capable than he first appears, he is the researcher and expert in demon mythology.

--Gunn - Played by J. August Richards--

Although Gunn was introduced in the previous season as the leader of a vampire hunting gang of street kids, it is in this season that he becomes a regular member of Angel's team. He is the muscle of the group, a skilled fighter with an intense hatred of vampires.

--The Host (Lorne) - Played by Andy Hallet--

Although not actually a regular member of Angel Investigations, The Host's special skill (of being able to read a person future as they sing) is often called into service in the fight against evil. This green-skinned Demon is actually my favourite character, and injects much needed humour into the program.

--Darla - Played by Julie Benz--

In her previous life as a vampire, Darla was Angel's sire (she made him what he is so to speak) and desperately in love with his darker side. Now, returned to the world as a human, she has a chance to redeem herself, but will she take it?

--Crossover Characters--

A few characters that have appeared in Buffy also show their faces in this season including :

Dru - Mad, bad vampire that was once an obsession of Angel's.
Harmony - An old friend of Cordelia, whose not going to get any older.
Willow - Witchy friend of Buffy, who brings some news.

---About the Atmosphere---

While the actors and actresses do an excellent job, the program would not be nearly as watchable without the exceptional scenery, special effects, make-up and music. Each episode features the haunting title music, which immediately puts me into the right frame of mind to start watching, and then we have a mix of dramatic score, and some brilliant (or just funny) singing from the likes of The Host, Angel and Lindsey. As the team move between the main buildings, I can't help but be impressed with the level of detail that has gone into making the sets, the hotel especially looks impressive and I wouldn't mind spending a night or two there.

But perhaps where the program excels is the make-up and special effects. The demons look so realistic (if such a thing was real), and the transitions from human to vampire faces are done magnificently, as are the dustings. My only gripe was that there was one occasion where I could see where the make-up ended on The Host's face, but that was only for one scene and I was looking for it.

---About the Presentation---

As with Season One of Angel and 2-5 of Buffy, this season is presented over 6 DVDs which are then stored within protective sleeves in a hardback book. As well as the discs the book contains a handy episode guide, along with all the directorial information. The book and discs are very smartly printed in purple hues and the complete product looks very nice when teamed up with the rest of my Buffy and Angel Boxsets.

---About the Extras---

There is a good number of extras spread over the discs, which depending on whether you like such things can add a great deal to the value for money. However, I would suggest that you don't watch any of the extras until you've watched the whole of the season.

--Commentaries--

"Are you now or have you ever been"
"Over the rainbow"

I'm personally not that keen on commentaries and tend to avoid them like the plague, but the two on this set are not too boring, and do give a little more feel to how they writers actually intended the episodes to be.

--Scripts--

"Darla"
"Disharmony"

Ever thought you could play the characters better than the stars? Well here's your chance to prove to your family what a brilliant actor you are, as you read through these scripts that are displayed on screen in text format. Well that's only real purpose I can think for these to be on the discs.

--Making Up The Monsters--

Ever wondered what The Host looks like under all that make-up, well watch this and you'll find out. This is an interesting look at the make-up department and the time and effort that goes into turning ordinary looking people into demons, vampires and the such. Let me tell you this, Andy Hallet didn't look anything like I thought he would.

--Inside The Agency--

As I took the guided tour of the various sets, I couldn't help but be amazed at just how much detail was put into the various buildings. This is another featurette that is definitely worth watching.

--Art Gallery--

This section is split into two parts, the first is a rather pointless collection of set blueprints, but the second is a number of still pictures from the season. While the pictures aren't exactly bad, I would say they are not as high quality as the ones on Season One, and not really suitable for use as a desktop wallpaper.

--Stunts--

This is a nice tribute to the stars that we never acknowledge, that is the stunt men and women who perform all those amazing fight scenes. There are some fascinating details in this featurette and it's worth at least one viewing if not more.

--Season 2 Overview--

What ever you do, don't watch this before finishing the season as there are some huge plot spoilers. When you do watch it though, you'll discover what the makers and stars thought the significance of particular episodes was. I must admit, I had just enjoyed the story, and was amazed at the moral aspects that had been covered.

--Biographies--

Oh look, it's an incredibly boring set of written histories for the main stars. Ok perhaps not incredibly boring, but not interesting enough for me to do more than give them a quick glance. Besides anything else, all but one of these life stories was told in the Season One Set.

--Season One DVD Trailer--

If anyone can tell me the point of this "special" feature, please do so., because I can't personally see why it was added.

---About the Picture/Audio Quality---

Although the picture quality was excellent, unlike Season One this is in the 16:9 anamorphic format, which means if you watch it on a full-screen TV (as I did), there will be black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. The sound quality was also brilliant, although a little marred by the fact that there is no 5.1 sound. When will the makers of programs like this realise how much more atmospheric the program would be in full surround.

---Technical Bits---

Rating : 15
Feature Running Time : 1076 minutes
Region : 2 (PAL)
Picture : 16:9 (anamorphic)
Sound : Dolby Digital 2.0 (stereo)
Languages : English/French
Subtitles : English for the hearing impaired/French/Dutch

Price : £34.99 from mvc.co.uk (+£1 delivery) or £37.99 from Play

---About My Opinion---

This, the second season, was in my opinion far better than the first and I found that the storyline was much better thought out, with a good mix of standalone episodes, and continuing stories. The addition of The Host was a fantastic way to not only allow Wesley to move away from the bumbling comical character, but also allow the addition of some great music.

As with the previous season (and Buffy), there was a perfect mix of action, violence, horror and comedy, and it never got to dark or too light-hearted. Even in the most fantasy based episodes there was an underlying message that meant that I didn't complete discard belief. Of course, I still felt there was too much dependence on the viewer being familiar with Buffy mythology, if you haven't watched Buffy, there is at least one episode where you won't get the jokes (Disharmony).

All in all I would say that this boxset is excellent value at the current price, and any Buffy or Angel fan should buy it now, after all they might still occasionally show it on TV but then you have the commercials ruining things.

*I would advise watching this alongside Buffy Season 5, much as it was first shown on TV, as you will then "get" all the references.

**RE My title, you've got to listen to Angel singing Mandy for The Host.