Blackpool/Viva Blackpool (DVD)

Blackpool is an exciting journey around the bright lights in a series that will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. It is dark humor the kind that despite being tragic is funny. I like the musical pieces with songs by Johnny Cash, Tom Jones and others. Blackpool is the tale of greediness, laughter, love and family life through the ups and downs of Blackpool's arcade owner Ripley Holden.

You are introduced to (David Morrissey) ...
...A tough, mean guy. Ripley is ready to make his millions as Blackpool remodels itself as the Las Vegas of the North. Life is not easy the family experiences many tragedies and troubles. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the family they do.

Danny his son has anxieties; daughter Shyanne is a bit of a rebel and his wife Natalie feels hard done to; his business partners cannot be trusted and the council planning committee ... more

Blackpool is an exciting journey around the bright lights in a series that will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. It is dark humor the kind that despite being tragic is funny. I like the musical pieces with songs by Johnny Cash, Tom Jones and others. Blackpool is the tale of greediness, laughter, love and family life through the ups and downs of Blackpool's arcade owner Ripley Holden.

You are introduced to (David Morrissey) Ripley Holden who is a family businessman Jack-The Lad, Bully. A tough, mean guy. Ripley is ready to make his millions as Blackpool remodels itself as the Las Vegas of the North. Life is not easy the family experiences many tragedies and troubles. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the family they do.

Danny his son has anxieties; daughter Shyanne is a bit of a rebel and his wife Natalie feels hard done to; his business partners cannot be trusted and the council planning committee cannot be bribed and are not dependable. Sometimes it seems that everything is going against Ripley, but despite that he never once gives up his dream to turn Blackpool into Las Vegas.

The story begins when a dead young male is found in Ripley's show-piece arcade this is when everything gets crazy and on a downward spiral. Young Detective Carlisle starts to observe Ripley and wants to find out Ripley's affairs he also watches Ripley's wife. Carlisle is determined that if there is anything to be found then he is the one to find it.

Viva Blackpool is the one off sequel to the popular and award winning series. With the box set you receive Blackpool and Viva Blackpool. Ripley Holden returns having got over his first marriage break down. He returns from Las Vegas where he experienced the bright lights and casinos where he found God. Back at his spiritual home, Ripley set up Blackpool's very first Vegas style Chapel Of Love. Shyanne is Ripley's assistant as Ripley carries out themed wedding ceremonies from Dickens to Hogwarts. Ripley is pleased with his business and material possessions and doesn't realize that things are going to change. He has a caravan in the Chapel car park and then he sets his eyes on Kitty De Luxe who was hilted at the altar. Ripley feels sorry for Kitty De Luxe who is not all she seems to be and she is after thieving Ripley's inheritance and livelihood. Will Ripley find out before it is too late? When Ripley's mate dies he inherits his football collections including the Jules Rimet Trophy, but things look bleaker for Ripley and you are left wondering if he will be victorious in his tale of love, grief and blackmail. Ripley is the typical heroine you have to feel sorry for him. Some of the songs and dance routines are quite cheesy, but that's the style of it. I think it actually fits Blackpool quite well as someone once told me that Blackpool is tacky. Whilst I agree the promenade in Blackpool is tacky, but when you leave the main part of Blackpool there is a lot you don't see.

Blackpool is a sophisticated and highly thought through comedy thriller. The comedy is not distracting from the serious parts of the series which are equally as powerful. There are many thrills and edge of your seat moments. Blackpool and Viva Blackpool works on many levels it gets you into the story and you feel attached to the characters. The actors are amazing they really get the message across and are very talented. The characters are believable all the way through. Even Ripley Holden is endearing you cannot help, but feel sorry for his tragic character. It seems everything goes wrong for him and nothing goes right.

It was good from start to end it kept me entertained all the way through. I don't think there was ever a time when I was bored or wondered when it was going to end. I didn't want it to come to an end, but sadly it had to. If anyone hasn't seen Blackpool yet then I highly recommend it. Although I didn't watch the series on the television I bought the box set afterwards. I am glad I bought the box set on recommendation of a friend because I now can watch it over and over again. I also enjoyed Viva Blackpool although not as much as Blackpool. The song and dance scenes were very memorable and enjoyable. The three leading performers delivered powerful performances and casting was chosen well. In fact, I don't think it could have been casted any better apart from choosing me to act in it, lol! David Morrisey was a natural choice for the part of Mr Ripley. Compared to his previous role in 'State of Play' it was a completely different character which goes to show his versatility..The whole film was inspirational and a really strong plot with many twists and turns. When I first heard about Blackpool I have to say I was skeptical I just didn't think they could make a good series out of Blackpool, but I was very pleased and surprised by the result.

The set comes with six episodes of the experimental BBC one television series. I loved watching the dance and musical pieces that also narrate the story. In summary Ripley was never going to be a very nice person being an entrepreneur with a love of money and pretty much nothing else, but as the show progresses you find yourself liking him more and more. You like his eccentricities, the dreams, the visions that he never gives up and you find yourself wishing more people were like that. It is very exciting to watch and you cannot help wondering if Ripley's vision will ever turn into a reality.

If you are a fan of the delicious and extraordinary talented (David Tennant) then you will love watching his character Detective Inspector Peter Carlisle. The DVD also includes a special treat of the 2006 one off "Viva Blackpool" As Ripley finds himself under suspicion of murder his public and private life are suddenly under scrutiny. Soon Mr Ripley's secrets are coming back to haunt him and Carlisle uses Natalie to catch Mr Ripley out. Altogether it is an excellent Dvd box set and one I would highly recommend to you.

Cast: David Morrissey, Sarah Parish, David Tennant, Thomas Morrison, Georgia Taylor, David Bradley, Steve Pemberton, John Thomson, Bryan Dick, David Hounslow
Directed by: Coky Giedroyc, Julie Anne Robinson

It retails for around £16.97 

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