Extras - Series 1 DVD > Reviews > Gervais strikes again.

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Hilarious, brilliant again by Gervais/Merchant
Disadvantages:	I want more !  !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Extras - Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant

I am a huge fan of great comedy. One of my all time favourite comedians is Ricky Gervais. He hooked me with 'The Office', ever since then I have subscribed to his website, purchased countless DVD's and even bought his new 'Karl Pilkington' podcasts. It is for this reason that I pre-ordered 'Extras' long before its release, and waited many a month anticipating it arriving through my letterbox. When it finally did I was not to be disappointed.

'Extras' follows the joys and woes of "actor" Andy Millman (Gervais). Millman is a full time 'extra' with the ambition of one day getting a 'line' in, in fact, anything.

However he doesn't appear to ever get his big break, always being slightly out of shot. Even when he does manage to squeeze himself in front of the camera he rarely makes to the final scene, 'we'll cut there, before that fat little extra gets his face in'. Millman will go to any length to try and get himself a line, whether this be befriending A-listers or bribing a Kosovan war widower with WH Smith vouchers. He has no limits.

Millman's slightly eccentric and dappy friend Maggie (Jenson) always has words of wisdom to encourage Andy in his quest for fame. She spends most of her time trying to hook up with actors or other extras whilst filming is in progress. This is a source of great amusement for Millman who see's her unsuccessful attempts and naivety unfold before him.

The route of Millman's unlucky streak could possibly be traced back to his incompetent agent (Merchant) who has only two clients, Millman and Sean Williams (better known as Barry from Eastenders). Millman's Agent rarely gets any interest from any one in inquiring about the striving actors talents - maybe this is due to his phone being unplugged? Millman gets the chance to converse with many an A-lister, resulting in some amusing situations, his on-going battle with a fellow extra, who is just there for 'fun' is also hilarious.

Extras has the quick wit and clever jokes expected of the Gervais/Merchant duo, however it is very different from 'The Office' which makes it all the more entertaining and refreshing.

EPISODE 1

Episode 1 stars Ross Kemp as himself. He can't help but brag to Millman about how important he is, as well as being the hardest man on the planet. Vinnie Jones is working on the next set, and Kemp soon starts slagging him off, proclaiming that a footballer shouldn't be acting, and that he could make mince meat out of Vinnie. This results in hilarious consequences.

EPISODE 2

Episode 2 stars Ben Stiller as himself, directing a film about the brutal murder of a Kosovan man's wife. However Stiller appears to have no morals or care for anyone else involved. He does though, appear to enjoy talking about his own acting success stories and provokes a side splitting confrontation with Millman.

EPISODE 3

Staring Kate Winslet as she partakes in a WW2 holocaust adaptation as a nun. She loves to talk dirty, and causes the break up of Maggie and her boyfriend by making crude gestures unsubtly behind his back. Millman also gets himself into a sticky situation in regards to a church meeting - great episode, hilarious.

EPISODE 4

All credit to Les Dennis here who submits himself to some humiliating stuff. He really does play himself down to a tee in this episode, it's like he is really playing his own life. Humiliated by his lover and stuck with the worst of all acting jobs - pantomime- he is down and out. Millman gets a part as a camp genie and does his best to keep Les' head held high. Embarrassingly funny - feel terrible for Les Dennis though.

EPISODE 5

Staring Samuel L. Jackson. He puts in a top-notch performance, but doesn't really interact with Millman. This Maggie's tale of trying to charm a co-worker but ends up offending her in a comedy of errors which results in her coming across as a racist. Millman still trying to grab a speaking part, and has a hilarious scene with a soup dish.

EPISODE 6

Stars a sexually obsessed Patrick Stewart. Andy has an idea, can the ex star trek star give him his big break. A great episode to end the series.

SPECIAL FEATURES

-=The difficult Second Album=- Behind the scenes look at the making of extras. Some very funny bits in it. Beware of the stationary sales pitch.

-=Finding Leo=- Jude Law drops out to do Alfie. Gervais and Merchant want Leonardo Di Caprio, this is their quest to find him. Note: Final scene of Extras has a billboard advertising 'Alfie' with Jude Law.

-=Taping Nigel=- Gervais' editor Nigel gets bullied by him. Is very funny situation, definitely watch.

-=Deleted Scenes=- Scenes that didn't make it to the final series. There are some crackers in here. Just as funny as the real stuff.

-=Outtakes=- All the times when Gervais couldn't stop himself. Some hilarious bloopers during the making of Extras.

Overall brilliant DVD, if you love British Comedy and Gervais you'll love this.

Thanks for reading!