Batman: The Complete Third Season DVD Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Leap into the third and final season where the felonious and foul must be stopped to keep Gotham safe, and a newly formed Terrific Trio must turn chaos to calm! With rogue wrongdoers like the sly Siren, lethal Louie The Lilac and unethical Egghead running rampant, Batman (Adam West), Robin (Burt Ward) and Batgirl (Yvonne Craig) have their Super Hero hands full. Now completely re-mastered, all the originality, crime-fighting action and arch-villainy of special guest villains like Milton Berle, Eartha Kitt, and Joan Collins, are on DVD in pristine splendor like never before — for those who were there, and a new generation of Bat-fans!





**SERIES REVIEW**


Watching this final season of the Batman television series brought back a rush of memories. I remember many a warm summer evenings in the early 80's eating dinner in my family's den where the new a/c unit was and watching Batman reruns on our Zenith tv on a rolling cart. I loved the show and all of it's camp. Adam West is brilliant in the role of Bruce Wayne and his heroic alter ego Batman. The slew of guest stars are a blast. The only major fault I have with this set is that there are none of the special features that were included in the more elaborate complete series set released last year. 8.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Batman: The Complete Third Season arrives on DVD with a transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.37:1 - The color palette is lush and primaries are bold and vibrant. The series was remastered and it shows in the fine detailing on costumes, bat weapons and the wild set designs. No glaring signs of compression artifacts. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 1.0 track. - The campy dialogue was consistently crisp and clear during these episodes. All the "Pow", "Thwack" and "Pop's" sound good with no problems of hissing or crackling. 8/10

Vacation Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


The next generation of Griswolds are on the road again for another hilarious, ill-fated family adventure. Following in his father’s footsteps, a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) surprises his wife, Debbie (Christina Applegate), and their two sons with a cross-country road trip back to America’s “favorite family fun park,” Walley World. What could go wrong?

Own Vacation on Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD on November 3rd or Own It Early on Digital HD on October 13th!





**MOVIE REVIEW**


As many people do I have fond memories of National Lampoon's Vacation trilogy that starred Chevy Chase and Beverly D'angelo. They were wacky but grounded by a family that at the end of the day loved each other and were happy to celebrate their adventure once they remembered that. Vacation finds Rusty Griswold all grown up and with a family of his and he wants to take them to Walley World. Most of the laughs are a bit more crude and mean spirited than the originals and the younger son of Rusty is a little hellion who tortures his older brother.

Ed Helms is likeable enough as is Christina Applegate as the wife just trying to hold it all together for her husband. The funniest moments of the film involve Chris Hemsworth showing off to emasculate Rusty while making a pass at Debbie. There is a fun if too brief appearance from Chevy Chase and Beverly D'angelo now moved to San Francisco running a B&B. I would recommend checking this one out with a rental first. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Vacation arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - The color palette is bright and features nicely saturated primaries. Skintones appear for the most part natural save for a couple instances where faces have a little too much rosiness to them. Black levels were deep with nice shadow delineation, especially in a scene taking place at the four corners monument. Fine details abound whether it's the crisp rendering of clothing textures, the gorgeous Georgia locations used to represent The Grand Canyon, or in close ups. No signs of edge enhancement or noise. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue is prioritized to the center channel and reproduction was crisp and clear. There was a surprising moment where the surround channels create an effect of a 18 wheeler twisting and turning, swiping past and around the back of you and stopping during a near miss with the Griswolds "Tarten Prancer". The LFE provided some nice low end growl for the 18 wheeler, and a satisfying crunchy thump when a cow is hit head on. Rich bass notes accompany the fun soundtrack. No problems to speak on. 8.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Return to Walley World (HD, 09:54) - A standard EPK style mix of film clips and talking heads with cast and crew.

* The Griswold Odyssey (HD, 18:23) - A more expanded and interesting look at the Griswolds journey and each stop on their destination to Walley World.

* Gag Reel (HD, 01:32) - Quite a funny reel for once, wish there was more.

* Deleted Scenes (HD, 12:13) - There are a total of eleven scenes included that play all together in one block. Chris Hemsworth's character Stone Crandall has the best one here too.

* Georgia (HD, 02:02) - A brief look at the beautiful locations of the state of Georgia that fill in for the look of a desert and the Grand Canyon.