Movie DVDWinner of the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy its first year out, Arrested Development is the kind of sitcom that gives you hope for television. A mockumentary-style exploration of the beleaguered Bluth family, it’s one of those idiosyncratic shows that doesn’t rely on a laugh track or a studio audience; it’s shot more like a TV drama, albeit with an omniscient narrator (executive producer Ron Howard) overseeing the proceedings. Holding the Bluths together just barely is son Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), the only normal guy in a family that’s chock full of nuts. Hardworking and sensible, Michael’s certain he’s going to be given control of his family’s Enron-style corporation upon the retirement of his father (Jeffrey Tambor). The fact that he’s passed over instead for his mother (Jessica Walter) is only a blip when compared to his father’s immediate arrest for dubious accounting practices, and the resulting freeze on the family’s previously limitless wealth.
Bereft of money, and even less family love, the Bluths have to band together in their moment of need–not easy when everyone’s looking out for number 1. In addition to his scabrous parents, Michael has to contend with his lothario older brother (Will Arnett), his basically useless younger brother (Tony Hale), his greedy twin sister (Portia DeRossi), and her sexually ambiguous husband (David Cross). Michael’s only comrade in sanity is his son George Michael (Michael Cera), but then again, the teenage boy harbors a secret crush on his cousin (Alia Shawkat). A peerless ensemble led by the brilliant Bateman (who ever knew he could be this good?), all the actors are pitch-perfect in their roles, delivering the dryly funny, sometimes absurdist dialogue with the speed and flair of classic farce. The unusual tone of Arrested Development takes a bit of getting used to–it’s far different from anything you’ll see on TV, even HBO–but once you buy in to the Bluths’ innumerable dysfunctions, you’ll be laughing your head off for hours.–Mark Englehart
Buy “Arrested Development – Season One” For Only $13.78
April 1, 2008
#1
I bought season 1 of “Arrested Development” because of the rave reviews posted here, and I feel gypped. The characters are complete stereotypes– unusual stereotypes, admittedly– but totally cardboard. The level of unpredictable interaction among the characters is virtually nil, and the story lines are silly without being entertaining. I’m amazed that so many reviewers found it so satisfying. Compared to, say, “Weeds,” this series has no grip or bite.
April 2, 2008
#2
This is a fake imitator of Malcolm in the Middle and Scrubs watch those two shows instead.This crap should not be up for an emmy they should.Scrubs is Hill-ari-ous.
April 2, 2008
#3
Talk about how to waste a half hour timeslot. This show sucks.
Obnoxious, draggy and just, DUMNB! I am a lover of great comedy, Scrubs, Everybody Loves Raymond, That 70′s show, and many other classics no longer on tv. To call this one of tv’s best comedies is just wrong. Nothing funny here.
P.S.
Where is the 0 stars option? This show has done a good job to deserve it.
April 2, 2008
#4
That word? “Dead”
I skimmed through 60 of the 117 reviews at the time of this writing, including someone that rated 1 star because they received the musical group Arrested Development when they wanted this fox show.
And I’m really at a loss… how can 116 people be so wrong about a television show? It becomes obvious to me that mass hysteria has an equally disturbing and opposite force, namely amassed brain dead zombies that have this love of dead – deadpan.
I’ve forced myself through the first four shows, I never laughed, found the entire 3rd person narration to get on my nerves worse than the feelings of wasted time, I see the “highlight” clips that are supposed to entice people to watch the show and even still find myself angered that ANYONE could honestly say they find the show funny.
You want something funny.. go for Brain Donors, or Family Guy, or even the practicality of the funny shows like, The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, or the outrageousness of Soap, anything but this show… I mean even the Brady Bunch had more punch line than arrested development.
But obviously, 116 of you would sell your soul for this type of program so have at it. Just stop wasting space on the Amazon servers for your constant dirge of love for the show.. please.. and go write for something better on DVD.. you’ve got skills.. use them for the greater good.. and that’s not Arrested Development!
If there were a zero star rating Arrested Development should find itself in the slammer with it.
April 2, 2008
#5
Arrested Development, I am under pressure to give it a star – what a load of crap. This is the greatest piece of dung to come out of the USA since George Bush said that IRAQ had WMD. What is wrong with your reviewers are you all in the glad hand of that other moron Rupert Murdoch? Please some objectivity.