Search - Thundercats - Season One, Volume One on DVD

WHY WHY WHY? Great show, but a piss poor release

Marcus N. Hanks | Buffalo NY | 08/10/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Thundercats was one of the best shows to come out of the 80s (Transformers being at the top), and one every fan has been eagerly awaiting to hit DVD.

Months ago, WB finally announced they would be releasing the series in a total of four box sets (33/32/33/32), which had everyone cheering for the return of one of their favories shows, in top notch DVD quality. Most of all, they were given a SRP of $64.99, thus guaranteeing the episodes must be remastered. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

For a SRP of $64.99, you get 33 episodes on six discs, but without any remastering done whatsoever. What was WB thinking? Not only do the episodes look like they were dumped down from VHS tapes (giving it a bootleg quality appearance), but there are a mass amount of errors throughout the episodes themselves. One of the major issues is with the second episode, "Unholy Alliance," which is missing all of the music (sans the opening and closing) during the episodes. However, this is only the case in the English track as both the Spanish and French versions have the music playing. Whatever the reason is, this is totally unacceptable. Hopefully WB will issue a recall and offer replacement discs.

The next negative to this set is that it is definitely no where near woth a SRP of $64.99. Yes, you can buy them cheaper online or at a retail store, but if you pay more than $30-35 for this set, then you were just ripped off. You could buy a DVD-R bootleg (not that you should) off ebay of the entire series in the same quality (if not better) for $15 more.

With other 80's shows, coming out (or have already been released) with a beautiful remastered print, and 5.1 audio, this makes this buy even worse than it seemed before. Why couldn't WB let Rhino handle this? Rhino may have their own faults, but at least they know how to NOT mess up a release THIS bad. Not to mention Rhino would have remastered the prints and mastera a 5.1 track, while this just has a less-than-satisfying-and-boring mono soundtrack.

So if you have not bought this set yet, hold off until WB fixes the set's glitches or lowers the SRP. Also, let's hope they do a much better job with Volume 2 when it comes out in Dec than they did with this. I love Thundercats, I am happy to own it on DVD and replace my tapes from Toonami, however, the price is unacceptable for a crappy release as this.

WB, Thundercats deserves to be treated just with respect as you have done so with Looney Tunes, and as much as Rhino did so with Transformers!"

One of the BEST receives one of the WORST...

Trebor | 08/11/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best cartoon series during the 1980's has received one of the worst dvd releases ever. The cartoon receives 5 stars, the quality receives 1 star. It results in the average of 3 stars. Here's the details:

The BEST:
First and foremost, it *is* Thundercats. It *is* on dvd, and it *is* about time. Thundercats is one of the most popular and beloved cartoons of all time. The characters, storyline, animation, music and effects came together to form a magnificent cartoon. The voice acting is well done, and practically every story draws the viewer in and leaves you wanting more. Two of my favorite episodes from the series is included with this release: "Pumm-Ra" and "The Ghost Warrior". While both episodes contain many parts which detail why they are my favorite, I have two highlights to share.

In "Pumm-Ra" the moment comes when Pumm-Ra has possesson of the Sword of Omens. As he raises it above his head, and tries to call upon the swords power(s) by uttering: "Thunder...Thunder...Thunder..Thundercats...Ho!" The music, the brief capture of Lion-O just prior in fear/shock not knowing what will or is about to happen, the after effects (I.E. The "Cataclysm" as Panthro states), all build such a great moment. However, for me, once Pumm-Ra hand is forced by the sword to release it, Jaga appears instantly before Lion-O and states: "The mystic Sword of Omens cannot be used for evil...know the wrath of Jaga", it is just an awesome moment. Lion-O picks up the sword, only to be mocked by Pumm-Ra: "Too late...Boy"! The Mutants than appear behind Lion-O in the Thundertank...I could go on, but it's better you watch it.

In "The Ghost Warrior", there are also numerous reasons why I love it. However, the highlighted moment for me is when Jaga is about to be defeated (You may be even thinking for a moment killed by Grun), when Lion-O infuriated and upset shouts "Nooooo...Jaga take my strength"! Jaga replies: "No, Lion-O...No." Lion-O rebukes him: "I command you, Jaga. As Lord of the Thundercats, I command you to take my strength"! Jaga's eyes then light up and you then see Lion's eyes light up, while the 'show' of glowing lights and mist come off his shoulders and back (Signifying Jaga absorbing/taking Lion-O's strength). Again, I could go on, but it is better you just watch it.

As 'long or detailed' that I made *just* two highlights, of *just* two scenes, of *just* two episodes, it really is the tip of the iceberg. I cannot explain fully and you cannot appreciate fully what I wrote. You really need to *see* and *hear* it. Yes, it really is *that* good. Every aspect from music, effects, animation, characters, storyline, etc., culminates into one the most genius cartoons of all time. Back in the 80's it was loved by children and adults, and 20 years later it still has the same magic.

The WORST:
Unbiased without predjustice or prior knowledge of the quality of this dvd, I eagerly rushed to store to pick up this release on August 9th. The first store I went to was sold out! The second store had 1 copy left. It was truly amazing the first store was sold out, as I never encountered that with this particular store before, for any other dvd release. It just made me all the more eager and excited about the release.

As soon as I popped the dvd into my player and after the "Copyright" warning/messages, the introduction starts before reaching the menu options. I was *shocked* and *disappointed* by the VHS-like quality. Afterward, I read the other reviews and agree spot on concerning the quality. To be honest, the Mono sound does not bother me too much (Maybe because it is being 'pumped out' by my home theater system).

However, the Video *really* bothers me *a lot*. How come a company like Rhino can clean up cartoons in a fine way, but Warner Bros. cannot? I'm sorry, but that is just being lazy and cheap. Excuses and reasonings can be made, such as the episodes were taking from TV Masters, but it does not hold much water. Regardless of source, this series really *deserves* the high quality treatment and remastering other cartoons have received (Watch "Best of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" for a perfect example).

The sloppiness and careless attitude by Warner Bros. in regards to the quality control of this release is evident in other areas too. This missing music and opening episode title shot of "Unholy Alliance". The absolutely horrid video (Especially in the first couple of minutes - Even worse than the overall video quality) of "Exodus". These are the *2nd* and very *1st* episodes in the series. See the other reviews for other places where Warner Bros. 'dropped the ball'. How sloppy and careless could Warner Bros. possibly become with this release? Could they not have paid someone, or had someone working in the production department of this release, actually view the final product before releasing it to the masses. How much would it have cost Warner Bros. to pay someone to view the final product before releasing it to the general public? Heck, I know there are numerous individuals who would have been delighted to do such a job for *free*.

Furthermore, while the box art and design is very good, and the dvd cases artwork are good as well, there are *no* inserts. Just the dvd's themselves. The 'extras' (And I use that term loosely), are also disappointing.

Warner Bros.: Please, take note of the "Best of Masters of the Universe", look at Rhino's treatment of series such as Transformers and GI Joe, and learn from it. Please. You *really* disappoint with the mess you have made with Thundercats. You should be ashamed to have your name associated with such poor quality.

For everyone else: It *is* an 'official' release. It *is* on dvd, and yes, despite the above issues, it *is* worth the money. If Thundercats was not such a high calibre cartoon, I would say to forget it - or just rent it. Unless you want pirated/bootlegged material (Although the quality of this release is almost just as bad, if not the same quality), you have no other alternative(s). This cartoon should be in your dvd collection."

By Jaga! I sense Mumm-Ra's evil hand in this...

iansomniak | USA, Planet Earth | 08/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At long last, the DVD set we've all been waiting for since 1985: Thunder-Thunder-Thunder-ThunderCats! I don't have to tell you the ThunderCats was/is/and always will be the absolute finest animated series ever produced. Unfortunately, however, this release comes with a couple of flaws. On the plus side, the set consists of 6 single-sided discs - not those hated "flippers" as originally reported. The box/case art is sensational; you'll be proud to display this on your DVD shelf. The picture quality is pretty good most of the time; the mono sound is just OK. BUT, the most important episodes in the series, the first and the second, are botched! In the early part of "Exodus," the picture sort of starts to roll for a few seconds while Jaga is talking to Lion-O after the destruction of Thundera. This alone is enough to make a person think they've got a defective disc, but the most jarring glitch doesn't show up till the second episode (for which NO TITLE appears on the screen). Yes, fellow super-fans, it appears that Monkian was at the controls during the transfer of "Unholy Alliance" from VHS to DVD, as the version presented here is TOTALLY devoid of the familiar ThunderCat background music! Unbelievably, the very first time we visit the tomb of the dreaded Mumm-Ra...the very first time we witness his horrific transformation from his decayed form to the terrifying "Ever Living Source of Evil"...the very first time he's sent screaming and crying back to his foul sarcophagus by the mighty Lord of the ThunderCats and his mystic Sword of Omens ...we hear NO MUSIC! If you want to hear background music during "Unholy Alliance," you must either A: Select the Spanish-language track, B: Select the French-language track, or C: Telephone Will Wheaton and his tone-deaf friends and ask them to come over to your house and sing the ThunderCats theme out of tune for you while you watch! This is an outrage! My video-taped version of "Unholy Alliance" (which I recorded from Cartoon Network a few years back) has background music, and my video-taped version of "Exodus" doesn't have a rolling picture after Thundera's destruction; why should the DVD version have these problems? With great trepidation, I watched the other 31 episodes in this set and found no major abnormalities, aside from an occasional lack of smoothness in the animation and some grain here and there. Of course all the episodes are CLASSIC, and feature legendary characters like the Berbils; the Warrior Maidens; the Brute Men; the Unicorn Keepers; Snowman and Snowmeow; Hammer Hand; Ratar-O; Wizz-Ra; Mongor; Grune the Destroyer; Hachiman; Safari Joe; Dr. Dometome; Quick Pick; Captain Cracker; and Mandora the Evil Chaser...just to name a few. I firmly believe that every man, woman, and child in the world should watch at least one episode of the ThunderCats every single day for their entire lives; that's why everyone needs to buy this set...despite the aforementioned glitches. I also think that everyone who buys this set should call, write or e-mail Warner Bros. and DEMAND a corrected version of disc 1. HOOOOOOOOOO!"

The Best Show Ever.........

N. Meza | Bellflower, CA | 08/13/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Thundercats to me when I was growing up was walking talking and acting like some of the characters on the show. I have every single episode from the time they aired until the time they posted them on Cartoon Network. My mom taped every single episdod and I could always remember me playing outside saying "Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats HOOOOOO" everyone in my neighborhood thought I was crazy cause I said it everytime Thundercats aired at 7:00 in the morning so it was too early especially on the weekends. I am still a big fan of the show I still have most of my characters figures some of them are broken and bought some Thundercat T-shirts at Hot Topic. The older version of the show has extra parts as I noticed and watching them now on Cartoon Network they took those extra parts out.

Now after its long dormant awaiting time.....Thundercats is finally released on DVD after all these stupid sitcoms everyone had forgotten are released they decided to release Thundercats after all this time. I just recently bought the DVD and I must say I aggree with some of the viewers posting their opinion. The DVD animation was really awesome and the cover of the box was cool but what irritated me the most was that the show was not in order. On the episode Exodus the picture kind a messed up alittle and on the episode Unholy Alliance there was no sound and the title was not there........they did not add the Lion-o's Anointment Trials and that was one of my favorite episodes.

On the DVD I was expecting comentary from the producers and maybe some of the voices used in the show to finally speak up about this long awaited kids program of the 80's Thundercats....but instead we got "So Called" Thundercat Fan's to speak about certain things they know nothing about. I love this show and I think who ever decided to release this show did it in such a rush they they did not honor the fact that this was a brilliant show that now we adults can look back upon and see memories of us growing up.

I just wish they did the episode in order and added some of the parts they took out of the show and maybe I would be a delightful fan of the DVD. I also bought the Thundercats DVD on e-bay and to tell you the truth the cartoon network and this DVD new release does not add up to how good the original ones on VHS the ones my mother taped are better than anything now.

If you want to buy it buy it.........but I advise you that it's better taping your own epsodes and making your copies than buying anything these "so called" people know anything about the show."