Search - Star Trek: The Next Generation - Complete Series on DVD

Disadvantages and advantages, even for 1st-time TNG buyers l

Thomas Cannold | 10/03/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are several important inadequacies you should know about this set before you buy:

1) The discs are in cheap, brittle trays -- easily subject to breakage -- rather than in well-built cases.

2) These trays are not labeled, and amazingly, there is no insert describing -- or even listing -- the episodes, or which discs they are on. Episode titles are printed on the disc labels, but that's all the info you get, so after spending $300, a buyer has to flip through the 49 discs like file cards, to find the episode s/he wants.

3) The discs are stuck into three unweildy clumps -- of either eight or nine trays, each -- that are held together by inexpensive adhesive tape. This tape seems likely to decay, and the result will be 26 individual, unlabled trays scattered around your living room. (Most trays have two discs).

4) The tray configuration leaves some discs uncovered, unless the whole awkward mess is stored together...a problem which will get worse when the trays inevitably separate.

The lone advantage is the bonus disc. Most of the features on the disc appear to have been meant for, and for some reason never made it onto, the original releases of seasons 4 - 7. That doesn't mean they're not worth watching; some of them are quite good. Of the three new features, the best offers interviews with several of the series' writers and producers. (However, it only tangentally deals with its supposed subject -- introduced by John DeLancie -- about Star Trek's cultural impact.) Less successful is the roundtable of visual effects wizards; it has interesting moments, but it did not explain enough for a layman, nor did it go into enough detail for an expert. The Will Wheaton-hosted "Legacy" looks at how Star Trek ideas have shown up at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, but it's pretty vapid (not Wheaton's fault).

To be honest, I'm torn. I'm glad to have the bonus disc (the features on Q and Lwaxana were touching) but part of me wishes I'd purchased the previously released conglomeration of individual seasons, "Star Trek The Next Generation - The Complete Seasons 1-7". The price of that set has decreased to compete with this new, and somewhat inconsiderate, release...and the packaging of the old set is far easier to deal with."

5 star show, but less than 1 star for this set

David J. Huber | New York, NY United States | 09/28/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Granted, this set is cheaper than the other full set that was released a couple years ago, and cheaper than buying each season separately.

But still - come on, Paramount, stop (expletiving) the fans! If you're going to re-re-release ST:TNG, then DO SOMETHING with it!

I had hoped that they would release a set that might have commentary. Dear Sirs of Paramount: a great many TV shows are released on DVD with commentary on every episode. Even TOS DVDs come with a few text commentaries by Michael Okuda. For the love of humanity, why can't TNG get this?

By this point in the game, EVERY episode of TNG should come with an audio commentary by cast and producers AND Okuda's wonderful text comentaries he's done for other shows.

Until Paramount ponies up for some special features that are actually special, and actually show at least an iota of respect for the fans that have made Paramount fabulously wealthy, I ain't buying.

I really hoped this one would be the magic set, but it's just the same old, same old, repackaged, in the hopes that the fans will empty their wallets yet again for a fancier box and a stupid extra DVD that Paramount most likely will never, ever release anywhere or in any way except in this overpriced fan-(expletiving) box set.

Shame on you, Paramount."

Only 1 more disk of extras + new package

markleib | California USA | 09/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This TV series is excellent as many reviewers will tell you. I have the "silver box" set of all seven seasons, so I was curious what this new set had that was different. Per my review of the details at www.startrek.com the only differences are: (1)the new green slimmer packaging for the 7 seasons, and (2)one more disk (#49) with new features. All the other disks #1-48 are the same as the "silver" boxes---ie. all the episodes and all the same extra features for each season. This new set is still fullscreen and has the same audio options. It is not HD as some may have hoped. Therefore, if you already have the 7 seasons, at least for me, it makes no sense to buy this set just to get one extra disk!"

What else can be said

Inquisitive Reader | NYC | 04/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is Star Trek, fantastic.

My main reason for reviewing is to get the word out that nobody should go cheap on the price and get the asian release. Although advertised as the exact same thing, many episodes are cut off, AT THE END!! So you'll miss the ending of every few episodes, unless you use an online review site.

I highly suggest for any trek fan, to give out the extra cash, and purchase the american release. From amazon.com or one of the used ones, make sure it is the american release!"