Plot: What’s it about?
If you were packing a suitcase and your pants wouldn’t fit, would you cut the legs off to save space? If you couldn’t find a parking spot, would you push another car out of its place in order to take it yourself? If you didn’t have a stamp for your letter, would you take one off another person’s mail for your own use? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then perhaps you have a little Mr. Bean inside yourself. Rowan Atkinson’s unique creation, Mr. Bean goes through all the same kind of things we all do, but he finds unusual ways to solve his problems. He is sometimes cruel, sometimes antagonistic, and sometimes plain stupid, but he is always likable and of course, he is always hilarious. So pop some popcorn, hold your teddy close, and prepare to laugh yourself silly, as Mr. Bean has arrived on DVD. In this three disc collection from A&E, you’ll find all fourteen episodes of the show, though some minor cuts have been made. Even so, it is nice to have all the episodes in one place, as fans are certain to want all the Bean available. In addition, A&E has included some nice supplements, such as a documentary on Mr. Bean and some never before seen sketches, all sure to delight fans to no end. So if you’re even a casual fan of Mr. Bean, this release is one you have to purchase, no doubt about it.
I’ve seen a lot of British television shows, but few have been as hilarious as Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean. The show is so weird and offbeat, you can’t help but wonder how something so simple can be so damn entertaining. Atkinson can make anything humorous as Bean, even packing a suitcase or changing into a bathing suit turns into a total riot. Yet the dialogue is minimal and never important, which leaves Atkinson’s facial expressions and mannerisms to carry the episodes. And he is so skilled in those respects, as he can twist his face into such unusual shapes, its impossible not to try to duplicate some of them yourself. His body language and physical comedy works well also, whether in subtle doses or more slapstick varieties. He is also able to play off his costars for huge laughs, even when just watching them, or trying to not be seen by them. This is simply a gem of a series, one which could never be duplicated, as Bean is a true one of a kind. I do want to mention that some of the episodes have brief cuts, nothing too serious, but even so, some material has been excised. This might bother some more than others, but I do feel it warrants a mention here. I am unsure if A&E plans to re-issue the material in uncut form, but even if not, this set is worth a look. As much as I want these episodes uncut, the missing material is minimal and let’s be honest, this show is too damn hilarious not to own.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. This series has always looked worn and grain laden, so the dull visuals found here don’t come as a surprise. But this is simply how the show has always looked, even when first shown television and as such, you can’t complain too much. I suppose a complete overhaul of the source materials might yield some minor enhancements, but it wouldn’t be worth all the trouble. As I said, the source material is worn and has frequent grain & minor debris, so detail is thin in most instances. The visuals have enough detail to slide by, but don’t expect a pristine treatment here. The colors look flat, but mostly natural in scope and black levels are solid throughout. I would love to see Mr. Bean in better condition, but this is about as good as it gets for this series.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is bland and unmemorable, but it handles the material and in this case, all we need are the basics. As this is a stereo option, you won’t notice surround presence, but with this material, you wouldn’t even with a full 5.1 remix. The music is clean and the sound effects are solid, not much else to ask in those departments. The canned laughter is loud, but never drowns out the show’s audio, while dialogue is clean, if a little thin. In other words, no bells and whistles, but all the elements come across loud and clear.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The most substantial supplement here is The Story of Bean, a forty minute piece that examines Mr. Bean’s rise to fame. In interviews with Rowan Atkinson and others, we learn about the character’s creation, how the skits are worked up, and of course, the massive success Mr. Bean has enjoyed worldwide. A pair of never before seen sketches can be also be found here, along with two sketches from Comic Relief, so there’s more fun beyond the normal episodes. This disc also includes some still photos, as well as a talent file on Atkinson.
