"Family Guy" is one of those series's that has relied on the power of DVD boxed set sales to have an impact on the direction the producers took the series. Like the way "Firefly" (reviewed at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_195862695556 ) fans managed to resurrect the series for the cinematic outing "Serenity" (reviewed at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_197587406468 ), "Family Guy" returned from cancellation because of the purchasing power of the fans. The first two boxed sets sold so well that the executives at Fox realized it would be more profitable to make more boxed sets to sell than not continue the series. So, it seems odd that they would compile their DVD collection at this point with "The Freakin' Party Pack," a compilation of the six major DVD releases with a few little bonus items thrown in. In that way, it is like the complete series pack for "The West Wing" (reviewed at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_340588400260 ), there is no DVD content unique to this boxed set so those who have purchased the individual volumes and the movie will not be missing out by not purchasing this. Indeed, even buying this does not give the devoted "Family Guy" fans everything; there is still a c.d. ("Family Guy: Live In Las Vegas") and commentary tracks that are on "The Freakin' Sweet Collection" that are not included in this set.
In short, this is a repack for those who haven't been with the series up until this point. This is a collection of the same DVD pressings that have been released before. They have the same commentary tracks (those that have them), the same collections of deleted scenes, the same featurettes. I suppose this pack is ideal for those who have been enjoying "Family Guy" in syndication (now that it is) and want to get the whole collection in one fell swoop.
But where is the value in that? Well, with "The Stewie Griffin Story" and the material from the last two volumes of the series (late season four and early season five) the episodes have been entirely recut to include material that was never allowed in the original broadcast. As a result, everything that appeared on television censored, as well as scenes that were never aired because of standards and practices, have been returned to the episodes seamlessly so that unless one has seen those episodes many many times, the new scenes will seem quite natural and appropriate.
So, why is "Family Guy" so popular? If you've never seen it, you're in for a treat. "Family Guy" is an animated comedy that tends to make its humor through satirical cutaways during conversations and fairly standard situations and plots. So, for example, Peter once references how a situation is bad, like when God asked Abraham to kill Isaac; the cutaway has Abraham Lincoln shooting Isaac, the bar tender from "The Love Boat." Most of the humor is like that where pop culture references are mixed up and thrown around, making the series wonderful for those who are connected to an encyclopedic knowledge of television and music for the last thirty years.
The other principle way "Family Guy" makes humor is through shocking statements and simple gross out humor. So, for example, Peter once insists that you can't make yourself throw up by sticking your finger down your throat, then he goes on to prove it . . . with the obvious result. The show goes even more daring in that type of sick humor with things like Peter getting bored with an electric pencil sharpener at work and making a power shaver by taping razor blades to a desk fan.
It's often juvenile, it's often silly, but it works because the humor is enhanced for fans who stick around for the series and who have a good knowledge of other works of art. There are throwback jokes, especially as the series progresses and fans of the show will appreciate the way jokes are returned to.
The show focuses on the Griffin family, a middle-class family living in Quahog, Rhode Island. It is not the typical family and for those unfamiliar with the series, it is worth learning about them. The Griffins include:
Peter Griffin - The so-called "family guy," he is a middle aged obese man who gets into capers while trying to run his family and soon his idiot plans and schemes result in him being declared mentally retarded. Peter is accompanied by his talking dog, Brian, when he is not at work. Peter works at a toy factory and later buys a fishing boat before ending up working at the local brewery, though not in his ideal job. He is the father of Meg, Chris and Stewie and virtually everyone is baffled by how he attracted the beautiful Lois. He gets into many tight scrapes, usually as a result of his stupidity,
Lois Griffin - Wife of Peter, object of lust by local sexual predator (and Peter's friend) Quagmire and Brian, mother of Meg, Chris and Stewie. A stay-at-home mom, she used to teach piano lessons while being hunted by Stewie, but soon became a supporting character to Peter's domestic misadventures,
Meg Griffin - Daughter of Lois and (according to one early episode) a mystery man, she is the butt of many of the family's jokes. She is in high school, awkward and works hard to be popular (failing constantly). As a result, she is once killed, takes Brian to a prom and looks into lesbianism to increase her popularity,
Chris Griffin - Son of Peter and Lois, he is a socially awkward middle school student who is rather overweight and is tormented by an evil monkey who lives in his closet. He works to not disappoint his father and his initial interest is in art and later music, though his character gets neglected more and more as the series progresses,
Stewie Griffin - The one year-old baby of Lois and Peter, he is a megalomaniacal genius bent on world domination and matricide. He has an arsenal of weapons, is able to create time machines and weather control devices, but soon gives that up for such things as getting a girlfriend and paling around with Brian, who he often seems to put to work and who seems to be the only member of the family who understands what he says,
and Brian - The family dog. He talks and everyone understands him. He is an alcoholic, obsessed with shagging Lois, despite the fact that Peter is his best friend. He has a love/hate relationship with Stewie and eventually gets a very human girlfriend, which results in the family thinking less of him because he has quite the intellect and she . . . well, she's a tomato.
Quahog is fleshed out by supporting characters who allow the series to make social commentaries as Peter's friends include the nymphomaniacal Quagmire, black Cleveland, and handicapped Joe. Mayor Adam West (voiced by the actual Adam West) appears fairly frequently as well as the spacey mayor of the town.
"Family Guy" is largely the brain child of Seth MacFarlane, who voices Peter, Brian and Stewie, which is quite a feat. MacFarlane provides commentary on most of the commentary tracks and the later collections of episodes have commentary on each and every episode featuring him and other actors, writers, directors and producers of the series. The commentary tracks are funny, insightful and are better than the average track where the participants simply sit and watch the episodes. The only drawback on this collection is that the bonus commentary track that made "The Freakin' Sweet Collection" worth buying is not on the episode "To Love And Die In Dixie."
The featurettes that are included are interesting, like the walk through the "Family Guy" offices, though some of them repeat information that is included in commentary tracks. There are deleted scenes and the early season ones make a lot more sense than the later season ones; why the scenes were not reintegrated in the new cuts for the DVDs is never truly explored on the commentary tracks.
In addition to the DVDs, there is a deck of cards, poker chips, and a little kit for playing ping pong. These have no special significance in conjunction with the show, so it's just a weird bit of fun and an eclectic idea; having a party around watching "Family Guy" and playing cards and ping pong. With seventeen discs of material, though, this is not a terribly practical idea!
It does save some space on the shelf compared to the whole collection of the individual volumes.
But for those who do not yet own any of the "Family Guy" DVDs, this is a great way to catch up in one massive (and surprisingly affordable) swoop. Despite being animated, it's intended for adult audiences and it definitely pushes the boundaries of good taste. But for those who are looking for that, it's a great way to go and a worthwhile investment. And for the most part, the humor holds up over multiple viewings. Trust me on that . . . I've seen most of the episodes at least five times each and I keep coming back, as you no doubt will with this great set!
For more information on the specific elements of this pack, check out my reviews on the component DVDs at:
Volume 1 -
http://www.epinions.com/content_406652554884
Volume 2 -
http://www.epinions.com/content_129341361796
The Stewie Griffin Story -
http://www.epinions.com/content_409379245700
Volume 3 -
http://www.epinions.com/content_223249272452
Volume 4 -
http://www.epinions.com/content_301005115012
Volume 5 -
http://www.epinions.com/content_404356697732 
France
Germany
United Kingdom
Australia
USA
