It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.
Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!
Number 13: The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series
Warner Archive Collection has released the 24 original episodes of the “futuristic” classic cartoon in one amazing 3-disc set!
The Jetsons reside in Orbit City. The family consists of George, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy, Jane his wife (try not to sing the theme) and their adventures in a futuristic world. George works at Spacely Space Sprockets, ran by his overbearing boss Cosmo Spacely (one of my favorite characters). Jane stays at home and takes care of the kids. In the first episode The Jetsons get their sassy robot-maid Rosie and a few episodes later they get their loyal dog, Astro.
The Jetsons plays like a traditional sitcom (complete with a laugh track) but with really fun 1960’s aesthetic of the future. For every push button breakfast and dinner, there is the classic sitcom troupe of George trying to get out of a PTA meeting to watch the big game.
I have fond memories of The Jetsons. Growing up I was always more drawn to the older cartoons and TV shows. While my brothers loved He-Man and GI Joe, I was rocking out to The Flintstones and The Jetsons. I vividly remember going over to my grandparent’s house and watching The Jetsons in their bedroom where the second TV was. I would lie on their bed for hours watching these cartoons just soaking in the classic sitcom charm.
The Jetsons seem to have aged really well for a show about the future from the 1960’s, and besides relatable characters, it makes watching these original episodes so much more fun. The self-propelled vacuum before there was an iRobot which we enjoy today.
Watching the 24 episodes put a smile on my face that instantly brought me back to my childhood. And as an adult watching them reminded me how smart writing never goes out of style.
Warner Archives brings The Jetsons to the 21st Century with a stellar fresh scan of the show. I have never seen The Jetsons look better. Bright colors, smooth line work highlight an impressive video transfer. Although some scratches and dirt flecks do pop up, they are so far in between I couldn’t even remember which episode and which scene they occurred in. Once again Warner Archives shows everyone how a animated HD transfer should be done.
The audio also zooms by with an impressive upgrade. Dialogue, music and effects are crystal clear. I heard no scratches or pops throughout my journey in Orbit City.
Although not too robust, The Jetsons does have several bonus features worth digging into. The best of the bunch in my opinion is the two commentaries by Janet Waldo, the voice of Judy. On the episodes, “Rosie the Robot” and “A Date with Jet Screamer” Waldo goes into the production of the show and working with the other cast members. Truly delightful. Also included are 4 featurettes totaling about 20 minutes, the best being “The Jetsons: The Family of the Future.”
Once again Warner Archive is allowing me to enjoy and relive my childhood. The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series offers a fun trip down memory lane. With out of this world video and audio, The Jetsons is a must own!
Film: A
Video: A+
Audio: A
Extras: B
Overall: A