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March 01, 2005
DVD unearths TV gold
Intelligence, humor, romance and some wiseass talking toys. It is a very rare thing for television to produce something that’s witty, fresh, and poignant. Last spring, Fox premiered one of the best new series of the past decade, Wonderfalls.
Unfortunately, the network canceled the series after airing only four episodes, in inconsistent timeslots.
For those who were able find the brilliant new series, only possible by carefully scanning TV Guide, its unceremonious dumping was a bitter disappointment. Thankfully, we are living in the era of TV on DVD and can now purchase the complete series with nine new episodes that never aired.
Wonderfalls tells of the exploits of 24-year-old Jaye Tyler, self-described as overeducated and unemployable. A sarcastic, bitter slacker, Jaye is the youngest daughter of a family of ambitious, successful overachievers. Jaye is content to live in a trailer park, work at a Niagara Falls gift shop, and spend her nights getting drunk at the local dive bar. Until the day fate intervenes by making plastic animals start telling Jaye to do their bidding.
Jaye debates her sanity and tries to resist the animals, but they won’t leave her alone until she complies.
Each episode centers on Jaye being coaxed into going out of her way to help somebody. Storylines include helping a nun find her recently lost faith, helping with a class reunion, and setting up her closeted sister with another woman.
Each plot comes packed with wildly unpredictable twists and turns to keep viewers on their toes. The episodes usually conclude with a fantastical, saccharine sweet ending that teaches Jaye something about herself.
While normally such romantic endings can be difficult to stomach, Wonderfalls avoids such a downfall.
The show manages to tightrope-walk between romantic comedy, coming-of-age drama, and biting sarcasm. Here, the incredibly cute stories of finding love and faith are happening to characters that are rude, self-centered and very funny.
In the first episode, Jaye’s best friend tells her, “Spiteful doesn’t adequately prepare people for dealing with you.” The unique appeal of the show goes beyond its plotting and characters.
The series has a distinct visuals style as well. The show uses a View-Master motif, reminiscent of Amélie, to tap into the tourist feel of its Niagara Falls setting. The show uses creative camera work and clever editing to establish a kooky atmosphere.
The CGI animation gives the animals enough expression and personality that their movements seem natural. Other special effects, such as lovers with literal fireworks in their eyes, add to the whimsical mood.
Wonderfalls is an extraordinarily inventive and original series. However, the actual DVD set is standard fare, containing a making-of featurette, commentary, and a music video of the theme song.
While normally a dull and useless feature, the commentary on Wonderfalls is as entertaining as the show and really adds a lot to the value of the set. Wonderfalls: The Complete Viewer Collection is an ideal gift, especially for a new graduate who, like Jaye, is still figuring out post-college life. Because the show is still very unknown, but brilliant and creative, it is practically guaranteed to surprise and delight anybody who watches it.
Posted by msveum at March 1, 2005 08:02 PM
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