Clare Dootson reviews

Distributed by

Cert:

Cat.no: 21096C

Running time: 484 minutes

Year: 1999

Pressing: 2000

Format: PAL

Sound: Dolby Surround

Languages: English

Fullscreen: 4:3

Price: £34.99

Extras : None

Cast:

Angel: David Boreanez
Allen Francis Doyle: Glenn Quinn
Cordelia: Charisma Carpenter
Wesley: Alexis Denisof
Buffy: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Along with Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Allen Francis Doyle (Roseanne's Glenn Quinn), a half man/demon who aids as Angel's mentor by having visions of people in need who Angel then helps.

Angel investigates and helps the helpless and needy (sounds rather like the A-team - DVDfever Ed), but only if you have the money, according to Cordelia who has come from Sunnydale to pursue an acting career.

The following is a break-down and score for each of the eleven episodes within this boxset.

• City of... : Angel meets his two sidekicks, Doyle and Cordelia. Angel tries to save a girl called Tina but when she is found dead he sets about trying to find the killer. At that point Cordelia gets involved.
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• Lonely Hearts : One of Doyle's visions takes Angel to a bar where something is killing all the party-goers and he meets someone in whom he can trust.
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• In the Dark : Spike (James Marsters) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer turns up for the gem of Omara which Oz (Seth Green) gives to Angel. Angel won't give it up without a fight.
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• I Fall to Pieces : Melissa is being stalked, but the stalker doesn't meet the eye. Good special effects.
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• Rm w/a vu : Cordelia moves into a new place which has a ghost who doesn't want her there and Doyle has an unwanted visitor.
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• Sense and Sensitivity : Angel helps Kate to catch a villain who is trying to leave town. A contract is out on Kate's head and a firm called Wolfram & Hart are behind it.
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• The Bachelor Party : Doyle's ex comes to town. She intends to marry and Doyle's invited to the party - and what a party!!
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• I Will Remember You : Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) comes in search of Angel and gets more than she bargains for.
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• Hero : Angel and Doyle try to rescue a group of half men/demons.
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• Parting Gift : Cordelia receives something she doesn't want and tries to kiss everyone in sight to get rid of it. Even Wesley (Alexis Denisof), the demon hunter
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• Somnambulist : There are some killings going on in the city when a blast from the past comes back to haunt Angel. Kate gets more than she bargains for.
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The picture can be a little dark in places but then Angel can't go out in daylight. There are very good special effects in Hero and the make-up is equally effective. However, the film was shot in 16:9 widescreen, like Buffy Seasons 4 and 5, but is centre-cropped to 4:3 here.

The surround sound is very good too with directional effects used where it counts and the theme tune rocks!

Overall, from ghosts to a bachelor party that goes wrong, Angel is full of action-packed, gripping stuff and funny one-liners. There are plenty of great episodes, such as I Will Remember You and the boxset for Buffy Season 4 Part 1 is also out now.

If you've only seen it on Channel 4 then you've only watched half of it, thanks to them not bothering to obtain widescreen prints (if BBC2 can manage it for Buffy, then why not Channel 4 for Angel!?) and cutting anything violent or using strong language which ruins the narrative.

Episodes have been shown as early as 5.25pm on Fridays. You're also meant to watch episodes of Buffy and Angel alternately, so Channel 4 didn't help by screening this one two weeks early before moving to double-episode helpings and then continuing while BBC2 stopped for snooker.

Word has it that uncut episodes will be screened in January, but I've yet to be convinced.

Hence, until the DVD is eventually released, this box-set comes very recommended for any Angel and Buffy fan.

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Review copyright © Clare Dootson, 2000.