24 discs featuring 12 seasons of the funniest television show to ever air? That sounds like it should be a home run. However, there are sadly some caveats and issues with the Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray that would make for a great Larry David rant.
“This iconic Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning semi-improvised comedy series stars creator Larry David as an over-the-top, self-absorbed version of himself who finds endless ways to make a mess of his pretty, pretty good life. Offering a tongue-in-cheek depiction of the writer/producer/comedian’s fictionalized world and friends, Curb Your Enthusiasm follows Larry’s awkward everyday encounters, social missteps, and knack for turning mundane situations into chaotic disasters, often leading to hilariously uncomfortable situations,” says the official synopsis.
I don’t think any show has run for 10+ seasons and stayed as consistent as Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David’s hilarious cringe comedy stayed hilarious for the 24 years it ran, relying largely on improv and never rushing into production unless creatively spurred. Featuring a stacked cast with some incredible celebrity guest stars, it’s one of the best comedy shows ever made and even features the best Seinfeld reunion possible.
However, there’s one major issue with the Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray. The first six seasons are all in the wrong aspect ratio — 1.78:1 instead of 1.33:1 — and run at 24 frames per second instead of 30. This means some shots are oddly framed, with parts of the picture missing, and the movement can look odd. Granted, this is a comedy show, so it’s not the biggest crime, and you’ll still laugh your ass off watching it, but it’s a weird oversight and a disappointment. The rest of the series looks and sounds great, though, as the series begins shooting digitally.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray’s special features are also a mixed bag. Sadly, none of the existing commentary tracks are included, and the first seven seasons’ special features seem like they’ve been stretched a bit. There are some great inclusions, though, like the original HBO special that spurred the series, a Bob Costas interview, several featurettes, and a great conversation between David and Susie Essman. So, there are a lot of extras to enjoy, it’s just not all that could’ve been included and not in its best form sometimes.
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review: Final Verdict
The Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray release isn’t perfect, but it still gets a recommendation. Larry David is a comedic genius, and this includes 12 of the funniest seasons of television ever produced. Consistently hilarious and a joy to watch, it’s just a shame that the early seasons aren’t presented faithfully.
ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series Blu-ray review.