Search - Freaks & Geeks: Yearbook Edition on DVD

Is This Reprint Worth the Extra Money?

Auggie Worldwise | Los Angeles, California | 11/18/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Freaks and Geeks. But this yearbook reprint is severely overpriced. It was originally marketed as a limited edition when it was released in 2004 until it sold out in January 2007. You could somewhat justify the high price of $130 on that version because it was SUPPOSED TO BE A COLLECTORS ITEM with a limited printing of only 25,000. Now Shout Factory has decided to start making it again, except they aren't calling it a limited edition. What doesn't make sense is that they are charging the same price for this reprint as they did for the limited edition collectible.



Skip the yearbook and buy the standard edition. At $45 or so, it's a much better deal. It has loads of extras that will satisfy the most diehard fans. Keep in mind that discs 1-6 are EXACTLY THE SAME on both editions. There is a heckuva lot on these 6 discs: All 18 episodes, 29 full length commentaries (some episodes have more than 1), 69 deleted scenes (also with commentaries), 2 sets of bloopers, a behind the scenes video, audition tapes for Cardellini, Segel, Daley, Starr, Levine, Rogen, Phillips, (Sorry, Franco's audition doesn't appear on either set). The standard edition is loaded with extras.



The yearbook edition gives you everything on the standard edition, but only 2 more discs for all that additional money. And they are less desirable extras, like auditions of supporting cast members and poorly produced videos of 3 table readings where the sound is barely audible. They used all the best extras on the standard edition. I'll admit the 80 page yearbook is cool to look at, but 22 of the pages contain an episode guide which also appears in the booklet that comes with the standard edition. Another 12 pages in the yearbook are reprints of articles that ran in the LA Times and LA Weekly, and that you can still find on the internet. For the hefty price, you'd expect them to put a lot more original stuff into the yearbook.



You'd think that if you were paying 3 times the price, you'd get 3 times as much stuff.... but that's definitely NOT the case. Considering the contents of this yearbook edition, $69-$79 would be a fair price. $130 is way over the top."

The one to own for F&G geeks (and freaks)

C. Phillips | San Francisco, CA United States | 09/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the version I purchased a few years back that then went out of print, and I swear I watch the whole thing twice a year. There are two bonus discs loaded with goodies, a ton of commentaries from directors, writers, and the cast (a few of whom - the Geeks - were already unrecognizable sounding by that point, having finally passed through the threshold of puberty). At any rate, it's all here - the series that launched the Apatow bonanza, with so much talent behind and in front of the camera it's astonishing. But all that nerdery aside, it's the show itself that still holds up well. There are some uneven episodes, to be sure, but it's pretty much a delight from start to finish. The non-alcoholic beer keg party, the trick or treating, Tuba Girl, the unforgettable Viking mascot head, the laser show, the band called Creation, the fake IDs, it's all here, in painfully funny (and sometimes just painful) fashion. As one who went to high school just a few years after this show was set, I can relate to the 80s references and cultural feel, but it's pretty universal stuff no matter when you went to high school.



Oh and this edition comes with, yes, the faux yearbook, which is also a must for fans.



"You cut me off mid-funk!" - Bill Haverchuck"

Awesome

Anita Kristoffersen | Oslo, Norway | 02/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my favourite shows so the expectations were huge.



First - the picture does not serve this edition justice. The book itself looks very classy and is true to the yearbook-concept. There are greetings in there from all your friends and teachers at McKinley with lots of other trivia. I havent been able to see through all of the extra material on the dvds yet as it is a LOT. So I am looking forward to watch the rest as comfort for the sadness I feel because it only exists one season of this teenage-angst/feelgood/funny/sad and utterly complex tvseries which can be enjoyed on so many levels.



The only drawback is that I think it originally was overpriced, but with discount it was well worth it."

IT'S GOOD TO BE A GEEK!

James M. Hansen | Abilene, TX | 11/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection is a must for true Freaks and Geeks fanatics. I bought this yearbook edition several years back, via the website, and couldn't have been more satisfied with it. I also paid $130 through the website for mine and I think it is worth every penny. The dvds come enclosed in a yearbook containing tons of pictures and detailed episode descriptions, among other things. The dvds have a ton of extras as well, such as casting videos, outtakes, deleted scenes, commentary, etc. If you love Freaks and Geeks this is a must have collection. You will not be disappointed!"