The Venture Bros.: Season 4, Vol. 1

I thought these 8 episodes were fantastic. The animation just seems to get better each season, and I was thrilled to see the large roll that Sergent Hatred got here in volume 1. I think he's been my favorite character in the Ventureverse ever since season 3's "Home Is Where The Hate Is" when he threw that dinner party for all the super villains.Although I didn't mind paying a little bit extra to get the first 8 episodes on DVD early, I was a little disappointed when I first saw the packaging in person. I don't know about everybody else, but I strongly favor the fold out digi-packs the previous 3 seasons have come in to the traditional plastic DVD case that this did. And it wasn't even a particularly high quality DVD case! Mine had "Made In Mexico" stamped in red unsubtly on top of the shrink wrap. It seems like for the extra money they charged for this one they might have compensated with a little bit better packaging, but I guess they didn't feel that way. Ah well.As usual with the venture brothers, there aren't a TON of special features but there is an expanded opening to one of the episodes, a good amount of deleted scenes (With some of the most hilarious jokes of the season! Why do they cut these out? They only last like 2 seconds anyway!) and the intro video they showed at Comic-Con.There is commentary for all 8 episodes and it is of the usual Venture Brothers quality. Along with discussion about their inspiration, the little details you might have missed, the way they work, and lambasting of the overseas animators (who I thought did a FANTASTIC job this season by the way) there was a lot of other awesome stuff in the commentary including:[SPOILER ALERT - STOP READING UNLESS YOU WANT TO KNOW DETAILS ABOUT WHAT IS DISCUSSED IN THE COMMENTARY]*A lengthy discussion on the aesthetic qualities of human genitalia. And the reasons Doc Hammer wears briefs and hates boxers. And the rare elective surgery that Jackson Public is considering.*A police siren, apparently from outside AstrobaseGo, that scared the bejesus out of me when it started blaring out of my surround sound. I thought it was outside my window till I paused the DVD.*A meta-commentary about the way that Doc & Jackson listen to commentary.*TWO commentaries in which the video cut out for Doc & Jackson in the middle of the episode leading to a discussion of their crappy software and/or organizational skills.*A message from the future (!) to cover up something they talked about that they shouldn't have talked about.*A *detailed* explanation of the "scary" porn that Doc & Jackson found laying around when they were kids.[NO MORE SPOILERS - FEEL FREE TO START READING AGAIN]Anyway, I was pretty impressed with this season. I'd advise those new to the Venture Brothers to start at Season 1 and work your way forwards because this cartoon actually does have some chronology to it. If you're already a fan of the Venture Brothers but you HAVEN'T seen these, you really need to. If you want to hold out for the blu-ray, I'm told it will contain all 16 episodes from Season 4 and will probably have better packaging. Personally, I don't have a blu-ray player or an HDTV so I figured I might as well spring for this one.Can't wait till the hour-long season finale in 10 days, and the release of the equally amazing Volume 2!

After getting all 4th-wall-y and tiresome in season three, this show has returned in force. I dawdled about getting this DVD because I thought the series was ruined, but Doc and Jackson have somehow managed to un-jump the shark and wrest triumph from the ashes. I didn't know how the show could be good without Brock, but Sergeant Hatred is a really enjoyable character (and Brock isn't completely gone after all... The writing is once again excellent, full of hilarious dialogue and super-awesome-kick-ass action. The ongoing plot that bogged down season three takes a backseat this time, allowing each episode to stand on its own. The episodic style plays to the strength of the writers much better than the soap-opera feel of the previous season. The episodes about Phantom Limb's ongoing quest for vengeance were among the weakest material on this disk but thankfully he plays a very minor part in this one.There is a lot more cussing this time, but the sheer frequency of it seems to somehow lessen its impact. It also occurs more naturally, in situations where the characters would actually be likely to drop an F-bomb or two. The swearing didn't bother me as much as it did in season three, where it seemed to have been inserted randomly, perhaps in an effort to test the thrilling waters of "ooh, we can say dirty words now." But in season four they made it work.My only real criticism is that perhaps the vocal cast is being spread a little too thin. I started to notice that Phantom Limb sounds like Dr. Venture ... Sgt. Hatred sounds like Hank ... and a bunch of Doc's characters (especially Dermott, Henchman 21, and Billy Quizboy) all sorta sound the same. Also there are, like, NO women on the show. The only significant female character is "Dr. Mrs. The Monarch" (nee Dr. Girlfriend) and she is voiced by a man. Something about this season made the absence of ladies seem very noticeable to me.

It's really very simple. Are you a fan of this show? Yes? Well then what is the point of whining about getting 8 instead of 13 episodes? Consistently one of the best shows on TV, Jackson and Doc have so much love and respect for both their subject matter and their audience that I have absolutely no doubts this 'half' season won't be chock full of extras to make up the balance of 'lost' material that would have been on a DVD set of an earlier season.I'm poor as hell like most of y'all but the argument that you are getting fleeced is weak. When it comes down to it spending your money is something you do to reward the artists out there that kick ass all day and deserve compensation. It's not like anybody on this show is rolling in it. Sack up and buy something awesome.As far as season 4.1 is concerned, it was definitely my least favorite in terms of themes and plot. It lacked the settling in feeling of meeting everyone that season 1 possessed as well as the breakneck, loaded and utterly brilliant second season. I'm almost more interested in hearing the commentary to see where things are heading. The Ventures have earned a lifetime pass from me and as long as they are willing to keep making the show I'll keep watching.

what is not to love about the venture bros???I do no know, great show, great fun... I guess the only thing that I did not like was the fact that this season (with all of 16 episodes?) was broken into 2 different disks....so this one was costly, the second was cheaper.Although a cartoon this is not meant for children, lots of laughs and great fun!!!!

Great series.Irked that season 4 is broken up into 2 separate DVDs that you need to purchase in order to own the whole season. This is Volume 1, Volume 2 will have to be purchased separately if you're looking for the full season.

Awesome show highly recommended again a show you have to watch from the beginning of the series to understand the characters

This is a very funny series about Dr. Venture and his two sons Hank and Dean. The two sons aren't the smartest guys out there and get into all sorts of funny situations.

Just wish they didn't break the season up.