DVD Corner

Metalocalypse Season 3 Blu-ray Review

“Metalocalypse” never lives up to its potential.

“Metalocalypse” centers around a 5 member death metal band (Nathan Explosion, Swisgaar Swigelf, Toki Wartooth, Pickles, and William Murderface) known as Dethklok. In this uncensored 10 episode season 3, the following events occur: The band’s manager returns, Dethklok puts on a big concert, the band members go to the hospital, Swisgaar searches for his father, Toki looks for love, Toki and Murderface judge a show called “American Super Talent Havers,” and the rock n’ roll clown Rockzo reappears. Other episodes involve a tribute band, a Christmas centric story, a drum machine and the mysterious Falconback Project.

Anyone who watches Adult Swim knows their shows are very hit-and-miss. For every hilarious toon like “Sealab 2021” and “Frisky Dingo,” there are unwatchable toons like “12 oz. Mouse” and “Squidbillies.” While “Metalopcalypse” is certainly not good, it’s not really bad either. It simply falls in the middle.

The problem with the series is that it tries too hard. It’s like the “This Is Spinal Tap” of death metal only it’s neither clever nor laugh out loud funny. Instead, the series relies on metal band cliches and it’s loud, obnoxious, dim witted characters to provide the humor. Unfortunately, the really amusing jokes are few and far between. More often than not, the show will just leave you wishing that the writers would capitzalize on the amusing parody premise instead of squandering it with obvious jokes.

Adult Swim animated shows are usually associated with cheap, weak looking animation, but “Metalocalypse” is one of the beter looking shows on the network. On this Blu-ray set, I have to say I was surprised by how sharp looking the character models looked in 2.4:1 1080p. A job well done with the episodes transfers here.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 delivers high quality sound with the music and voice acting.

Extras:
* 5 music videos.
* 14 deleted scenes that include a drive-thru, a record store, 4 Klokateer Recruitment videos, alcohol drinking, “Two Swedish Fathers,” Nathan reading “Othello,” etc.

November 14, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Adult Swim, Dethklok, Metalocalypse Season 3 Blu-ray Review