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Top Gear USA Season 3 DVD Review

The US version of “Top Gear” doesn’t compare to the UK version.

In the 16 episode third season of the US “Top Gear,” hosts Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara, and Tanner Foust engage in all sorts of shenanigans. They make a live TV commercial to sell a car, play football with cars, review cars, have celeb guests, and engage in challenges such as racing from Portland to San Francisco on one tank of gas, racing college days cars to Mexico, building a “Mad Max” esque post-apoc car, reaching 150 MPH with the least amount of money, driving up a volcano, and more. There are also reward races and punishments as well. Oh, and The Stig appears too.

While you can expect some different things from the original series, the US “Top Gear” is mostly just a cash-in of the globally popular original series. While certainly watchable (especially the amusing PDX to SF race), it lacks the humor and knowledge of the iconic hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Now, Wood, Ferrara and Foust are all OK at the hosting duties, but their humor and banter is simply too scripted and cheesy at times. Perhaps this is more due to the writing than their individual talents, but this series just can’t replicate the chemistry between the 3 leads from the original series.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: Widescreen. How does it look? The cinematography is glossy and picturesque at times.

Audio Track: Dolby Digital Stereo. How does it sound? From the engine roars to the dialogue, this is a sharp track.

Extras:
* Trailers for “Copper,” “Doctor Who,” “Orphan Black,” and “Luther.”
* 6 extra scenes.
* Commentary on “Monument To Moab” and “College Cars” by Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara, and Tanner Foust. The three chat about alcoholic drinks, disclaimers, behind-the-scenes tidbits, cut scenes, donkey meat, Mexico, etc. Worth a listen if you like the show.
* 14 host interviews with the three hosts chatting about favorite cars, scariest moments, favorite locations, favorite challenges, etc.
* 22 behind the scenes involving Twitter, tires, a Monster Truck, RVs, Rut, Iceland, etc.

Summary: The new version of “Top Gear” simply feels unnecessary. Sure, it’s watchable, but why make another version when the original is such a massive hit across the world?

September 28, 2015 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Adam Ferrara, Rutledge Wood, Tanner Foust, Top Gear Season 3 DVD Review, Top Gear USA Season 3 DVD Review