Customer Rating:  
Summary: Before He Became Legend: Smallville's Complete First Season
Comment: Season Review-
After over 70 years, Superman has become more than just a pop culture phenomenon, but an international success and an iconic symbol that still holds strong even today. From his first appearance on Action Comics in 1938 to George Reeves's live action series of the 50s to the stunning Richard Donnor films of the 70s and 80s to the romantic action comedy of Lois and Clark in the 90s as well as the animated adventures, Superman has been successful in all media. The story and journey of the Last Son of Krypton has become an American classic and no superhero has been more successful than the Man of Steel. In the fall of 2001, The WB went on to debut the latest and probably most refreshing tale of Superman yet with "Smallville". Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, "Smallville" would tell the journey of a young Clark Kent before he would put on his signature tights. With an intriguing premise, a stunning looking cast and a good budget to back up its storylines, "Smallville" premiered with the highest ratings the small network has ever had, a whopping 8.4 million viewers tuned in to see the pilot episode simply titled, "Pilot." "Pilot" is such an impressive introduction to the series that still remains strong `til this day. The ingenious idea that not just has baby Kal-El arrive on Earth in his spaceship, but with a meteor shower caused by the destruction of Krypton was the perfect set-up for the rest of the series.
The cast all fit their roles and do a fine job when interacting for the first time. A then 24 year-old Tom Welling is very convincing as the whiny, moody, mild mannered 15 year-old Clark Kent. You really feel bad as he just wants to be normal, yet his extraordinary abilities make it even harder for him to be a teenager. John Schneider (Dukes of Hazard) and Annette 'O Toole (Lana Lang in Superman III, ironically) are just perfect as Clark's loving adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent. Sam Jones III is fine as Clark's energetic best friend, Pete Ross and Allison Mack is lovely as Chloe Sullivan (who besides Lionel Luthor is the only other character not from the mythos, but an original character). Then you have a very innocent yet cute Kristin Kruek as Lana Lang, Clark's high school sweetheart and Eric Johnson as Whitney Fordman, Lana's boyfriend. The last of the cast is the excellent John Glover as Lionel Luthor and Michael Rosenbaum as a young Lex Luthor. Probably the other impressive aspect of the first episode is how Clark and Lex first meet, which involves Lex running Clark over on the road and Clark saving his life. After that traumatic event, both men become friends! Wait, the future Superman and Lex Luthor friends? That premise alone already made "Smallville" much more unique than any other Superman adaption before it.
Season 1 is mostly about Clark dealing with the discovery that his an alien as well as developing into Smallville's unlikely hero when meteor freaks (humans infected by the meteor rocks of the meteor showers) begin terrorizing the town with their unique powers. "Metamorphosis" sees Clark battling a boy with insect abilities, "Hothead" features a football coach with fire manipulation, and "Cool" has a meteor freak with a Mr. Freeze-type ability that sets his sights on Chloe. The meteor freak of the week type storylines are both the season's strength and weakest. Some are excellent ("X-Ray", which Clark discovers his X-Ray vision) while some are plain sub-par ("Reaper", a mess of an episode where a meteor freak can literally turn people into ash.) But while Season 1 has its jittery and not so pleasant moments, the character development and growing relationship easily shine through. Episodes like "Leech" already shows exactly why Clark will grow up to be the greatest hero of all time, "Zero" is a nice introduction into the dark world of Lex's past and "Rogue" tests the bond of the Kent family when a renegade cop sets his sights on Clark. Other memorable from this series' freshman year is "Jitters" with Tony Todd's unforgettable guest appearance, the mysterious invisible killer storyline of "Shimmer", and the suspense driven finale, "Tempest" with tension filled cliffhangers which one that sees Lana's life hanging in the balance when tornados hit Smallville.
It's funny looking back at the first season, seeing as how everything was so innocent and grounded back then. Clark and Lana's growing friendship with hidden signs of romance was great to watch, who would have thought it would have been dragged out for the next 6 seasons. Also, Clark and Lex's friendship was at its prime with no signs of animosity but genuine brotherly love for one another. Season 1 is a solid first season with great introduction, memorable character development and a lot of signs of promise for the rest of the series.
Season Rating: 8/10
Video and Audio review-
All 21 episodes in the first season are shown in widescreen which fits the series. The episodes look nice with vibrant colors and the audio is just fine, although nothing special.
Video and Audio: 7/10
Extras:
The first season box set has some pretty average; you have 2 commentaries for "Pilot" and "Metamorphosis" with the show creators which are just okay. The Storyboard extra is decent but unnecessary look as making the "Pilot" episode. The Interactive Smallville extra is pretty boring and the 2 WB spots are a cool look back at the old WB promos.
Extras Rating: 5/10
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Comment: Smallville is a simply wonderful show thats filled with great actors, some good plots, and a great representation of a teenage Clark Kent. One minor disapointtment for me was the repetetive use of the "freak of the week", but the writers add extra and unique twists. I definitely recommend Smallville not only to the comic book lovers, but also to those who love a great show to watch
Customer Rating:
Summary: At 59...hooked on Smallville!
Comment: If you've been a fan of SUPERMAN from the 50's and 60's, you'll totally enjoy the first season of SMALLVILLE! One of my twenty-three year old students lent me his copy for a weekend. I had my own two 8-hour marathons---watching all thirteen episodes and the special features in two days! This first series erases any qaps about how Superman came to be. The importance of FAMILY and FRIENDS are highlighted.
Customer Rating:
Summary: SuperTV
Comment: I've watched this series over and over. If you have the slightest interest in Superman, you don't want to miss this saga. I will admit, there are a few episodes every season that hiccup the main plot, but the cast of characters makes you angry, sad, and happy. You owe yourself to give it a try. Buy the whole series through season 7 and keep watching the tv program. It won't last forever.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Comment: Excellent video. Cover a little worn, but in very good condition. It arrived in only a few days and I'm having a great time wathcing it. I love it!!
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