Malcolm in the Middle - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2002, Three Disc Set)

This DVD is for the first season of the television comedy called "Malcolm in the Middle". It is a 7-time Emmy winning, 7-time Golden Globe nominated and 1-time Grammy winning American sitcom that ran for 7 seasons between the years 2000 and 2006.

At the heart, it is a show about a family of a mother, father and 4 sons, with the main character (Malcolm) being the middle child...hence the show's title.

In this series, Father doesn't know best...Dad (Hal) is actually a quirky push-over, while Mom (Lois) is the head of the family and a force to be reckoned with. But I guess she'd have to be tough with 4 boys...the oldest (Francis) being sent off to military school and the 3 youngest (Reese, Malcolm and Dewey) in elementary school and having a knack for getting into trouble.

I made the mistake of not watching this show when it first came out. I thought it would be like SO many other family sit-coms...bland and boring. Boy...was I wrong! This series is punchy and amusing and fast paced. I laughed and was hooked after the first episode I watched, and I think you may be too.

It is a 'family-safe' show, in so much that there is no violence or bad language...more implied harm than actual. Very popular with tweens, teens and young adults, even middle age and older adults will get a kick out of these family antics.

I like how the show was filmed with NO laugh track or studio audience! Also, I enjoyed how Malcolm could "break the fourth wall" (a little drama term there) and speak directly to the audience, in asides. Also, many guest stars have appeared in the show, which are fun to watch for. And the opening title has great music and a funny, seemingly detached & wild collage of scenes. I also like the relativel ambiguity of not really knowing where the family is geographically located (like in the Simpsons) and not really even knowing the family's last name.

One of the best things about this DVD set is the bonuses! Commentaries, bloopers & out-takes all add to the enjoyment and in my opinion, really make the set go from average to exceptional. Of course it is also wonderful to have all the episodes in their proper viewing order, crystal clear sound and picture and NO commercials.

It really is a funny show with great characters. This DVD set is very enjoyable and highly recommended. I hope you found this review helpful, and if so, please click 'YES' (it was helpful) Thanks!