“Now and Again” was lauded by critics and audiences alike but never quite caught in the ratings in no small part due to a network unsure where to place it, thus it was a one-and-done series that finally got to see the light of day with a relatively impressive DVD release. The audio and video transfers are more than serviceable, though it does show its age, while the bonus material is well done as this could’ve easily been a cut-and-paste, featureless, release.
“Now and Again”: The DVD Edition
(1999-2000)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Science-Fiction, Adventure, Drama
Paramount | NR – 972 min. – $39.98 | August 26, 2014
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Various Writer(s): Glenn Gordon Caron (created by) Cast: Eric Close, Dennis Haysbert, Gerrit Graham, Heather Matarazzo, Margaret Colin DISC INFO: Audio: English (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
THE SERIES
Now and Again: What happens when the U.S. government builds a man with “the speed of Michael Jordan, the strength of Superman and the grace of Fred Astaire”? You get “Now and Again”: The DVD Edition. Insurance salesman Michael Wiseman (cameo by JOHN GOODMAN) started his day off like any other. He kissed his wife Lisa (MARGARET COLLIN), argued with his daughter Heather (HEATHER MATARAZZO), and went out for a drink with his friend Roger (GERRIT BRAHAM). But when he’s tragically killed in a subway accident, everything changed…Michael is faced with ultimatum: he can die or start a new life as a top-secret weapon in a genetically bio-engineered body (ERIC CLOSE) – but he can never see his wife or daughter again. With the brilliant but strict Dr. Morris (DENNIS HAYSBERT) as his mentor, Michael starts his new life battling rogue agents, killer insects, and a global terrorist known simple as “the Egg Man.”
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.0/5
The 5-disc set is housed in a standard, clear, DVD case.
Now and Again: On the Set (5:30) is an archival behind-the-scenes featurette with on-set interviews with members of the cast and crew.
Gimme a Sign: Engineering “Now and Again” (1:54:16) is a four-part featurette going through each element of the series from its origins to its impact even so long after its (some argue) premature departure.
In Conversation: Writing “Now and Again” (33:49) is a new roundtable discussion with the various writers of the series.
VIDEO – 3.5/5 | AUDIO – 3.5/5
“Now and Again” makes its debut, finally, on DVD presented in its original 4×3 (1.33) full frame aspect ratio and for a show now 15 years old, looks alright and colors, albeit a bit muted, but doesn’t look too shabby.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 track is serviceable enough allowing for clear dialogue levels and also has some OK depth with the more action-centric elements.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, “Now and Again” was lauded by critics and audiences alike but never quite caught in the ratings in no small part due to a network unsure where to place it, thus it was a one-and-done series that finally got to see the light of day with a relatively impressive DVD release. The audio and video transfers are more than serviceable, though it does show its age, while the bonus material is well done as this could’ve easily been a cut-and-paste, featureless, release.
Published: 09/03/2014
No mention of the butchering of the soundtrack?
Never seen the show when it originally aired so don’t know the difference. That being said, the butchering was likely due to licensing rights so it’s a trade-off. If you want the show on DVD finally, it’s something that probably had to be sacrificed…