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Like many DVD's of Superfriends this collection doesn't disappoint too much but i do have my irritation for the documentary making fun of the series. I was not accustomed to this version of the series until this DVD came along. Little did i know that several of the short segments that i've seen before on cable channels originated from this series. This series was a risk for ABC due to the original Superfriends not being a big hit but in 1977 this ALL-NEW series became a big hit...perhaps a bigger hit than ABC expected. The original duo of Wendy and Marvin have been replaced by Jana and Zan, the Wonder Twins from planet Exxor. The Wonderdog has been replaced by space monkey, Gleek. Each episode follows the same pattern...the opening cartoon features a short cartoon starring a couple Superfriends and sandwiched in between the hour are De-Coder segments, health segments, magic segments, a half hour segment featuring all the Superfriends, a short segment with a Superfriend and a "special guest", and the Wonder Twins own segment geared toward youth-oriented stories which aired toward the beginning of the episodes. As was mentioned in other reviews, this series is not intended for the eyes raised on the animation of today. While the DVD can be viewed by anyone who buys it, modern-day cartoon watchers will perhaps not be too interested or appreciative of story-telling situations in cartoons. There is plenty of action, of course, but those used to the explosive action of today will more than likely be disappointed. Mad scientists are aplenty...one that springs to mind is Dr Droid in a segment featuring Superman and Wonder Woman. The segment is a loose parody of FRANKENSTEIN with what sounds like John Stephenson doing his Boris Karloff impression as Dr Droid, who, coincidentally, has a side-kick named Boris. Another madman comes along in an earlier cartoon, Dr Fright, who uses a potion to turn people into cowards, Superman not an exception. In "Invasion of the Earthors", the Superfriends battle an underground civilization who hate surface dwellers. The leader of the Earthor's is voiced by Ted Cassidy...Superfriends fans will easily recognize the voice as it was given to Black Manta on CHALLENGE OF THE SUPERFRIENDS. One of the stand-out episodes is "Will The World Collide?" where a Krypton-like world gets closer and closer to Earth, causing Superman's powers to diminish as the episode progresses until he's near-death. It is in this episode which also features an electrical monster as a villain and those familiar with SCOOBY-DOO will ponder if it's the 10,000 Volt Ghost. Several of the guest stars on this ALL-NEW series: Atom, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Rima, and Green Lantern. William Woodson is on hand as the narrator and sometimes voice actor. Listen for his voice as one of "The Secret Four" as well as a rogue Captain in "The Whirlpool" in addition to the alien being in command in "Will the World Collide". This series, which debuted in 1977, prompted ABC to green-light a new Superfriends series for each consecutive TV season up through 1985. The successor to this ALL-NEW SUPERFRIENDS HOUR was the hour-long CHALLENGE OF THE SUPERFRIENDS in 1978, which featured 30 minutes of Superfriends action with the Wonder Twins and a second 30 minutes of Superfriends action minus the Wonder Twins but including villain Lex Luthor and his Legion of Doom. There isn't any appearances of comic book villains on the ALL-NEW series...just a collection of mad doctors, mad scientists, space aliens, misunderstood creatures, etc etc. Each of the episodes have a moral and often Superman or Batman deliver the moral message before the screen goes black. The Wonder Twins episodes, specifically, tack on the morals. Several of their adventures tackle actually serious topics like the dangers of hitch-hiking, the perennial subject of teen runaways, the consequences of under-age joy riding without parental permission, vandalism, and other youth stories. They even have a Teen Trouble Alert, a youth-oriented version of the Trouble Alert. The voice of Aquaman in this series is Norman Alden, not the voice viewers may be familiar with in the later versions, Bill Callaway. The other voices are the same: Danny Dark as Superman; Olan Soule as Batman; Shannon Farnon as Wonder Woman; and Casey Kasem as Robin.
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Superman's popular phrase before taking flight is one of many aspects of this superb cartoon that brings back a treasure of childhood memories. Watching this DVD, I am reminded of waking up early Saturday mornings, pouring myself a bowl of cereal, and gluing my eyes to the set as my mind entered the wondrous world of the All New Super Friends Hour.
This cartoon is good clean fun that children of all ages can enjoy (as well as kid-at-heart adults like me!). It contains no profanity and no sexual innuendoes (a rarity on TV nowadays). Instead, the humor of this series is character-driven, much of which from the antics of space monkey Gleek.
It is here in the All New Super Friends Hour that Gleek, along with Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna, make their debut. They appear in segments 2 and 3 in each four-segment episode. What I like about the Wonder Twins is that they engage in combat, unlike their predecessors Wendy and Marvin. With a "Wonder Twin powers ... ACTIVATE," Jayna could change into the shape of any animal, including prehistoric ones, and Zan into any water-based form such as a functioning ice structure, a cloud, or simply water itself. Even though the Twins made their fair share of mistakes, their Exxorian powers undoubtedly came in handy. As was the case in the episode "Planet of the Neanderthals," where they successfully kept Barko and his neanderthal army at bay while Batman sealed off the Hall of Justice entrance. That scene was perhaps their best demonstration ever!
The All New Super Friends hour also introduced viewers to various safety tips, de-coder puzzles, and magic tricks, all of which hosted by core characters Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, or Aquaman (who, by the way, has a different voice than in later Superfriends series).
Another added treat is the special guest Super Friend featured in segment 4. Apache Chief, Atom, Black Vulcan, Green Lantern, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and Rima all make special appearances in this volume.
Now bring on Volume 2!
And The World's Greatest Superfriends!
Rating:  -
I fondly remember watching the Superfriends as a kid. This collection has the Wonder Twins, with their odd shape-changing antics. But while I enjoyed watching these, I still miss the earlier ones with Wendy, Marvin, and Wonderdog! When I was a kid watching the show, I really liked Wonderdog (I also liked Scooby-Doo, by coincidence). I think this is a fine introduction to the DC universe for younger kids. As they get older, they can move on to the later more comics-oriented cartoon series. But as a kid, I didn't follow the comics. I loved the Superfriends.
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I just love this DVD it has my favorite superhero in it, WONDER WOMAN. This DVD takes me back in time. I just love superheroes and after watching this collection I think you will too.
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Great DVD, corny yet satisfying. Let's hope all the remaining superfriend iterations are released!
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