Futurama - Season 1

The picture is perfect, without any apparent problems. The show's colour palette is usually bright and varied and it is presented with astonishing detail and accuracy. The aspect ratio is 1.33:1, as drawn.

Like most other animated shows, the Dolby Surround 2.0 soundtrack may be lost to most audiences when broadcast on TV, but the DVD picks up subtle sounds and ambient effects that television doesn't. For example, in the episode A Big Piece Of Garbage (oh, the irony!), the jokey sound of a holographic missile smashing a window offscreen is barely audible on regular TV. It's a shame that this didn't get the 5.1 remix track that The Simpsons was given, but this soundtrack is still clear and lively.

There is commentary for each episode, but they are boring, recorded at an unintelligible volume and, unless you LOVE the show, not worth the time. The only moments of interest are when the cast members sometimes talk in character.

Animatics for Space Pilot 3000 is basically the storyboards for the first episode played along to a roughcut soundtrack. It's only worth watching to see some jokes that were cut out of the final version. A script for this show, with much ink scribbled over it, is also included.

The deleted scenes are by no means a treasure trove. You'll barely smile, but if any of the episodes appear suspiciously edited then viewing these cut scenes will let you know why.

For those who like to draw, there is a photo gallery of early and evolving character concepts, along with drawings of the Futurama hardware and products. Some of these have buttons to play brief clips of the show.

A very brief featurette and a trailer for the Season 1 box set are also included.