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Ally McBeal - Season 4 Part 1 [1998]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.28 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The first half of Ally McBeal's fourth season starts with that all important question, the one Ally has been waiting for from day one: "Ally will you... move in with me?". As always Ally's romantic dreams never quite become a reality and the series continues within the Grimm Fairy Tale world of Ally's love (and quirky work) life. The most important twist this season occurs in the first episode "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts"--the departure of Tracy Ullman and Ally's current beau, Brian, to be replaced by the series' new heart-throb Larry (Robert Downey Jr). Initially dating both father and son ("Two's a Crowd") Ally cannot help but become besotted by Larry's charisma; he being a fellow lawyer further seals their bond, that is until Larry's past comes back to haunt him.

Other highlights include a quirky romance for John ("Reason to Belive"), a charity auction leading to an all male fan-club for John ("Love on Holiday") and a romantic connection for Mark--though the recipient of his affection may have hidden more than he bargained for. Unfortunately the series was outshone by the real-life drama of Calista Flockhart's and Downey's rocky relationship along with Downey's drugs convictions. Even though he won a Golden Globe for his performance, he ultimately had to be dropped from the series.

On the DVD: Not much on offer here for Ally's début into the DVD market. The individual episode menu does offer a language selection of French and English and the subtitles for the Netherlands and French. You also have the option to select chapters from the specific episodes, along with a "previously on Ally McBeal..." for that little reminder of whom Ally is dating now. Although standard for a TV DVD release, the 1.33:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 Dolby sound is disappointing for a television series which offers ground-breaking use of special effects. --Nikki Disney


The Best Series Of Ally McBeal EVER!!
Review date: 2003-01-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is by far the best series of Ally McBeal ever made. Robert Downey Jnr makes a welcome addition to the cast as Larry Paul. In fact, the series was axed shortly after Downey was dropped from the show, as ratings had fallen so dramatically.

The difference I found about this series, is that Ally has found her true love and for a while, though still thoroughly neurotic, manages to believe in herself and 'love'. She is serenaded on several occasions by the luscious Larry, who is, incidentally, a fantastic singer.

This is the best series ever, for several reasons. It has lots of cameo appearances, including Anastacia, Taye Diggs and Sting, who performs a fantastic duet with Robert Downey Jnr.

All in all, this is is definitely worth every penny and will be watched countless times. I defy anyone to try and watch this without a little tear trickling from their eye! If only Larry had stuck around.....

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Reviews


Best season to date
Review date: 2002-03-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

As a huge Ally McBeal fan, i gotta say that this is the best season of the show to date. After the departure of Billy i was certain that the show would not be worth watching but i was wrong. Robert Downey Jrs character - Larry Paul is an excellent addition to an already fabulous cast. His comedic genious will make you forget about any of Allys past beaus. All characters have not lost their original appeal and the consistent brillance of the past seasons is still there. A definate buy for fans of the show and Downey Jr. Something that can be watched mutiple times without becoming tiring. What are you waiting for?

Downey's Injection saves the lives of the cast from Ally
Review date: 2002-02-12 Rating: 8 out of 10

Okay, we were all getting scared. The series was losing it's appeal, the viewers were getting bored, some of us wanted the series to turn away from Ally's character. She was starting to scare us - she's always hallucinated but she appeared to been genuinely unhinged towards the end of series three (Small point - Ally sees lots of strange imagery - but is regarded as being "Kooky" and has nothing to worry about, Billy sees lots of strange imagery and BANG! Brain tumour!). Some of us felt that yep, unless the writers gave us murders that Ally would cover up using her keen lawyer skills or that attention turned to Fish and Cage (thus renaming the show to "Fish and Cage - featuring Ally Mcsomebody or other) then surely it would all be over. Thankfully, the fear, like Ally's madness, can reside; Ally needn't kill for attention just yet. For that she has to thank Robert Downey Jr as Larry. Alongside Cage and Fish, Larry brings another welcome oddball to the office (presumably to make up for Mark's dour personality free lawyer) and adds that missing quality that such a great character actor can bring to the part. Watch him twist and turn his dialogue around, see how generous an actor he is in sparring scenes,just basically enjoy a superb actor at work. Watch the real chemistry between Larry and Ally, feel that you're getting an insight into a blossoming relationship and feel that - as they became a couple - pyschologically you're not being cheated by your stars. They kissed, and yes, they really, really kissed! They do fancy each other! There is chemistry! And it's because of this pairing that we can ignore the fact that Georgia has disappeared somewhere even though she works with Ally's flat mate, and you can also ignore the regular press bleatings about Downey Jr's disappearance from the series - it's handled effectively and it makes sense. But ultimately it must be said that Downey Jr makes this series worthwhile, and it makes sense to buy both parts of Series 4 to enjoy a love story that could be edited down into a great film. And please for the love of God the rumours about his return have to be true if we are to enjoy Ally again. The previews of series five already look tired, and they are limping out onto TV without much of a joyous whoop (unfortunately the holloring goes to Buffy/Angel/ER/Malcolm in the Middle/Scrubs), so unless she buys a mountain of bodybags and a huge plot of land, the best thing you can do is buy this series and enjoy the skills of the troubled Downy Jr. Maybe he casn come back as a detective in Series 6? We can only hope.

Unmissable for Ally and Robert Downey Jr fans
Review date: 2002-02-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

Another great series for Ally fans and impossible to resist for Robert Downey Jr fans.With plenty of Downey's loveable little quirks Larry Paul has the ability to melt anyones heart especially Allys.Calista and Downey fabulous on screen chemistry make Ally and Larry the best tv couple of the year. Still Ally is her usual neurotic self and with he rest of the cast on full form this has everything you could possibly want from a fun comedy drama.

Excellent opening to a wonderful season!!
Review date: 2002-02-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

The season's first episodes are wonderfully choreographed with the introduction of Larry Paul, who Ally immediantly assumes is a psyciatrist but actually turns out to be a fellow laywer. He actually ends up helping her through her problems, complete with wit and humour that eases the pain of her eccentric, psyciatrist, Tracey. This is a definite for all Ally fans.
And if you've never seen the show before (firstly, where have you been? and secondly, tell me, how do you sleep at night?), don't worry, its never too late to mend your ways. This is perfect to get you started.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Calista Flockhart

Creators:
Calista Flockhart (Primary Contributor)
Bill Johnson (Editor)
Kaja Fehr (Editor)
Bill D'Elia (Producer)
Pam Jackson (Producer)
David E. Kelley (Writer)

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036008174
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: Box set, Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2002-02-11
Number of discs: 3
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 45 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-09-08
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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