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Top Gear: The Challenges (BBC)
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £9.84 (subject to change)
Great content, pitiful DVD compilation
Review date: 2008-04-15 Rating: 6 out of 10
Yep, same problem here - the challenges are 'interleaved' such that one challenge is interrupted halfway through by the start of the next challenge, which is in turn interrupted halfway through by the resumption of the first challenge, after which the second challenge resumes..... you get the picture. But if this wasn't bad enough, the beginning of each chapter isn't even aligned with the start of a challenge, or even the start of one 'section' of a challenge.... aaaaaargh!
Just as well then that the content is so utterly hilarious.
BBC please take note and make a better job of presenting "Challenges 2"!
It's two-and-a-half stars really - five for content and zero for presentation - but I wouldn't want to put anyone off unduly, as it's still worth fighting the DVD to get the very enjoyable programme out of it.
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Reviews
Brilliant content but appallingly put together
Review date: 2008-02-29 Rating: 4 out of 10
I'm female and I love Top Gear, so I bought this DVD in the face of much elitist snobbery, PC-outrage and male chauvinism, but alas, I can't defend my purchase.
The content is wonderful - I've seen it before, I'll see it again, but cocky Clarkson overturning his Hilux in that reservoir and May and Hammond going wild as the plastic pig space shuttle (mostly) works remain still as hilarious. The only content quibble I had was that the intro/set-up to the stretch limo section was missed out so it didn't segue.
But I give it 2 stars only for the simple reason of appalling editing. Andy Wilman, Clarkson, May and Hammond should hunt down the idiot responsible for editing this DVD and have the Stig do a lap in a Ferrari Enzo with him tied underneath the chassis - yes him, no woman would have been as daft.
Instead of logically having each challenge start, implode and finish, the DVD bounces around from one to another like a rabid rabbit on steroids. It's impossible to watch "just the limo" bit etc without ploughing through the rest of it; the "chapter" breaks appear to have been inserted randomly by someone who was either drunk or high or both and thus are "logical" only to someone who lives in a room with lots of padding.
One of the good things about Top Gear is that they don't rip off their fans with lots of cheap-tat clearly designed only to bilk money out of people like me, who, let's face it, is never going be able to afford to buy a 'new' car of any sort, but I am disappointed that Andy Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson at least - who apparently have some editorial control - let this get out there in the knowledge that kids and elderly fans would part with a considerable amount of cash for it,and the appalling slop-job of the editing reduces its value instantly to all of about a fiver, if that.
Some of the best bits but very bitty
Review date: 2008-02-14 Rating: 8 out of 10
I received this DVD as a free gift with a Top Gear magazine subscription. I wasn't really expecting it so it was a nice surprise, and these are the bits of Top Gear I like the most.
"Hurrah", I thought, "surely they will have put the challenges back together so I can watch them straight through" (normally these challenges are shown in two parts in the episodes). Wrong! As everyone else has said they are split up. However, the solution is simple, grab some willing friends or family members, set aside 3 hours, pile up some drinks and nibbles, and do the DVD the justice of watching it right through.
I should clarify that the editing and cinematography of the films themselves is first-rate, there are few TV programmes this well put together, and this is a real showcase of the TG team's efforts (and there is plenty more in the TG archives). But the main point of breaking the films up on the TV is to keep the viewer watching through the bits in the middle - this is hardly necessary when I own the DVD!
One thing to note on the content - the limo challenge doesn't include the first half where they build them (including Clarkson driving half a Panda), but there is an eighth challenge in the shape of Hammond driving a Porsche Cayenne against a Red Devil parachutist.
Very entertaining
Review date: 2007-12-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
I sometimes get bored with some of the car reviews in top gear as I will never buy an expensive car , however the challenges are always the very best of the show and it was great to put the best 7 in a DVD .
The idea is simple ,3 men and a very stupid idea and some cars.
The only problem with DVD is the index and can be a bit frustrating to find what you are looking for. I also miss the USA tour of the southern states with offensive logos( perhaps the team were thinking of the American market ).
However this is a prefect DVD for 3 hours of fun with some friends and some beers in front of the TV.
The Best of the Boys So Far!
Review date: 2007-11-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
This DVD is the best so far, all the funny challenges are here. The only thing is the editing, why have they split the challenges in half. You start watching one and then it cuts to another and then back to the first one!!! Why?????
Apart from that - brilliant!
Tracie
Ruislip
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Richmond Hammond
James May
Jeremy Clarkson
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503228422
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-05-21
Audience rating: Exempt
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)