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Hawaii Five-O: The Complete Second Season
This season finds McGarrett and cohorts Danno (James McArthur), Kono (Zulu), and Chin Ho (Kam Fong) dealing with the usual complement of sleaze: murderers, gamblers, druggies, prostitutes, insurance scammers, low-rent terrorists, and so on. But Hawaii Five-0 offers its share of weirdness as well. In "Forty Feet High and It Kills!", Red Chinese uber-criminal Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh) and his crew orchestrate a fake tsunami warning so they can kidnap a brilliant scientist (an amusing performance by Will Geer) and force him to conduct genetic-tampering experiments designed to create a master race. In the fairly ridiculous "King Kamehameha Blues," a group of young folks steal the legendary king's robe from a museum, just to show they can; it's a measure of McGarrett's ultra-hardline attitude that the governor's offer of amnesty to the thieves if they'll return the precious garment really sticks in his righteous craw. And in "The Singapore File," McGarrett travels overseas in order to accompany a comely murder witness back to Honolulu; though tempted by her charms, he's far too scrupulous to indulge in any extra-curriculars while on the job (and Steve McGarrett is always on the job). Hawaii Five-0's other elements are a mixed bag. As always, the Hawaiian scenery is gorgeous. Morton Stevens' theme song remains one of the best ever, and much of the other music, especially the jazzy stuff, is also terrific. However, the show isn't big on either action or tension; too many scenes are slow and talky. And in the final year of the '60s, when men walked on the moon and Woodstock and Altamont marked the respective high and low points of the hippie movement, its depiction of the counterculture is laughably square; it's as if the entire decade barely happened. --Sam Graham
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £14.94 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Solving crimes and putting the perps behind bars is Steve McGarrett's bag. Why, he says so himself, and in so many words, in the very first of the 24 episodes collected in this five-disc set comprising the complete second season (1969-70) of Hawaii Five-0. Portrayed by Jack Lord, and described by no less an authority than the New York Times as "a model of steadfast decency" and "beyond cool but still so square he could have been Lawrence Welk’s cop brother-in-law," McGarrett is the leader of the islands' crack, four-man police unit, and as usual, he has his hands full. Perhaps that's why the man has no discernible sense of humour and only the merest suggestion of a social life. Between keeping his famous hair in order, delivering stern lectures about right and wrong to clueless lowlifes, and, as he puts it in another Second Season episode, constantly worrying "about a world without law and justice… where no one gives a damn about anything," who has time for such trivialities?
Editorial
Synopsis
One of TV's longest-running crime dramas (only LAW & ORDER would surpass its record-setting 12-year run), the 1970s television series HAWAII FIVE-O captivated audiences with its smart and stylish take on the standard policier formula. Filmed entirely on the Hawaiian archipelago, the action-packed series followed the crime-fighting adventures of an elite state-police squad anchored by quintessential tough guy Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) and his detective team of Danny 'Danno' Williams (James MacArthur), Chin Ho Kelly (Kam Fong), and Kono Kalakaua (Zulu). Almost singlehandedly rewriting the book on police dramas, the series distinguished itself with intricate plotting, inventive cinematography, exotically beautiful locations, and, of course, an indelible theme song and timeless catchphrase ('book 'em, Danno!'). The iconic show's second series is presented here in its entirety.
Good, but.......
Review date: 2007-08-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
Well, what can I say, quality wise, the prints for this season's episodes are right up there with the high standard of the season 1 DVD boxset. For this reason and the fact that the episodes themselves are of a high standard, I'm happy to award this 5 stars. However, all is not great with this release. Sadly, Paramount have chosen to include only 24 of 25 season two episodes. "Bored She Hung Herself" has been omitted - this episode, which has never been broadcast here in the UK, was only shown once in America. Apparently, a misguided viewer decided to copy the 'hanging' techniques included within the show and thus ended up killing herself. Perhaps Paramount were concerned that a similar incident may occur upon this DVD release. Still, for me, there is no excuse for not having this episode here on this set - although admittedly and by all accounts, this episode isn't actually that great anyway! Also disconcerting is the statement on the back of the boxset that some episodes may be cut..! That aside, regarding the episodes themselves, pretty good all in all. In my opinion, the show really came into its own by the latter half of season 3 and maintained this mantle right through until season 6. Worth buying, with the only drawback being the fact its not a complete season 2 release.
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Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Hawaii Five-O
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437936936
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 7
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-29
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 1220 minutes