Hercules-The Legendary Journeys
Season Four Boxed Set
(Anchor Bay Region 1 DVD)
(1998)
review by Head Cheeze

I was not prepared for the amount of sheer funny that was about to be thrown upon me, but it was this pleasant surprise that has now made me a full-on Hercules convert. With season four, executive producer Sam Raimi seemed to be hit with a case of the giggles, and the result is one of the most hilarious seasons of...well...just about anything. There's a lot of laughs, a lot of action, and, perhaps most importantly, a whole lotta Bruce!

The season kicks off with "Beanstalks and Bad Eggs", in which Hercules (Sorbo) and Autolycus (Campbell) set out to rescue a woman whose been kidnapped by a giant with a castle in the sky. It's a ludicrously funny riff on Jack and the Beanstalk, and Autolycus's explanation of what love is is freaking priceless. Actually there are a few "parody" episodes in this season, lampooning everything from Braveheart to Some Like it Hot, as well as a "reality" episode in which the actual cast and crew are featured as themselves while they deal with searching for a lost Kevin Sorbo in the aftermath of an earthquake.

This boxed set features all 22 episodes (a few of which not only feature Bruce Campbell, but were directed by him as well!) interview segments, behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentaries, and more.

If you are even remotely entertained by the films of the Raimiverse or Bruce Campbell, this set is an essential purchase just because the influence is all over this season of Hercules. Hell, even if you hate the whole concept of Hercules as a mullet-wearing, surf-talking himbo, this season is so creative and insanely funny that it may be just enough to convert you. Check it out!