Charlie's Angels: The Complete Series (1976)

I predict there will be an Amazon assault on this product from angry Angel fans writing in to express their displeasure at the fact that they must re-buy Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 in order to get the long-awaited Season 5 on DVD. I too was initially miffed when I saw the announcement of a Complete Series set, but then I realized that I would have been willing to spend even more than Amazon's $46 pre-order price for Season 5 on its own as a MOD release. In this case, we are getting pressed discs and the price is more than reasonable for a Complete Series set, regardless if we already own the previous seasons or not. Shoot--Amazon is selling the 2011 remake (which I didn't watch) on here for $35 and contains, what...8 episodes???.

So, yes SONY could have marketed this better for the loyal fans who supported the other releases, but it's been so long in coming, that I will not complain about it. There are no new bonus features included which is a shame, only the "Angels Forever" featurette that originally appeared on the Season 1 set that came out way back in 2003.

We kick off the final season with a two-parter that forgoes the exotic location shooting of season-openers past and brings us instead a standard case of murder and corruption within the modeling industry, introducing us to scrappy, tough-talking final Angel Julie Rogers (the stunning, statuesque Tanya Roberts).

Due to an actors' strike in 1980, the fifth season was truncated and only 16 episodes produced. The team spirit that was missing from Season 4 is re-established here even if the scripts are hit-and-miss. Some of the series' worst episodes show up in Season 5--from the boring "Mr. Galaxy" and "He Married an Angel" to the cringe-worthy "Moonshinin' Angels" and "Chorus Line Angels".

Some of the best episodes of Season 5 include "Angel on the Line" which features Kelly squaring off against a deranged transvestite in the one of the series' (unintentionally) funniest scenes; "Hula Angels" has a terrific turn from guest villainess Joanna Cassidy; while "Island Angels" boasts a guest-star roster including Carol Lynley, Lyle Waggoner, Randolph Mantooth, Barbi Benton and more.

Yes, it would have been nice to get Season 5 as a stand-alone release, but for the price I will not complain about having to "double-dip" on this one. The box is attractive and will look great on display.

I have only viewed a few episodes so far, but the sound and picture quality are excellent. The 2-hour episodes are split into their two-part syndicated versions, but that's OK. The one odd thing here is the packaging. When I opened the box I found the discs stacked on two plastic spindles-season 1&2 on one, 3-5 on the other. I don't know why the discs were packaged in this way, but I doubt it was with the convenience of the user in mind. If you are looking for a particular episode, you have to dig for it. Even if you are watching the episodes in order, this is so. Whose idea was this? This set is well worth buying for any Angels fan, especially at Amazon's price. I would simply put the discs into another case/holder so you can pull a particular disc without having to dig for it. By the way, with reference to the first reviewer's grievance, you do not have to rebuy seasons 1-4 to get season 5. I understand that season 5 will be released separately in, I believe, December.

Not bad transfer, could be a better re mastering and I hate the packaging. DVD's on top of each other with no suitcase for each DVD.