Chuck - The Complete First Season

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/16/2008 Run time: 585 minutes Rating: Nr

Customer Reviews: Read 41 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

One of the better new series of the strike-shortened 2007-2008 season February 20, 2008
39 out of 46 found this review helpful

CHUCK did the one thing that any good series needs to do: it managed to get better as it went along. To enjoy it one has to be able to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. One has to imagine it somehow possible for someone to have the entire contents of the CIA computer database downloaded into the brain of a single human being. One further has to imagine that this person would "flash" on seeing people, objects, names, or whatever, recognizing a series of connections that would escape any other person. Finally, you have to accept that this individual would continue to work in their poorly paid job at Buy More while his advisors from the CIA and the NSA would work either alongside him in Buy More or nearby in a wiener fast foot joint. A plausible premise? Of course not! But if you cut it a lot of slack it provides one heck of a fun ride.

Why would one cut it slack? Well, first and foremost because Zachary Levi is delightful in the title role. As Chuck, Levi is able to combine basic good looks with convincing nerdiness to a degree not often achieved on television. I've read that series creator Josh Schwartz originally offered the role to Adam Brody, with whom he had worked on his previous show THE O.C. I've also read that Brody was offered the lead in the extraordinarily great new series PUSHING DAISIES. I loved Brody on THE O.C. as Seth Cohen, but I think both shows are probably better off with Zachary Levi and Lee Pace.

A second major reason to cut CHUCK some slack is the wonderful Australian import Yvonne Strahovski, who instantly became not only one of the most attractive women on American TV as well as one of the best female action heroes. Her Sarah and Chuck have great chemistry and as we await the start of Season Two next fall (CHUCK has been renewed, but there will be no more new episodes for Season One) one of the big questions is how things will progress with them. I also enjoyed Adam Baldwin (probably best known as "Jayne" on FIREFLY) as John Casey, though I think they need to give his character some depth. In Season One he was way too much of a one-dimensional character. It wasn't anything that Baldwin did; it was just the way his character was written. Now, looking around on boards I know that a lot of people loved Joshua Gomez as Chuck's best friend Morgan, but I found him an unending source of irritating distraction. If there is one character on TV that I would love to see disappear from any show, for me it would be Morgan on CHUCK. His and Chuck's relationship doesn't seem to be coded as gay in any traditional sense, but you'd swear that Morgan wants to marry Chuck. He is just that obsessed.

I liked that the show managed to evolve and develop as it went along. When it first started off I was afraid that it had no potential for such development, that it was going to degenerate merely to the "flash of the week" and no more.

2007-2008 has to be counted a triumph for Josh Schwartz. Though FOX had cancelled THE O.C. the previous year (actually, I think they cancelled it in their minds after the absolutely abysmal Season Three, but let it go on to a more natural conclusion). But he rebounded hugely with CHUCK and GOSSIP GIRL, two of the better shows of the new television series. He even managed some good natured self-mockery as two clerks at Buy More play a game where they click to new TV shows on cable and try to recognize both the show and season. As they click one of the lands on THE O.C. and says some funny things about it. And Schwartz brought over Summer herself from THE O.C., Rachel Bilson, for a couple of episodes.

I still have some doubts about how much long term potential this series has. But I thought that after the pilot and was surprised that they managed to keep it fresh through the entire first season. It is unfortunate that we didn't get a full slate of episodes due to the strike, but at least it will be back in the fall.

5 out of 5 stars

The Nerd Herder Who Loved Me March 22, 2008
29 out of 32 found this review helpful

NBC's CHUCK is such a welcome surprise and one of the best and funniest TV shows I've seen in a while, something which normally is an omen for immediate cancellation (but, thankfully, NBC picked it up for the full season). CHUCK achieves that heady mix of humor, action, espionage, and even a dash of romance (or pining, to be more exact). And it'll have you rooting for the nerd hero Chuck Bartowski, the physically hapless but nonetheless invaluable new member of the U.S. secret agent fraternity. Whereas, before, Chuck was someone who for thrills lived life vicariously thru video games and films, he's all of a sudden forced to cope with experiencing the very intense real thing.

Several SPOILERS follow.

The 411 on the premise and plot: A rogue CIA agent, just before being killed, downloads a wealth of top secret government files into the brain of his old college roommate Chuck Bartowski, a seemingly disastrous choice at first blush. Chuck is a social misfit, a computer geek who toils at the Nerd Herd electronics department of the Buy More supermarket. His support system consists of his best bud Morgan, who's even more of a loser than Chuck, and Chuck's lovely, protective sister Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), who is perpetually concerned for him and his lack of a social life. That Chuck lives with Ellie and her laid back boyfriend, Captain Awesome, doesn't exactly win him points with the cool set. But, for Chuck, things are about to change.

Chuck meets Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), who seems to really like him. But Sarah is really a CIA agent sent to wrest the stolen intel from him. Finding out that the top secret data is imbedded in his noggin, she is then assigned to keep tabs on him. To do so, Sarah works at Wienerlicious and poses as Chuck's chica. Meanwhile, the NSA trots out its top operative, the no-nonsense John Casey (the awesome Adam Baldwin), who as cover hires on as a Buy More sales clerk.

Nowadays, danger and intrigue lurk at every corner for Chuck Bartowski, who finds himself leading a double life and is now sometimes referred to as the Intersect (mostly by Casey). He speedily proves his value when the data in his brain enables him to put two and two together and uncover an assassination attempt. Soon, he's tangling with ninjas, shadowy agents, terrorists, and bombs - and that's just in the first episode. Further shows would unveil even greater peril and more mystery. Seeds of distrust are sown as Chuck also struggles with the constant hedging and fabrication brought on by his CIA and NSA minders. More importantly, despite obstacles put up by his nemesis, the evil Asian dude Harold Tang (okay, he's not really evil...but he's bald), Chuck's trying out for the assistant manager gig at the Buy More. Good luck, Chuck.

End SPOILERS.

CHUCK is a consistently funny, funny show doubling as a straight-up spy thriller. There are plenty of slick, potent action sequences, but the heart of the series is the comic fish-out-of-water premise of the geek caught in serious cloak-and-dagger environs. The show provides a steady dosage of nerd/slacker humor which always has me smiling for the duration of the episodes. And, instead of Chuck suddenly developing kung fu skills, the series makes sure that Chuck remains inept and a bit cowardly (Chuck would prefer to refer to it as being "prudent"). Zachary Levi as Chuck is wonderfully straight-faced yet has that comic timing down pat. He's very sympathetic as a guy whose big heart is shyly on his sleeve.

Which leads us to another focal point of the show: Chuck's tentative relationship with the beautiful Sarah, who as a spy is forever on her guard and who's still grieving over her recent past with a fellow agent. But there's a connection between her and our favorite Nerd Herder, as Sarah realizes that Chuck really is a most decent dude. But only time will tell if it pans out. Australian Yvonne Strahovski is well cast as the lethal and accomplished secret agent, who can kick enemy agent heinie even a she dances sensuously with a clueless partner (yes, that would be Chuck). Yet Strahovski, when called for, can lend a torn, vulnerable air to her calculating superspy (check out "Chuck versus the Nemesis" to see just how conflicted she becomes). And, holy ministrone, she's hot! On the other hand, I don't think the looming Adam Baldwin is hot, but he's one of my favorite dudes to watch on TV. Fans of Joss Whedon will remember Baldwin from his memorable recurring roles in ANGEL and FIREFLY. Here, he makes for an intimidating sales clerk and government spy.

I am currently in solid geek heaven with CHUCK. Here's hoping NBC continues to support this show for a busload of seasons. Here's to Chuck (and friends) waging war against irate Buy More patrons, staving off calculating co-workers, and also fending off some of the most diabolical enemies of America, mom, and apple pie. And all that while shouldering the stigma of a dead-end job. Way to go, Chuck!

5 out of 5 stars

Chuck is awesome! Go Nerd Herd!!! March 22, 2008
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

I love this show! It is so funny and the dramatic scenes are intense. The action is very good, especially for a comedy. This show has a little of everything and does it all very well. Zachary Levi is so cute in the title role and plays it perfectly. His ability to play slap stick, gentle humor, and then turn around and be so dramatic it breaks your heart is awesome. He will be an actor to watch in the future, I predict great things for Zach.

What can I say about Yvonne Strahovski. She is the prettiest actress on TV today, IMHO. She has such expressive eyes, and a smile to melt the hardest heart. And don't get in her way in the kitchen coz she's a whiz with the knives. LOL. The relationship between her and Chuck is so sweet and touching...I really do hope they get together. They make a very good couple.

Adam Baldwin is inspired in his role. He is so funny! I love watching the three of them interact together. Magic.

I hope this series goes on for a very long time. Nerd Herds unite!

5 out of 5 stars

Fall 2007's best new show November 12, 2007
6 out of 9 found this review helpful

An excellent pastiche of spy shows such as Alias and 24, with a good looking nerd and a beautiful heroine. What more caould we ask for? A great send up of best Buy and the Geek Squad. Light and fluffy, but that's all it pretends to be.

2 out of 5 stars

Somewhat entertaining, gets better at the end August 24, 2008
5 out of 20 found this review helpful

I ended up watching the first 8 episodes and couldn't take it anymore. I kept thinking about all the great tv shows that were canceled (Arrested Development, Deadwood, Carnivale, etc) and how this show was able to get air time is beyond me. The show does have some comic moments, but overall they become rehashed and lame. The only thing that kept me watching was the smoking hot female agent (Sarah), but even after a few episodes that gets old. Each episode has some "spy/CIA" issue to deal with. If you're expecting to watch some Mission Impossible or Jason Bourne tv show... forget about it. The actual spy cases are something that maybe a 10 year old would find cool. Otherwise, adults would say they are childish and simple. Granted this show is more comedy than action/drama, but I mean how many times can one watch Chuck screw up and somehow manage to bag a top secret spy that no one else was able to get? How many times can his idiot best friend annoy us? Sorry, but this show gets two stars only because there are so many better shows out there.

Addendum:
I ended up watching the final 5 episodes. I will admit, like mentioned elsewhere, that the show does get better. The writing vastly improves. They learn their characters and make use of them. Gone are the lame, head shaking scenes. People like, Morgan, are no longer annoying, but actually are somewhat entertaining. Also in the final five episodes they really begin to push the relationship conflict between Chuck and Sarah. The characters at "Buy More" (where Chuck works) actually become quite funny as they develop. Still the spy scenes are quite simple, but clearly this is a comedy and not a action/drama. If I could I would increase the star rating to "3-stars". Which in my opinion mean entertaining, but nothing special. Still so many better tv shows out there to give this season 4 or 5 stars.

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