Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over review – What DVD bonus features are for

3.0 out of 5 star rating

As a seasoned cinephile who’s been through the VHS, DVD, and now streaming era, I find myself torn between the convenience of modern technology and the nostalgic charm of physical media. The rise of streaming has indeed changed the landscape, but I still value the bonus features that come with DVDs or Blu-rays, like Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over.

One consequence of the growing popularity of streaming platforms is the financial strain felt by the movie and TV industry, including reduced profits once earned through DVD and Blu-ray sales.

Absolutely, these items continue to be sold quite frequently, and if you’re interested, you could opt for the 4K Ultra High Definition version. However, it’s worth noting that they now sell significantly fewer units compared to their peak sales numbers in the past.

Even though it may seem difficult to accept during economic hardships when numerous viewing choices are available at no extra cost through streaming services, there remains several compelling arguments in favor of possessing physical media.

A standout aspect of a high-quality DVD or Blu-ray is the additional content, offering an exclusive peek into the making of what you’ve spent your precious time and resources on. Meet Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over – a special feature that takes you backstage.

In a world where I’m a dedicated movie buff, I’d put it this way: “I can hardly contain my excitement! That hour-long throwback on Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s celebrated anthology series is taking over the primetime slot on BBC Two. If we were living in a different era, it would have been a special treat saved for the Season 9 box set.

It’s certainly enjoyable for fans, offering some intriguing facts and fresh conversations with recurring characters from Inside No. 9’s diverse ensemble, yet it falls short of being groundbreaking or revolutionary.

The narratives and discoveries have been specifically designed for dedicated Inside No. 9 enthusiasts, though less committed viewers might find their focus drifting throughout the episode’s duration.

In simpler terms, the parts where Shearsmith and Pemberton appear in their low-quality vlogs during the filming of season 9 seem forced or unwilling, giving an overall feeling they’re involved against their will.

It appears that the humor displayed by the actor might simply be his unique, spiky style, yet it seems discordant with the overall mood of the special, which aims to be a joyous and nostalgic reflection on a prolonged partnership rather than an annoying task.

Eventually, the pair found themselves discussing repeatedly the challenges in producing the show and the peculiar sensation of wrapping it up. While these points are undeniably valid, after some time, one can’t help but wish for the discussion to transition to other topics.

It seems that “What The Party’s Over” and “Inside No. 9” share a similarity in their physical media releases as they cater well to devoted fans. This raises an intriguing point – why weren’t these two series initially released together from the beginning?

Instead, it’s worth noting that some critics found the standalone release of the final season lacking in terms of special features compared to the richer bonus content seen in earlier seasons of Inside No. 9, leaving them desiring more.

To put it another way, there’s something about “The Party’s Over” that seems more suited for a collector’s compilation rather than airing during prime-time TV, evoking a sense of nostalgia for my past visits to HMV.

It’s particularly applicable during the period that’s both the busiest and most jam-packed with competitive scheduling – a time when watching Nick Mohammed leafing through a notebook in an empty café doesn’t exactly promise the most thrilling television programming.

*At other times of the year, it might well be.

2024-12-23 03:04

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