Info:
DVD Release Date: January 31, 2006 (Universal Home Video)
Color/1984-85
MSRP: $49.98
Number of Discs: 3
Number of Episodes: 21 (22 hours, one was a two-hour
episode)
Running Time: approx. 17 hours and 47 minutes
Total Run Time of Special Features: approx. 48 minutes
Audio: English
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish; Closed Captioned.
Special Features: Bonus Episode from Season 4 “Knight
of the Rising Sun.”
Introduction:
Michael Knight is back in style with the third season
of the action packed show Knight Rider on DVD. Let’s
take a trip back to 1983 and 1984 for 21 high-tech
episodes—which includes one two-hour episode. Knight
Rider: Season 3 is digitally re-mastered!
Catch Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) and the
baddest car on four wheels, KITT (voiced by William
Daniels), as they chase more elusive criminals in each
action-packed episode. The heart-pounding second
season of Knight Rider packs in even more thrills and
more high-speed chases. It’s full-throttle excitement
with Michael Knight and KITT in the action series that
left all others in the dust. Edward Mulhare is also
back as Devon Miles. Patricia McPherson from season
one returns as Dr. Bonnie Barstow.
Memorable Episodes / Notable Guest Stars:
Some memorable episodes this season include: The
two-part season premiere “Knight of the Drones,”
“Knights of the First Lane,” “Halloween Knight,”
“K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R.,” “Knight in Disgrace,” “Knight
of the Chameleon,” “Junk Yard Dog,” and “Knight in
Retreat.”
Memorable guests for this season include Jason Bateman
(“Lost Knight”), James Cromwell (“Ten Wheel Trouble”),
and James T. Callahan (“Circus Knights”).
Packaging:
Like season two, we got a box with three slim cases. I
personally think this is great packaging. The box art
has a shot of Michael Knight's face and KITT's body
(shown above) again. Left of Michael there are some of
the words spoken in the opening credits, "A shadowy
flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not
exist..." The back of the box art has a synopsis of
the show and the set itself. There are four different
snapshot photos of Michael Knight from various
episodes. The set has a color scheme of red and
yellow/orange. The three slim cases have the same
cover as the box art. The back of all three cases has
episode info for each disc. Episode title and a brief
synopsis are provided in a KITT style font! When we
open the cases, we get the discs, but surrounding that
is just plain white color. They should have done
something better than that. The discs are doubled
sided again, so no photos or graphics on the discs
itself. One other note: There is also an enclosed
insert when you open the box, with three coupons to
save $5 each on season 4 sets coming in spring 2006 of
A-Team, Knight Rider and Magnum, P.I.
Disc one side A has episodes 1-3; side B has episodes
4-7. Disc two side A has episodes 8-11; side B has
episodes 12-15. Disc three side A has episodes 16-19;
side B has episodes 20-21 and the bonus season four
episode. All the discs are evenly placed. 4 discs per
episode, though disc one has three episodes, but that
is because that is a two-part episode. So really there
are 22 hours on these six sides. Each episode runs
about 48:00-48:30 or so minutes in length. The
two-part episode runs about 1 hour 36 minutes. The box
also states that all original music is intact but two
songs.
Menu Design and Navigation:
The menu screen is similar to the first two sets. But
first, for disc one side A only, they have four
trailers that automatically play. You can fast forward
or skip the chapter at any time, though. In case you
want to watch, you’ll see previews for Seasons 3 of
Magnum P.I., Knight Rider and A-Team; Kate & Allie
(you see cover art for it, the set is coming later
this spring), Charles in Charge and Gimme a Break!
Season 1 (latter two for some reason says coming Feb.
7, they are actually coming Feb. 14); seaQuest Season
1; and a movie trailer for the DVD of Cry_Wolf. The
menu screen starts off with video shots of KITT, and
then various clips from episodes are playing with the
catchy and cool theme song in the background (which
loops). The options for this set are: Play All,
Episode Index, Languages, Bonus Episode, and Sneak
Peeks (disc one side A only). Sneak Peeks has
different DVD trailers than the ones that auto play
before D1 SA. Trailers for: Northern Exposure;
Quantum Leap; House; Columbo, McCloud, and McMillian &
Wife; Las Vegas; Battlestar Galactica; Law & Order,
Leave it to Beaver and Miami Vice. Yes, “Bonus
Episode” is on each disc, though the only bonus
episode is on disc 3 side B. When selecting Episode
Index, you get to a screen of episodes, when you
choose one you get to the episode summary screen. On
that you can choose Play, Scenes, or go back to the
Episode Index. There is a nice KITT pointer so you
know what you are choosing, just like in previous
seasons. On that screen it also has a screenshot from
the episode, episode title, original air date, and a
brief synopsis. When you select Languages, you can
turn on closed captioning or have subtitles in
Spanish.
Video and Audio Quality:
The video is again marvelously crystal clear. I am
very impressed with it. It looks very good and
re-mastered. Fans will be happy to hear them continue
to give us the best copies. The audio is in mono, but
it sounds like stereo to me, especially when that
opening theme is playing! Fans will also be happy that
the brief 30-60 second highlight of the episode is in
tact before the opening credits, again like previous
sets did. Each episode is about 48-48:30 minutes or
so, counting the opening & closing credits and the
30-60 second episode highlight. Again there is a 20-25
second or so Universal logo before EVERY episode, but
you can chapter skip it. That annoyed me a bit; they
already have that before the FBI Warning when you put
each disc in. Maybe they should have put that after
the closing credits instead. There are chapters on
this set as well, like season one. There are about 4
chapters or so, even for the two-part episode. One
interesting note, on the box it says "Includes all
original music except for two songs." The A-Team
season three also has the same statement.
Special Features:
For season one, we got a ton of bonus material.
Season two we got nothing. For season three it is a
tad better than last season, because we get a bonus
episode from season 4! Last time The A-Team had a
bonus Knight Rider episode, this time The A-Team has
no bonus episodes of anything. Season 4 of Knight
Rider is out this April, I don’t expect any more
extras.
Final Comments:
Overall, I think the set is worth the buy. The
episodes are completely unedited (well, except two
original songs missing), but the length is all
original. The extras are better than the last set,
but way down from the first set. The most important
thing is that we get every episode on DVD. And
Universal will speed it up a little this time as the
fourth and final season is coming out this April. But
before that, make sure you buy this set on January 31!
Final Numbers (out of 5 stars - How our point system works)
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 1.5/5
Menu Design/Navigation: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
-- Reviewed by pavanbadal on 01/27/06
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