What a mentally-enriching pleasure it was to grow up during the 1980s--the era of Rainbow Brite dolls, Hypercolor T-shirts, She-Ra…ahhh, I can almost smell the Reaganomics as I type. Not surprisingly, I can sing the entire theme song to Jem and the Holograms, and did while cracking open this colorful four-disc box set compiling all 26 episodes of the first two seasons. A soap opera-cartoon-hybrid (based on a toy line by Mattel), Jem revolves around the life of sensible heroine Jerrica Benton, who takes over the Starlight House orphanage after her father's untimely death, but runs into conflicts with the evil Eric Raymond--partner of her pop's other business venture Starlight Music--who challenges Jerrica to come up with a better band than his terrible trio The Misfits, or turn over the company! Joining up with her sister Kimber, and buds Shana and Aja, Jerrica discovers that her dad had a plan for her when she finds Cynergi, a computer hologram-producing entity that turns meek Jerrica into rock star Jem with the simple touch of her earrings (and the magical words: “Showtime, Cynergi!”). Sound crazy? Well, sure. The nonsensical plots find Jem and the Holograms battling The Misfits (bent on Jem's sabotage) for fame at every turn, with episodes involving various contests, affluent associates, Jem's boyfriend Rio (who is naively in love with both Jerrica and Jem), and the orphans from Starlight House. Filled with stylish clothes, exotic locations (jet-setting to Paris and China), and hip lingo (“truly outrageous!”), each episode also features several music video-style songs. DVD extras include interviews, episode commentary, and excerpts from the Jem Bible. Hardly must-see TV, this girly gem will nevertheless bring back plenty of pleasant memories for ‘80s-baby patrons, and is therefore a strong optional purchase for comprehensive collections. (J. Williams)
Jem and the Holograms: The Complete First and Second Seasons
Rhino, 4 discs, 645 min., DVD: $59.95 July 12, 2004
Jem and the Holograms: The Complete First and Second Seasons
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