Aaron McGruder's edgy, controversial, politically charged comic strip hasn't been softened much for television—and that turns out to be both an advantage and a drawback. McGruder has little tolerance for the niceties of political discourse, and while some admire his candor and willingness to speak out, an equal number find him unnecessarily abrasive and cynical. The Boondocks chronicles the animated misadventures of street-smart African-American brothers Huey and Riley Freeman, Southside Chicago natives who move to a comfortable suburb to live with their irascible grandfather. Over the course of the 15 episodes from the 2005-06 first season collected here, Huey and Riley prove to be true provocateurs, eschewing bourgeois values and proudly identifying themselves as products of contemporary hip-hop culture. McGruder's humor isn't for everybody; he delights in poking a sharp satirical stick in the eye of suburban America (especially “red state” white suburban America), but his is a unique voice and The Boondocks—which has a devoted following—is unlike any other series currently being aired. DVD extras include commentaries on select episodes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and deleted scenes. Recommended, overall. (E. Hulse)
The Boondocks: The Complete First Season
Sony, 3 discs, 323 min., not rated, DVD: $49.95 Volume 21, Issue 5
The Boondocks: The Complete First Season
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: