As with Miami Vice and Freaks and Geeks, music was a key component to The Wonder Years, which featured a classic rock soundtrack that set the stage and the nostalgic mood for this beloved series taking place in the late 1960s and ‘70s. So before making the investment in this complete series box set, be assured that Joe Cocker's version of “With a Little Help From My Friends” remains the show's theme song. Not all of the original music could be secured, but it's a wonder that the producers got the bulk of it (100 of the show's 115 episodes are presented here intact). The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988 to 1993, has aged beautifully in its portrait of a suburban family coming of age. Fred Savage is a pitch-perfect Everykid as Kevin, with Danica McKellar as Winnie, the quintessential girl next door, and Josh Saviano as Kevin's geekier best friend. At the heart of the show is the narration by Daniel Stern as the adult Kevin, who offers running commentary on his adolescence. Kevin's father (Dan Lauria) is no Ward Cleaver. He's a gruff, “bust my hump” kind of guy who finds it difficult to communicate with his son. As it aged, the series tended to let the music do the heavy emotional lifting, but its earliest seasons are indeed wondrous. The voluminous extras (over 20 hours worth) range from six takes (with commentary) of Kevin and Winnie's first kiss in the pilot episode, to Alley Mills (Kevin's mom) reading the letter she wrote to the producer about the show's finale, along with loads of cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a 2014 cast reunion. Well worth the wait, this is highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)
The Wonder Years
StarVista (avail. from www.timelife.com), 26 discs, 2,645 min., not rated, DVD: $249.95 Volume 30, Issue 1
The Wonder Years
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