Disc Five contains the set’s special features that take you inside the series with the 32-minute documentary “Entering the Realm of Dungeons & Dragons;†alternate and rare footage; character profiles; animated storyboard for episode 14; a Dungeons & Dragons interactive adventure called “Kelek’s Crystal;†a live-action Dungeons & Dragons fan film; a radio show-style presentation of the unaired final episode “Requiem;†galleries; and DVD-Rom content. The set also comes with an Animated Series Handbook that includes a mini adventure set in the series for fans to play on their own.
“Entering the Realm of Dungeons & Dragons†is an exhaustive look at the series, and features interviews with the show’s production team, the writers, animators, and network executives. It is something that diehard fans of the series will love and gives an inside look at the cartoon. “Kelek’s Crystal†reminds me of the old “Choose Your Own Adventure†books with choices being offered as you read through a quest. The fan film, which was made by Sean Kennedy, is fun to watch.
The radio show-style “Requiem†will be the real treat for fans of the series. It features the final episode that was written for the show and provides a resolution for the story line that was left dangling when it was cancelled. The episode had never been storyboarded or produced before the set’s release. It features original cast member Katie Leigh once again providing the voice for Sheila, and new voices for the other characters. The screen shows the script for the episode while a voice-over reads what is written on the page. While this is something fans will enjoy, it would have been nice if the studio could have at least storyboarded or animated the episode (although the voices and sound effects help bring the words to life in your mind).
The Dungeons & Dragons set is a must have for any child of the 80s who enjoyed the show as a kid or anyone who is a fan of fantasy. The animation has aged and isn’t as crisp as what is being produced today, but the series is still fun and entertaining. As I watched the set for this review, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, but my kids were glued to the television enjoying the show for the first time. The set offers nostalgia for those who were kids when the show premiered on the Saturday morning line-up and new adventures for those who are smacking on the Cap'n Crunch today.
