Chuck Staff Review
"Chuck" is a smart comedy. In essence, a parody of the spy genre, "Chuck" knows not to take itself too seriously while at the same time delivering serious action, drama, intrigue; and at the end of the day, one satisfying hour of television! A hero of the every nerd, Chuck is the regular guy next door who knows how to fix your computer, but yearns for something more. A James Bond for the post 9/11 world, Chuck is not, but it is what he is asked or rather chooses to become.
Chuck Bartowsky (nerdy, yet lovable Zachary Levi ) is is in a rut, having been kicked out of Stanford and working as a Manager of the "Nerd Herd" at "Buy More" (a clear satire of the Geek Squad at Best Buy). He is in search of something more for his life. His sister (Sarah Lancaster), with whom he lives, thinks that "something more" will come in meeting the girl of dreams -- something Chuck has a hard time with. He is always thinking about the one that got away and his awkward social skills inherent with being the Manager of a Nerd Herd.
It seems in college, Chuck's roommate/nemesis Bryce Larkin (aptly described as "Fett to Chuck's Solo") got Chuck kicked out of college, stole his girl, and otherwise destroyed his life. Bryce goes on to become a rouge spy for the CIA and is successful in stealing and then deleting all of the U.S Government secrets from what is known as "The Intersect". Post 9/11, all government agencies began sharing their data in one central location -- "The Intersect". Before he can escape, Bryce emails the data to Chuck (for at this point unknown reasons) and is then shot, presumably dead. Chuck receives the email which subliminally downloads all of the data into his brain, effectively making Chuck the only "computer" with data of all government secrets/intelligence. Chuck receives "flashes" of intelligence when seeing something that sparks a visual cue of pieces of related data, and thus, can solve international crimes or at least point federal agents in the right direction (sometimes comically in the wrong direction).
Enter the agents: Chuck, not fully understanding his new found "ability" is now the target of the U.S. Government as he holds all of its secrets and intelligence. The NSA sends career killer Major John Casey (played by a stone faced yet comical Adam Baldwin), while the CIA sends Agent "Sarah Kent" (played by the beauty, being an understatement, Yvonne Strahovski) to retrieve the data in anyway possible. Once they learn that Chuck holds the secrets in his brain during an intense rooftop, guns-pointed at each other standoff, they use his flashes to defuse a bomb and save a visiting head of government.
To protect Chuck (or are they simply protecting the intelligence), the agents get jobs at the Buy More and "Weinerlicious" (a hot dog stand) as cover. Sarah also becomes Chuck's "fake" girlfriend (yet the chemistry between the two is so palpable you know a relationship is inevitable) at the celebration of Chuck's sister. The series deals with the interpersonal relationships between all the characters in their outrageous situations which are at the same time funny as they are entertaining. There is a distinct tone to the show which can be described as everyman meets James Bond with a hint of side jabbing comedy on the side.
The
DVD, available this week, is presented in true anamorphic wide screen and delivers some great special features. "Chuck on Chuck" shows a lighter side of Hollywood with actors and writers/producers watching scenes from the show and commenting on how they fit in to the grand scheme and tone of the show. It is also interesting to see the actors behind Chuck and his best friend Morgan looking completely different than their on-screen counter parts. If you are a fan of the show
Chuck Season 1 DVD, it is a must buy. If you have never seen the show, pick it up today. Pop in the first disc, and four hours later, you'll be wondering where the time went.
Entertaining and smart comedy, wrapped in a package of international espionage and everyday interpersonal relationships, Chuck is a hit that delivers and one DVD set you will want for your collection.
--Eric English
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