DVD Review: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Season 4 and Going Strong
Published August 24, 2006
The Fresh of Bel-Air and lead funnyman Will Smith took television by storm. There was just something completely hilarious about a sophisticated family in a haughty Bel-Air neighborhood taking in a relative from the inner-city ghetto of Philadelphia. This was the premise of one of the funniest and longest running sitcoms of the '90s.
As the Fresh Prince, Will Smith played the street-smart teenager named - get this - Will Smith. He moved in with his supportive Aunt Vivian, played by Daphne Reid (who replaced Janet Hubert-Whitten in season four), conservative Uncle Philip (James Avery), slightly ditzy cousin Hilary (Karyn Parsons), younger cousin Ashley (Tatyana Ali), and the star of the sideshow, cousin Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro).
Season four of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air brought about many changes in the storylines of the show. For starters, there was a new Vivian, though she seemed to take on the role beautifully, which helped to make the transition much easier for the show’s audience. Meanwhile, Little Nicky, the newest member of the Banks family and newborn son of Philip and Vivian, was added to the fray.
Everything about this DVD set will bring you back to the days when, as a teenager, you clustered around your living room television anxious to see what antics Will and Carlton were up to next. You will enjoy everything about the box set, from the colorful artwork that adorns the front of the case along with Will and Alfonso, to one of the best seasons of the entire show. The greatest thing I remember about the Fresh Prince is that while many other sitcoms seemed to grow stale, this one managed to get more entertaining, even taking the show in slightly new directions.
Some of the highlight episodes on these four discs include "The Philadelphia Story", where Will goes back home to find a chicken sandwich has been named after him, and "Home Is Where the Heart Attack Is", which deals with the dangers of Uncle Philip’s weight, dieting, and the family struggles of an unhealthy patriarch.
Other excellent episodes have Will and Carlton moving into their own place, getting kicked out, and fighting over the same girl. In true blue Will Smith fashion, the famed dating book, The Chicktionary, even comes out a few times to save the day, once in hopes of saving Will from failing a class.
The sitcoms of today do not seem to pack as much humor into those 30 minutes as the Fresh Prince did. Season four was everything I remembered and hoped for in a DVD set. The only thing I felt lacking would have been some special features or outtakes. However, even with them missing the set is still worth watching.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Season Four will give your whole family something to laugh at without worrying about violence, sex, and anything else you tend to keep your children from watching. So, have some fun, kick back and head to Bel-Air. The time you spend enjoying yourself will surely do you some good.
- DVD Review: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Season 4 and Going Strong
- Published: August 24, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy, Video: Television
- Writer: Ashtyn Evans
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Comments
I loved the show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Why did Janet Hubert-Whitten leave the show? I thought she was better in the roll as the aunt. Also, will the cast ever do a reunion show?
They are showing the show here in Denmark again, and i loooooooove it.. i also love will smith,, he's sooo damn hottt! WOOOOW, i want him <3
I also think that the first vivian was the best,, actually she was a lot better than the second.
I wanna buy all the dvd's, but they don't sell it here in Dk... not with dansish subtitles. I might buy it anyway.
I have to say this again: I LOVE WILL SMITH, I REALLY DO , sorry.. i'm not a freak, just in love xD








I love will smith hes so hott I mean like hes out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my name is jennifer