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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Family Guy: The Freakin' Sweet Collection (2004)

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 4)

'Guy' Humor

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Family Guy: The Freakin' Sweet Collection on DVD.

At first many viewers wrote off "Family Guy" as a "Simpsons" knock-off, and to some degree it is. But it has an appealing cheapness and a willingness to venture into even darker territory. It uses an amusing recurring flashback device, and it has the talking dog and baby, who are more articulate and intelligent than the grown-up humans. But it ultimately lacks the humanity of "The Simpsons."

This DVD features five of "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane's personal favorite episodes, including one that was never aired (When You Wish Upon a Weinstein) and one that was originally censored (Road to Rhode Island).

Other episodes include: To Love and Die in Dixie, I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar and Lethal Weapons.

The disc contains a preview of McFarlane's latest brainchild, "American Dad," and McFarlane talks about making the fourth season of "Family Guy" at the same time as "American Dad."

Besides voicing Lois, my friend Alex Borstein was one of the show's staff writers. The busy McFarlane provides voices for Peter, Stewie and Brian. Other voice artists include Seth Green as son Chris, Mila Kunis as daughter Meg, and Patrick Warburton as Joe Swanson.

Starring: (voices) Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Patrick Warburton
Created by: Seth MacFarlane
Directed by: Pete Michels, Brian Hogan
MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 115 minutes
Date: January 10, 2005