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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth it just for Mr Shearsmith, 9 Sep 2005
I watched this series out of idle interest, but quickly became involved with it. Catterick is a brilliant, original, filmic series that draws you in with it's surreal storyline, setting and characters. Fans of Vic & Bob, Matt Lucas from Little Britain, Reece Shearsmith from the league of Gentlemen or just good comedy should watch this undeservedly overlooked series. People new to Vic & Bob's writing may need an episode or two to get used to it - it is, after all, a little on the weird side - but people who watch it from beginning to end will be rewarded with a clever and funny show that's simply a joy to watch. And underneath the freakish comedy there's real emotional depth as well.Highlights include the cast miming to catchy musical numbers in between key scenes, and some brilliant perfomances. Particuarly from Tim Healy's demented, rambling monologues and Reece Shearsmith's character, the villain Tony. Shearsmith is on his best form since the last League of Gentlemen series as the unhinged young kleptomaniac, quite happily murdering and torturing his way to revenge. But towards the end of the series he also shows him for what he really is, a deeply twisted and broken individual. His performance is insane, aggressive, hypnotic, and still makes for the best bittersweet comedy I've seen in years. Catterick is still a very good series, but Mr Shearsmith really makes it great. The explosive climax is a little too predicatable but nevertheless heartbreaking and manages to leave a little hope of a second series, although there's been no news of it so far. Anyone with an open-minded sense of humour should do themselves a favour and see this series. It deserves a special place in anyone's comedy DVD collection. Good Bits - Fabulous comedy performances - Surprisingly absorbing plot - Well above-average soundtrack Bad Bits - Some crude, childish humour lets down an otherwise good script - Fans may be disappointed that Vic & Bob end up taking back seat to the very talented supporting cast
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