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The most helpful favourable review
The most helpful critical review
66 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
Surprisingly sensitive conclusion to this class series
Ricky Gervais and Steve Marchants decision to bring The Office to a conclusion after only two series with these two Christmas specials may have felt to many like a hasty one. However watching the episodes its difficult to argue with them for they bring the whole project to a satisfying ,moving and timely conclusion .After two series they clearly felt that a comedy so...
Published on 28 Jul 2004 by russell clarke
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7 of 211 people found the following review helpful:
Twollop.
The other series were not good. If you buy it, you're obviously a girl; which is precisely the reason why it became popular in the first place: girls like it (as well as hormonally-challenged men). If you're after un-funny, sanitised comedy, this is the DVD for you.
Published on 7 Oct 2004 by Mr. R. Glendenning
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66 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
Surprisingly sensitive conclusion to this class series, 28 Jul 2004
Ricky Gervais and Steve Marchants decision to bring The Office to a conclusion after only two series with these two Christmas specials may have felt to many like a hasty one. However watching the episodes its difficult to argue with them for they bring the whole project to a satisfying ,moving and timely conclusion .After two series they clearly felt that a comedy so bound to one location and centring on the same characters so relentlessly would be hard to maintain in terms of quality and freshness. Plus having David Brent made redundant at the end of series two drove them up a comedy cul de sac. The problem was the story arc of some of the shows characters hadn't run its course so this was a nice way of tying up all the loose ends. It was a gamble but it's done with such panache and with a script that pays as much attention to the dramatic as the comedic that it pays off handsomely. These two episodes, particularly the second are superb.
David Brent is now a Rep, still spouting inane cod philosophical asides and crass bulls***, except now he does it scooting up and down Motorways. Garth has been promoted sort of and is still about as effective as wellies in quicksand. Dawn is still in America with her sexist plank of a boyfriend and Tim is still Tim. Brent is trying to cash in on the minor fame his TV exposure via The Office has given him, even to the extent of hiring an agent who with an air of weary resignation books him slots in seedy nightclubs so he can appear in excruciating "Blind Date" parodies along with Howard from The "Halifax." He has also joined a dating agency leading to a couple of acutely embarrassing encounters where his penchant for asinine effrontery goes up a notch. As ever these are wincingly funny but still make you take a sharp intake of breath.
Obviously to divulge more would be to ruin it, but the Tim and Dawn situation is resolved in a believable and poignant way while Brent finds true love or what ever passes for it in his own warped little universe in a way that isn't quite so realistic given his inherent character traits but if it makes him a better person as is implied then what the hell.
This isn't pure comedy in the manner of a "Fawlty Towers " or a "BlackAdder" but it's still very funny at times and as a miniscule peak at the internal dynamics of a work place and the disparate characters involved its terrific and wonderfully observed, aided by some superb performances of which Gervias is fantastic as ever. The acting for the conclusion of the Dawn/Tim thing is absolutely sublime. It would make a bollard weep. As endings of popular comedies go its right up there with the conclusion of" BlackAdder Goes forth" and you can't get better than that. Wonderful stuff.
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Parting is such sweet sorrow, 27 Oct 2004
Parting is such sweet sorrow and when it's from the cast of 'The Office', this is particularly true. This DVD will leave any fan of David Brent and his staff with a firm lump in their throat but a finer ending to this splendid series could not have been imagined. Moving away from it's root in cringe-worthy situation comedy, 'The Office Christmas Specials' move into a territory still laced with embarassment and laughs but with a large measure of something else...if I try and describe it, it won't do it service. You just have to watch it. Apart from the 'drama' (which in itself is worth it's weight in gold), the DVD has some gems for any discerning viewer wanting to see the banter and 'behind the scenes' of 'The Office' saga. The Golden Globe Awards documentary (the only British comedy EVER to win a Golden Globe award) is very touching. The best thing that comes out of these documentaries is what a good time they had. What with the full version of David Brent's failed single (a cover of 'If you don't know me by now'), Ricky Gervais' complete band version of 'Freelove Freeway' and more, you won't be disappointed. The warmth that comes from 'The Office' cast will leave you glowing and Ricky Gervais' unique, manic enjoyment of having a laugh and make others laugh is undoubtably the highlight of this DVD. Buy it. Show it to your kids and then give it to them to show to their kids.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Brilliant Comedy, 20 Oct 2004
By A Customer
This is British comedy at its best. The follow up to the two series this Christmas is one of the best around, adding more depth to the main characters (including a more sympathetic side of David Brent) and introducing great new ones. Brent is probably the best lead character in recent Sitcom history and his appearence in a club version of Blind Date is hilarious. Also look out for his wince inducing single and its cheesy video. All in all absolute quality, a great script brilliantly acted and with a moving ending. Buy it!!!!
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13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
A tear-jerking, pant-wettingly funny finale., 27 Oct 2004
When The Office signed off its second series, we were left with a redundant David Brent, a parted but secretly desiring Tim and Dawn, and an office block full of loose ends left untied. So it was up to the Christmas special- two words that could usually suck the festive cheer out of any telly fan- to feed us one more time with understated and embarrassing comedy genius. Ricky Gervais has promised these to be the final episodes of this ground-breaking and astonishingly well-received show. Only time will tell if we will ever see these adored characters again, but just in case, cherish these highly-anticipated episodes.It kicks off three years after The Office parted company with the nation's TV screens, the first of two Christmas specials providing an unbearably detailed account of David Brent's rapid descent into being a failed salesman and appearing in cramped, Burberry-swamped clubs to say hello and then be booed off. The specials interestingly move away from the Slough office to reveal the new and sad side of David Brent, the most excruciating scenes being those of his awful attempts to win women through an internet dating service. But this is the end of a show which quietly sent every programme in its way packing its bags and going home, one that captured the hearts and imaginations of fans from the very moment Tim glanced at Dawn or David Brent insulted everybody in the room he was in for the first time. Is it possible to shake up the touch-sensitive relationships of the characters to finish the whole thing off for good? It is, with the ultra-realistic acting talent and the sharp writing, this is a fitting last bow by perhaps the best UK comedy show ever.
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27 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
The Highlight of XMAS 03, 24 Jun 2004
By A Customer
Christmas always brings its highlights and lowlights as far as TV is concrened. The office was the must see comedy last christmas. Only fools and Horses was a real let down I barely smiled during the entire episode so that spoiled my xmas day. Boxing day came and more importantly Boxing Night my family and I sat down with great anticipation to see what Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant had confirmed would be the last ever episodes of the office. It was fab. David Brent trying to capitalize on the minor fame the BBC2 series had bought him, Garreth as the boss, Dawn returning to the office for a christmas party after living in America with fianice Lee.
Other reviewers have said it and I agree completly its a perfect end to one of the best series of British tv history!
(Shame about the end of Only fools and Horses)
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22 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
Had to put in a word, 5 Sep 2004
I don't think I've ever been so nervous sitting down in front of the television as I was on Boxing Day last year. After two series of such genius the conclusion just couldn't be a let down - could it? I have to admit the first episode wasn't as enjoyable, the office dynamic that was the core and heart of the series had shifted completely; David had left and no longer had his position as boss to conceal from himself how much of a loser he really was, and many scenes were too painful to be as funny as they once were, especially the music video - save it for the american sitcoms, this is supposed to be an english slum of an office and we like it that way, enough of the slick production! Besides that Gareth was above Tim in the office heirachy, and many familiar faces had departed, the most notable being Dawn.
But the second had me clutching the duvet off my bed in anticipation, after that brutal rejection of Tim at the end of series two would Dawn see sense at last? For forty four stroke inducing minutes it seemed likely,then she reads the note in the taxi, is that the end - are we never to know? The moment she comes back is so unexpected, she just turns Tim round and kisses him right there - and I could exhale again. Despite his previous boarish borderline psychotic manner in the past, you wish David all the best and hope he doesn't cock it up wih the lovely lady who managed to find him amusing even attractive. The photograph at the end of "the old gang" was the perfect finish, you want it to go on but the relief rather overpowers it that the early finish has secured "The Office" a top place in British classic sitcom history. I'm sorry America but PLEASE do not remake this over there, cos God help the producers if you do - this is British to the core.
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10 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Sheer Brilliance, 17 Jul 2004
These two episodes were absolutly fantastic. They bring together the whole story of the two series in a simple, yet so effective way. Even though they are the last two episodes fo the comedy, they still have all the laughs, and all the seriousnes of the series. Buy these two episodes and you will not be dissapointed. They are especially worth it if you already own the two series. These episodes do not ruin the story line, unlike other final episodes. Truely amazing!
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
We miss you David!, 21 Sep 2004
People have described The Office in many ways. A phenomenon, a comic masterpiece, a work of genius. But I think that this just does not do The Office credit. It came out of absolutely nowhere and brought us some of the funniest characters that have ever been seen on television. Gareth Keenan, you are my hero. The one thing it missed was a female actress that really got your attention! But you cannot fault anything else in the entire two series and 2 specials. Of course when you watch the 2 specials you're filled with sadness because you know it's the last time you're going to see these people together on screen. But I honestly feel that it was a fitting end to a programme that has single-handedly made life worth living for. Well done to the BBC for giving it a chance. I think you can safely say it was worth the risk! Oh, buy this DVD cos otherwise you have no appreciation of subtle humour!
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23 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
The Office Christmas special.. TV's finest hour bar none, 23 Aug 2004
By A Customer
Well October is the release for British Televisions finest hour
It seems like yesterday that I sat down on Boxing day night to see the first of the two episodes
What can I say it was suitably laid back and many would have found it a little depressing and in some ways disapointing.
For me that was the whole point.
It just made the second one so much better.
Many people will obvisously have their favourite bit.
David's blind date at the pub
David waiting outside when the fat girl arrivesDavid finally swearing at Finchy
all priceless
But the absolute earth shatering moments were
When Dawn opened the secret Sanata in the taxi and read the words
"Never Give Up" and you thought that was that
Then with no build up and to catch the viewer completely unaware.. To have Dawn walk back into the party, come slowly up behind Tim and just stop and wait for him to turn round and then just smile at him.
They absolutely nailed it.
I doubt if there was a dry eye in the house at the moment. So Christmas TV was saved that night
If ever I bump into Mr Gervais and Mr Merchant I must remember to thank them
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5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Masterpiece, 7 Jul 2005
By A Customer
This really was the ending we all hoped for.The series itself is of course magic of a very special kind and I had doubts about whether the Xmas specials would sort everything out in a believable way. The fact that all of us yearn for another series is testimony to the enduring appeal and the perfect scripting of this series. Well done to the cast and crew of The Office.
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