Knight Rider: Season One DVD: Review By Brian

"Michael Knight. A lone crusader in a dangerous world. The world of the Knight Rider."

He may have been a German pop star. He may have been the world's most recognized lifeguard. But just to set the record straight, David Hasselhoff was born to be 'Michael Knight'.

First airing in the fall of 1982, Michael Knight and his mythotical world of fighting crime with his super-car K.I.T.T. captured the minds of every single adolescent male in the free world. With it's suped up features that today's street racers can only dream of, K.I.T.T. not only served as Knight's technologically advanced weapon of choice, but also served as the inherent buddy to the main character, thus completing a relationship which could never be duplicated on screen, in any media, even to this day.

David Hasselhoff stars as the rogue agent of the series, a sort of James Bond for the eighties, who had one sole purpose...to fight the evil in the world so far above the law it couldn't be stopped. Of course, the only way for Michael Knight to be able to do such a thing was to helm the "strongest, fastest car in the world", able to dodge bullets, sustain any damage, or a slew of other gadgetries known only to K.I.T.T. and his owner.

"Knight Rider" not only was one of the most influential shows of the eighties, it also launched the career of superstar David Hasselhoff and sent young boys into a panic. Everyone wanted to be Michael Knight (heck, I even have the Knight Rider theme song set to play when my phone rings), and everyone, and I mean everyone wanted to drive that car.

This set takes you back to the beginning when K.I.T.T. was still a big blinking red box on the dash of the sleek black car. Back in the beginning, where the show wasn't completely pushing it's limits like it did in later seasons. Back in the beginning, where you could see all the reasons for gigantic fans were to be spawned from such a show.

Honestly, it does not get better then this! This is pure 80's nostalgia for anyone coming out of generation X. "Knight Rider" is a pure force to be reckoned with from title sequence that reveals Michael Knight's mission, to the closing credits that only hype you up for the next show in the series. There is absolutely nothing more I could want here. Bravo!

Aside from the perfect packaging this set was delivered in, featuring a shiny metal finish showcasing Michael Knight and his car K.I.T.T., this series is jam packed with special features that will have fans taking a ride on K.I.T.T.'s ejector seat...

Commentaries

A shining gem is located on the first disc of the set. David Hasselhoff and series creator Glen Larson comment on the show, it's beginnings and the direction the show took. Totally informative and honestly riveting. I watched the entire commentary, front to back and was left with a sense of total satisfaction.

Knight Moves

A 60 minute doc*mentary which talks about the stunt work accomplished in the show. Perfection is achieved here which serves any fan of the series very, very well.

Knight Sounds

A short doc*mentary that dives into the aspects of the creation of the memorable theme song of the series. I loved this part through and through. Great content for a true fan!

Knight Rider - Under The Hood

An enthralling looks back at the series that runs just over 15 minutes. Recent interviews with the cast and crew make for some truly worthy specials here. This is the sort of special feature that makes this kind of purchase really worth the price of admission.

KITT Owner's Manual

You gotta be kidding!!! Has it been a life dream to know exactly what all those buttons on K.I.T.T.'s dashboard actually did? Well, this special feature gives you the ability to click, pull, push and turn your way into ultimate K.I.T.T. fandom! This is genius people! Pure genius!

Knight Rider 2000 - The Movie

The made for TV feature is also included within the set, rounding out a perfect DVD collection. Michael Knight is called out of retirement to do "one last job". K.I.T.T., having being dismantled, is rebuilt into a '57 Chevy while the Organization works on a new car. Entertaining, but still no where close to the actual series contained within. A nice feature though!

Others

Loads of other content is also included throughout the set including production imagery, technical blueprints, gadget talk and tons more. This is the definitive collection for "Knight Rider" fans. I honestly could not ask for anything more!

Presented in it's original full frame aspect ratio, the series has been colorized a bit to enhance the contrasts and the colors within. The series looks better then it ever did on network TV, concentrating on deep blacks and vibrant colors...this is the way "Knight Rider" was meant to be seen!

The audio is presented exactly the way is was when it was broadcast, in Dolby Digital 2.0. All is in order, and K.I.T.T.'s "whoo whoo" sound that lined up with the back and forth motion of the light on the front of the car, never sound better.

"Knight Rider" might not be for everyone, but I can guarantee you this...if you grew up in the 80's, then yes "Knight Rider" is for you, and you know it is.

I remember going to Universal Studios back when I was a kid and having stood in line all day long for the theme park's various attractions, the photo opportunity sitting in K.I.T.T. was the longest of them all.

My memories run extremely deep for this show and how it shaped the man I am today. I was excited to hear the announcement of the show into the digital realm, and now I absolutely cannot wait for season 2 to arrive.

Don't deny your urge for the ultimate Hasselhoff experience. Get this set today!!! No one, and I mean no one will be disappointed!