(Release Date: July 24, 2018) – "Gravity Falls," an animated series which aired for two seasons and 40 episodes on the Disney Channel (and later Disney XD) from 2012-2016, is something of a treasure in modern children's programming. For one, it transcends its young central demographic with a sly irreverence, a delicious array of pop-culture references, and an attention to character which has garnered it a passionate adult fanbase. Each episode's script is so sharply tuned as to prove cinematic. Its slice-of-life story of 12-year-old twins and their summer adventures is at once affectionate, honest and fantastical. Its supernatural leanings make it a dream for sci-fi and horror fans, while its witty humor broadens its appeal. Think "Twin Peaks" and "The X-Files" by way of "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" and you won't be far off from the tone captured by creator Alex Hirsch. Comparisons can only take a person so far, however, when a film or television series is as unique and inspired as this one.
Twin siblings Dipper (voiced by Jason Ritter) and Mabel Pines (voiced by Kristen Schaal) are shipped off by their parents to spend a summer with their great-uncle Stan (voiced by Alex Hirsch) in the weird, woodsy Oregon town of Gravity Falls. Grunkle Stan, as they call him, runs the Mystery Shack out of his home, a tourist trap playing into the paranormal phenomena which legend says is strong within the area. Dipper, the more thoughtful and pragmatic of the tight-knit brother and sister pair, is quick to begin exploring the strange events and creatures which seem to haunt Gravity Falls. The energetic, boy-crazy, grapple-hook-loving Mabel is happy to accompany her brother on his investigations--that is, when she isn't getting herself into any number of precarious situations.
"Gravity Falls" is a true animated gem bubbling over with imagination and ingenuity. It's slyly funny, a little spooky, unexpectedly nuanced, and genuinely endearing.
Below are the complete list of "Gravity Falls" episodes:
Season One
Tourist Trapped
The Legend of the Gobblewonker
Headhunters
The Hand That Rocks the Mabel
The Inconveniencing
Dipper vs. Manliness
Double Dipper
Irrational Treasure
The Time Traveler's Pig
Fight Fighters
Little Dipper
Summerween
Boss Mabel
Bottomless Pit!
The Deep End
Carpet Diem
Boyz Crazy
Land Before Swine
Dreamscaperers
Gideon Rises
Season Two
Scary-oke
Into the Bunker
The Golf War
Sock Opera
Soos and the Real Girl
Little Gift Shop of Horrors
Society of the Blind Eye
Blendin's Game
The Love God
Northwest Mansion Mystery
Not What He Seems
A Tale of Two Stans
Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons
Stanchurian Candidate
The Last Mabelcorn
Roadside Attraction
Dipper & Mabel vs. the Future
Weirdmageddon: Part 1
Weirdmageddon 2: Escape from Reality
Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls
A+/A+ "Gravity Falls: The Complete Series" is top of the line when it comes to its high-definition technical specs. The 1080p transfer is perfection to this viewer's eyes, a fresh, radiant, crystal-clear treatment revealing just how visually stunning and detailed this series' animation truly is. Colors burst off the screen even as it often appears shaded to match the nostalgia of an adult reminiscing about fond memories from his or her childhood. Detail in both foregrounds and backgrounds is uniformly impressive. The lines of the animation are crisp, without even a glimmer of edge enhancement. Banding is additionally nonexistent. Simply put, this is a feast for the eyes for all 40 episodes and 900 minutes. On the audio front, two options are offered: the original 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that broadens its sonic scope while providing added oomph. Listening to "Gravity Falls" was every bit as pleasurable as watching it.
Audio Commentaries on all 40 episodes with series creator Alex Hirsch and members of the cast and crew, including actors Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal and Jackie Buscarino, writers Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe, Shion Takeuchi and Matt Chapman, directors Rob Renzetti and Matt Braly, and storyboard artist Alonso Ramirez Ramos
"One Crazy Summer" Documentary – A Look Back at Gravity Falls with the Cast & Crew (1:46:38, HD) – interviews with Alex Hirsch, actors Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal, director and storyboard artist Matt Braly, writers Jeff Rowe, Shion Takeuchi and Josh Weinstein, composer Brad Breeck, and over a dozen additional members of the cast and crew
"The Hirsch Twins" Featurette (16:07, HD) – Alex & Ariel Hirsch remember their own summers growing up
"Between the Pines" Featurette (22:06, HD)
Deleted Scenes (62:03, HD)
Promos
"Old Man" McGucket's Conspiracy Corner (5:52, HD)
Creepy Letters from Li'l Gideon (2:41, HD)
Soos' Stan Fiction (3:53, HD)
'Pocalypse Preppin' (4:16, HD)
Mystery Shack: Shop at Home with Mr. Mystery (12:35, HD)
Grunkle Stan's Lost Mystery Shack Interviews (7:29, HD)
Gravity Paws (5:44, HD)
Journal 3 Infomercial (1:03, HD)
Season 2 San Diego Comic Con Trailer (1:03, HD)
Five Shorts
Dipper's Guide to the Unexplained (13:28, HD)
Mabel's Guide to Life (11:56, HD)
Fixin' It with Soos (4:35, HD)
TV Shorts (5:05, HD)
Mabel's Scrapbook (4:50, HD)
Packed to the gills with close to 20 hours(!) of bonus content and reference-quality picture and audio, the 7-disc "Gravity Falls: The Complete Series" Blu-ray boxed set exceeds any and all expectations. That it's a thoroughly great show, one that deliciously melds offbeat comedy, horror and mystery into a winning concoction, is the whipped cream and cherry on top. Fans will be thrilled beyond belief by the love and care Shout! Factory have given this beloved cult series. As for those prospective viewers who aren't yet familiar with it (and I was admittedly one of them before the Blu-ray set arrived on my doorstep), you are in for a real treat. "Gravity Falls: The Complete Series" is one of the very best Blu-ray releases of 2018. A MUST-OWN.
