90210: The Complete First Season – DVD Review

By June L. Aug 25, 2009, 14:11 GMT

An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama Beverly Hills, 90210, the new 90210 looks at life through the eyes of Annie Wilson and her brother Dixon, whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt they\'re not in Kansas anymore. ...more

As the song from last century states “everything old is new again,” and such is the case with the 21st century version of the television series 90210.

The popular Beverly Hills zip code address is home to a whole new generation of teenagers, with sizzling stories and more than just a nod to the original series. 

Moving from Kansas to Beverly Hills, Harry Wilson (Rob Estes) is returning home not only to care for his mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter), but also to take on the challenge of being Principal at West Beverly Hills High School.  His wife Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and the children Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) miss their home, but are up for the excitement and challenges of life in Beverly Hills.

Of course there are the usual teenage angst story-lines as Annie and Dixon try to find their places among the privileged high school students.  There are triumphs and pitfalls along the way. 

Rich and popular Naomi Clark (AnnaLynne McCord) alternates between being a friend and being an enemy to Annie, as they become entangled in competition for the affections of Ethan (Dustin Milligan). 

Dixon has his own problems, as being the new guy isn’t easy and although his family loves him, he feels the stresses of being both adopted and African-American put him in a position where he has to prove himself. 

The high school crowd is beset with problems, besides the usual romantic machinations.  Ethics and drugs, morals and mental illnesses play parts in the lives of these beautiful people.  Strife and adjustments are not limited to the teenagers.  Like the original series, this 90210 has a fair share of adults behaving badly. 

Within a short space of time, Harry learns that he has a child with his high school girlfriend Tracy (who is also Naomi’s mother,) and must decide how he will proceed.  Impossible and dramatic occurrences are daily fare for the citizens of 90210, and watching it is pure escapist television. 

Stars from the original series drop in for guest appearances playing their old characters and tying the two series together, declaring the new 90210 not a remake, but a continuation.

90210: The Complete First Season is presented on six discs in widescreen format.  The running time is 16 hours and 34 minutes.  Each disc has several episodes and a special feature or features that enhance the series. 

Disc One has the set tour of West Beverly High, Disc Two has the set tour of The Peach Pit.  Disc Three has the set tour of the Mansion, and Disc Four has a featurette “A Day in the Life of Ryan Eggold” a look at the series through the eyes of the actor who plays character Ryan Matthews, and another featurette ”The Music of 90210.”  Disc Five offers the specials “Code of Behavior” and “Fitting In:  The Fashion of 90210.”  Disc Six has an extensive featurette “The Revival of a Classic” Making 90210.”  If you were a fan of the original, then this series DVD will be a welcome addition to the collection.

90210: The Complete First Season is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.