THE PLOT THUS FAR
Station wagons were America’s “workhorses on wheels.” Today, they conjure images of outdated family photos, over-sized hairdos and unfashionable wooden siding. In 2011, Volvo – the leading premium wagon manufacturer – will discontinue the sale of its last wagon model in the United States.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Wagonmasters” is a documentary dedicated to that suburban mainstay…the station wagon. I grew up in a part of the country that was more muscle cars and trucks, so I didn’t know that many people that had parents with station wagons. Most of my friends started driving when the mini-van craze started. I almost expected hipsters to start getting interviewed about their love of these vintage automobiles. But, I guess that they didn’t have time for that.
It’s a short documentary that answers one major question for me. I didn’t know that the majority of station wagons were discontinued back in 1996. I thought people just grew a sense of taste or just decided to piss off to SUVs. I’d like to see a series dedicated to creations like this and their impact on the greater culture. But, I guess that would take money away from Ken Burns and he’d start having to cut people. I don’t trust a man with a haircut like that. He looks too much like Billy Bob Thornton in the Fargo TV series. What I’m saying is that a 40 minute documentary about station wagons doesn’t need a lot to be said about it. And, that’s about it for now.
The DVD comes with interviews as the special features. The A/V Quality is on par for a show from the late 80s. The transfer isn’t amazing, but it works. The same goes for the Dolby audio track. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!