Clarkson: Heaven and Hell

November 15, 2007

Rated: Unrated Runtime: 72 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jeremy Clarkson is the host of Top Gear, who along with co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond have created what is easily the best car show on television. Clarkson: Heaven and Hell is not Top Gear, but it’s close.

The DVD is a look at the best and worst cars.. of 2005. Or at least the best cars are from 2005, the worst are usually much, much older. In case you’re thinking that taking a look at cars that are now a couple of years old is boring, let me point out that we’re talking about Ferraris, an Aston Martin, a Maserati and more. These are not boring cars no matter their vintage.

Clarkson takes a look at each of the cars in turn, telling us in his own way why they are destined for heaven or hell. The best aren’t really presented in any sort of order except that the final vehicle one shown is his top pick. But really, the show is all about how amusing he manages to make both positive and negative car reviews. For example.. he drives the Ferrari Enzo, and while it is obviously destined for heaven, he really doesn’t like the car as it’s totally impractical to drive anywhere but a racetrack due to the complete lack of visibility from the rear. How does he demonstrate this? By having a woman stand behind the car and do a striptease while he attempts to watch.. and doesn’t see a thing.

He also has some amusing fates in store for cars he deems as destined for hell, including a mini-van made into a convertible, jousting, crushing, hanging and in one truly inspired moment, destruction via precision driving.

It’s not perfect though. For one thing, without the balance of Hammond and May, Clarkson can seem overly snarky at times. Also there’s an issue with the soundtrack. Remember Jan Hammer from the 80’s? Imaging if that type of music were being done by a wedding singer.. it’s just wrong, and doesn’t fit. Fortunately it’s not a constant thing, only appears at the beginning and once or twice during the show.

This isn’t the sort of DVD I’d purchase unless it were really cheap, but I highly recommend you rent it.

Posted by John | Filed Under 4 Stars, DVD, Jeremy Clarkson, Russ Swift, The Stig, Unrated