BLU-RAY
REVIEW:
FRINGE
Season 1
09/06/09
OVERVIEW: Teleportation. Mind
control. Invisibility. Astral projection. Mutation.
Reanimation. Phenomena that exist on the Fringe of science
unleash their strange powers in this thrilling,
critically-acclaimed series, as Warner Home Video releases
Fringe: The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-ray™ Hi Def
on September 8, 2009. Featuring a collectible lenticular
slipcase, and packed with nearly 6 hours of special
features, including featurettes, production diaries,
producer and writer commentaries, deleted scenes, gag reel,
Blu-Ray exclusive content and much more, this is one release
that fans definitely won’t want to miss this fall. The
release is timed to the premiere of Season 2 on FOX.
SEASON REVIEW: Fringe is not
an easy show to get into. As a matter of fact while watching
the show during its run on Fox, I near quit the show a
couple of times. The problem with the show is that like The
X-files each episode features the freak of the week and does
like to expand the main story. However, unlike The X-files,
Fringe's main story line is intriguing and dare I say the
second best sci-fi series after Lost.
In Fringe, Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna
Torv ) is recruited to work for Agent Phillip Broyles (Lance
Reddick), the head of the Fringe division which is
investigating something called the Pattern, a series of
unexplained events. Olivia with the help of Dr. Walter
Bishop (John Noble) a scientist who has been in a mental
institution for the last 17 years and his son Peter Bishop
(Joshua Jackson) investigate, teleportation, mind control,
invisibility, astral projection, mutation and reanimation.
The investigation leads them to a corporation named Massive
Dynamic which is run by William Bell, Walter Bishop's former
lab partner.
Those who have seen the show will
not soon forget the wonderful performance by John Noble. In
every single episode John have a couple of funny lines to
say and he nails them all the time. His performance is truly
marvelous. Lance Reddick is as good here as he was in the
few episodes of Lost we saw him in. Even Johua Jackson who I
did not like in Dawson's Creek gives a good performance. As
for Anna Torv she has a lot on her shoulders having to carry
the load of this show, but she does a fine job.
My only compliant with the show is
that is has too must filler and the structure which features
a weird phenomenon a week. If it wasn't for the filler this
would probably be the best show on TV. However, this
probably has to do with the executives at Fox who didn't
want a show that audience couldn't jump right in at any time
during the season.
The Blu-ray disc for Fringe looks amazing. Even the cover is
nice. The people at Warner Bros. take their material
seriously and it's easy to tell that they spend their time
coming up with the design and bonus material and with over 7
hours there is enough material here to keep even the average
fan busy.
Review By Brad Peterson
brad@smartcine.com
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Subtitles - English, Spanish,
French Portuguese Thai
BONUS FEATURES:
Evolution: The
Genesis of Fringe featurette - The creators of the
show discuss how the series unfolded and the qualities that
make it so unique
Behind the Real
Science of Fringe featurette - From teleportation to
re-animation, Fringe incorporates recent discoveries in
science. Consulting experts and scientists who are the
authorities in their field address the areas of science
which are the inspiration for the show. (10:28)
A Massive
Undertaking: The Making of Fringe (on select episodes)
- An in-depth exploration of how select episodes came to
be made: from the frozen far reaches of shooting the pilot
in Toronto, to the weekly challenges of bringing episodes to
air
The Casting of Fringe-
The story, as told by producers and cast, of how Anna Torv,
Joshua Jackson, John Noble and others came to be cast in the
series. (9:21)
Fringe Visual Effects
featurette - Goes deep into the creation of the
shared dream state with some of the biggest VFX shots of the
show. (15:16)
Dissected Files:
Unaired Scenes Take a closer look at six select
scenes from season one with experts who dissect each scene
using notes, photos and diagram.- The casting of Gene the
cow is discussed(2:46)
Unusual Side Effects:
Gag Reel A four and half minute gag reel. (4:32)
Deciphering the Scene
Roberto Orci
Production Diary This is just a behind the scene
look at the show(13:06)
Gene the Cow montage
Three Full-Length
Commentaries from writers/producers, including J.J. Abrams,
Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtman, J.R. Orci, David Goodman, Bryan
Burk, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner
Fringe Pattern Analysis - Take a closer look
at 6 select scenes from Season 1 with experts who dissect
each scene with notes, photos, and diagrams.
BD-Live
enabled features include Media Center, My Commentary, and
commentary on Season 1 finale episode.
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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