The
Walking Dead - The Complete Fourth Season
(2013/Starz/Anchor Bay Blu-ray Set)
Picture:
B+ Sound: A- Extras: B Episodes: B+
The
Walking Dead - The Complete Fourth Season picks
up just where Season
3 left
off...
**SPOILER
ALERTS! ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!**
After
a failed attempt by The Governor (David Morrissey) to attack the
prison (as well as The Governor going ballistic on his own people),
we find Rick (Andrew Lincoln) having denounced his role as leader;
taking off the Sheriff's hat and putting on the (figurative) farmer's
hat. Rick is now (supposedly) content living a simpler life.
Meanwhile each episode bounces back and forth between life at the
prison and the activities of The Governor, who has been (seemingly)
abandoned by his henchmen to wander the world aimlessly with purpose
or direction.
Just
when everything is getting back to 'normal' for Rick's people at the
prison, a deadly 'influenza-like' virus strikes; leaving many
incapacitated and others simply to die. While Rick may have
relegated his role as leader, The Council (composed of several main
characters) has taken over in a way to maintain order amongst the
people of the prison; many of which are former residents of Woodbury.
The virus outbreak eventually leads to a host of survival issues and
moral ramifications... to say the least.
While
the prison struggles with an invisible deadly force, the deadly force
known as The Governor starts to get his wits about him. For a moment
we are lead to believe he is starting anew, leaving his deadly past
behind; but his immoral, masochistic ways quickly resurface, again
gathering himself an army with a vendetta against the people of the
prison. A showdown ensues as The Governor and his army arrives at
the prison gates... with a tank! Rick suggests peace for the two
groups, but The Governor has other plans; plans that would make heads
roll...
The
second half of the season progresses differently after the events of
that showdown; focusing more on individual characters, getting deeper
into who they are as people. Whereas there is plenty of death, gore
and action throughout Season
4, it
is the exploration of the characters' psyches in a post-apocalyptic
world that makes it incredible.
Season
4 is
the best season yet and can't wait to see where the creators take it
from here.
Whereas
the series may focus on the dead, the technical features are anything
but, with a lively soundtrack and vivid imagery. The picture
presentation is that of a 1080p, AVC Encoded, 1.78 X 1 widescreen
that feels cinematic from beginning to end. The image is crisp,
clean, and clear throughout which truly puts the viewer in the heart
of the action. The presentation is only mildly stylized to give it a
more brown/beige/grainy overtone (an artistic choice), but overall is
true to the source material appreciating the brilliant Atlanta
backdrop. Even with a more 'earthy' color palate, pops of color from
clothing, blood, or whatnot appear throughout alongside deep, framing
black levels taking the picture presentation to the next level. The
sound is a 7.1 lossless Dolby TrueHD mix that uses the entire speaker
range on all episodes. The soundscape is lively, constantly moving
and building; layer by layer. Whether it is a spot on dialogue, a
rustle in the bushes, a gunshot, a scream, or the minutest groan
everything projects perfectly. This is only heightened by solid
directionality and panning effects that keep viewers engaged and on
the edge of their seat.
The
episodes are fantastic and this Blu-ray presentation makes for a
truly immersive experience.
The
extras are also well done as the audience is treated to a host of
material to delve into. Extras include:
6
Audio Commentaries with cast and crew
Inside
The Walking Dead featurette
The
Making of The Walking Dead featurette
Drawing
Inspiration
Hershel
featurette
The
Governor is Back featurette
Deleted
Scenes
A
Journey Back to Brutality
Inside
KNB Studios
Society
Science and Survival
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
