The
Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season (2014/Starz/Anchor Bay
Blu-ray Set)
Picture:
A- Sound: A- Extras: B Episodes: B+
The
Walking Dead is an amazing series that faithfully follows the
graphic novels, while adding its own flavor to the mix. Much like
that of Game of Thrones fans have grown to appreciate the fine
balance between steadfast, unwavering plot points that remain
faithful to the established canon; but concurrently keeping viewers
on the edge of their seat with brilliantly executed deviations.
With
The Walking Dead there are huge leaps in time (as of yet) and
each season pretty much picks up in the moment(s) that last season
left off. This review will attempt to keep spoilers to a minimum,
but as this is a series heavy on continuity and surprises, go no
further if you are not caught up on the series.
The
creators have made it abundantly clear that The Walking Dead is
a series about the people, the survivors first and the 'zombies'
second. That is to say we are seeing how the characters survive in
this post-apocalyptic world both physically and emotionally;
meticulously observing how the new world has changed them and what
pieces of humanity remain intact. Season Five is the best yet
in exemplifying the human spirit, dissecting it to its core. Yes, we
continue to indulge in plenty of gruesome, gross out moments; but in
Season Five Rick Grimes' (Andrew Lincoln) 'team' of
survivalists already know what they have to do to survive, now we see
if they are more machine than man as their sensibilities have become
cold and calculated.
We
as an audience have become invested in Rick and the other survivors
over the past five seasons, continually rooting for them and
shocked/saddened when a member falls. The question this season is
how do other survivors view Rick and his team? Some perhaps are as
cold, calculated, and wary as team Rick. Others are violent, with
little morals. Others remain naïve and weak, having witnessed only
a fraction of the atrocities that team Rick has.
The
season is mainly divided into two parts; the first focusing on Beth
and Noah and the second focusing on the Alexandria
compound/community. Beth had gone missing (captured) in Season 4
and we find her in Season 5 held against her will in a
hospital run by a militarized police force and a couple cowardly
doctors. Beth befriends Noah (another survivor held against his
will) who manages to escape, only to meet up with Daryl and team Rick
who set out to save Beth.
The
second half of the season has the team in the gated community of
Alexandria. Alexandria is a community that has seen little of the
horrors beyond their walls, untouched by violence or decay and
concurrently unprepared and unaware of the outside world. The
arrival of team Rick brings with it a harsh reality, something the
people of Alexandria are unwilling to hear. Actions speak louder
than words, however, and the streets of Alexandria soon are sullied
with blood and violence.
The
Walking Dead just keeps getting better and better with no signs
of slowing down. My only issue with the series is that is always
leaves me wanting more!
This
newest Blu-ray set remains amazingly well done displaying the high
def image/sound with ease; making for a truly immersive experience.
The picture presentation is again a 1080p, AVC Encoded, 1.78 X 1
widescreen digital High Definition image 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 stylized
feel of the series seems to have been toned down a bit this season,
which normally gives it a more brown/beige/grainy overtone, allowing
for a more natural/brighter atmosphere here in Season
5. The color palate continues to
pop throughout alongside deep, framing black levels taking the
picture presentation to the next level. The sound again is a dynamic
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 again only heightens the 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 Commentary
tracks
The Making of The
Walking Dead
Inside The Walking
Dead
The Making of
Alexandria
A spotlight look at
some of our favorite characters
Beth's Journey
Bob's Journey
Noah's Journey
Tyreese's Journey
A Day in the Life of
Michael Cudlitz
A Day in the Life of
Josh McDermitt
Deleted Scenes
Rotter's Flesh
In the end, it is clear
that the 'walking dead' are not the decaying monsters that roam the
earth, but rather the survivors. There is no rest, there is no peace
and what little hope people have left seems to be continuously
chipped away; leaving them with the only with fleeting moments of
humanity.
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
