Arrow: The Complete Fourth Season (2015 - 2016/DC Comics/Warner Blu-ray set)

Picture: B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B Episodes: B

DC Comics' Arrow TV series has paved the way for superhero comic books' jump (and proper return) to the small screen. The success of the show, which premiered in October 2012 and stars Stephen Amell as the green suited archer, has generated three spin-off shows so far: The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl - all of which have crossed over with the timeline of Arrow (all reviewed elsewhere on this site). Many fans are in an uproar that the DC television and movie franchises don't crossover, due recently to the casting of Ezra Miller in the upcoming Zack Snyder Justice League film over the Grant Gustin Flash seen in the series, but I personally don't mind them being two separate entities.

The show also stars Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Paul Blackthorne, John Barrowman, Willa Holland and Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak to name a few. If you aren't familiar with the series, it centers around the Billionaire-Playboy Oliver Queen (Amell) who at night becomes the vigilante known as the Green Arrow, who protects Starling City from various villainous foes.

This season hasn't been quite as strong as previous seasons, with the romance between Felicity and Oliver growing a bit tiring at times. The production value has been upped and many of the show's veteran actors have obviously grown in their roles. My biggest complaint is the constant use of flash backs with Oliver pre becoming the Arrow, which worked fine in the first few seasons but has now become a tired plot device. These gripes aside, the show is entertaining and has some great special effects and still gives fans plenty of reason to tune in.

Season Four features twenty-three episodes which include Green Arrow The Candidate, Restoration, Beyond Redemption, Haunted, Lost Souls, Brotherhood, Legends of Yesterday, Dark Waters, Blood Debts, A.W.O.L, Unchained, Sins of the Father, Code of Silence, Taken, Broken Hearts, Beacon of Hope, Eleven-Fifty-Nine, Canary Cry, Genesis, Monument Point, Lost in the Flood, and Schism.

Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and a lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 track, the show looks miles better on Blu-ray disc then in its original broadcast. If you're a fan of the series then you will definitely want to pick up this edition, which also includes a digital copy.

Special features include...

ALL 23 one-hour episodes plus Flash crossover

Star Crossed Hawks featurette

Star Crossed Hawks: The Hunt for Vandal Savage featurette

Smooth Criminal: The Damien Darhk Story featurette

Arrow: 2015 Comic-Con Panel

Deleted Scenes

Gag Reel

While not as violent as the Netflix Marvel shows (due to being on a broadcast network, of course), Arrow is a PG-13 style telling of the character with a great cast and many great appearances from characters in the DC Universe. If you're thinking of giving the DC TV universe a shot, I would suggest starting with Arrow.

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/