Supernatural – The Complete Third Season (Warner DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B-
When
there’s something strange… in your DVD pile …what’s it called? Supernatural. Now on DVD is Supernatural: The Complete Third Season to bring all the shrieks
and terror back into your life; some good, some bad.
Supernatural: The Complete Third
Season continues
to follow a pair of monster hunter brothers as they search out the demon that
killed their mother. The brothers in
three seasons have managed to get themselves into and out of a great number of
troubles that seem to only be getting worse.
The convoluted nature of the series establishes a story arch that must
be observed from the beginning to understand (no spoilers here). There is death, lives saved, and deals with
demons…and that could all happen in one episode. The series from the beginning has been filled
to the brim with astonishing monsters and creatures and where as the make-up
and digital effects are not always the best; the series does demonstrate a high
level of creativity.
The
problem with Supernatural is that it
does not quite balance the elements horror, drama, and suspense very well. Instead the series stammers in the dark as it
fails to realize what it wants to be. This reviewer has viewed the series from the
beginning and finds it to be quite entertaining, but still feels it needs an
overhaul. The plots are thin and whereas
the acting is good, the actors seem to be lost in their lines from time to
time; not sure of what is going on. Like
a bad X-Files, Buffy smoothie Supernatural looks good but leaves a
bad aftertaste; the viewer wanting to like the series, but the missing elements
leave the audience unfulfilled. Supernatural does demonstrate a good
frame work with solid actors, but needs to e taken to the next level if it is
ever going to survive the night.
The
technical features on Supernatural:
Season 3 are not out of this world, but do hold their ground in the TV on
DVD realm. The picture is presented in a
1.78 X 1 Anamorphic Widescreen that has improved over last season’s release
with a crisper, cleaner image that has little light/dark issues; but still does
not hold up to fellow CW alum Smallville
as far as clean/realistic digital effects.
The sound is once again presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surrounds that
are less active then they should be in a suspenseful, horror series; but still
slide by with a clean, boisterous quality.
The
extras include a featurette entitled From Legends
to Reality: Supernatural Effects, Supernatural
Impala Featurette: A Look Inside the Classic 1967 Chevrolet Impala, A
Closer Look: Short Segments Showcasing Favorite Aspects of Specific Episodes, Ghostfacers! Confessionals Mini-featurette
Gallery, and a Gag Reel. This reviewer
was not expecting much from the special features on this particular series, but
in the end was pleasantly surprised. The
slue of featurettes are well made and interesting as they take the viewer
through the ins and outs of the series.
Fans will find the features not only to be interesting, but also
rewatchable. A nicely done set overall.
Whereas
the series was enjoyable, it is definitely something the viewer should partake
in from the very beginning; starting at Season
One. The horror Sci-Fi series tries to
live up to past greats like that of the X-Files
or The Twilight Zone, but in the end
falls short. This reviewer admits that
the series is getting progressively better by leaps and bounds, but has not
quite found its footing yet. Follow the
Odyssey of two brothers as they fight for their lives once more in this mind
bending journey called Supernatural.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
