Rating: 
Summary: Stellar Second Season
Review: The Sopranos' first season was an instant sensation. Hailed by many critics as one of the best shows ever created, the second season was highly anticipated. Instead of succumbing to the dreaded sophomore jinx, series creator David Chase mixed things up by introducing new characters while wisely keeping a strong spotlight on the amazing James Gandolfini. Mr. Gandolfini strikes a commanding presence as mob boss Tony Soprano. He is asked to carry a heavy load by being the center of a complex and intricate show and he gives a brilliant, multi-layered performance. Michael Imperioli has an even greater role as young mobster Christopher Moltisanti. His work in the episodes where he is shot and almost dies are outstanding. Tony Sirico again provides strong work and comic relief as Paulie Walnuts and Vincent Pastore is great as the paranoid and ill-fated Big Pussy Bompansiero. Aida Turturro is introduced as Tony's seemingly spacey, but calculating and scheming sister Janice and David Proval as the menacing Richie Aprille, younger brother to the late Jackie Aprille and who has spent the last ten years in jail. He's back and he becomes a thorn in Tony's side. Edie Falco is excellent as Tony's beleaguered wife Carmella, but the one sour note to season is Lorraine Bracco's Dr. Melfi. She is conflicted about treating Tony and the continuing storyline about her ex-husband's disapproval of the situation and the image of Italian-Americans seems forced. That is the one lowlight as season two lives up to the hype. The Sopranos is more like a mini-movie each week, rather than a television show and the DVD format only enhances the viewing experience. This set is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: Gritty, Believable, Gripping - V. Well Characterized & Acted
Review: Building on the excellent foundation set in the first series, the second season continues the character development of NJ's favorite mafia family nicely. There is less violence than in the first series (which should to be watched before this one if you want they full background).Almost none of the characters are clear-cut, making them very believable. The acting is excellent and the script is fantastic, with the slight exception of a somewhat over-contradictory role written for a priest. Tension and distrust seem to be the main constants in Tony Soprano's life. You can decide if the worst thing in his life is his mother and uncle, or his crew and the Feds...or, maybe, himself. There is less screen time given to certain key "family" members in this series but it does not lessen their impact on the storyline and the addition of a few "blows-ins" adds to the tension. If you enjoy excellent acting, won't hate yourself for actually liking some things about the ruthless main protagonist, and can cope with occasional graphic violence then this set of shows is absolutely worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: It's a Family Thing....
Review: The Sopranos is one of HBO's greatest achievements (although I admit that I think it lost some of its momentum and spark with seasons three and four). When I first saw the show, I was hooked. I'd watch anywhere from three to four episodes a day. One of the great things about first watching this show on DVD was that I could watch any number of episodes instead of just watching one per week. "The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" has to be my favorite season. As much as I love the first one, this was when things were really funny, intense, dramatic and involving. The season doesn't let us down when it comes to Tony having more problems than ever before. Both in his Mafia Family and his immediate family, Tony can never get a break. His wife gives him grief while his kids keep doing things that upset him. And don't get me started on his ill mother and self-centered sister. Life isn't much better in his Mafia Family when the brother of Jackie is released from prison and is giving Tony a hard time both personally and professionally. Not to mention that his long time friend, Big P. comes back from a long hiatus when he was first suspected of turning rat to the Feds. All of this leads to one incredible and unpredictable season that showcases the show like none other. For me, this was the most entertaining season of them all. I loved the characters, the constantly changing storylines, and the personal and business life of Tony Soprano, which is superbly balanced in this season. There's still the much appreciated humor in these episodes that were found lacking in the next two seasons. It doesn't feel like a soap opera, but a more enhanced look into the Mafia world. There's plenty of action as well as dramatic storylines that will make everybody happy for the most part. This season comes in a set of four discs, totaling at 13 episodes. The great thing about the show is that it is presented to us in a widescreen format that is enhanced for widescreen TVs. This really makes the show that more effective because you feel like you're actually watching a movie rather than a show on cable. The picture and sound quality is great and really shows. There are some nice little extras, such as featurettes, brief previews and recaps of episodes, web-links and more. "The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" is a bundle of laughs, suspense, drama, action and surprises. You're always on your toes and you never know what's coming next. One thing's for sure; this is the most unpredictable season out of the four seasons (the fifth one looks pretty promising thus far). While you'll want to start with the first season if you've never seen the show before, you'll know that you will have something special to look forward to once you get to the second season. In my opinion, this is where Sopranos is flawlessly at its best. -Michael Crane
Rating: 
Summary: The 'Soap'ranos
Review: THE SOPRANOS second season is a great follow-up to the superior first season. Although, this time around, we seem to be heading in more of a soap opera... errr... afternoon drama arena. One of the elements that made the first season so good was it played like a collection of short films that eventually connect by a common theme. This second season only plays as part of the series... Each episode leads to the next one. So, when seen out of order could cause confusion. But, if you are looking at buying this DVD set, there is no reason you'd have to see it out of order so; there is nothing to worry about. So, this second season finds Tony returning to therapy. His mother has been reduced to a patient. His wife Carmela is still watching out for her family's best interest as Meadow prepares for college and AJ prepares for the next video game release. Uncle Junior is eventually under house arrest. And Tony's gang shrinks and grows. A couple of the episodes play extremely artsy, almost to the point of annoying, but past that, it's easy to get hooked. Season Three has just made its DVD debut... Bada Bing.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Drama on Television Gets Even Better!
Review: I originally rented the first season of the Sopranos on DVD and ended up watching all thirteen episodes over a two day period. I went out and bought the second season as a Christmas present for myself and I am pleased to say it surpassed even my lofty expectations! The season starts out where the last one left off. Tony's not talking to his mother, Uncle Junior's been arrested and is let out on house arrest, Big Pussy's is now an FBI informant, and Dr. Melfi's seeing patients in a motel. But things get turned upsided down with the addition of two new characters: Tony's sister Janice (aka Parvati) and Richie Aprile, the brother of the late former boss Jackie Aprile and Janice's former lover. He's just been released from prison and is looking for a piece of the action, both from Tony and from Janice. I'm not going to spoil the season for you by running down every episode, but every episode, while self-contained, helps paint a piece of the larger picture of the season. Everything is covered here from the relationship between Tony and Dr. Melfi to a friend's gambling problem to a power struggle at the type to a final farewell to a major player in the Sopranos. I know the high price might keep some people from buying the set, but it is well worth it! If you get the chance, buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Every time I think I'm out, it pulls me back in!
Review: Things are going pretty well for Tony Soprano at the beginning of the second season of "The Sopranos." With most of his enemies safely sidelined, he is the unchallenged boss of the New Jersey mob, with lots of lucrative business opportunities presenting themselves. Yet, as always, new problems present themselves. His kids Meadow and A.J. are as rebellious as ever, and wife Carmela is increasingly fed up with Tony's absences, infidelities and fits of temper. Janice, his hippie-dippy sister, shows up unexpectedly. Richie Aprile, a mobster so greedy and violent that he scares even Tony, is released from prison and starts muscling in on Tony's business. Dr. Melfi, Tony's shrink, refuses to talk to him. And then, as always, there are the feds... As always, "Sopranos" creator David Chase and his superb team of writers cook up a fascinating, mesmerizing witch's brew of money, murder and various misbehaviors, enacted by what may well be the best ensemble cast in the history of television. (If there were a Nobel Prize for TV acting, James Gandolfini and Edie Falco certainly would be on the short list every year.) Once again, if you're offended by rough language, nudity and violence, stay away. Otherwise, be prepared to get hooked.
Rating:
Summary: A great second Season
Review: I reviewed season 1 of the Sopranos and I said that it was a modern masterpiece. I still stay true to what I said with that. Season 2 carries story lines from Season 1and as with any piece of work the characters all progress. We are introduced to new characters such as Richie Aprile & Janice Soprano. I think that the main theme of Season One was to introduce you to Tony and his crew and what they were about. Season 2 goes deeper and I would say simply the main themes are that Tony has a huge mess on his hands. If you don't want to spoil things don't read the rest of this paragraph. He still doesn't know what causes his panic attacks and Dr. Melfi doesn't want to treat him.His sister Janice is in town from Seattle and she is being a pain in Tony's ass by trying to take their mom's house and her inheritance. Tony's old friend Richie, brother of the late former mob boss Jackie, is in town and he wants a big piece of action and wants what Tony has. Most of all Tony is trying to figure out if he has a rat on his hands with Big Puss. With that said there are alot of other themes going on but those are the biggies. This season transends perfectly from season 1 and it is the second best season of the show. It never will bore you (atleast not for me). All of the characters mature and grow. Now that I said my piece for season two, I will discuss a bit about the actual dvds. The Soprano's Season 2 was released back in late 2001 and it is a four disk set. The menus are animated nicely and look pretty slick. The downside is that there aren't many special features and I think that they could have created a few for the viewers. I mean there is a featurette that is pretty boring and a few directors commentaries. Nothing really special in that department. This season is definetly worth your money, even though it is quite expensive. I suggest you buy Season 1 before buying this season. Just so you know whats going on. This is a great season and there are a few plot twists and the season finale of this show is memorable and might be the image of the show. So buy it now you will not regret it if you are a fan of the show, mafia movies, great acting, and dark humor.
Rating:
Summary: Back , better and badder
Review: I was told to go out and buy series one because I was always moaning there was nothing worth watching on TV.
"You always have to go to the cinema." But after watching series one I was hooked. So I went out and bought series two. I actually got in a lot of trouble because it cost £80 and my parents thought it was too much. Maybe. If I have to pick University or Sopranos I pick Tony and Co. The excellent thing about series two is that not only is is it well written , funny , sad and entertaining - when you finish watching it, you feel you've survived it along with Tony.That's the amazing extent The Sopranos goes to pulling you into it. And watch out after you've watched episode one. You'll watch two. Then phone work sick and watch the rest. A masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: makes me want to condone pirating
Review: "List price: $99.98"? These guys have some nerve to ask for a hundred bucks for these four dvds. Only the best masterpieces ever are worth $25 a pop, and that's usually with some phat package or some new screen format; there are hardly even any special features on here. While I agree that Sopranos is one of the greats, the first season is the only one that really needs to stand tall in the historical movies vault.
DVD companies have forgotten about the lower price that's supposed to come with bulk purchases. Why have high prices remained, even increased, constant even as DVD popularity/essentiality increases? Seriously, HBO is trying to gouge you guys. At the very least, you should rent it first, or watch it on your computer.
Rating: 
Summary: Sadly misguided...
Review: I guess what really ruined the Soprano's for me was the second season. Now, I am very hesitant to even watch the third and fourth season. The first season was a definite mindblower; my girlfriend and I watched every episode back to back for two days. Sadly, the second just wasn't up to par for me - maybe it was James Gandolfini's rather annoying impression of Robert De Niro over, and over again... or maybe I was always expecting to see Ray Liotta jump into the scene and yell "Karen, Karen!" The Soprano's has turned into an over-hyped elongated up to date version of Goodfellas. I am sure John Gotti is rolling over in his grave over these poor attempts of portraying an Italian-American family. Nothing can compare to Joe Pesci demanding why he is so funny - however, we don't need attempt after attempt to try and re-create that drama.
Unfortunately, The Soprano's has bedruged itself into another annoying cariacture of Italian Americans - as did "Married to the Mob" and "A Brooklyn Tale" - pass this sale up and rent it at Rogers...
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