Rating: 
Summary: Topped only by the following seasons
Review: Anything Sopranos on DVD is a perfect fit for those without HBO, and season one is no exception. It begins with James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano heading in for an appointment with his psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi. Although he is often frustrated with his continuing personality development sessions with the good doctor, he becomes attached to her as the season progresses. The two other forces in Tony's life are his families: One being his blood relations, and the other being his mafia business associates. Throughout the series he plays a balancing act between them. Many of the Sopranos' actors and actresses were no-names to the mass media before this season, and they unquestionably deserve their current recognition. These actors and actresses live their roles. After watching even a few episodes on these discs, you WILL think Tony and Carmela, not James and Edie. These people are this good. Just wait until you meet Ralphie two seasons later! Negatives? The special features in this box set are not as special one may expect. As for the show itself, it is a bit unnerving when marriage vows are ignored and people are murdered in broad daylight without consequence. Even so, this DVD set is worth the money and then some. If you can stand profanity, violence and dark humor in the face of an excellent plot driven by incredible character performances, this show is for you. This is the opening season to the best television drama to date.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad people!!
Review: The people on this show are so mean to each other. They holler and cuss all the time, and even worse, sometimes they kill each other. If it's supposed to be a family show why can't they be nice. It is shows like this with all the violence, bad language, and cruelty to mankind that is helping make this nation go downhill.
Rating:
Summary: Is this the best TV series ever, or what?
Review: I don't subscribe to HBO, so my recent purchase of a DVD player has opened to me the crazed, profane, fascinating world of "The Sopranos." After having watched the complete first season and most of the second, I have no doubt that this show is unique--and uniquely excellent--in the annals of television. Each episode is as tighly written and superbly acted as an excellent movie, but the series structure allows creator David Chase and his writers to expand and complicate the characters as you would in a serialized novel. The effect is like a collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Charles Dickens! You feel that "The Sopranos" gives the most complete picture of life in the mob of any movie or TV series ever; "The Godfather" and even "GoodFellas" seem hopelessly romanticized by comparison. (Tellingly, Tony's crew quotes "The Godfather" constantly, trying to make their sordid lives into the stuff of movie glamor.) Virtually every character on the show is complex and interesting enough to devote an entire column to, but you can't write anything meaningful about "The Sopranos" without discussing the central character, Tony Soprano. Greedy and violent, yet also possessed of charm and organizational ability, Tony seems to have compartmentalized his life comfortably into his "business" life--i.e. stealing and murdering--and his family life. That is, until he starts having blackouts... In any case, Tony is a larger-than-life character, and James Gandolfini does an incredible job in bringing him to life, with all his contradictions, doubts and sudden rages. As Gandolfini plays him, Tony is Henry VIII with a Joisey accent, or Ralph Kramden with a .38. All the other performers--Edie Falco as Carmela, Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Melfi, Michael Imperioli as Christopher--likewise manage incredible balancing acts with their characters. But special mention must be made of Nancy Marchand--formerly famous for playing patrician roles--as Livia, Tony's bitter and paranoid mom, an emasculating mother if there ever was one.
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Season!
Review: Season 1 of the Sopranos was one of the best series ever made. Each episode was well directed and the characters were compelling and believable (the other 4 seasons are by no means close in comparison). A mob family in turmoil after its boss is suffering cancer. Tony and Corado Soprano compete for succession as boss. Tony, decides it is better to let Corado be boss and have the Feds chase him while Tony himself runs his own little group with no government pressure. Tony cannot deal with his daily stress and starts seeing a psychiatrist, brilliantly played by Lorraine Bracco. The exchanges between the two become the highlight of the first season. Basically, Tony is more happy with animals than people and this is because of a controlling mother that never loved him. In fact during the season his mother plots with Corado to have Tony bumped off. Tony has a very loyal wife that tries to overlook his "indiscretions" with other women while trying to come to an understanding about her own religious beliefs. The two have two adolecent children that have "real" problems like all other kids. During the season the two come to realize that there is more to their father's "business" than they thought. Great character actors make up Tony's mob. Should not be missed!
Rating:
Summary: BEST SHOW ON TV!!!!
Review: This is defenitely my favorite TV show right now and of all time. I love the Mafia movies and books so I knew I would love this show. Its been a while since I have watched the 1st season but it does a great job of showing you an introduction to the characters as it goes through the season and all the problems everyone experiences. I would never think that a series like this would have me laughing but some of the things in this show are too funny not to laugh at. When I bought the first season I found it hard to quit watching it. I recommend this for EVERYONE. Its great for anyone who loves drama series. Even if your not into the whole "MAFIA" thing, its still a great show with much more than that.
Rating:
Summary: excellent show with a nice, modern take
Review: Don't be fooled by my 'one star'. I do that because people always stop at them. I love this show! At first, I was worried it would be too melodramatic, too exagerrated.... like the Godfather. I was pleasently proven incorrect! The show is a treat in many ways, and each of the episodes, although consistent in story, has its own style and personality, depending upon who wrote it. Now granted, the show is indeed very exaggerrated, but hey it's TV. But what I'm pleased with is the fact that it isn't too mushy and melodramatic. It has it's light moments, as well. I find Tony's relationship with his mother particularly hilarious, but that's only because that's exactly the way I see my relatives all get along. Also, the show is modernized (for the most part - some of Tony's crew seem like they're stuck in the Rat-Pack era a little too much to me.) Do they have classic Mob elements, too? Of course! Take one look at the stubborn old bat Uncle Junior for a perfect indicator. The man is stuck in the 40's and 50's and is pissed off at the concept of change. His personality and style give off a hint of classic Mafia film noire, which I enjoy. That all said, as the show seems to have a little bit of everything, lemme go into this whole Italian-American stereotyping crap. I'm an Italian-American. I know the portryals here are very stereotypical, and many of the modern Mafia elements themselves are, too. But why be offended?? It's a TV show, and meant to entertain only - not to educate. So those of you who are somehow offended by this show's portryal of Italian-Americans, just sit back and enjoy it for what it is - fun to watch! It's made for a mass audience who grew up on The Godfather, Scarface, and Goodfellas.
Rating:
Summary: the best series
Review: youll remember why the sopranos are so great if u watch the first season again every episode is good i sat and watched like 7 in a row its 1 of the few series were every episode os good i plan on buying the other seasons too if u want to see how the mob is in modern days buy this
Rating: 
Summary: not mario puzo material
Review: i thought that the sopranos was good at first, but too much of a good thing can be bad. I am half italian, and some of this stuff is a real insult. i paid £30 for the siries idividualy, and the're brilliant to have. 4 stars max
Rating:
Summary: Woke up this morning and got myself the Sopranos...
Review: Anyone who knows me could tell you I'm a huge fan of mob/crime films, so it's rather weird that I never had a huge interest in this show until now. I don't have HBO in my house and simply never cared enough to go out and rent/buy all four seasons. Then my parents watched it and were suddenly in love with it. Knowing that my mother wouldn't go within ten yards of a film like "Goodfellas," I figured this had to be an excellent show. And I was right. I still don't get HBO, but when I think of the past five years where I could have been watching this show on DVD instead of "Paradise Hotel" on FOX, I kick myself. I've only watched the first season and am looking forward to what comes next. "The Sopranos" is a meticulously crafted drama that's unlike anything else I've ever seen on television. Frankly, I was always just into comedy sitcoms because I didn't have the interest or patience for this type of TV. But, in "the Sopranos'" case, I'll make an exception. I'd only be cheating myself if I didn't. I might be five years late, but at least now I understand what the hype is all about. Highly recommended for other late bloomers.
Rating:
Summary: Pure genius
Review: I had never seen an episode of The Sopranos until recently. From the beginning of the first episode, I was hooked. The first episode is easily the greatest hour of television I have ever seen, it is unbelievable. The performances, particularly those by Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand are brilliant. The first season is excellent in every way. I am working my way through the second season now and have found it to be equally superb. This is the best series on television today, hands down.
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