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Law & Order Criminal Intent - The First Year

Law & Order Criminal Intent - The First Year

List Price: $59.98
Your Price: $53.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: amazing....
Review: I've been a fan of Law and Order for a few years now, and LO Criminal Intent is my favorite of the three, my boyfried bought the 1st season a few months ago, and we watched the whole season in about a week, it's just that good. i do have a question though, when's the next season comeing out on dvd???

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Deal!
Review: Law & Order CI is probably the best detective show out there. This is a great deal!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The mystery fan's guilty pleasure
Review: Let's be honest: The "Law & Order" franchises are not traditional "quality" television; "Criminal Intent" is not really an exception. The plots, while intriguingly intricate, rarely hold together under scrutiny. The characters are typically cyphers. The legal twists are often predictable, based on how many minutes are left to the episode, and judicial rulings have more to do with the demands of the plot than with any legal precedent. They aren't in the same class as, say, "Homicide: Life on the Street" or "The Shield".

However.

Though flawed, "Criminal Intent" is enjoyable, even to a literary purist. I catch bits and pieces of all the L&O variations (there seems to be one running on at least one channel nearly every hour of the day, sometimes); this is the only one I consider appointment viewing. In fact, it is one of only three shows that I am watching this season.

By its nature, this show succeeds or fails on the strength of D'Onofrio's performance (and, perhaps, on the viewer's tolerance of it). Goren is, to me, a beautiful character. I mean that not in the physical sense, nor in the spiritual; I mean that Goren is a complex, distinct individual, as so few television characters are lately.

In recent seasons, the writing has let D'Onofrio down; his formative past is leaned upon heavily in nearly every episode. In these early episodes, though, there is subtlety: the audience is given only hints and shadows, and the character is actually left to the actor to realize. The results are fascinating, as the viewer attempts to put together the few spoken clues and the interaction between Goren and Eames to understand this strange man.

The character of Goren is not perfectly created. Honestly, does this man speak every language, know the plot of every book ever written, have experience with every arcane profession? The few instances in which Eames instead contributes necessary information are a relief. (Erbe bears the burden of performing as "the straight man" with a refreshing matter-of-factness and simplicity.)

On the other hand, this series not only acknowledges but relies upon much more complex character motivations than I've typically ever seen on any of the other L&O series. In most shows -- and probably in most real-life crimes -- murder is usually for money or sex/love; in this show, honor and prestige and a need to prove one's worth have all been reasons behind criminal activity.

"Criminal Intent" is not perfect. It is not the best police procedural show on the air, much less ever written. The writing, plotting, and characterization can easily be criticized. The show is clearly a showcase for D'Onofrio/Goren, and the other roles suffer because of that. Despite all of this, it's a fun show to watch. This show is one of my guilty pleasures.

In terms of the DVD: To ask this price for a simple disk copy of the season, without any real extras, is nearly inexcusable. DVD recorders are not particularly common yet, but some of us have them even now. Studios currently seem to view seasons-on-disk as quick moneymakers, but this revenue stream will soon drop precipitously if the studios don't see fit to include other content.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Law And A Breed Of A Different Order (Law and Order CI)
Review: My first viewing of this popular show, happened while channel surfing. What made me pause to watch, was this tall scruffy faced man leaning sideways trying to catch the eye of a man sitting down. My First thought; "What the heck"? At first the scruffy looking guy (Vincent D'Onofrio) gave me the creeps as I watched him invade this other guys personal space. Judging by the eyes of the man sitting at the interrogation table, i would say that he more than likely felt the same way (as an actor). It isn't often a television character can become so 3 dimensional to the audience and for that reason alone I finished watching the show. It’s facinating to see these detectives solve these ‘major case files’ using: Psychology, Manipulation, Inductive as well as Deductive investigational techniques. What is perhaps more intriguing still is Goren's(D'Onofrio) 'Mensa-like' recall capacity. I sit and ponder this characters life and all that has shaped him. It should be equally noted that without the witty counter-balance of Alex ‘Eames’ (Kathryn Erbe), the character of Goren would not work nearly as well. The acting is great, the writing is smart, and the show deserves the recognition it has earned. I am pleased to see intelligent programming on televison. This DVD set is worth recommending to anyone who loves good mysteries and crime dramas.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Show, Great DVD Set
Review: My husband bought this for me as a birthday present and I honestly can't think of one I've enjoyed more. I have watched and rewatched each of the episodes on the six disc set. Each time, I see something new that I may have missed.
Vincent D'Onofrio was an inspired choice as Det. Robert Goren. I am mesmerized by his actions, even his speech patterns. He is believable as the genius detective. As Det. Alex Eames, Kathryn Erbe holds her own against D'Onofrio's strong screen presence. She reminds me of a personal friend of ours who is a police captain. Courtney B. Vance and Jamey Sheridan bring class and calm to the screen. They are incredibly underrated, as is the entire cast.
I did wish there were more extras in the dvd set. I wanted to know more behind the scenes details. But, from the beginning of the episode "One" through the extras at the end of disc six, I was pleased.
I wish they would hurry up and release Season 2. I know my husband wishes it as well! He'd like to hear some new dialogue!
This time put in more extras.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great cast and writing make this series a winner!
Review: Only an actor as good as Vincent D'Onofrio can take what could have been just another TV cop and turn him into the most intriguing character on TV. I look forward every week to see how Bobby Goren's wiles will be used this time to bring the culprit to justice. Depending on what needs to be done, Goren can be arrogant, vulnerable, sympathetic, cruel, sweet, hilarious, or whip out some esoteric bit of knowledge that makes everything fall into place. I think of Goren as a frustrated actor who uses the interrogation room as his stage.

D'Onofrio's voice can be hypnotic, going from a soft seductive purr to a clap of thunder in the space of one scene. His voice can be nearly as silkily mesmerizing as that of co-star Courtney B. Vance, and that's saying something!

While for me D'Onofrio is the main attraction, it's not the only reason I like Criminal Intent. The plots are the best written of all the Law & Orders, using twists, turns, and red herrings worthy of the best mystery writers.

While Kathryn Erbe as Eames may at first seem to be in Goren's shadow, I think as you watch her over several episodes, it becomes clear that her character is the perfect complement to Goren. She stays strong and grounded and tends to the details while Goren weaves together the big picture.

This collection of the first year's episodes was a welcome treat for me. From the first episode, both the cast and stories were polished and well-crafted, as if the team had been together for a long time. I highly recommend this DVD collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another Excellent "Law & Order" series
Review: Out of all of the "Law & Order" spin offs this is the best. If you like "Law & Order" get this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best of Law and Order Series
Review: The Law & Order franchise gets better with each installment. Criminal Intent is brilliantly crafted and acted. Goren is the most interesting character to come along in a long while, and Vincent D'Onofrio is hypnotic. Kathryn Urbe's Eames is a perfect foil. Criminal Intent is the best of the L&O stable. Don't miss this first season!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best of Law and Order Series
Review: The Law & Order franchise gets better with each installment. Criminal Intent is brilliantly crafted and acted. Goren is the most interesting character to come along in a long while, and Vincent D'Onofrio is hypnotic. Kathryn Urbe's Eames is a perfect foil. Criminal Intent is the best of the L&O stable. Don't miss this first season!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Goren, lots and lots of Goren
Review: This Law & Order series is a wee bit different from the others in that it doesn't fit the ensemble approach of the other franchises. L&O: Criminal Intent is about Bobby Goren and how he approaches cases and interacts with his partner, colleagues, and others.

You either love the Goren character or can't stand him. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Personally, I fall into the first catagory. Oddly enough, in my family, the men don't particularly care for Goren and the women adore him. I won't speculate on the basis for this pattern.

If you are a fan of L&O:CI, this should be in your library. If you're sweet on Vincent D'Onofrio or the Goren character, you may wear these DVD's out from overplaying.


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