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Alias - The Complete Third Season

Alias - The Complete Third Season

List Price: $69.99
Your Price: $52.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Ian Fleming Would Be Proud
Review: "Alias" is creator J.J. Abrams' slick TV update of James Bond, Mission Impossible, and the Avengers for the 21st Century. Sure, it has about as much to do with the real CIA as a can of Chef Boyardee has to do with authentic Italian cuisine, but that isn't the point. Abrams has given his audience a delicious spy fantasy worthy of some of Ian Fleming's novels, and "Alias" is an incredible success on its own terms.

All "Alias" seasons thusfar are enjoyable, but the third season may be best suited for DVD. Abrams decided to weave individual episode plots into a larger story arc with three key components. Firstly, there's the mystery of agent Sydney Bristow(lead actress Jennifer Garner)'s amnesia for the past two years. Secondly, there's the rise of a new terrorist organization called the Covenant, featuring the villainous Sark (David Anders). Last, but not least, is the enigmatic (and supposedly reformed criminal mastermind) Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin), and his attempts to manipulate and coerce those around him to do his bidding.

"Alias" packs a powerful punch where other, similar series can only muster a limp wrist-slapping. Credit is due to Abrams' stress on family and interpersonal relationships, his creation of believable supporting characters, and an excellent array of character actors employed to bring Abrams' vision to life. Garner attracts most of the media's attention (and understandably so, since she's not only beautiful and talented but also possesses a charming girlish quality) - but it's the rest of the cast that kept me tuning in time and time again. Unlike "Dark Angel," which debuted at around the same time, "Alias" prefers not to use its supporting characters as comic relief. I'm not entirely thrilled about the series' repeated interludes regarding the mysterious Renaissance "prophet" Rambaldi and his many inventions, but it does provide Abrams with a "DaVinci Code"-style twist that traditional spy dramas don't have.

I can't and won't reveal any of the plot twists and turns. Taken as a whole, this is a very enjoyable 22 hours for anyone who likes cloak-and-dagger material. Even the extras make for fun viewing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Season 3 Proves That "Alias" Will Never Be Flawed
Review: "Alias" is the best show on television. Period.

From the beginning, the show has been nothing but purely original, captivating, exciting, entertaining, emotional, beautiful, gritty, and intelligent. It looks like nothing else on TV, it sounds like nothing else on TV, and when you watch it, you have no choice but to become engrossed in the storyline and in the characters.

Seasons 1 and 2 were pretty straight forward until midway through season 2 when the SD-6 element was removed from the show. Some fans and critics became skeptical that the show would simplify itself in order to grab more viewers. But anyone who's watched the show since then knows that it is still the most complex and suprising show on the air (and really, we had to get rid of SD-6...How many more times could Syd be suspected of double-agentry without being found out?).

Season 3 has proved to be another test of the audience's devotion. Many people have said that this current season (season 3) is subparr and that it just hasn't lived up to the previous two. I disagree, and here's why:

--There is no other show that has changed its direction so quickly while still maintaining the heart of the show. Each season has been astonishingly different from the last and each season the writing is consistently superb and the story lines remain fresh.

--"Alias" is the art of storytelling. If nothing else, the viewer feels he gets closer to the bigger picture of the "Alias" universe with each episode. 5 episodes until the end of season 3, we are still going back and filling in pieces from season 1. It is a puzzle that is continuously being filled in and no other show has the same constantness. Season 3 may be different from the first two, but in its own right it is still uniquely "Alias" and is every bit as addicting as the previous two years have been.

--The show never fails to shock and amaze. Just when you think you have one thing figured out, another secret will be revealed. Makes for compelling storytelling and TV.

--THe acting is just superb. If Jennifer Garner's Golden Globe and 2 Emmy nominations don't speak for themselves, then just watch the emotional scene at the end of "The Two" with her and Michael Vartan (Vaughn) in the hallway in which she expresses her hurt over his betrayal. There is not an actor on the show who disappoints.

My only complaint is that Irina (Sydney's mother, played by Lena Olin) was absent this season. She brought so much to the show last year, and while they've gotten along just fine without her, I miss her character and her interaction with Sydney and Jack. But it appears as if it may be shaping up for her return, so let's cross our fingers.

All in all, I would say that I know the show won't always please everyone, but don't dismiss this season based on it's different direction. It is still stellar, perfect television and will no doubt hook you in and have you craving for season 4 to start next fall.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Alias continues to excel
Review: (...) Characters like Lauren and Robert Lindsay are not SUPPOSED to be likeable -- they are VILLAINS. And trying to say that Sydney is not someone you root for leaves me wondering -- why are you bothering to watch the show then? Rooting for Sydney is what it is all about. For those people saying she has no "spine" -- you try losing all memory of two years of your life and see how you react to it.

Season 3 has already had some incredible "oh my god" moments, and for that reason alone I will buy this -- one for me and one for my friend in Denmark who loves the show and can't see current episodes over there. This is definitely on my must have list.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolutely great!
Review: (...)P>The mystery regarding Sydney's 2 missing years was absolutely great - Julia Thorne, The Rambaldi Cube, Sydney going under the alias of Julia to try to find out what happened, and so many great missions and mysteries. Now there's the whole thing with The Covenant... and Sloane - who knows whether he's good or bad - that whole mystery is really interesting. And Lauren will be discovered - and Vaughn will turn the tables on her and start spying on her. Who knows what the CIA will do when they find out she's been deceiving them.

With 5 episodes left at this point, I can't wait to see what's gonna happen, and apparently, there's gonna be a new family member for Sydney in the last 3 episodes. Plus, Lena Olin might come back for an episode...(...)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Promising
Review: A lot of people are saying how much they don't like this season but "hello!" it's not over yet people! However, (...) the season will be coming to a close soon and I think it's safe to say that this is a pretty good season; it's very promising. I do agree with other critics that nothing can top Irina in the second season, but that's okay since I hear she might come back occasionally. I am enjoying the season villains for this year: the Covenant. I especially like Bomani. I also think the dynamic duo of Lauren and Mr. Sark is great. Sark is really getting his chance to shine in this season. Also, I've been reading spoilers and I can assure the critics who don't like this season so far that the best is yet to come. Anybody who's missing the family affair that was going on last season is going to love what's going to happen at the end of this month. Also, many people hate Lauren and I can understand it but I don't think they should. I admit, I hated Lauren when we all thought she was just the "other woman" but I actually like her as a villain. Plus, with episodes like: The Two, A Missing Link, After Six, Blowback, Facade, and the Frame, I can deduce that this is going to be a good season. I really can't see how they're going to top last season's cliffhanger though. Overall, I liked the second season a lot, but so far I think Alias is one of those shows that gets better as it progresses.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Disapointing Third season for Alias
Review: After two incredidibly good seasons, Alias came back to earth in season 3, which Alias creator JJ Abrams himself admitted being terrible. Indeed, Lena Olin's absence from the cast was deeply felt, as well as a lack of exciting ideas. The first half of the season about Sidney's disappearance was plain boring. Still, the second half rocked and gives hope for season four. So season 3 is not a complete failure but is still a huge disapointment compared to the prfection of season 1 and 2

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best ever...
Review: Ahh..sigh...another great season...yes, I got concerned that the writers will tap out of the creative fountain of excellent story telling, but nope...still strong...which proves this has got to be the best series ever. The season 4 finale just aired on TV and left me wanting more...I swear I could leave live just watching these episodes forever :-) yeah..it is that good and I am sooo picky. If you have not seen or watched any of these, then give yourself a special treat...buy all the Alias sets. Truly worth a 100 star rating, not just the 5 allowed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great- But we have seen better
Review: Alais is amazing there is no doubt, and this year has kept that standard. In the past season, there has been alot more love, and I have found that there were a few episodes that ended where the ystarted (like 24 this season also). But its Alias. And it is amazing. Any Alias fan MUSt have these DVDs, love the season or not. Not as good as season 1, and few things wil comparet oseason 2, but this has been a great season.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Please Give Season 3 A Chance
Review: Alias is an amazing, amazing show - so much of an amazing show that I have complete and total faith in it.

Like most Alias fans, I love Sydney & Vaughn so the beginning of this season was a little trying on my patience, but I know that eventually my couple will reunite. I do understand why they did it what they did -- this season has given the chance for these characters to grow.

Do I think this is the best season yet? No. Did it live up to its second season? Not really. But, was it a failure? Not by any means at all. It is still the most entertaining hour that television has to offer. Jennifer Garner is an amazing actress that constanly amazes me. Victor Garber makes me smile everytime he graces our screens. And Michael Vartan and Greg Grunberg simply just make me happy :-)

Please give season 3 of Alias a chance. JJ Abrams' shows are never neat, they are never simple -- look at Felicity. But I can promise you that if you stay on for the ride, you will not regret it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Yummy Alias
Review: Alias is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I've been watching since the pilot got me completely hooked and have found that as the seasons progress the show only seems to get better. The third season introduces new characters and new twists on the story, and places the completely likeable Sydney and Vaughn in a strange love triangle. Not only must Sydney overcome her feelings towards Vaughn, but she must also figure out what has happened to two years of her life. I wasn't wild about the plot twist when it was first introduced, but now that I've seen it progress I find it extremely exciting and heartwrenching!

As the season unfolds you learn what's been going on with the characters over Sydney's lost two years, but are left wondering about her until the middle. New enemies are introduced and they make you want to rip them to shreads, leaving you yelling at the screen when they do something to hurt Syd, Jack or Vaughn. And of course, new allies are also introduced, leaving you ready for a tissue at the end!

If anything, the third season has created more of a fan base. Forums are packed with people raving about their love of Sydney and Vaughn, and of course, their hatred of Lauren!

Admittedly however, Alias seems to only be for intelligent viewers. If you enjoy mind games, plot twists, and hidden innuendoes then this is obviously a must have. If you don't like having to think about what's going on and prefer obvious plot changes and an easy going atmosphere within a show then perhaps you may want to skip on it!...


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