Rating: Summary: Meet the other Highlander. Review: Well, one day producers Bill Panzer and Pete Davis had themselves a sit-down. They said, "We got us one great movie that did nicely in Europe but flopped us a pancake in the U.S. o' A. Wait a minute - we also got us a really, really bad movie that flopped everywhere. So what in the blazes do you we do now?" Of course, the answer was simple: make a TV series!Well - maybe not that simple. THE SERIES Highlander (also known as Highlander: The Series) began its television life in 1992. Ladies' man Adrian Paul (once considered for the role of James Bond) played 400-year-old Duncan MacLeod, part of a race of Immortals who lurk in society's shadows. You cannot kill them, and they will live forever - unless, of course, you grab your trusty sword and decapitate them. The first season of Highlander was all about grabbing an audience, and allowing the show to find its footing. The show got off to a reasonable start with its premiere episode, "The Gathering" (which featured Christopher Lambert, star of the film series). Eventually, the show began to evolve from an oddball sci-fi actioner to a sci-fi/action drama with brains. One of the best things about the first season of the show is watching its evolution, which is wonderfully apparent throughout the 22 episodes. [7/10] THE VIDEO Anchor Bay is my favorite DVD manufacturer. Never before have I come across a bad A.B. DVD, and Highlander is, happily, not the first. The video isn't excellent - there is some grain around here, and the first episode is very dark - but its enough to make anyone happy. [7/10] THE AUDIO Anchor Bay has done a great job with the audio. It sounds great in surround speakers (Queen rocks better than ever, man!). During the Quickenings, the effect of the scene is heightened by the booming surround. The 5.1 mix is great; my only complaint is that quite often Roger Bellon's score goes way above the speaking of the characters, which can become annoying. [8/10] THE EXTRAS As always, Anchor Bay meets my expectations. There is Watcher Chronicles for the true Immie fan (although the Watchers didn't actually feature in the show until the second season), as well as a feature that allows you to go straight to the Quickening in each episode. The final disc also includes an enjoyable Blooper Reel as well as scripts for all 22 episodes and a series promo. [9/10] All in all, Highlander: The Series gets off to a great start on DVD thanks to Anchor Bay. Any Highlander fan will be completely satisfied. Great job, Anchor Bay! OVERALL: [8/10] ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE SERIES: [7/10] Fine start to an outstanding show. THE VIDEO: [7/10] Nice job. Some grain, but nothing too bothersome. THE AUDIO: [8/10] Occasional unbalance, but a great 5.1 mix nonetheless. THE EXTRAS: [9/10] Enough to satisfy the Immortal inside anyone and everyone! OVERALL SCORE: [8/10] Highlander: The Series rocked 12 years ago, and now - thanks to Anchor Bay - it rocks again. - Thomas Benton
Rating: Summary: Meet the other Highlander. Review: Well, one day producers Bill Panzer and Pete Davis had themselves a sit-down. They said, "We got us one great movie that did nicely in Europe but flopped us a pancake in the U.S. o' A. Wait a minute - we also got us a really, really bad movie that flopped everywhere. So what in the blazes do you we do now?" Of course, the answer was simple: make a TV series! Well - maybe not that simple. THE SERIES Highlander (also known as Highlander: The Series) began its television life in 1992. Ladies' man Adrian Paul (once considered for the role of James Bond) played 400-year-old Duncan MacLeod, part of a race of Immortals who lurk in society's shadows. You cannot kill them, and they will live forever - unless, of course, you grab your trusty sword and decapitate them. The first season of Highlander was all about grabbing an audience, and allowing the show to find its footing. The show got off to a reasonable start with its premiere episode, "The Gathering" (which featured Christopher Lambert, star of the film series). Eventually, the show began to evolve from an oddball sci-fi actioner to a sci-fi/action drama with brains. One of the best things about the first season of the show is watching its evolution, which is wonderfully apparent throughout the 22 episodes. [7/10] THE VIDEO Anchor Bay is my favorite DVD manufacturer. Never before have I come across a bad A.B. DVD, and Highlander is, happily, not the first. The video isn't excellent - there is some grain around here, and the first episode is very dark - but its enough to make anyone happy. [7/10] THE AUDIO Anchor Bay has done a great job with the audio. It sounds great in surround speakers (Queen rocks better than ever, man!). During the Quickenings, the effect of the scene is heightened by the booming surround. The 5.1 mix is great; my only complaint is that quite often Roger Bellon's score goes way above the speaking of the characters, which can become annoying. [8/10] THE EXTRAS As always, Anchor Bay meets my expectations. There is Watcher Chronicles for the true Immie fan (although the Watchers didn't actually feature in the show until the second season), as well as a feature that allows you to go straight to the Quickening in each episode. The final disc also includes an enjoyable Blooper Reel as well as scripts for all 22 episodes and a series promo. [9/10] All in all, Highlander: The Series gets off to a great start on DVD thanks to Anchor Bay. Any Highlander fan will be completely satisfied. Great job, Anchor Bay! OVERALL: [8/10] ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE SERIES: [7/10] Fine start to an outstanding show. THE VIDEO: [7/10] Nice job. Some grain, but nothing too bothersome. THE AUDIO: [8/10] Occasional unbalance, but a great 5.1 mix nonetheless. THE EXTRAS: [9/10] Enough to satisfy the Immortal inside anyone and everyone! OVERALL SCORE: [8/10] Highlander: The Series rocked 12 years ago, and now - thanks to Anchor Bay - it rocks again. - Thomas Benton
Rating: Summary: Where are the CLOSED CAPTIONS or SUBTITLED? Review: When it first came out on television on USA station, along with Le Femme Nikita, both shows I never missed an episode! I even taped it so I can watch it over and over again. But when I first purchased the DVD set few years ago, I was really disappointed it wasnt CLOSED CAPTIONES or not equipped with SUBTITLED feature like most DVDs out there! I gave it a 3 stars, a missing star for each feature! I hope they add those features for old and new fans alike!
Rating: Summary: Best Buy has for much cheaper Review: You can pick this up, along with all the other seasons, at Best Buy for $59.99. Not sure why Amazon.com is almost $20 more expensive.
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