If you’ve never seen “Supernatural”, give it a shot, especially since every season is finally available on Blu-ray. Overall, this is a worthy package with good audio and video transfers, an OK array of features and since the MSRP is low, I’d say upgrade your DVD copy!
“Supernatural” The Complete Second Season (2006-07)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Fantasy, Drama, Thriller
Warner Bros. | NR – 903 min. – $59.98 | June 14, 2011
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: NA
Writer(s): Eric Kripke (created by)
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles
DISC INFO:
Features: 2 Episode Commentaries, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel
Number of Discs: 4
Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.78
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
THE MOVIE – 4.75/5
WB. Anyone actually remember that network? Before it and UPN merged into the CW Network, we had a vast array of Sci-fiish genre shows: “Smallville”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, “Birds of Prey” and “Enterprise”. For some reason, most people forget about “Supernatural”. It was one of only a few shows picked up in the merger (nearly everything else was UPN – which makes sense since Dawn Ostroff, President of UPN, was becoming President of the CW). Heck, I knew about the show but never bothered to tune in simply because it just looked like a really goofy show. It wasn’t until season 4 hit Blu-ray that I decided to give the show a shot and watched all the previous seasons back-to-back in the matter of a month or so and got all caught up. Damn… what a terrific show. CW made a good choice to rescue this show for its second season.
Plot: Sam Winchester (JARED PADALECKI) grew up hunting terrifying things. But that’s all in the past. Law school beckons him, so he does the smart thing and chooses a path that does not involve Werewolves, Vampires and Ghosts. That is until Sam’s older brother Dean (JENSEN ACKLES) appears with troubling news: their father has disappeared, a man who hunted evil for 22 years. To find their father, the two brothers must hunt what their father hunts… and Sam must return to the life he thought he’d left years ago.
It’s been ages now since Season 2 hit DVD, and over a year since season one finally came out on Blu-ray. But at last, “Supernatural” now has all seasons available on Blu-ray, including two that were considered ‘catalog’ at the time of their release. So is it worth it?
With a renewal behind its belt, “Supernatural” is finally free to delve head first into pure mythology and story arcs. While there are still a few Monster of the Week episodes sprinkled throughout, Season Two has a gripping storyline that many fans consider the best.
After Sam finds out he’s not 100% human (i.e., he’s part demon – thank’s yellow eyes!) and Dean gets something terrifying whispered into his ear by they’re dying father, the two Winchester’s embark on many journeys which leads them to a rather interesting finale – several “special children” are transported to a ghost town where they battle it out until only one is left.
If there is one misstep – and there is – it’s the demon bar. The show barely survived the WB/UPN purge, and because of that, it was infused with some “notes” from the CW. 1. They boys need a place to hang out. 2. Toss in some ladies!
Well, the hangout turned out to be a bar run by an older lady (Ellen), a younger girl (Jo), and an annoying hick who was super-smart. The problem is, the whole bar never really worked out. The show is about two brothers driving in a 67 Impala hunting down the baddies. When they drive all over America, why would they just randomly decide to take a 500 mile detour to hang out? Never. Thankfully, the bar was blown up, killing the hick, while Ellen and Jo survived to fight another day (until Season 5….). Jo, while a good idea to toss in a good looking lady to appeal to the Brothers, never really worked since she felt more like a sister type and not the ‘let’s go do the dirty’ type. Oh well.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3/5
BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES – 2/5
All presented in SD unless otherwise mentioned. This release includes not only an attractive ‘shiny’ slip cover, but an episode guide as well.
Commentary Tracks for the following Episodes:
“In My Time of Dying” with Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Cyrus Yavneh
“What Is and What Should Never Be” with Eic Kripke
“All Hell Breaks Loose” with Sera Gamble, Robert Singer and Eric Kripke
Deleted Scenes (8 Minutes) – There are a few cut scenes from “In My Time of Dying”, “Bloodlust”, “The Usual Suspects” and “Hunted”; nothing worth mentioning here.
Devil’s Road Map (SD and HD) – Much like the First Season on Blu-ray, this interactive features unlocks hours of additional content including interviews, set design, new footage etc. Best feature on the disc.
And finally we get a Gag Reel (9 Minutes).
VIDEO – 4/5
“Supernatural” The Complete Second Season is presented in 1.78:1 (VC1) on 4 BD50 Discs. Since this is one of Warner’s first catalog TV on Blu-ray releases, I set my expectations to it simply be average. I was wrong. This season looks pretty darn good on Blu-ray. I did a quick comparison between it and the DVD and found the Blu-ray to have an improved image, better color, and got rid of some of the dirt and crap the very low budget first season had. While it’s not as nice as season three or four, you’re getting to watch the way it was meant to be seen; especially since I don’t recall UPN ever being available in HD and the show was just recently sold into syndication.
AUDIO – 4/5
Warner has included an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track as well as an English, French and Spanish 2.0 tracks. Much like previous Blu-ray release, no lossless. But you’re not really losing much as the rears are not used often, and dialogue sounds good.
OVERALL – 4.25/5
If you’ve never seen “Supernatural”, give it a shot, especially since every season is finally available on Blu-ray. Overall, this is a worthy package with good audio and video transfers, an OK array of features and since the MSRP is low, I’d say upgrade your DVD copy!
Brad Lowenberg
Published: 06/17/2011
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2.