It’s not always a given that a series going into its seventh season would be any good but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed NCIS: Los Angeles thus far and appreciate the advancements the writers and producers have made with these characters.
“NCIS: Los Angeles”: Season 7
(2015-16)
Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Drama
Paramount | NR – 1030 min. – $55.98 | August 30, 2016
Date Published: 09/16/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE SEASON — 4.0/5 |
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Season Synopsis: Agents “G” Callen (CHRIS O’DONNELL) and Sam Hanna (LL COOL J) ratchet up the action in the seventh season of NCIS: Los Angeles. Together with Special Agent Kensi Blye (DANIELA RUSH), LAPD Detective Marty Deeks (ERIC CHRISTIAN OLSEN), computer whiz Eric Beale (BARRETT FOA) and expert analyst Neil Jones (RENEE FELICE SMITH), this A-list crew takes on international and domestic enemies, including North Korean spies, ISIS brides and Russian mobsters. Tracking the global threats that keep the world on alert, as well as the personal challenges that keep the agents on their toes, are Operations Manager Hetty Lange (LINDA HUNT) and Assistant Director Owen Granger (MIGUEL FERRER). Quick Hit Review: In some ways, I actually prefer NCIS: Los Angeles over the mother ship series and certainly far above the New Orleans spin-off which I merely tolerate because of Scott Bakula. This spin-off, now entering its seventh season, still has some compelling stories but excels with its ensemble cast which has mostly remained intact since its inception (from my recollection, only one main cast member left and that was after year 1 or 2) and has only added with the likes of Miguel Ferrer who became a series regular last season. There’s still a fair reliance on O’Donnell’s mysterious past and/or going rogue as the season started with but the writers (although we do finally find out his first name) at least devote time to the others including the continuing budding relationship between Olsen’s Deeks and Rush’s Blye (interestingly enough, Rush is married in real life to Olsen’s brother). As much as I like the bromance with Callen and Hanna, I appreciate the Deeks/Blye aspect as it’s a nice change-up. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5 |
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Matching previous seasons, the 6-disc set comes housed in a standard DVD case which slides into a matted slip cover. There’s a nice amount of features (featurettes total 1:06:10). Episode Commentaries – ‘Internal Affairs’ with Actors Daniela Rush and Eric Christian Olsen; ‘Cancel Christmas’ with Actors Reneé Felice Smith and Barrett Foa Deleted Scenes – ‘Command & Control’, ‘Defectors’, ‘Core Values’, ‘Matryoshka, Part 2’, ‘Revenge Deferred’, ‘Talion’ Celebrating 150 (5:13) – The cast and executive producer Shane Brennan look back on an astounding 150 episodes (‘Command & Control’). What’s In a Name (5:34) deals with the revelation of Callen’s name and his history. Into Africa (8:54) is a featurette on the continuing storyline involving Sam and Jada and filming in an area of Los Angeles taking place of Africa. Seeing Double (7:46) looks at the visual effects done on ‘Seventh Child’ having a child actor playing dual, well trio, roles. Getting Personal: Season 7 of NCIS: Los Angeles (24:23) centers on the character moments of the seventh season from Deeks’ arrest to the revelation of Callen’s name. Hot Property (11:21) focuses on the props and weapons departments of the series. Happy 50th NCIS (2:59) celebrates 50 years of the real NCIS agency. |
VIDEO – 4.5/5, AUDIO – 4.25/5
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| NCIS: Los Angeles comes to DVD with an anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.78 aspect ratio) and for the most part, looks pretty good providing bright, cheerful colors and no apparent signs of artifacting, aliasing or pixilation.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track provided is fairly strong between the heavy score/soundtrack to the dialogue levels which tend to be clear though at times it did top out due to poor sound design. Still, it’s a fine track with some decent depth. |
OVERALL – 4.0/5 |
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Overall, it’s not always a given that a series going into its seventh season would be any good but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed NCIS: Los Angeles thus far and appreciate the advancements the writers and producers have made with these characters. The stories are fairly well written and propelled even more by a main cast I’ve grown to love. This DVD released by Paramount has great video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material. |