7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Follows the journey of a time traveler from the post-apocalyptic future who appears in present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will nearly destroy the human race.
Starring: Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Kirk Acevedo, Noah Bean, Emily HampshireThriller | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
There's something about time travel -- not the insanely complex science, not even the appeal of the "simple" act of visiting a different era -- that continues to draw film and television viewers. Maybe more than the superficialities or the science it’s the opportunity to change the past, the ability to alter a future for one's own benefit. After all, hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. But at what cost to oneself, the ones they love, and the world at large? It's always been mind-bending, fascinating stuff, to think of the possibilities, to imagine the rewards or, for the wise, cringe at the potential for disaster. Or, maybe, it’s the fascination with the possibilities of simply toying with the timeline, of shaking things up more in a sophomoric manner and less for some selfish or nefarious purpose -- a high-tech gag, as it were. Or maybe it comes down to simple human nature and curiosity, more dreaming about the possibilities and the battling the impossibilities of an ever-changing future and past. 12 Monkeys Season Two continues to explore multiple variations of the themes, rewards, and consequences involved with time travel as it strays even further from the original film on which it was loosely based but, with its many twists and turns, finds its own place in the ever-expanding universe of brain-bending time travel tales. Newcomers to the show, of course, are encouraged to begin with season one and should not proceed further in the content-review section without watching that season first.
This is familiar.
As with most contemporary TV shows, 12 Monkeys: Season Two was digitally shot. It makes the transition to Blu-ray nicely, with the 1080p/1.78:1 presentation holding up well and presenting the show and its stylings with the appropriate level of clarity. 12 Monkeys can be fairly dark, bleak, and low-light or warmly lit. Source noise is evident and prevalent throughout the season, rarely to excess but it's definitely going to draw the eye. Otherwise, there's not a lot of room for complaint. Details hold up well. The show is never particularly striking in terms of its raw complexity and intimacy, but basic facial features -- pores, scruff, beards, even subcutaneous elements like blood veins -- are naturally revealing and clearly defined, even through some of the murkier and lower-light elements. General image stability and complexity fare well, with environmental details holding strong under most any condition or, perhaps more apropos to the show, in any time frame, whether the more welcoming and soft 1940s, the dense present day, or the gritty future setting. As noted, the show can be fairly drab, and the color palette is reflective of that. It's often somewhat industrial, bleak, built around shades of gray and blue. There's no shortage of color, though. Reds in particular play a critical role, at times, but the show doesn't often push exceedingly bright and/or cheerful. Support shades are nicely defined and are well-startuted, even if it's something as simple as lipstick or a few natural greens. Black levels, critical to much of the program, are deep and rarely push too far pale. Skin tones appear fine within the contextual color scheme. The image is neither visually striking nor in any way disappointing. Technically solid and enjoyable but, at this stage of the Blu-ray game, hardly noteworthy, it will please audiences without drawing any positive or negative attention to itself.
12 Monkeys: Season Two features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's amongst the tops one will find for a TV show. Bursts of energy are commonplace. Low end depth, push, and tightness are excellent. Deep, penetrating sounds power through the stage with incredible intensity. Episode three's waning minutes is a good example of both the low end's potency and the track's ability to fully saturate the stage and deliver a seamless rush of energy through it. The time machine is particularly noteworthy for its complex barrage of activity. Music is well defined, nicely spaced and very clear, whether the title theme or vintage 1940s tunes heard on a record player. Explosions are hefty and punishing while gunshots crack from all corners of the stage with impressive intensity in power and volume. Supportive atmospherics are well integrated through the stage, including the backs. Air raid sirens in episode three wail through the back with eerie intensity and authenticity, while smaller environmental nuances help define various locales and draw the listener into them. Dialogue is clearly defined and enjoys natural front-center placement and prioritization. A larger sense of space is evident when words reverberate around more cavernous locales.
12 Monkeys: Season Two contains extras across all three discs. No DVD or digital versions are included.
Disc One:
12 Monkeys: Season Two turns the show on its head, and in a good way. Vastly different but still very familiar, smart but sensible, intense but accessible, and capable of playing with the notions of time, identity, place, and all of the physical and emotional turmoil that goes with time travel, the story is a natural fit for the television format and while still not as epic as the original film masterpiece, it makes for good, often riveting, television, complete with quality production values and well defined characters. This is the sort of show SyFY was created for. Universal's Blu-ray is well-rounded, features quality video, outstanding audio, and a nice assortment of bonus content. Highly recommended in conjunction with season one.
2015
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2015-2018
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2013
2006
50th Anniversary Special
2013
2015
Masterpiece Classic: Page Eight
2011
1995
2007
2011
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2001-2006
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1986
2016
2015
The George Lucas Director's Cut
1971
2009
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1983
2011