7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
At first sight there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about flatsharers George and Mitchell, but both harbour dark secrets. Once a month, geeky hospital porter George is transformed into a rabid, flesh-tearing werewolf, while womanising, man-about-town Mitchell is trying to forego his blood-sucking vampire instincts. As they take the keys to their new home, the boys discover that their flat has another occupant - lonely ghost Annie, who died in a car accident days before she was due to marry her fiance.
Starring: Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner, Sinead Keenan, Damien MolonyFantasy | 100% |
Horror | 9% |
Comedy | 4% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
We just have to be totally and completely normal.
As the Greek gods were years ago, vampires, werewolves, and other formerly-human but now in
some way altered beings seem to have solidified themselves as the focus of modern mythology.
Vampires in particular have come to be painted in a romantic light, often depicted as elegant and
sophisticated
creatures of high society due to their infinite lifespans and, depending on when they were turned,
forever-young appearances, all despite a taste for human blood and association with the undead
and demonic spirits. Though dating back well before Bram Stoker's definitive vampire novel, it was
his words that would define the vampire mythos for almost a century, remaining the cornerstone
work of vampire lore until Author Stephanie Meyer -- for better or for worse -- redefined the
landscape in 2005 with
Twilight, that novel and its three sequels depicting a love triangle between a vampire, a
werewolf, and a human. Her novels ushered in something of a new 21st century mythology that
depicted the realities of the dynamic between
three drastically different entities attempting to not only co-exist, but to love outside their own.
The BBC's "Being Human" takes a similar concept -- it substitutes the human with a ghost and
trades the love angle for a loving but unlikely friendship -- by depicting three abnormal entities
trying to fit in, to "be
human" despite their unique circumstances and challenges. "Being Human" isn't a rip-off, but it's
stale despite the injection of the "ghost" into the otherwise standard vampire-werewolf motif. It's
solid television, but it can't shake
the feeling that it's superfluous television.
We're only in 1080i? Bloody hell!
"Being Human: Season One" scares up a decent enough 1080i, 1.78:1-framed transfer for its Blu-ray release. This is a pretty basic shot-on-video looking production; it's glossy, flat, and features minimal noise save for a bit hovering over some of the darker scenes in the show. Fine detailing is adequate but generally unimpressive; clothing, faces and facial hair, brick walls, and odds and ends scattered about the frame fail to produce that crisp, lifelike, and natural flair associated with superior transfers. Blacks are, for the most part, steady and honest, and colors, too, retain a pleasant neutrality, despite a hint of bleeding across some of the harsher shades. Though the image lacks in superior definition, it generally remains sharp, though several shots do go inexplicably but only slightly soft. Being Human: Season One never looks fantastic, but it never looks particularly messy, either. It's a slightly-above-average transfer that suits the show well enough, but its harsh video-like appearance doesn't do it any favors.
"Being Human: Season One" features a problematic and unimpressive Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. The absence of a lossless soundtrack hurts the value of the package and the quality of the listen, the latter in particular evident from the opening moments of the show forward. Even at reference volume, the track lacks sheer volume and requires an increase to make out everything that's happening. Dialogue is usually stable and clear enough, though it does tend to get lost underneath music and sound effects, when applicable. Most every element -- dialogue included -- features little in the way of definition; the track has an uninspired and tired feel to it, resulting in a mushy and shallow presentation. It also delivers minimal ambience that's limited to the front speakers; chatter and ringing phones inside the hospital or distant booming thunder lack the space needed to truly immerse the listener in the show's various environments. Perhaps most damaging to the experience are those moments where a more robust low end would have greatly aided the show; various crashes and loud effects comes across as lacking any oomph and instead play as garbled and indistinct. Unfortunately, there's also a lip sync issue plaguing this set; it's most noticeable at the beginning of episode six, but it's also present to some degree elsewhere, too. This issue was verified on two separate players. Being Human: Season One's soundtrack is easily the lowlight of this package; it gets its job done at a base level but never extends beyond the nuts-and-bolts required to get listeners through the season.
"Being Human: Season One" arrives on Blu-ray as a two-disc set, with extra content to be found on both platters. Disc one begins with an alternate scene from episode three (480p, 1:02). Character Profiles (480p, 20:03) features several primary actors discussing their roles and characters in the show. Vamping it Up (480p, 4:06) looks at the "rules" of being a vampire in "Being Human." Next is Tony Whitehouse on the Journey (480p, 7:03), a short piece that features the series creator discussing a hodgepodge of information, including the early history of the show, the importance of fans to the success of the series, and the history of the characters. Also included are brief featurettes that look at the show's locations (480p, 9:50) and costumes and makeup (480p, 2:37). Disc two begins with a collection of deleted (480p, 6:41) and extended (480p, 15:22) scenes. Stunts Package (480p, 10:03) takes a closer look at how two of the show's more complex stunts were achieved. Our Journey's End (480p, 4:11) examines the season's climactic conclusion. Next is Becoming a Werewolf (480p, 5:03), a fascinating glimpse into the process of transforming George into a werewolf. Finally, Video Diaries (480p, 14:47) features a series of candid moments with the cast.
"Being Human" isn't a bad show, even judging it solely by its first season. It could use some refinement to be sure, but the show's main problem seems to stem from a shortage of time. Six episodes -- albeit nearly hour-long episodes -- aren't enough to develop characters, plot lines, and major story arcs to the ambitious extent that season one dares attempt. The result is a decent show with great potential that, so far, falls thematically and emotionally flat. The absence of greater originality isn't a glaring weakness, though the reliance on old ideas is evident throughout. As to the show's strongest elements, the humor is top-notch and the cast is wonderful. "Being Human" has "potential" written all over it; here's hoping subsequent seasons deliver on that. BBC's Blu-ray release of "Being Human" features a solid enough high definition transfer, but the lack of a lossless -- yea even 5.1 -- soundtrack is disappointing, as is the fairly paltry collection of extras. TV aficionados should give "Being Human" a rent, but fans of the show need to weigh their purchase carefully given the problematic soundtrack and shortage of extras.
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