7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
Comedy | 100% |
Romance | 78% |
Mystery | 16% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Crime | 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
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Five-disc set (5 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for a good procedural. All I need is a strong ensemble with convincing chemistry, an assortment of compelling characters, and a steady selection of riveting cases. No more, no less. In fact, it's that precise television trifecta that makes creator Hart Hanson's Bones one of my go-to favorites in the genre. Yes, there are similar shows with firmer grasps on reality, and yes, there are still others that forgo comedy and focus solely on the murder and mayhem procedural-junkies so desperately crave. But many of those series fail to deliver the witty banter, infectious laughs, effective plot twists, and endearing leads Bones serves up in every episode. It isn't perfect, it certainly isn't for everyone, but it is an exciting and entertaining way to spend an hour of your life each week.
Did someone say... MURDER!?
Though doused in the series' usual steely blues and polished grays, Bones' 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer represents yet another confident and capable television presentation from Fox. Yes, skintones are a tad inconsistent -- the culprit appears to be Gordon Lonsdale's ever-changing lighting schemes rather than some nefarious technical deficiency -- but primaries pop, gore is particularly vibrant, and blacks are suitably resolved. Contrast is also strong, granting the image at-times striking depth and dimensionality. Moreover, textures are refined, close-ups look fantastic, and edges are both sharp and natural. The transfer's clarity is never more apparent than when Bones and her team examines a corpse, enhancing the already stomach-turning visuals with more detail than anyone (short of Bones herself) would otherwise need to see. And the technical image? I didn't detect any unintentional noise, significant banding, aliasing, ringing, or smearing, and artifacts, despite appearing on occasion, are kept to a minimum. All things considered, Bones: Season Four looks great and should easily please fans and newcomers alike.
Bones' Blu-ray debut is just as effective on the audio front, boasting a strong and stable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that handles Booth and Brennan's banter and the series' occasional action beats with ease. Dialogue is clear and well-prioritized, dynamics are involving, and LFE support lends welcome weight and power to every shotgun blast and bass beat Season Four has to offer. The rear speakers are relatively reserved, often being assigned little more than lab ambience and acoustic properties, but yank the soundfield around the listener anytime a gun is drawn, a car accelerates, or a case is about to crack. Thankfully, smooth pans and precise directionality make even the chattiest scenes engaging, and the series' score is crisp and commendable throughout. Fox's lossless track isn't going to blow any minds, but it does a fine job enhancing the series' atmosphere and tone.
Fox gives Bones: Season Four the same sad supplemental package it's given most of its television releases of late. First up is "Androgyny: Playing Haru Tanaka" (HD, 7 minutes), an interview with actress Ally Maki about her induction into the Bones universe and her portrayal of an unorthodox prodigy. Next comes "Squints in Training" (HD, 10 minutes), an admittedly entertaining overview of the various interns featured on the show this season. Two dull and unnecessary "Deleted Scenes" (HD, 2 minutes) follow, but should have been kept out of sight, out of mind. A decent "Gag Reel" (HD, 6 minutes) is amusing as well, but offers little more than the usual assortment of line flubs and crackups. Ah well, at least it's all presented in high definition.
Don't be frightened away by the "Season Four" in Bones: Season Four. Even if you've never seen a single episode, the show is so accessible that newcomers will be able to enjoy Booth and Brennan's cases as readily as series regulars. With sharp wit, hilarious characters, and addictive storylines, Bones is a procedural gem. Better still, the Blu-ray edition features an excellent video transfer and an equally impressive DTS-HD Master Audio track. The only downside? A limp and limited supplemental package. Even so, with such a solid series and such a satisfying AV presentation, what's not to love? Give it a shot... chances are, you won't be sorry.
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