7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Damages is a legal thriller set in the world of New York City high-stakes litigation. The series, which provides a view into the true nature of power and success, follows the turbulent lives of Patty Hewes the nation's most revered and reviled high-stakes litigator and her bright, ambitious protege Ellen Parsons as they become embroiled in a class action lawsuit targeting the allegedly corrupt Arthur Frobisher, one of the country's wealthiest CEOs. As Patty battles with Frobisher and his attorney Ray Fiske, Ellen Parsons will be front and center witnessing just what it takes to win at all costs, as it quickly becomes clear that lives, as well as fortunes, may be at stake.
Starring: Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan, Ted Danson, Noah BeanDrama | 100% |
Mystery | 43% |
Crime | 41% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
With a highly anticipated third season prepped for launch and a mesmerizing second season arriving on DVD this week -- come on Sony, why no high definition love? -- it seems only fitting to finally review, and subsequently recommend, the first thrilling season of Damages, Todd Kessler, Daniel Zelman, and Glen Kessler's startlingly inventive, wholly unpredictable FX television series. That's not to say it's without its flaws, just that it succeeds where a wide variety of legal dramas have failed. In one fell stroke, it resurrected a flailing genre; one that's grown fat on Law & Order spin-offs and short-lived, formulaic cash-ins. With a talented cast helmed by rising star Rose Byrne and veteran Glenn Close (hot off an Emmy-nominated run on The Shield), countless award-worthy supporting performances (from the likes of Ted Danson, Tom Aldredge, and Željko Ivanek, among many others), and some of the sharpest twist-n-turn plotting in recent television memory, the series' opening twelve-episode stunner left a considerable mark on audiences and critics, and quickly earned a succession of increasingly intriguing followup seasons fans like myself have eagerly programmed into their TiVos.
Friend or foe? Mentor or master manipulator?
Have no fear Hewes & Associates inductees, the garish noise and searing contrast that greets viewers at the outset of Damages' first episode is merely a visual cue Zelman and the Kessler brothers reserve for flash-forward sequences. The moment the series' main timeline takes the reigns, Sony's 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer proves its real worth, doling out rich colors, nicely resolved blacks, lifelike skintones, and far more alluring photography. Object definition is sharp and satisfying (even though a slight hint of edge enhancement is visible on occasion) and fine textures are often quite revealing. A handful of interior shots are hindered by inherent instability, but any such shortcomings should be attributed to the show's original source, not the studio's technical efforts. Shots of the city are brimming with legible street signs and distant billboards, closeups showcase every freckle and errant hair, and the offices of Patty's high-powered law firm look immaculate. Noise does surge during poorly lit nighttime sequences, but the rest of the presentation is less problematic. Artifacting, aliasing, distracting ringing, and other errant anomalies are never an issue (beyond those that litter the series' briefly glimpsed secondary timeline), and the creators' every intention -- yes, even the graininess of the picture -- has been faithfully preserved. Damages may not always be the most attractive show, but its proficient technical transfer is striking.
Though it seemed more remarkable when I first heard it two years ago, Sony's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track nevertheless remains an impressive, notably able-bodied lossless offering. Dialogue, whether whispered or spouted, is hearty, nimble, and perfectly prioritized throughout the first season's twelve episodes, thwarting the clamor of heavy traffic, bustling city streets, and wintry winds with ease. James Levine's riveting score is just as impressive, drawing upon the track's LFE prowess and consistent rear speaker support to allow the series' pulse-pounding musical cues to draw listeners in and wow them at every turn. Likewise, New York City crowds linger in each channel, cars whip across a convincing soundfield, pans and directionality are spot on, and interior acoustics, despite being a bit too eager to please, are suitably enveloping. Dynamics are robust as well, delivering weighty low-end tones and exceedingly stable wheens and sheens. It all amounts to a memorable sonic experience that, negligible episode-to-episode normalization mishaps aside, should leave series fans with few complaints.
The 3-disc Blu-ray edition of Damages: The Complete First Season features a small assortment of high-quality supplements, the majority of which are presented in high definition. Additional audio commentaries or Picture-in-Picture content would have made the set irresistible, but as it stands, it feels a bit slim compared to other television releases on the market.
Before its third season gets underway next week, take this reasonably priced opportunity to introduce yourself to one of FX's more intriguing series, as well as one of the more captivating legal dramas on television. With an unforgettable cast, gripping performances, and a sharply written, unpredictable multi-tiered story, each twist and turn will leave viewers with the overwhelming desire to jump into the next episode posthaste. Sony's 3-disc Blu-ray edition is just as strong as The Complete First Season itself, offering an excellent video transfer, a confident TrueHD audio track, and a small but surprisingly extensive selection of special features. At the very least, it's a television release worth sampling. Give it a rent or go out on a limb, either way I doubt you'll be disappointed.
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