4.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Comedy | 100% |
Adventure | 10% |
Nature | 8% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Are the Robertsons’ fifteen minutes of fame coming to a close? Fans of Duck Dynasty have weathered a rather calamitous year with their favorite backwoods family, staying loyal despite patriarch Phil Robertson’s much publicized remarks about homosexuality that for a time at least seemed to threaten the very continuance of the series. Other, perhaps lesser, skirmishes have also broken out, including Phil’s equally contentious comments about marrying young (as in teenaged) women and some naysayers who allege that this supposedly “unscripted” reality show is in fact highly calculated, to the point that even the Robertson men’s now iconic beards are simply part of a larger image management scheme that has little to do with their actual historical appearances. While the bloom may be at least partially off the rose, with noticeably fewer people showing up in droves to watch the show, Duck Dynasty continues to trundle (and/or waddle) on in its fifth season, introducing some new “characters” while hewing fairly closely to the home and hearth (and multimillion dollar family business) aesthetic that has been the show’s calling card from day one. There’s nothing even slightly new this year, which will annoy those who have grown tired of the series, but will just as likely delight those who continue to flock to the show in what is most likely a television version of eating comfort food. There’s the same genial, homespun quality here that is arguably Duck Dynasty’s strongest element, but there’s that continuing whiff of artificiality that tends to undercut the “off the cuff” moments that spring up continually on the series.
Duck Dynasty: Season 5 is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films and A&E Networks Home Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. If you've been collecting Duck Dynasty on Blu-ray, you'll know exactly what to expect from this latest volume, for it apes the look of previous three seasons which benefited from a progressive presentation (only Season 1 was offered in an interlaced format). Colors are bright and accurate looking, and contrast is generally quite strong, helping the show to segue between its many outdoor and indoor locations. As with all of the previous seasons, there are occasional issues with establishing shots, many of which look relatively ragged and soft when compared to the bulk of the series.
Again as with previous seasons, Duck Dynasty: Season 5 offers a perfectly serviceable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that clearly presents dialogue and the many ambient environmental effects which dot the outdoor scenes. As I've mentioned in some previous reviews, the show doesn't really have outsized sonic ambitions, and so with expectations dialed in appropriately, what's here suffices perfectly well, offering excellent fidelity and some bursts of decent dynamic range.
- Big Red Bully (1080i; 1:54)
- Fresh Si From Bel Air (1080i; 5:03)
There's a certain whiff of desperation in this latest season of Duck Dynasty, as if the Robertsons kind of knew their collective backs were against the wall, even with the outpouring of support they received from many quarters after Phil's comments went viral. But instead of addressing those issues head on, which might have been uncomfortable but certainly would have been must see TV, the show backtracks into tried and true tropes where most of what is presented here seems old and tired. Fans will no doubt continue to glean enough out of the goofy humor of the show to continue watching, but my personal hunch is the clock just ticked 15:01 on the Robertsons' small screen fame adventure. Technical merits continue to be generally strong on this latest season for those mulling over a purchase.
2012
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Duck-Luxe Edition
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Duck-Luxe Edition
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Duck-Luxe Edition
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2015
(Still not reliable for this title)
Special Limited Edition of 2,500 Units
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