9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; and all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords, and honest men...all will play the “Game of Thrones.”
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie TurnerAdventure | 100% |
Action | 89% |
Epic | 66% |
Fantasy | 65% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
German: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack for Conquest & Rebellion
English SDH, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (4 BDs)
Digital copy
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Most series which have achieved seven seasons tend to show signs of aging, along with attrition of audience numbers tuning in, in what is almost a
seemingly inevitable trajectory for television popularity. As it has done in so many other ways, though, Game of Thrones continues to
defy expectations, and some online data charting the amount of fans watching the show indicate that, if anything, the numbers glued to their
screens have grown almost geometrically over the past couple of years, a trend that seems sure to continue as this much lauded show enters its
reported final season. This seventh year acts as a bridge of sorts to that anticipated endgame, and as such it may tend to strike some longtime
fans as providing what amounts to almost an onslaught of info dumps and plot machinations as the series attempts to stuff a lot of
content into a season that has at least a few less episodes than previous seasons, even if some of this season’s episodes do run a few minutes
longer than usual. As with most (and arguably all) of Game of Thrones’ previous seasons, there’s a novelistic approach to the show, even
though the series has rather famously left George R.R. Martin’s source tomes (largely) behind, and as such, season seven is perhaps even more
vignette and set piece driven than previous seasons. That said, while the show may be perceived as overly “busy” this year, it doesn’t waste much
time on “niceties”, preferring instead to maraud headlong into any number of long simmering plot dynamics, kind of like a bunch of White Walkers
penetrating a certain wall.
Perhaps more than any other series currently running on television, Game of Thrones requires a flowchart for all of the interweaving
stories and characters. Those not up to speed on this dense series’ often convoluted stories can get at least an inkling of what’s been going on by
clicking on our reviews of Game of Thrones’ previous seasons:
Game of Thrones: The
Complete First Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The
Complete Second Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The
Complete Third Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The
Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The
Complete
Fifth Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The
Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray review
Game of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of HBO with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This seventh "at bat" for the series is another near home run, with some really sumptuous imagery brought winningly to life with a problem free transfer. The show's prevalence of finely wrought costumes and sets delivers near uniform excellence in fine detail levels, sometimes even in less than optimal lighting situations. Once again, as with many and maybe even all of the show's previous seasons, there's a kind of bifurcated grading regimen at play, with a lot of the show's almost trademark cool blue scenes alternating with those that are almost sepia toned. The blues scenes crackle with surprising detail quite a bit of the time, delivering excellent views of things like wolves' fur or even wounds on various characters' bodies. Note the texture of the fabric on the target in screenshot 10, another blue graded sequence that offers great fine detail levels. Some of the sepia toned material doesn't fare quite as well, especially when lighting conditions are sparse. My only main complaint with regard to this season is some fairly variable CGI. Some of the CGI, notably close-ups of the dragons, is absolutely spectacular, delivering excellent detail levels across the board and helping to support a feeling of reality despite the improbability of it all. But there are other moments, notably some of the scenes of fleets of boats in the water or even masses of soldiers on horseback, that have a much more digitally rendered look that tends to undercut that feeling of reality.
Game of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season features another beautifully detailed Dolby Atmos track, one that utilizes some really stunningly effective overhead placements when dragons fly. Several huge scenes involving battles or even threats of battles also offer a glut of surround activity courtesy of preparations being made. Some fairly boisterous LFE is utilized when dragons are used as combatants, or in one impressive climactic moment, as something of a flamethrower. Even dialogue is nicely directional throughout the season, and some of the outdoor material offers good subtle placement of things like lapping waves or wafting breezes. Dynamic range is impressively wide throughout the season, and fidelity is top notch throughout as well, with no problems of any kind to report.
Disc One
- Episode One with Director Jeremy Podeswa, Gwedolyne Christie (Brienne of Tarth), and John Bradley (Samwell Tarly)
- Episode Two with Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy), Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei)
- Episode Two with Co-Executive Producer / Writer Bryan Cogman, Prosthetics Supervisor Barrie Gower, Stunt Coordinator Rowley Irlam, and Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy)
- Episode Three with Executive Producer Bernadette Caulfield, Production Designer Deborah Riley, and Costume Designer Michele Clapton
- Episode Four with Director Matt Shakman, Director of Photography Rob McLachlan, Special Effects Supervisor Sam Conway, and Camera Operator Chris Plevin
- Episode Four with Producer Chris Newman, Visual Effects Supervisor Joe Bauer, and Visual Effects Producer Steve Kullback
- Episode Five with Writer Dave Hill, Director Matt Shakman, and Director of Photography Rob McLachlan
- Episode Five with Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth) and Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont)
- Episode Six with Director Alan Taylor, Director of Photography Jonathan Freeman, and Camera Operators Sean Savage and David Morgan
- Episode Seven with Executive Producers / Writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), and Kit Harington (Jon Snow)
- Episode Seven with Director Jeremy Podeswa and Director of Photography Greg Middleton
- The Dragonpit (1080p; 3:08)
- The Citadel (1080p; 2:38)
- Casterly Rock (1080p; 3:39)
- Highgarden (1080p; 3:24)
- The Golden Company (1080p; 2:55)
- Prophecies of the Known World (1080p; 4:08)
- The Hand of the King (1080p; 4:01)
- The Rains of Castamere (1080p; 5:40)
I have a friend who's a major Game of Thrones freak (there, I've said it) who insists that the odd numbered seasons are always the weakest, and that the fifth and seventh have proven that beyond a doubt. I hate to argue with friends since I have so few of them to begin with, but I never really saw the supposed downturn this show took a couple of years ago and, despite some missteps (in my perception) this show takes this year, the storytelling is still brisk and often astoundingly exciting. The show continues to have stupendous production values, though this season has a tendency to be a bit more "potty mouthed" than usual, for those who may be squeamish about such things. Technical merits are once again first rate, and the supplemental package is excellent. Highly recommended.
Sampler
2011
Creating the Visual Effects Bonus Disc
2011
Discontinued
2011
Targaryen Edition
2011
Houses of the Seven Kingdoms Bonus Disc
2011
Stark Edition
2011
2011
Collector's Edition
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2011
Exclusive w/ bonus disc
2011
Sampler
2012
2012
Lannister Packaging
2012
Greyjoy Packaging
2012
w/ 72-page Booklet
2012
Bonus Disc
2012
Bonus disc
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2012
2012
2012
2013
Targaryen Packaging
2013
Limited Edition
2013
Lannister Packaging
2013
Stark Packaging
2013
w/ "Visual Effects" Bonus Disc
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2013
2013
2013
2014
w/ "Silk, Leather, & Chain Mail: The Costumes of Season 4" Featurette & "Beautiful Death" Photo Book
2014
Lannister Packaging
2014
Targaryen Packaging
2014
Stark Packaging
2014
Martell Packaging
2014
Tyrell Packaging
2014
With Exclusive "Royal Wedding" Joffrey Mini
2014
2014
2014
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2014
2014
2015
Targaryen Packaging
2015
Bolton Packaging
2015
Martell Packaging
2015
Exclusive Post-Production Bonus Disc
2015
with bonus content
2015
Exclusive Visual Effects Bonus Disc
2015
Exclusive Visual Effects Bonus Disc
2015
2015
2015
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2015
ELITE/DISCT19
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
with Collectible Sigil Magnet
2016
Daenerys USB Exclusive
2016
Tyrion USB
2016
Jon Snow USB
2016
with "Inside The Fight for Meereen" bonus disc
2016
Walmart Exclusive bonus disc
2016
Faith of the Seven Edition
2016
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2016
Elite/Deep Discount 19
2016
2016
Includes "Conquest & Rebellion"
2017
Dragonstone Red
2017
2017
Dragonstone Cream
2017
with bonus disc
2017
Sigil / Includes Conquest & Rebellion
2017
Walmart exclusive bonus disc
2017
Robert Ball Exclusive Art
2017
2017
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
w/ bonus disc
2019
2019
2019
2022
Extended Edition
2012
Theatrical Edition
2002
2003
Theatrical Edition
2001
2012
2005
Director's Cut
2007
2017
2013
Extended Edition
2014
2014
Extended Edition
2016
2002
1999
2016
ᑐ ᑌ ᑎ ᕮ ²
2024
2007
2012
2010