6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Mystery | 100% |
Thriller | 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
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
I'm an unapologetic, unrepentant TV junkie. Born and bred. But even I have my limits. Intruders was a chore. Scratch that. A slog, and it took more and more effort to start each new episode. Going in, I was more than willing to give the critically panned series a fair shot. After all, how often does BBC let us down? But that bit of naiveté came before I dragged myself to the end of the first, mind-numbing, logic-throttling episode. Over the course of the next seven episodes, Intruders continually, almost masochistically reminded me I was watching yet another supernaturally charged misfire; the sort that seem to be popping up everywhere. Uninteresting characters, an exhumed corpse of a story, dead-end writing, laughable dialogue, endless mysteries, convoluted plotting and a confounding sense of its own identity, the series plays like a bloated, distended X-Files episode, and not a good one at all. Every attempt to jump start its mythos fails. Every stab at originality falls short. Every performance feels forced. Every twist and turn contrived. Every wild-eyed declaration sillier than the last. By season's end, Intruders hasn't just exhausted its viewers' patience, it's drained all the life out of its concept, left its cast worse for the wear, and unsure of where to go next. Not that many people are worried what comes after "There Is No End." With dwindling ratings and diminishing returns, a second season -- if there is a second season -- would more than likely be a more unbearable slog than the first.
The first season's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is fairly faithful to the series' source, but that isn't saying as much as I wish it were. Bland, dull, and diluted, the image is beset by crush, clarity inconsistencies, noise and a prevailing murkiness that benefits no one, least of all the show's small fanbase. Detail is impressive at times; soft, bordering on hazy at others. Colors, too, are unremarkable, with a bright, blue-cast light draining the life out of an otherwise effectively moody, competently saturated palette. Ah well. All is not lost. Black levels are deep and inky, skintones fare pretty decently, and edges are free of ringing and aliasing. Several scenes look quite good, particularly in the first four episodes, and a variety of close-ups handily best the shots that come before and after. Banding and macroblocking are also kept to a reasonable minimum, though each one makes several appearances over the course of the season's eight episodes. So loosen up those shoulders. They'll be doing plenty of shrugging.
BBC Home Entertainment's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is the highlight of the disc, if only because the sound design is better suited to enhancing the series' atmosphere. The LFE channel offers plenty of support, especially when many of the first season's developments come to a head in the final three episodes, and low-end elements are granted welcome heft and presence. The rear speakers, meanwhile, help to create a solid soundfield. Directional effects deliver, pans are smooth and effective, and dynamics are notable. (Not remarkable, mind you, but notable.) Dialogue is clean, clear and intelligible at all times too, and prioritization is spot on. The music comes on a bit too strong now and again, but it's hardly a distraction. (Or, for that matter, a technical issue.) All told, Intruders' AV presentation isn't one of the disappointing aspects of the release.
The only special feature included with the Blu-ray release of Season 1 is "Inside The Intruders" (HD, 10 minutes), an overview of the production with key members of the series' cast and crew.
A clear, piercing thought kept circling my mind while watching the first season of Intruders. "Oh God, oh God. Please don't let there be a second season. Please don't let there be a second season." (Followed by bouts of uncontrollable silent screaming.) Little redeemed the series for me; little made it worth watching. I did, though, and I did it for you. Save yourselves. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain. On the upside, BBC Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release offers a solid AV presentation. The supplemental package amounts to a 10-minute featurette, but I was too relieved to be done with the series to worry about extras. My suggestion? Avoid Intruders at all costs. It's six hours of your life you'll never get back.
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