Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Missing season four? Unjustifiable.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 6, 2014

Justified, Graham Yost's (writer, Speed and Broken Arrow) television adaptation of characters created by acclaimed writer Elmore Leonard, has settled into a comfortable position as one of cable television's most reliably entertaining and surprisingly deep programs. Now with four seasons in the books and with a fifth on the way, the critically acclaimed program that centers on a slightly old-fashioned homegrown U.S. Marshall working the mean streets of his hometown in middle America Kentucky continues to seduce audiences with a wide roster of intricately developed characters and entertainingly rich and complex story lines that work towards the end goal of further constructing those characters and reshaping that world in which they live, defined by every new action that seems a reaction from happenings past. In many ways, then, it's standard episodic television drama, but its greater success comes from the nuance around it, the sometimes darkly humorous and occasionally hellishly brutal accents that give rise to the most sweeping developments and the repercussions that follow like rippling water disrupted by the sudden splash of a large stone. Season four remains firmly on the well-treaded Justified path, giving rise to some new characters and the sort of rapid-fire dynamics fans have come to expect while building on what was with an eye forward to what's yet to come.

Got the drop on another one.

A body. A name. A mystery from long ago resurfaced. Season four begins with expectant father U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) accepting an on-the-side, on-the-sly mission for a former flame now operating a bail bond business. En route to snatching up the wayward fugitive, Givens receives word that his imprisoned father Arlo's (Raymond J. Barry) home has been vandalized. He arrives on the scene to meet local Constable Bob Sweeney (Patton Oswalt), a pudgy, low-pay law enforcement outsider. Raylan discovers traces of an old case that propels him towards a dangerous path and an uncertain future for his family. Meanwhile, the criminally enterprising Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) employs the help of an ex-military policeman named Colt Rhodes (Ron Eldard) and eventually finds himself caught in the middle of the Marshall's newly reopened case.

Season four's storyline impresses in scope and its comfortable fit within the Justified universe. It's diverse and formed through a number of interwoven threads that don't necessarily remain tightly formed together once they meet, but whether they merely cross paths or remain attached at their imaginary hip, the series makes every development, action, and reaction count towards something greater in the further realization of the characters and the world they inhabit. Certainly, the series is cemented in its established characters, and they continue on their windy but otherwise true paths in season four, doing what they've done in seasons past yet, contextually, making it all feel fresh within the specific season arc. Season four introduces several new characters into the fold, and as was true in past seasons with characters like Mags and Dickie Bennett or Ellstin Limehouse, the newcomers fall comfortably into place, as if they've always been there or, at least, a part of the surroundings and only now unveiled from the shadows to play a larger part in the series. Such is particularly true of Patton Oswalt's fantastic Constable Bob, a quirky, lovable oddball sort of character who is neither a Raylan equal nor comic relief but rather something in between, in ways a connection to the audience's fantasy to become more intimately involved in Harlan County affairs but without the projection of real Raylan confidence, the suave style, the smooth maneuvers, and the quick-on-his-feet and true-with-his-gun presence of the series' lead character. Oswalt's presence is nothing short of a jolt of freshness to the show and a gift to the fans, an unforgettable character both uniquely drawn and wonderfully performed, easily the highlight of the new entrants in this thirteen episode-strong outing.

Ultimately, however, season four truly is more of the same, boiling down to Givens versus Crowder, in one way or another. The series always seems to rightly return to that dynamic that's pulsed through the past three seasons with a steady beat and unwavering dedication not to the physical combat between the men but rather intellectual wars and one-upmanship. Even when Givens isn't directly involved with Crowder, those challenges with him shape his decisions, for better or for worse, and guide him through the messy trappings of Harlan. There's an unspoken need between the men to build themselves through the other, a course of action that progresses in season four. Both men operate with a sharp mind, a keen understanding of their surroundings, of one another, and, most importantly, themselves. They know their limits but test those limits with frequency. They share a mutual, though often unspoken, respect for one another, certainly not for the lives they lead but for the cunning with which they operate and the shared history that drives them simultaneously physically closer and soulfully further apart, though certainly keen audiences will recognize that the men are in several key ways more similar than they are dissimilar at their cores. The performances are as focused and believably natural as ever in season four, true of all the characters both new and old and particularly evident in how well Givens and Crowder melt into the entire Justified world from the inside out and continue to define it beyond any other major or minor point within the series.

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season arrives on Blu-ray with a high definition, 1.78:1-framed image that's fairly average for a modern television production photographed in HD digital. Generally, the image sparkles, showcasing wonderful details and rich, natural colors. The picture can look a touch smooth here and there, but clarity is strong-to-striking throughout. Details are generally picture-perfect across the board, from the finest fabric textures seen on Raylan's trademark hat down to intricate skin textures and both manmade and natural environmental elements scattered throughout the season's new and familiar locations. Colors appear even and true, from green grasses to orange prison jumpsuits. Black levels are consistently dark but can overpower all but center, up-front objects, resulting in some instances of crush. Additionally, noise is apparent in some darker scenes and spikes considerably at times, an example being in episode one during a scene featuring Arlo in his prison cell. Otherwise, the image excels and should satisfy longtime series fans.

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season features the series- and Sony-standard DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The season begins with a burst of energy in the form of a hard Rock tune, sending waves of musical excellence into the listening area. It's well spaced but focused, enjoying a proper surround sound element and bearing the fruits of high-end clarity. The series' memorable opening title music explodes with even more power, filling the stage with the familiar, deep, down-home yet modern-inlfuenced beats. Atmospherics are regular helpers as the track injects plenty of basic but critical support information into the listening area, from light neighborhood accents to office din and everything in between. Heavier sound effects also play with the expectedly natural clarity and vigor. Crushing metal at a scrapyard and several bouts of gunfire all ring true, penetrating the soundstage with accurate, heavy, intense elements. The track is rounded into form by clean, articulate, center-focused dialogue.

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season contains a large number of supplements, including commentaries, deleted scenes, and featurettes spread across all three discs. All episodes following episode one, "Hole in the Wall," feature optional episode recaps. Included in the box is a UV digital copy voucher.

Disc One:

• Audio Commentaries: Director Michael Diner and Writers Graham Yost and Fred Golan for "Hole in the Wall;" Actor Nick Searcy, Writer/Co-Exuctive Producer Dave Andron, and Director Bill Jonson for "Where's Waldo?;" Actress Abby Miller, Writer Taylor Elmore, and Director Bill Johnson for "This Bird Has Flown;" and Co-Writers Fred Golan and VJ Boyd for "Kin."
• Deleted Scenes (HD): International Jewel Thief (2:41) for "Truth and Consequences."
• Becoming Boyd (HD, 9:41): Actor Walton Goggins looks back at his character's story, working with his co-stars, the character's relationship with Ava, love in life and the show, portraying a character dissimilar from himself, and striving for excellence. Later in the piece cast and crew discuss the character, Goggins' contributions on set, and more.
• Deadly Serious: Constable Bob (HD, 7:03): Cast and crew, including Patton Oswalt, analyze the Constable Bob character, his origins, working with the show's top-notch dialogue, shooting some of the season's most important scenes, the character's fate on the show, and more.

Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: Co-Writer/Co-Executive Producer Dave Andron, Director Peter Werner, and Co-Writer Ingrid Escajeda (who is absent for the first 13 minutes of the commentary) for "Foot Chase;" Actor Timothy Olyphant, Director Don Kurt, and Writer Chris Provenzano for "Money Trap;" Actor Water Goggins and Writers Ben Cavell and Keith Schreier for "Outlaw;" and Actor Patton Oswalt and Writers Taylor Elmore and Leonard Chang for "The Hatchet Tour"
• Deleted Scenes (HD): It's All Part of the Job (2:29) for "Outlaw."
• The Veterans' Experience (HD, 7:08): A look at the season's portrayal of military veterans.
• Outtakes (HD, 2:54).

Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: Writers Graham Yost and Chris Provenzano and Actors Timothy Olyphan and Patton Oswalt for "Decoy" and Actor Walton Goggins and Writers Fred Golan and Ben Cavell for "Ghosts."
• Deleted Scenes (HD): Restless (0:57), Limehouse Makes an Offer (1:16), and Gutterson recognizes a Car (0:23) for "Get Drew."
• Anatomy of an Episode (HD, 40:49): A detailed look behind episode twelve, "Peace of Mind." This supplement follows the process of scripting the episode to tie up loose ends and set the stage for the finale. It examines plot specifics to the episode and the greater show. It looks at character dynamics, performances, technical details of the shoot, and plenty more. The episode plays either full-screen with a supplementary screen along a corner, or the feature playing full screen and the episode playing in a complimentary box. Occasionally, the episode plays with commentary overlay. This is an excellent presentation that fans of the show will love.
• Script to Screen: The Finale (HD, 14:23): A look at crafting the season's final episode and how it differs from the traditional season finale. It follows the basic plot, shooting specific scenes, and more. It's more or less a compact version of the Anatomy of an Episode supplement covered above.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Justified: The Complete Fourth Season doesn't much deviate from the formula foundations from pervious seasons, and that should suit series fans just fine. This is a dynamic, evolving season that's comfortably familiar yet rivetingly unique. The series has really settled into a comfort zone of excellence, building on what fans expect yet still pushing storytelling boundaries and ever evolving its characters. In essence, this is classic Justified, certainly not the finest season (that honor still belongs to the fantastic second season) but an expectedly high quality outing nonetheless. Sony's Blu-ray release of Justified ranks highly, providing audiences with tip-top video and audio presentations. The set is rounded into form by a generous assortment of entertaining and informative supplements. Highly recommended.