7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Killjoys follows a trio of hard-living but fun-loving bounty hunters – John, D'avin and Dutch – taking on interplanetary missions, chasing and capturing deadly criminals throughout a distant system named the Quad. They have sworn amongst themselves to remain neutral during a bloody, multi-planetary class war that threatens to destroy the Quad.
Starring: Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, Luke Macfarlane, Tamsen McDonough, Thom AllisonSci-Fi | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | 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 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Killjoys isn't half bad. But in a super-crowded TV field, where there's nowhere near enough hours in the day to watch every worthwhile program, it doesn't stand head and shoulders above anything else. Compared to its peers on SyFY like The Expanse or 12 Monkeys or some of the top programs airing on other cable channels, or even the big streaming services, Killjoys doesn't offer enough bold creativity, breathless excitement, intense character drama, or powerful action to choose it over something else. That said, maybe in a less densely-packed TV slate, it would stand a little taller. It's fairly well done for what it is, a gritty, action-packed, and humorous space drama about a trio of bounty hunters operating in a dangerous part of the cosmos (known as "The Quad") that's on the brink of war. Season one's lean ten-episode run builds some quality narratives and explores its world and characters to satisfaction, though the material simply never elevates to "must-see" level. That said, the show exhibits some good qualities and feels right on the edge of breaking out in a big way.
Killjoys: Season 1 features a strong all-around transfer from Universal. The image is something of a contradiction. On one hand is a fairly clean, smooth, and clear digitally sourced image. On the other is tangibly gritty façade thanks to the series' oftentimes dark and future-grungy spacefaring environments. The transfer expertly reveals the series' broad spectrum range of details, from well worn and lightly grayed attire to smooth and crisp green vegetation on planet surfaces, from clean and makeup-covered faces to scruffy facial hair and pores, from smooth digital readouts to grungy deep space and starship textures. No matter the environment, Universal's transfer is up to the challenge of presenting it with all the detail necessary to best define what's to be found around The Quad. Colors often favor a dingy, worn-down, bleak appearance, but various bits of clothes, decorations, and vegetation in brighter areas and more cheerful planet surfaces spring to life with plenty of pop. Black levels hold firm and flesh tones appear natural. Banding, macroblocking, aliasing, and other related issues are scattered and generally not at all bothersome. There's not much room for complaint here; a sharp, attractive effort from the first episode to the last.
Killjoys: Season 1 features a good all-around performer in its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music is satisfyingly energetic and weighty, yielding positive stage depth with involved surround support, all qualities evident in both overlaid score and in-show music, such as instrumental band music heard near the end of episode one that's engaged, potent, sharp, and nicely detailed. Light surround ambience helps shape various locations throughout The Quad, some more robust than others, but the sense of place is often impressively defined. More energetic surround and support details, like cheering crowds and various little bits during action scenes, engage the listener with plenty of vigor. Futuristic gun blasts aren't going to challenge the subwoofer, but the little pulses carry decent weight and presence. Dialogue is delivered clearly and with effortless prioritization, emanating from a natural front-center placement.
Killjoys: Season 1 contains no supplemental content beyond a trio of trailers for Warehouse 13, Battlestar Galactica, and Tremors 5: Bloodlines on disc one. A UV digital copy voucher is included with purchase.
Through its first ten episodes, Killjoys has proven to be a solid show that may not be on the cusp of greatness, or even stand tall over its likeminded SyFy brethren, but it feels on the brink of something better, ready to take that next step and evolve into a solid, even must-see show. Whether it'll ever get there is up to season two, but watch out for this show that appears to be on the rise. Universal's Blu-ray release of Killjoys: Season 1 offers no supplemental content, but video and audio presentations are fine. Worth a look as a solid rental or cheap purchase.
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