Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Las Vegas: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker January 24, 2025

All 106 episodes of the five-season run of NBC's 'Las Vegas' arrive on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The series stars James Caan, Josh Duhamel, Nikki Cox, Molly Sims, James Lesure, and Vanessa Marcil, with frequent guest appearances from Cheryl Ladd, as they attempt to handle the legal and illegal action at the fictional Montecito casino. Each season features guest appearances from a variety of celebrities along with musical performances from recording artists such as James Blunt, Jewel, Sugar Ray, and Big & Rich. The series' five seasons are spread across 22 Blu-ray discs, each of which is stored on its own hub in the five cases which, in turn, are housed in an attractive slipcase. A Digital Code is not included.

In a network television landscape littered with police procedurals and reality programming Las Vegas (2003 - 2008) stood out in much the same way the real neon-drenched Sin City stands out from the harsh, barren desert landscape. Leveraging, to some degree, the success of Oceans 11 (2001), Gary Scott Thompson's Las Vegas puts the focus squarely on the fictional Montecito casino. Although, instead of following a gang of criminals intent on robbing a casino, this series takes viewers inside the lives and daily operations of those tasked with protecting the casino's assets, making sure the guests have the time of their lives, catering to "whales" (in the series' parlance, VIPs or big clients), while still finding the ability to investigate and explore their often messy and intertwined personal lives. The series is largely episodic, with each installment focusing on the new guests that enter the Montecito's doors, some new security issue with thieves or cheats, as well as the slow reveal of the character's personal lives. Certain themes or storylines may weave through several episodes, but there isn't truly an overarching narrative the guides or dictates the direction of each season. The proceedings are often enlivened by guest appearances from a massive and wide range of stars including John Lovitz, Alec Baldwin, Gladys Knight, Sean Astin, Terry Bradshaw, and America's new favorite grandpa, Snoop Dogg. In Season One, while this does sometimes feel a bit like a ploy to attract viewers, as the series progresses the practice serves to logically add to the Montecito's cachet.

As those at the Montecito's gaming tables often find themselves taking larger and larger risks, so too do the writers of the show, especially with the season finales each of which ends with a cliffhanger. At the end of the first season, as the series is still working on finding it's legs, this is handled in a somewhat clumsy and overly melodramatic fashion as Duhamel's Danny McCoy, Ed's (James Caan) right-hand man and casino heartthrob, is being called back to active duty. In what is of great importance to a few characters but what is relatively low-stakes in terms of season cliffhangers, an inordinate amount of time is devoted to saying farewell to Danny and thereby reducing the scale and world of the show in the process. However, this is an issue that quickly resolved with each subsequent season having progressively larger issues and crises hanging in the balance between seasons, with the Season Four closer being the most tense and satisfying of the five. Due the impending writer's strike, shooting for Season Five began a bit early, and several of the planned episodes were scuttled. Unfortunately for fans, as Season Five ends, only one pressing issue from the episode is properly resolved, and as the series was canceled after the finale aired, viewers were left with several unanswered questions.

Much of the success of the show can be attributed to the cast, which for the first four seasons is headlined by James Caan. His Ed Deline, somewhat of a father figure for many of the characters inhabiting the Montecito, begins as the feared head of security for the casino, but his career progresses steadily over the course of his tenure. True to his enduring cinematic tough-guy persona, his character is never above getting in the mix of security issues by lending a right hook, jumping into a gunfight, or using his considerable powers of intimidation to get what he needs. As a former CIA operative his skills, knowledge, and acumen are understandable, and his mere presence, even when his past is not a significant part of the storyline of the week, can cast a more serious pall over the series.

When he finally departs, Caan wanted more time to devote to film projects, he's replaced by the always bankable and omnipresent mustachioed television icon Tom Selleck. The latest in what would become a running gag of ill-fated owners of the Montecito, his presence on the set would see a relatively significant tonal shift for the series. While humor had always been a integral factor of the weekly plots, in some ways it is pushed to the forefront once the dark dealings from the Season Four finale and its dramatic aftermath are resolved. With the increased use of Suzanne Whang's Polly who takes a shine to Selleck's Cooper and whose candor and sensibilities are the catalyst for a fast friendship between the two, comedy can be pushed ever onward without compromising the integrity of any of the lead characters. While many are forced to react to her outlandish statements and antics, she remains the butt of the jokes. The presence of Cooper, an experienced businessman but a complete neophyte in the world of casinos, also serves to put the focus of the season more on the core characters as he works to get to know them.

Given the setting, it should come as no surprise that the series pushed the boundaries of sexual content as far as it realistically could. Plotlines involve elements such as wet t-shirt contests and a host of bikini-clad women competing in a spokesmodel competition. Male characters act accordingly when the Montecito adopts a European flare and opens a topless pool. While even the included "uncensored" episodes included here stop short of what would be seen in more adult-oriented fare from HBO or various streamers, for network television it's racy stuff with cameras wandering over and lingering on often oiled and partially clothed women, only cutting away at the last possible nanosecond. Even when fully clothed, female cast members often wear revealing tops and dresses, and dialogue can often become quite suggestive. And, as one would expect, male and female strippers often appear in Las Vegas's episodes, whether strip clubs serve as the setting for key scenes or whether they appear in the casino as entertainment for bachelorette parties, stag parties, conventions, or the like.

But the meat and potatoes of Las Vegas is the security-related activities of the Montecito and the lives of Danny and his peers. Never dealing with simple card counters, the series routinely presents new methods for players to outfox dealers (or machines) in the hope of winning big before being detected and stopped by the security team. Whether sophisticated and technologically complex or perplexingly simple, part of the weekly appeal is seeing the new swindle in action and then following the work done to understand and stop it before the casino's losses mount. Getting cast members out of the control room, this often devolves into fist fights, high-speed chases, and gun battles on and off casino property. As the series progresses, it's not just the casino but Ed and his team that become targets for theft and violence as well.

Character development is also a strength. Duhamel's Danny becomes increasingly responsible as the series progresses, growing more career and relationship-minded with each passing season. His ability to progress follows, necessarily, Ed's progression, with Danny often following in his footsteps. Beginning as a valet and in a move to more legitimately bring him into the casino's security issues, Lesure's Mike Cannon, probably the show's most stable and grounded character, quickly displays computing and deductive skills needed to be successful as he officially joins the security team and moves through the ranks. Delinda Deline, Ed's daughter played by Molly Simms, gradually abandons her party-girl persona, showing real operational skill and looking for more mature relationships. Vanessa Marcil's Sam likely undergoes the least growth, but her character's need to deal with and cater to the Montecito's wealthiest clients often puts her in the middle of some rather incredible scenes. It's Nikki Cox's Mary Connell who fared the worst as the series went on, with her character embodying a mass of contradictions and her pining for Danny eventually growing thin. By the time she left the series in the fourth season, her character didn't quite seem to fit the needs of the narrative any longer, and while some may take issue with the method of her departure, it does at least fit with her character's history.

Not content to allow too a high a level of stability and in an attempt to offset potential stagnation, as with the series Suits, each season brings with it either the threat or reality of new ownership, the casino changing hands as frequently as grade schoolers trade Pokémon cards. Characters engage in water-cooler talk trading barbs and complaints as they each scheme ways to curry favor with their new leader while simultaneously supporting each other in the face of uncertainty or new and unreasonable demands. While this particular story device could grow a bit clichéd in most other series, the irreverence of the cast, the unique characters queued up as potential owners, and the unconventional and unexpected ways in which they parade through the series actually transforms this potentially problematic element into a point of anticipation.

Las Vegas: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The elephant in the room here is Las Vegas's first episode, "Pilot". It's home to a rampant graininess, a lack of fine detail, and a number of other concerns and distractions that impede one's initial enjoyment and appreciation of the episode. As one who has spent quite a bit of time watching older or imported films on discs crafted from less-than-stellar source material I acclimatized quickly enough, but it was still surprising to see from the first episode of this series. Once I nervously started the second episode, my concerns were left buried in the Nevada desert. After a rough start, the greatest concern would become process shots, there are a surprising number of them, which are often only slightly detectable but at times can result in a certain softness to background elements, or cause actors, one scene involving James Caan particularly leaps to mind, to stand out a bit unnaturally from their green-screened background. Such moments are, thankfully, rare and fleeting. Beyond that, on the whole, this is a good-looking transfer. Fabrics, whether they be silks, Selleck's denim, or the skin-tight latex and glossy PVC worn by strippers, present with a delightful tactile realism. Environmental particulars are pleasing as well, be they the fuzzy felt surfaces on gaming tables or the gravel roads in the undeveloped land surrounding Las Vegas. Black levels meet expectations, and aerial shots of the Las Vegas area are impressive but brief. Given the setting and nature of the show and the high amount of skin on display, it's important for skin tones to be handled well, and they are, looking healthy and realistic across the board. Any instances to the contrary are found in indoor shots where stylistic lighting choices make a negative impact.

Las Vegas: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Many will no doubt be upset that due to rights issues, Las Vegas's original theme song, Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" has been replaced with "Let It Ride" by Charlie Clouser and Jon Ingoldsby in all but the episode "Pilot". Those who never caught the show during its original broadcast will not find this offputting and likely won't even notice unless they do some digging into the show, but for those who were fans from the beginning, it's worth mentioning. Sonically, Las Vegas's 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is quite dependable. Music, which features into many of the episodes either by virtue of a musical guest's live performance or the soundtrack to on-screen action, is handled well and is often the highlight of the track. In these movements, surrounds are used to encircle the viewer, exhibiting solid separation, precision, and clarity. Bass is substantive and, when the song allows, thumping. Directionality is convincing and fluid, with objects moving realistically from side to side and from the rear to the front. Sound effects are typical of a modern setting, with clinking chips, squealing tires, and whining jet engines all deftly reproduced. Gunshots sound appropriately deep, as do the frequent punches and kicks. Dialogue is kept front and center and is always understandable.

Las Vegas: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Season One,
Disc 1

• 'Pilot' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson, and actors James Lesure, Nikki Cox, Molly Sims, and Marsha Thomason.

• Rumble in the Montecito (2.38) - Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway's arena football teams square off on the gaming floor of the Montecito in this promo for Arena Bowl XIX Las Vegas.

Disc 3

• 'Hellraisers and Heartbreakers' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson and actor James Caan.

• 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Vegas' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson and actor Vanessa Marsil.

Disc 5

• 'Always Faithful' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson and actor Josh Duhamel.

• Gag Reel (9.09) - The first of what will become a tradition, a collection of flubbed lines and other mistakes caught on film during the shooting of this season's episodes are collected here.

• Inside the Montecito (8.42) - Go Behind the Scenes with Series Creator Gary Scott Thompson and members of the cast discuss (briefly) shooting the pilot in the Mandalay Bay and constructing their own massive sets, complete with tables from the Mandalay Bay and 150 working slot machines.

• Las Vegas: The Big Gamble (21.34) - Josh Mankiewicz narrates a look at Las Vegas' history that features clips from the series mixed with appearances from Vegas celebrities like Wayne Newton, then Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, and Hal Rothman (author of "Neon Metropolis" and UNLV History Professor). The journey through time begins with stills and other ephemera from Vegas' earliest days as a rail stop before moving on to the impact of the construction of the Hoover Dam at a time when the town cultivated its western image. Things changed when "Bugsy" Siegel arrived, envisioning high-end, fashionable casinos and constructing the Flamingo. A brief look at the history of the mob in Vegas is next, followed by the evolution of its classic shows, and the wedding industry (which includes footage from Elvis and Frank Sinatra's weddings). Howard Hughes' transformative presence is discussed, which set the stage for the explosive growth of the city. Closing out the spot, the growth of a broader entertainment appeal which was started by Steve Wynn and helped to make Las Vegas more family-friendly is among the final topics.

• Las Vegas The TV Show (0.32) - A brief promo spot for the show.

• City of Las Vegas Promotional Spot (1.32) - A high-energy promo for the city that features numerous landmarks, attractions, entertainment, and recreational options.

Season Two,
Disc 4

• Gag Reel (5.18) - Once again, this is a collection of gaffes and flubbed lines from the season's episodes that is features a fair amount of material that is not suitable for network broadcast.

• VIP Access Only (7.52) - Greg Sheets, Director of Hotel Operations, and other staff at the Palms shares how they take care of their VIP guests, from high limit gaming tables, pools, cuisine, night clubs with private elevators and sky boxes, to suites, and fulfilling special requests.

Season Three,
Disc 4

• Gag Reel (7.20) - After a modified opening sequence, a typical assortment of bloopers from the filming of Season Three unspool.

• In with the New (2.30) - Time-lapse photography allows viewers to watch the construction of the new Montecito casino- floor set.

Season Four,
Disc 1

• 'Father of the Bride Redux' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson

• Season 3 Recap (7.28) - In just a few minutes viewers, through the extensive use of clips, are reminded of the critical moments and storylines from the previous season.

• Backstage with Cast and Crew (16.58) - As cast and crew mug for the camera, watch the creation of scenes, set construction, location work, and other moments all captured with a decidedly lighthearted flair.

• Behind the Scenes - The Making of Las Vegas Season 4 (19.54) - Finished clips are mixed with candid behind-the-scenes moments, and are highlighted by the location work in Hawaii.

Disc 2

• 'Delinda's Box' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson

• 'White Christmas' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson

Disc 4

• 'Heroes' commentary with series creator Gary Scott Thompson

Season Five,
Disc 4

• Gag Reel (10.08) - A generous portion of bloopers and gags play out after a brief bit about Danny and Mike's friendship which is followed by the Season Five opener. (SD)

• VFX Featurette (3.49) - The VFX team discusses how they created various scenes such as when Tom Sellick's "Cooper is introduced and the scene where Cooper and Danny survey the damage done at the end of Season Four. These are very brief descriptions of how the shots were achieved. (SD)

• Hot Stuff (4.32) - A montage of action sequences and some of the series' racier content. (SD)

• NBC.com Webcasts (15.54) - Series creator Gary Scott Thompson introduces a series of segments: "Writers's Room", "Q&A with Gary Scott Thompson", "Strippers on Strike!", "Q&A with the Cast", "Trick or Treat!", "Vegas BBQ", and "Back on the Air!".

Las Vegas: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Given that the series is set in a casino in Sin City, Las Vegas has cart blanche to include virtually any type of character or plotline without being considered unrealistic or far-fetched, as those who have made a few trips to Las Vegas, myself included, could attest. The series uses that to its advantage populating each episode with colorful characters, celebrity guest stars, and musical performances to dress out the weekly adventures for the team at the Montecito while having the ability to routinely provide ample amounts of skin without being considered exploitative. The cast, initially helmed by James Caan, is talented and attractive, with its episodic structure providing entertaining, humorous, and occasionally racey stories in easy-to-binge 40-minute adventures, without needing to keep track of a series-long plotline. For newcomers and established fans alike, Las Vegas: The Complete Series comes highly recommended.