Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 21, 2016

Those Winchester boys have been through a lot. Seriously, Supernatural has never been timid about pushing them and dropping them in devilishly dark dilemmas or seriously screwball scenarios. They've faced everyday evil and uncommon shenanigans, most of which would make anyone's skin crawl but that's just another day in the Impala for them. But in season eleven, they've made it to the top of the food chain. Really, the very tip top. And all the way back to the beginning, before there was even light or dark, or the first day, or God. Yes, they've dealt with all sorts of things, but this is something entirely unique that will rewrite not only the truths of everything they've faced, but their very life stories and, yes, the entire history of the world. Season eleven is the most daring yet in a show that's no stranger to big, bold moves. Its arc is larger but the stories still intimate. The series is still fun but it's pushing the darker side -- literally -- in a way it hasn't before. Not quite the best season but certainly the most interesting and maybe the most defining for what the show has become, season eleven keeps Supernatural on the map and takes it to a place beyond the borders that promises yet another interesting turn as it marches towards its twelfth, and hopefully far from final, season.

Note: Warner Brothers previously released all ten seasons of 'Supernatural.' It is highly recommended that newcomers go back and start at the beginning. For convenience, below is a link to each individual season listing.

• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three
• Season Four
• Season Five
• Season Six
• Season Seven
• Season Eight
• Season Nine
• Season Ten

Brothers.

Official Synopsis: Season Eleven plunges Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) into extreme peril as they face The Darkness, a sinister new menace unleashed upon the Earth. They continue their monster-hunting missions, battling the usual werewolves, black-eyed demons and even a vengeful ghost in a stuffed bunny costume, but with a sharp new focus: destroy The Darkness. Needing all the help they can get, the brothers turn to fallen angel Castiel (Misha Collins); King of Hell Crowley (Mark A. Sheppard); and even an unassuming God (Rob Benedict) - only to come face to face with Lucifer and Crowley's power-hungry witch-mother, Rowena (Ruth Connell). Strap yourself in for the Winchester's darkest adventures yet as they journey between Heaven and Hell...

Season eleven has its cake and eats it, too. On one hand is a big, sprawling story with great and grave consequences, a truly large, epically scoped tale that pushes boundaries for the show and the medium and, certainly, for the Winchester Brothers. On the other, it takes its really big idea -- God the light and Darkness His sister -- and creates a more intimate, even relatable relationship, a sibling rivalry that in some ways parallels, and in some ways enhances, the relationship that's been developed between Dean and Sam, the show's centerpiece even beyond the greater arcs of monsters, possessions, and what not. The divine characters -- Chuck and Amara -- don't necessarily share the same dynamic, but the core remains identifiable as a mirror, of sorts, for the show's brotherly heroes. Season eleven certainly takes its liberties with its Biblical source and invents what it needs to create that sibling dynamic as well as play, and have fun, with the ideas of its own making centered on "The Darkness" (spoiler alert), the power unleashed at the end of season ten when the Mark of Cain was removed from Dean's forearm. Supernatural's eleventh season further blends, with great ease and, for the audience, entertaining pleasure, that larger, epic narrative with a continuation of its more personable, intimate, and character-driven stories and machinations. It's a lot of fun. There's plenty of growth and exciting happenings in the series' biggest reach and most daring season yet. Fans should love it.

The following episodes comprise season eleven. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray insert. Some spoilers follow.

Disc One:

• Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire: Sam and Dean must contend with The Darkness that's been cast upon the Earth.
• Form and Void: While Dean helps Jenna, he leaves Sam to face a town infected by a deadly fog that turns its citizens into monsters.
• The Bad Seed: While Rowena tries to consolidate her power to protect herself from the Winchesters, Sam and Dean search for a missing baby connected to The Darkness.
• Baby: Seen entirely from the point of view of the Winchester's Impala, Sam and Dean embark on a typical road trip to hunt demons and monsters.
• Thin Lizzie: Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders in a small Maine town that was once home to Lizzie Borden, but young Amara (Yasmeene Lilly-Elle Ball) may be responsible.
• Our Little World: Castiel seeks the help of Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) to stop The Darkness - but Metatron is happy with his new life and not inclined to help.

Disc Two:

• Plush: Minnesota Sheriff Donna Hanscum (Briana Buckmaster) calls Sam and Dean for help after a horrific murder with supernatural elements occurs in her town.
• Just My Imagination: The Winchesters team with Sam's former (apparently not-so) imaginary friend, Sully (Nate Torrence), as they investigate the mysterious murders of other imaginary friends.
• O Brother Where Art Thou?: Amara (Emily Swallow) unleashes her power upon the world, while Sam and Crowley come up with a plan that could have disastrous consequences.
• The Devil in the Details: Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) offers Sam a way out of their cage - with a steep price. Dean and Castiel look into the angel smiting that might have killed Amara.
• Into the Mystic: Sam and Dean investigate a case where people suffer violent deaths after hearing a mysterious song.
• Don't You Forget About Me: The brothers visit Jody Mills (Kim Rhodes), Claire (Kathryn Love Newton) and Alex (Katherine Ramdeen) after receiving a panicked call.

Disc Three:

• Love Hurts: Sam and Dean investigate a series of Valentine's Day murders and discover an ancient curse: once kissed, the person is marked to die.
• The Vessel: Hoping to find a weapon to defeat Amara, Dean convinces Castiel (aka Lucifer) to send him back in time to the last reported sighting of The Hand of God - on a World War II submarine.
• Beyond the Mat: Dean and Sam attend the funeral of their childhood wrestling idol, but must investigate when another wrestler turns up dead.
• Safe House: Faced with a dangerous creature, Sam and Dean learn that Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver) and Rufus Turner (Steven Williams) once tracked the same monster.
• Red Meat: Sam is shot in the middle of a werewolf attack, leaving Dean to get his brother and the victims to safety with a pack of werewolves on their trail.
• Hell's Angel: The epic battle for power begins when Lucifer takes a trip home to Heaven. Meanwhile, Crowley tells Sam and Dean that he has a way to take down Amara.

Disc Four:

• The Chitters: Sam and Dean meet a pair of hunters in a small Colorado town where mysterious disappearances happen every 27 years by some once-in-a-generation monsters.
• Don't Call Me Shurley: When Amara releases another deadly fog of darkness causing madness in a small town, Sam and Dean try to help. Meanwhile, Chuck (Rob Benedict) returns with a proposal.
• All in the Family: Amara shows Dean how she's torturing Lucifer. Worried for Castiel, Sam and Dean come up with a plan to rescue him from Amara's clutches.
• We Happy Few: In the final countdown, Rowena makes her move, while Sam and Dean face their biggest challenge yet.
• Alpha and Omega: In the season finale, God comes to a decision about The Darkness/Amara that has direct repercussions for Sam and Dean.

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season's 1080p transfer fares very well and exhibits all of the same qualities as season ten's excellent Blu-ray presentation. The digitally sourced image is clean but never overly smooth. While it lacks a traditional filmic texture it doesn't lack well defined, precise details. Clothing textures are intimate and tactile, with heavier attire and denser materials the standout throughout the season. Facial definition is precise and revealing. Fine pores, facial hair scruff, light wrinkles, even more heavily applied makeup are all easy to spot. Support details -- interior and exterior, in bright light or low light -- are consistently sharp and true. Little things like grass, terrain, wooden textures, pavement, all sorts of odds and ends reveal and maintain superb clarity and definition for the duration. Colors are punchy and healthy. Brighter shades of orange leap off the screen in episode one. Green grasses seen in bright exteriors shine. Red blood, various colors of attire, nothing gets by or fails to impress, even earthy, flatter colors in support. Black levels are deep but not dense, barely hinting at crush in the darkest moments but never failing to satisfy. Flesh tones are healthy and even. Any sort of technical missteps -- noise, banding, and the like -- appear only in trace amounts. This is an excellent presentation from Warner Brothers.

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is potent, clear, and a whole lot of fun. The track maintains clarity and smoothness of delivery throughout the range, from the lightest notes and details to the most punishing musical cues and action effects. Stage saturation is complete. There are no discernible gaps, even with the now-"limited" 5.1 configuration. Broad directional movement and precise imaging alike are excellent; every speaker engages with knowing command of its properties and in harmony with every other one in the room. Depth of bass is terrific. It's boomy and effective but not overbearing or sloppy, whether in support of music or the season's most chaotic moments. Ambient effects are fantastically integrated, particularly light natural details -- insects, rustling leaves -- but also more prominent background support elements, too. As with everything else, surround usage is constant and perfectly integrated into the mix. Dialogue is clear and precise with natural center placement and always flawless prioritization, even under the most challenging circumstances.

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season contains a number of good supplements spread across all four discs. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: Director Thomas Wright and Writer Robbie Thompson for "Baby."
• Jensen Ackles on Directing "The Bad Seed" (1080p, 5:15): The actor, who portrays Dean Winchester on the show, discusses his direction of season eleven's third episode. Cast and crew also talk up his abilities on both sides of the camera.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Scenes from "Thin Lizzie" (0:32) and "Our Little World" (1:53).

Disc Two:

• Audio Commentary: Writer Jenny Klein and Director Richard Speight for "Just My Imagination."
• Deleted Scene (1080p): Scene from "O Brother Where Art Thou?" (2:00).

Disc Three:

• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Scenes from "Beyond the Mat" (2:56) and "Hell's Angel" (2:59).

Disc Four:

• Audio Commentary: Actors Rob Benedict and Curtis Armstrong and Writer Robbie Thompson for "Don't Call Me Shurley."
• On the Set with SPN: The Real Fan Contest (1080p, 29:49): This supplement chronicles two fans who won the opportunity to spend a day on the Supernatural set.
• The Winchester Mythology: Shedding Light on the Darkness (1080p, 16:21): A look at Amara, The Darkness embodied. The piece looks at the parallels between God and Amara and Dean and Sam, Amara's relationship with Dean and status as the original Mark of Cain, Chuck's role as God, and more.
• Digital Magic: Enhancing the Sets with VFX (1080p, 8:09): A quick look at how digital effects fit into and enhance the series.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 9:51).
• Supernatural: 2015 Comic-Con Panel (1080i, 28:47): Moderators Rob Benedict and Richard Speight Jr. host Executive Producer/Showrunner Jeremy Carver; Actors Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Mark A. Sheppard; and Writer Andrew Dabb who crank out a humorous chat about the show and season eleven. The panel also takes audience questions. This is one of the more entertaining Comic-Con panels featured on a Blu-ray supplement.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Scenes from "Don't Call Me Shurley" (5:26).

Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Supernatural keeps on chugging along, showing no signs of wear or fatigue and, even now eleven seasons in, fresh and capable of reinventing itself when necessary all the while maintaining all the core qualities fans have come to love. In a world filled with plenty of TV choices, and playing on a network that features more soapy, teen-centric Vampire flair like The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, some audiences may have overlooked this long-running gem. It's one of the better shows on TV right now, and newcomers owe it to themselves to give it a long look. Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season's Blu-ray release impresses across the board. Though the supplements aren't quite as good and involved as those from season ten, the A/V presentations remain top-notch. Highly recommended.