The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		5.0

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

One of the best sitcoms in TV history receives a must-own Blu-ray box-set

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard August 14, 2020

One of the most popular sitcoms in television history, The Big Bang Theory ran for twelve seasons and ended with 279 episodes. The mega-hit series was watched by millions of viewers and became a huge hit around the world. The series was created by Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg). Joining the ranks of comedy gems such as Friends, Seinfeld, and The Office, The Big Bang Theory is one of televisions most distinctive, original, and must-see sitcoms. Consider it to be appointment television.

The series began on a simple comedic note: two nerdy boys meet an attractive girl-next-door when she moves in across from their shared apartment. Can there be romance between a hot blonde and a nerdy comic-book scientist? The series had a pitch that could have quickly run stale and fizzled out. Instead, The Big Bang Theory managed to become one of the rare sitcoms that evolved over the years on air and became something far more special than anyone could have ever imaged it being from the pilot episode alone.

The core characters are the heart of the show and are why audiences kept tuning in for so many seasons. Brainy but emotionally stunted Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), nerdy and nice Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), creepy yet lovable Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and romantic-at-heart Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) are a group of lovable scientists navigating through life and the mysteries of the universe: love, work, and play. The journey taken by these odd nerds was at the heart of the story yet the great female characters made the series even better: aspiring actress/waiter Penny (Kaley Cuoco), shrewd businesswoman Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch), and the brainy Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik). The series was always about the characters and their unique experiences in life. Blending together science, comic-books, and all-things-nerdy, The Big Bang Theory makes geeks the cool kids on the block. (Kudos.)

The series was consistently laugh-out-loud hilarious and this is a core strength of the series and why it managed to be so entertaining to a wide (and broad) audience of viewers for such a long span of time. Entertaining fans of all ages: families, college kids, and nerds (or popular kids), The Big Bang Theory created a pitch perfect recipe for success: the series had something special for everyone tuning in each week. A dynamite success.

Some might be taken aback by the idea of a television series that can appeal to such a wide base: don't fret. The Big Bang Theory is that rare show you could watch with your grandparents over the holidays and no one would regret the time spent enjoying in the company of Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, and the rest of the gang. If that's not the perfect equation to a mega-hit sitcom, I don't know what is anymore. The series is unquestionably an example of the power of comedy.

The series was also strengthened by great supporting players from beginning to end. Comic-book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) started out as a side-character before becoming every-bit-as-essential to the series (and a main cast member). Then there's honorary cast member Wil Wheaton (playing a version of himself), who was always getting into hilarious feuds with Sheldon Cooper. Not to mention the seemingly never-ending celebrity guest spots that enhanced the show (with the likes of Mark Hamill, Bill Nye, Bob Newhart, and Stephen Hawking keeping things interesting).

The longest running multi-camera sitcom ever produced, The Big Bang Theory is as hilarious as it is comforting. The series was funny from the start. What I never expected (and what I suspect most viewers never expected) was how much it would grow and develop as a sitcom over the years. Countless sitcoms run out of steam by the end of their run. The Big Bang Theory is something else entirely: a series that grew leaps and bounds before concluding on a high note. The series writers and actors followed the golden rule: always leave them wanting more.

"Did you know that the Blu-ray box set costs $2,000? Bazinga! It's a much better value than that."

For more information on each season please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Tenth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Twelfth and Final Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Big Bang Theory features the same excellent picture-quality present on the individual Blu-ray season sets. The show changed in cinematographic style over the years and there were some quite noticeable changes in production quality: the early seasons have a slightly grainier quality as shot on film and the later seasons have the clear, crisp quality of digital photography. The colors are even a bit more robust in the later years of the show. All said, the series looked consistently great on Blu-ray and the complete series set successfully retains the aesthetic of The Big Bang Theory: exactly as the series creators intended.

If there is one minor nitpick about the release, the third season (originally the first season to arrive on the Blu-ray format) in encoded in the inferior VC-1 codec (compared to the standard MPEG-4 AVC), and has somewhat less refined looking compression. Nonetheless, casual viewers won't be bothered (and everyone else will be annoyed at best). The re-release would have been a good opportunity to re-encode these episodes. Having said that, the set is fantastic and the episodes are beautiful looking: the encodes are far better than any streaming version available.

For more information on the video-quality please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Tenth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Twelfth and Final Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release features lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The high resolution sound mixes sound outstanding and though the surround sound design is somewhat minimalistic in comparison to big-budget action-series or huge blockbuster films, the occasional sound effects and added ambiance are a nice addition for the sitcom. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. Every Bazinga sounds remarkably crisp and there are no egregious issues. Only season 3 (the first season to be released on Blu-ray) is presented in lossy 5.1 Dolby Digital).

For more information on the audio presentations please refer to the reviews linked to below:

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Tenth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Twelfth and Final Season Blu-ray Review

 

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The complete series release is available in a gorgeous collectors edition with Digibook packaging (with disc sleeve slots for each Blu-ray disc) and in a standard edition (in which the discs are spread across three standard, extra large Blu-ray cases, available here). Depending on the type of enthusiast you are, one of these options will stand out as the more appealing option. Pick your preferred style and dig in.

For myself, the book-style packaging is a true treat. I enjoy the photographs adorning each page of the package and flipping through the set is somewhat akin to going down memory lane (rekindling fond thoughts of the series most memorable moments). In addition to having such beautiful packaging, the set has a booklet featuring a letter by co-creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre, a episode guide for the entire run of episodes, still photographs from the series, and behind-the-scenes photos from the production of the series finale. A nice touch to the set.

The complete set also includes an exclusive bonus disc featuring brand new behind-the-scenes extras that were not available on the standalone season sets. Let's dig in: are the exclusive bonus features worth a potential double dip? (Newcomers, fear not: the set is resoundingly worthwhile.)

Please note that all of the previously available supplemental features (with the exception of store-exclusive bonus discs for seasons 3 and 4 with comic con Q&A panels) are provided in the set. For more in-depth information on the plethora of bonus features please refer to the individual season sets linked to below:

For more information on each season please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Tenth Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eleventh Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Twelfth and Final Season Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: Complete Series Bonus DVD:

(Yes, that isn't a typo.)

The Big Bang Theory: A Retrospective (SD, 28:32) is a special production featuring interviews with co-creator Chuck Lorre, executive producers, casting directors, and the cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik.

The group discuss the origins of The Big Bang Theory and what the original concept for the sitcom was before it expanded with the addition of new characters and more depth over the seasons. Jim Parsons provides some insights in his leading role as Sheldon. Johnny Galecki discusses the Penny/Leonard dynamic and how it was a different role for him in comparison to anything else he previously did. Kaley Cuoco gives some insights in to why her role was so important to her on the show.

Delving into the pilot history, viewers will learn why the first (of two) pilots failed. The ensemble cast delve into their personal involvement with the series and how each became involved in the series. The extra also showcases behind the scenes footage from the filming of an episode of the show (with a live audience). A behind-the-scenes look at ceremonies held to celebrate the legacy of The Big Bang Theory round out the extra.

The Big Bang Theory's Greatest Hits: 12 Years of Comedy in 24 Minutes (SD, 25:03) is ironically 25 minutes of clips showcasing some of the most important moments of the series run. This was a fun clip-show and one that fans will enjoy as it showcases so many great moments from throughout the series run. For anyone thinking about showing the "previous season" clips to a new fan jumping in: please don't. Start at the beginning.

All the Stars in the Big Bang Theory Universe (SD, 12:20) kicks off with Kevin Smith giving a speech about his participation on The Big Bang Theory before a clip-show montage showcases Will Wheaton, Stephen Hawking, Stan Lee, Bill Nye, Bob Newhart, Ira Flatow, James Earl Jones, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, George Takei, Summer Glau, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Adam West, Buzz Aldrin, William Shatner, and others who were featured on the series run. The cast reminiscence on working with some of the celebrities during cameo guest appearances. Even guests like Kevin Smith, Mark Hamill, and Will Weaton discuss their roles.

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is something magical about The Big Bang Theory. My mother introduced me to the series as it was airing and I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. The series wasn't talking down to geeks or nerds: it makes them the cool guys. The series is a joy to watch and it never manages to miss a beat. I'm not sure what I expected initially but the series surpassed all my expectations. The cast made it great and the writers always found new ways to keep the show entertaining.

As one of the longest running sitcoms in history, The Big Bang Theory is a true gem that got better with age. Consistently laugh out loud funny, the series is a comedy gem. This is appointment television that is now worth revisiting time and time again for years to come. The Blu-ray collection features all 279 episodes and is a "can't miss" release for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Loaded with extras and countless hours of entertainment, it is a great Blu-ray release that fans will be pleased with adding to their collection. The series and release receives my highest recommendation. As Sheldon prized his Blu-ray box-set of The Lord of the Rings in an episode of the show, fans will cherish this collection. Don't miss it.