8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
With the Ring Gates now open to thousands of new planets, a blood-soaked gold rush begins, igniting new conflicts between Earth, Mars and the Belt. Meanwhile, on one unexplored planet, the Rocinante crew gets caught in a violent clash between an Earth mining corporation and desperate Belter settlers as deadly new threats from the protomolecule emerge.
Starring: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Cas Anvar, Wes ChathamSci-Fi | 100% |
Mystery | 19% |
Drama | 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
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
'The Expanse: Season Four' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The season's ten episodes are spread across three Blu-ray discs with special features spread across all three discs. A DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1 tracks accompanies the 1080p image. Neither a slipcover nor a Digital Code are included.
After being canceled by the SyFy channel, fans took to the internet to try to save The Expanse and secure more adventures for the Roci's crew and the other characters inhabiting Earth, Mars, and the Belt. Their actions were ultimately successful and Amazon picked up the series and production on the fourth season began. Despite its new home, thankfully The Expanse: Season Four gives viewers more of what they've come to expect from the series - modern geopolitical issues thrust hundreds of years into the future coupled with excellent character development and storytelling. Here, among other salient issues, the series focuses on the rights of the corporation versus the rights of the individual, forced relocation of settlers, and the careful molding and manicuring of political figures meticulously packaged for public consumption. Never preachy or heavy-handed, instead the season opts to merely hold up a mirror to the issues as the characters wrestle with finding the best way forward in situations that are never black and white.
This season, the face of evil is brought to life by Burn Gorman whose Adolphus Murtry represents the RCE on Ilus. He is both riveting and repellant in his efforts to remove the Belter settlers from the planet so that the mineral-rich planet can be exploited to the fullest, netting him and those loyal to him, a huge payday. Even as those on the planet faces crisis after crisis and everyone must work together to overcome them, he never truly quits working toward his ultimate goal. Tom Jane also returns in his role of Proto-Miller in some of the season's most visually interesting and critical moments. Amos (Wes Chatham) and Alex (Cas Anvar) are both allowed the opportunity to explore their softer, human sides through several important relationships in some of the more touching character arcs as the rest of the cast fights for personal or political survival.
As fans of the series have no doubt come to expect, The Expanse: Season Four is granted a very strong transfer. The most significant issue that I detected was some very slight banding that rose to the surface only occasionally and very briefly. It never grew to the level of being egregious, it's simply worth noting. Other than that issue, the presentation here is very strong within the parameters of the program's intended look. Colors again are cooler and skew a bit blue. Skin tones here are consistent and healthy-looking within the color scheme. Fine detail levels are very high with many environmental particulars readily apparent and open for inspection on the surface of the planet, inside and out of the artifact, and aboard the Roci. As is typical, the visual effects provide some of the most visually stunning moments this season. The bright blue blast as the engines come to life and the luminescent slime trails of organisms on the planet add considerable interest and color to what is a very dark series. Display screens both large and small also provide welcome shots of color. As previously noted, The Expanse: Season Four is very dark as we spend considerable time in space and underground. Thankfully, black levels are always very good but never absorb detail.
In what appears to be standard for the series, The Expanse: Season Four is outfitted with with a great English DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1 track that can be quite boisterous but isn't lacking in finesse. Sound effects carry sufficient weight to add a high degree of realism to simple actions like Bobbie's footfalls as she climbs a ladder on Mars' exterior during one of her missions and brings a powerful crunching bass into play for the sequence with the tsunami. Smaller moments fare very well also, such as the hushed conversation between Holden and Amos as the two discuss a medical crisis on the planet. Dialogue is always clear and intelligible no matter the onscreen action with which it has to compete. Music, whether in the background or allowed to swell into prominence, is crisp and precise. Surrounds are frequently called upon to add immersive depth in mundane scenes like press conferences, camps, and bars, as well as to more extraordinary moments like battles, natural disasters, and encounters with Proto-Miller. English SDH subtitles are also available.
Special features are spread across The Expanse: Season Four's three discs as follows:
Disc One:
Modern geopolitical issues continue to play out in the future as The Expanse logs a very successful and gripping first season on Amazon Prime. The Expanse: Season Four offers rich character development for Amos, Alex, Bobbie, and particularly for Avasarala, as their personal storylines not only help flesh them out but also drive and define the main action of the season. Fans of the series will certainly want to add this release to their collections as technical merits are strong, the special features are interesting, and the season demonstrates the same commitment to a high level of storytelling and acting that those who have been around since the first season have come to expect. Highly Recommended.
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