7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Vampire/werewolf hybrid Klaus returns to the magical melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago. There, his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, exercises total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of the city.
Starring: Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael DavisSupernatural | 100% |
Horror | 76% |
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
Five-disc set (5 BDs)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
For fans soapy Vampire-centric content, Julie Plec is the gift the keeps on giving. The creator of the hit CW show The Vampire Diaries and its darker New Orleans spinoff show The
Originals seems to have this kind of thing down to a science. With The Originals in particular, Plec has created a brooding world of
vamps, werewolves, witches, and humans in a tale that's grown some Shakespearean legs as it powers through its violent, sordid, and complex
machinations. It's finally found its stride in season three, the most daring yet and, for the character roster, most damaging. Season three doesn't let
the
characters off unscathed, and as it builds towards its violent climax, nobody is safe and the world of The Originals will forever be defined by
what happens in the final few episodes.
Warner Brothers previously released the first two seasons of The Originals to Blu-ray. Newcomers, or those wanting a quick refresher, should
check out the reviews for
season one and season two before proceeding
into season three.
The Originals: The Complete Third Season features a 1080p transfer that's fairly typical for the show. Its most predominant feature is crushed blacks, with darker scenes seriously overwhelming the frame, seemingly by stylistic design to reinforce tone, but it's pretty drastic at its worst. Blacks occasionally, and infrequently, push to a very dark purple shading. Noise is also pervasive, particularly in lower light, amber-glowing scenes, which are frequent. Generally speaking, however, it looks fairly good. It's digital-glossy and smooth, not to a debilitating level but there's no mistaking its very clean surface. Detailing is still impressive, however, particularly along rougher surface areas like brick walls, but clothing lines and facial features fare well enough, too. Colors are fine, often less dynamic than usual thanks to the show's heavily dark filtering, but when in brighter locations where the palette has an opportunity to shine, it does. Mild compression artifacts are apparent in places, but rarely distracting.
The Originals: The Complete Third Season features a solidly performing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is defined by its big, aggressive low end, complimenting music and movement alike with a serious punch and presence that enhances the experience. Musical presentation is further enhanced by the track's willingness to push the stage in both width and depth, sending nicely defined notes through the stage for an immersive experience. Likewise, action scenes spread out very well, with several examples of excellent imaging and placement, all supported by that powerful low end signature. Mild atmospherics chime in on occasion when available, and dialogue is always well prioritized and presented with clear and articulate front-center placement.
The Originals: The Complete Third Season contains deleted scenes on each disc and several additional extras on disc five. The menu has
been simplified from previous seasons, and
unlike previous seasons, no printed episode guide is included, and neither is a UV digital copy voucher.
Disc One:
This is easily the best season yet for The Originals. The show is definitely an acquired taste, taking its time to pull the viewer into its world and move beyond the cruder and more familiar mechanics that defined it out of the gate. Season three has transitioned it from a show that seemed only for people who teethed on Twilight but were looking for an edgier, more sophisticated version thereof and seems to have opened up to outsiders who are looking for the next step in this genre's evolution. The Originals: The Complete Third Season could stand tighter video a few more extras; the deleted scenes and the Comic-Con panel are the only supplements of any real value. From a technical perspective, the audio track is the highlight of this package. Recommended.
2013-2014
2013-2014
2014-2015
Warner Archive Collection
2017
2012-2013
Combo Pack
2012
2011-2017
2011
2007
2014-2015
2013
2014
2014-2016
1966-1971
2012
2019
Encore Edition
2008
2018
1988
2019
1971
2019
1968
2016