Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.5 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.5 |
| Extras |  | 4.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 17, 2015
There may be a bit of an ongoing debate about the future of physical media, but physical media with swag—well, that seems to be here
to
stay. Barely six months after The Strain:
The Complete First Season hit retail shelves as a standalone Blu-ray release, 20th Century Fox is back (from the undead?) with
another
release of this series sprung at least partially from the fervid imagination of Guillermo del Toro. This time there’s a deluxe box (7.5” wide x 6”
deep x almost 9” high) which houses an equally deluxe bust of the series' nefarious villain, The Master, on a dais of sorts with a compartment in
the
back containing the Blu-ray keepcase (see the pictures accompanying this review). In
what will be either better or worse news for collectors (dependent upon how one feels about “double dipping”), Fox has included new
supplements
on this release, perhaps adding to the allure of the overall package.
For my thoughts on the series, please see our original
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray review.
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Video quality, including screenshots, is assessed in our original review, linked above.
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
Audio quality is assessed in our original review, linked above.
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
As mentioned above, this new Premium Edition contains new supplements in addition to porting over the previously released bonus content.
New
supplements are identified with an asterisk (*) below.
Disc One:
- In the Beginning (1080p; 14:11) gives an overview of some of the show's major plot components and characters, and
includes
interviews with many of the principal cast and crew.
- Audio Commentary on "Night Zero" by Guillermo del Toro*
- Deleted Scenes* (1080p; 6:58)
Disc Two:
- A Novel Approach (1080p; 9:38) features Guillermo del Toro discussing some of the inspirations for the original book version
of
The Strain.
- Deleted Scenes* (1080p; 6:03)
Disc Three:
- Setrakian's Lair (1080p; 9:47) presents David Bradley, who plays Setrakian, providing a tour of the "Batcave" like lair of the
character.
- Audio Commentary on "The Master" by Carlton Cuse*
- Deleted Scenes* (1080p; 11:33)
- Gag Reel* (1080p; 2:59)
- FX Teasers: The Strain Season One* (1080p; 2:11)
- He is Here* (1080p; 9:22) profiles The Master.
The Strain: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
As this review goes live there's only about a $10 difference between the first, standalone Blu-ray release of the first season of The Strain
and this new "premium edition." That would seem to make this newer version the obvious choice for anyone who hasn't yet picked up the series
and who has an interest in doing so. Those who did spring for the first release will have to decide whether a box, bust and some new
supplements are worth the price of admission. One way or the other, The Strain comes Recommended.
