7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
In Season Eight, we find Damon and Enzo continuing on their killing spree, both following the commands of a sinister and unnatural force. While Bonnie, Stefan and Caroline are grieving their loss, they team up to investigate who or what may be the cause of their disappearance at the end of season seven. Alaric joins the search and continues to look for clues on how they escaped the Armory vault, and Matt's family history will reveal a deeper connection to Mystic Falls and how he may be able to save the town from destruction.
Starring: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley (II), Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Sara CanningFantasy | 100% |
Romance | 89% |
Teen | 75% |
Supernatural | 57% |
Horror | 13% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Thriller | 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
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
UV digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Eight seasons is a pretty serious run. That beats out the vast majority of TV shows for longevity and even surpasses plenty of classics, both from television's bygone eras and up against much of today's stiff (and numerically overwhelming) competition. The Vampire Diaries, from the mind of series creator Julie Plec, arrived on the scene when the moody teen vampire craze was in full force, when Twilight was the big thing and all of the copycats were lining store bookshelves, all darkly covered and featuring romantically involved lettering that promised forbidden romance between bloodsucking yet irresistibly attractive vampires and equally perfectly skinned and proportioned humans. The Vampire Diaries delivered what everyone wanted: pretty young faces, moody atmosphere, complex and branching story arcs, a bit off mysticism (in a town called Mystic Falls), and a whole lot of convoluted romantic angles, broken relationships, and bloodletting. It would gain an honest fan base and earn eye rolls from more cynical types, but it would deliver all of the drama (on and off the screen alike) that kept fans happy and hungry for more. Season eight wraps it up in satisfying fashion, delivering a run-up to the finale that fits that structure and style and these characters as well as most in the audience could have wanted.
The Vampire Diaries: The Eighth and Final Season's 1080p transfer is reminiscent of the series' more recent Blu-ray releases. It's a very dark, often shadowy show. Unsurprisingly, noise spikes in darker shots, as does macroblocking. Crushed blacks are a concern as well, though the soupy, murky, heavy-dark appearance seems to compliment the series' dramatic tone. Colors are fine; there's not often a significant level of vibrance, but blood and other bright colors, particularly in various well-lit areas, are nicely saturated, even under mostly limited range. Flesh tones are a bit creamy. Detailing is fine within the proper context. The digital photography, the show's dark nature, and its rather silky presentation don't leave room for tremendous, insightful textures, but basic facial, clothing, and environmental elements satisfy. The transfer works fine for the show's contrasts and visual style, but it's certainly not one to wow and dazzle friends and family.
The Vampire Diaries: The Eighth and Final Season features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's not quite so aggressively intense as the previous season's effort. Balance and front-end dominance are most at play here. Music is nicely integrated, adequately wide and presenting with pleasing, general clarity that serves the material well. Surround engagement isn't usually intense and low end support isn't often prodigious. Much the same may be said of sound effects. The show certainly has its moments of explosive growth in terms of low end depth and surround implementation, but more generalized bits are usually left up front, at least predominantly. Environmental ambience is pleasing, again with more of a front-heavy presence rather than a more balanced surround usage, but listeners will often feel involved in various environments, even if considering only little hints that help to sonically shape every locale. Dialogue drives much of the season, and it's presented clearly and with firm center positioning.
The Vampire Diaries: The Eighth and Final Season contains deleted scenes across all three discs. Disc three additionally houses a Comic-Con
panel, an ad for the state of Georgia, and a featurette. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.
Disc One:
It may be the end, but fans have eight relatively solid seasons to enjoy all over again. Season eight wraps things up in a manner befitting the series and its directions. Eight seasons is special, reflective of both staying power and quality. The show is certainly not everyone's cup of tea, and the vampire craze may be dimming as the Twilight fad fades away, but chances are The Vampire Diaries will enjoy a long shelf life as perhaps the quintessential show of its kind. The Vampire Diaries: The Eighth and Final Season offers honest video and audio. Extras are fine if not a bit flat. Recommended.
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