The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Now with more extras.

.357 Magnum not included.

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Walking Dead's special edition delivers a plethora of new extras, including seven audio commentaries for the six-episode season, while carrying over all of the extras from the previous release. Unfortunately, the set isn't otherwise perfect. The black-and-white version of the pilot episode contains no multichannel soundtrack, lossless or otherwise, and the new featurettes are fine but relatively few in number. Amongst them, the highlight is an in-depth and enveloping making-of feature that runs nearly an hour long. Is this worth the upgrade? For diehard fans, probably. For casual viewers? Probably not. Still, this three-disc set comes highly recommended to both newcomers and those supplement-craving hordes replacing/supplementing their previous purchase.

Disc One

• Audio Commentaries: Episode One, "Days Gone By," commentary one with Executive Producer/Writer/Director Frank Darabont and commentary two with Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman, and Producer Denise Huth. Episode Two, "Guts," commentary with Director Michelle MacLaren and Special Effects Make-Up Artist/Consulting Producer Greg Nicotero. Episode Three, "Tell It to the Frogs," commentary with Director Gwyneth Horder-Payton and Actors Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal. Episode Four, "Vatos," commentary with Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman and Actor Emma Bell.

• Audio Commentaries: Episode Five, "Wildfire," commentary with Director Ernest Dickerson and Actor Laurie Holden. Episode Six, "TS-19," commentary with Director Guy Ferland and Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd.
• The Making of The Walking Dead (1080p, 29:53): Cast and crew -- including Producer Frank Darabont (The Mist) -- examine the series' themes, what separates it from other filmed Zombie stories, transitioning the comic series to the small screen, AMC's faith in the series, the process of shooting various scenes and crafting CGI effects, zombie design and gore, and the camaraderie and quality of the cast.
• Inside The Walking Dead (1080p, varied runtimes): Six short featurettes that take viewers behind-the-scenes of each of the six episodes.
• A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman (1080p, 4:51): This piece plays, more or less, as a preview of the supplemental material.
• Behind the Scenes Zombie Make-Up Tips (1080p, 6:45): Greg Nicoterro shows viewers how to apply zombie makeup at home.
• Convention Panel with Producers (1080p, 11:32): Series producers answer fan questions at Comic-Con.
• The Walking Dead Trailer (1080p, 1:03).
• Zombie School (1080p, 2:59): A look at the process of training actors to portray zombies.
• Bicycle Girl (1080p, 5:06): A focused examination of one of the series' trademark zombies.
• On Set with Robert Kirkman (1080p, 3:07): The Executive Producer/Writer/Comic Book Creator takes viewers on a tour of one of the sets.
• Hanging with Steven Yeun (1080p, 3:52): The young actor talks about life on the set.
• Inside Dale's RV (1080p, 3:25): A tour of one of the film's sets with Actor Jeffrey Demunn.
• On Set with Andrew Lincoln (1080p, 3:46): The series' star discusses his approach to playing the lead character.

• Pilot Episode: The B&W Version (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 1:07:04): Much like Frank Darabont did with his superb film The Mist, his "Days Gone By" is available in a black and white version. Unfortunately, no lossless or multichannel soundtrack is included.
• We Are The Walking Dead (1080p, 56:26): This three part feature opens at Comic Con 2010 and flashes back to the day before shooting the series began for a thorough look at the making of the show's six-episode first season. This thing is packed with relevant content, some of which could use some more exposition and insight where only glimpses of certain production aspects are covered, but the entire feature offers a fascinating glimpse into the ins and outs of making a high dollar TV show. The piece looks at stunts that don't always go as planned, set decoration, shot planning, props, special effects, and more. The best parts come in the raw on-set footage that offers viewers and uncensored look at life and work on the making of the show. Ultimately, the supplement comes full-circle back to the show's Comic Con panel where cast and crew -- in the middle of the shoot -- field questions and speak about the show, only to get back to the filmmaking grind days later.
• Bring Out the Dead: KNB and the Art of Making Zombies (1080p, 16:57): A detailed and oftentimes disgusting (in a good way!) look at the show's practical zombie makeup and gore effects.
• Digital Decay: The VFX of The Walking Dead (1080p, 12:01): A companion piece to the last supplement that examines the series' digital effects that supported, but didn't define, the show and its visuals. Both of these effects supplements are smart, well-spoken, and highly informative.
• No More Room in Hell: The Walking Dead Phenomenon (1080p, 12:38): Robert Kirkman and others discuss Image comics and the structure and success of The Walking Dead.
• Adapting the Dead (1080p, 7:33): This companion piece to No More Room in Hell features Kirkman and Frank Darabont discussing the process of bringing the comic to the small screen, with emphasis on how the story both changes and stays the same through the process.
• Killer Conversations: Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero (1080p, 12:44): The Writer/Director and Effects Artist discuss the show.

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation