Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 12, 2020

Following the dark and dramatic happenings in Yellowstone's second season, season three sees the Dutton family begin a healing process and attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy: to heal the body and the soul and the family bonds alike. But like everything that happens to the Duttons, the season grows increasingly dirty and dark. Violence will once again tear the family apart, as will long-held dark secrets that will rewrite the Dutton family history and threaten to tear down everything generations have worked so hard to build.

Official synopsis: In the most explosive season of 'Yellowstone' yet, John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his family must protect their land from new and old enemies, led by Wall Street maverick Roarke (Josh Holloway). Threatened by betrayals, bad blood, and lucrative business deals, the Duttons form unexpected alliances and confront dangerous measures to safeguard their legacy.

That terse summary barely scratches the surface of all of the inner workings, high stake dealings, family revelations, and twists and turns season three has on offer. The main focus this season is on an external power play, led by the aforementioned Roarke and Willa Hayes (Karen Pittman) who are part of a group offering -- with persuasive force -- to purchase the ranch for an exorbitant sum of money. The dealings are complicated by the maneuvers from both sides and the revelations that come to light as the season progresses, one in particular that redefines Jamie Dutton's (Wes Bentley) perspective on his life and family which is further complicated by the increasingly growing rift with Beth (Kelly Reilly), particularly as a dark chapter of their shared past comes to light. These two characters, more than any others, propel season three forward, particularly as the show more intimately explores Beth's tender relationship with Rip (Cole Hauser) and Jamie's growth into his own man and into a power player in state politics.

Season three furthers the other core relationship between Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) as well as those between Colby (Denim Richards) and newcomer Teeter (Jennifer Landon) and Jimmy (Jefferson White) and newcomer Mia (Eden Brolin), but the season's most dynamic, and plot-pivotal, new characters are Roarke Morris and Willa Hayes who are the Duttons' most ruthless, and perfectly legal and extremely dangerous, corporate foes. The political dynamics and business dealings pull much of the season drama towards Jamie and Beth. The season simmers as the details crawl in and the characters absorb the facts and maneuver for their own gain, right up to an explosive final episode. The cast is particularly good this season with the mix of deeply established roots, burgeoning new realities, and festering pains returning to haunt them, all pointing to a climax in another unbelievable finale that will leave fans breathless for the start of the upcoming fourth season.

Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Like the previous two seasons before it, Yellowstone's third season Blu-ray looks fantastic. The picture is absolutely sharp, bringing the essentials and the intimates to life with breathtaking visual accessibility. The picture shines at every opportunity, particularly as it allows audiences to soak in the Western vistas where crystal-clear grasses, skies, and other natural niceties delight with superior sharpness at distance, allowing the viewer to practically stand in the landscape which is vital for appreciating not just the cinematography but also the story and the stakes and the people involved in it. Speaking of people, the transfer doesn't fail to reveal every character with effortless, tack-sharp detail. Facial features are superbly intimate. There's no missing even the most subtle nuance. Freckles, hairs, pores, wrinkles: nothing escapes the 1080p attention to detail. Attire might be more complex than skin. The Blu-ray captures the rugged Western wear -- jackets, boots, dresses, all of the high dollar apparel seen throughout the season -- with effortless, practically startling density and detail. Colors are gorgeous, whether generous diversity and subtlety to expansive natural greens and blue skies and warm woods in the richly and complexly crafted ranch interiors. Tones across the board are full and healthy, intense but never overbearing. Contrast is perfect with no needless alterations. Skin tones are true and black levels are precise. The image exhibits moderate noise in darker scenes and oftentimes visible noise even in well lit interiors and exteriors alike. There's a small hint of aliasing here and there as well. But these issues cannot undermine an otherwise stellar Blu-ray presentation.

Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is a lot to like about Yellowstone's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It's not the most dynamic track in existence but it's home to fruitful output, excellent balance, and engaging atmosphere. Indeed, environmental fill might be the most impressive component. Even something as mundane as a gently blowing wind can perfectly draw the listener into the Western world. Music plays with terrific depth and detail, whether wide opening title score, gentle Western notes, or more intense action pieces. Musical width is excellent and there's just enough surround integration to satisfy. The track never struggles to deliver more intense elements around the ranch and some of the more dynamic needs in the season's most demanding moments. There's good balance across the board, notably at the low end which is supportive but not overpowering. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration.

Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Yellowstone: Season 3 contains extras on all three discs. No DVD or digital copies are included. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

Disc One:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Short pieces that explore a few character points, plot dynamics, and key moments from each episode. Included are extras covering the episodes "You're the Indian Now" (5:31), "Freight Trains and Monsters" (8:44), "An Acceptable Surrender" (7:52), and "Going Back to Cali" (9:37).

Disc Two:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Short pieces that explore a few character points, plot dynamics, and key moments from each episode. Included are extras covering the episodes "Cowboys and Dreamers" (6:32), "All for Nothing" (6:47), "The Beating" (6:02), and "I Killed a Man Today" (5:32).

Disc Three:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Short pieces that explore a few character points, plot dynamics, and key moments from each episode. Included are extras covering the episodes "Meaner Than Evil" (8:37) and "The World Is Purple" (8:17).
• Meaner Than Evil: Making Yellowstone: Season Three (1080p, 41:34): An in-depth exploration of the season's narrative arc, character progressions and interactions, and where the show goes from here.
• Working the Yellowstone: Director/Stephen Kay (1080p, 3:27): A short look at Kay's career and work throughout the Yellowstone series.
• Working the Yellowstone: SFX Supervisor/Garry Elmendorf (1080p, 4:07): A fun look at crafting the show's grittiest needs.
• Inside Yellowstone: Season 3 (1080p, 4:30): A quick piece in praise of the writing, characters, and performances with a focus on the the season's story depth and what separates it from the previous two seasons.
• Yellowstone: Stories from the Bunkhouse (1080p): Tales from the making of each episode with Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, and Jefferson White who provide a somewhat humorous take on life on the set. Included are segments for You're the Indian Now (11:52), Freight Trains and Monsters (10:27), An Acceptable Surrender (11:32), Going Back to Cali (11:22), Cowboys and Dreamers (14:13), All for Nothing (10:12), The Beating (12:12), I Killed a Man Today (12:12), Meaner Than Evil (11:32), and The World Is Purple (11:17).

Yellowstone: Season 3 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Season three sees the Dutton Ranch under corporate assault and the family strained to its limits with new revelations, heartbreaking pasts returning to the forefront, and more at stake than in either of the previous two seasons. But most key to the season's forward momentum is its backwards look into Jamie and Beth's lives and relationship. Both are key figures in the battle for the ranch's future and their stories dominate the season's dramatic currents, leading to an unforgettable conclusion. Paramount's Blu-ray is first-class, featuring superb video and audio presentations and a healthy assortment of extra content. Highly recommended.