Favored by 0 users
(Register to add this entry to your favorites)
Grade
Content Grade:
B+
Sound Grade:
B+
Extras Grade:
A+
Picture Grade:
B
Specs
Anchor Bay Fullscreen Dolby 5.1 surround Closed captioned 1056 mins., color, 10 disc set
Review
By Season Four, Xena was a really big hit and stars Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor explore new dimensions to their characters in this dvd set. This season was highlighted with more journeys into Xena's past and the religious conversion of Gabrielle. We see more of the characters we know and love, such as Ted Raimi and Bruce Campbell in some very campy episodes. The season's opener and closer are some of the best Xena's ever.
22 episodes are spread over 8 discs, with commentary from cast and crew on some episodes. The additional two discs have lots of extras but more about that later. The season opens with a two part episode as Xena searches the land of the dead for Gabriel, who battled her evil child, Hope, in the series 3 finale. In classic cliffhanger fashion, Gabrielle is discovered to have survived a fall into a volcanic inferno. In "A Family Affair", we find out Hope has survived as well and spawned an evil monster for a child. Other highlights include Gabrielle's journey to India, in which she meet the messiah-like Eli and becomes a healer. Xena struggles with her separation from Gabrielle and finds out more about her son, Solan. Xena also finally gets to meet up with and deal with Julius Caeser, who had her crucified in years past. The climatic "Ides Of March" is a memorable end to season four.
Picture and Sound
bit grainy, fullscreen transfer is something that has plagued the Xena series through several seasons and this is no exception. This season's themes are darker and lighting brings out the grain in many episodes. nd fullscreen-Come on, this is an epic series and deserves a widescreen transfer. Sound is Dolby 5.1 and packs a punch; no complaints as the sound is fantastic for a television series.
Extras
Wow-as usual, the Xena series is loaded to the gills with extra stuff. Here is a listing: Video and audio commentaries with actresses Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Executive Producer Robert Tapert and Co-Producer Chris Manheim Interviews with cast and crew, "Bringing Monsters to Life at K.N.B. EFX Group" featurette "Adventures in Sin Trade: An Exploration" featurette "Bruce & Ted Cabin Fever" featurette Bloopers and outtakes Photo gallery DVD-ROM: bios, trivia, chronicles, original production designs and sketches It will take you weeks to get through all of it! Another outstanding job of packaging this disc series with value.
Summary
While I enjoyed Season three a bit more, I liked this Season four disc set for its approach to its characters, and for the story lines. All the good characters are back again for another fun time, and Xena and Gabrielle characters grow a lot this season. An excellent, value rich set for Xena fans.
