There’s nothing like the FX Channel when it comes to delivering hard-hitting drama… hell… hard-hitting, blood-drenched drama. Past shows like “The Shield” changed the landscape of what television had to offer outside of pay channels like HBO or Showtime. The past four years have given us the multiple series including the genius of “Breaking Bad” and “Sons of Anarchy”… the latter of which I’m going to talk about today.
“Sons of Anarchy” follows a hard-boiled motorcycle ‘club’ (of the same name) living, loving, fighting and dying in Northern California. They ‘keep the peace’ in their town, but not all is squeaky clean as they are involved in all manner of illegal activities. Smuggling guns seems to be an especially prosperous venture for the Sons… and also an extremely dangerous one.
Leading the pack is Clay Morrow, played with an unsurprising intensity by Ron Perlman. He’s probably one of the toughest S.O.Bs I’ve ever seen on TV. Of course, it takes a tough woman to stand toe to toe with a man like Clay so the casting of Katey Sagal as his wife Gemma. Add to the mix Charlie Hunman as his stepson Jax, and you have a recipe for disaster… especially in the recently released 4th season, where family secrets start coming to light. I’d share more specific info here, but I prefer a spoiler free review…
The Blu-ray edition of the 4th season of “Sons of Anarchy” is definitely the way to go as the series is shot in high definition video and the transfer is strikingly sharp. There is so much detail to be seen in this series, from the motorcycles and weaponry to the surrounding environment. The color palette has a gritty realism and it looks terrific. As far as audio, it offers far more than you might expect from a television series. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 offers a strong surrounding ambience whether the action is taking place inside or out. The motorcycle engines make you feel like you are sitting right on top of them and gun battles make you duck. And through it all, dialogue is always clear and easy to understand.
Extra features include five audio commentaries (listed below) from various members of the cast and crew, and every single one of them is worth a listen, especially to bigger fans of the series. There are also several deleted scenes, a very funny gag reel, a featurette focusing on a couple of fans who got to hang out on set, and video of a benefit show that was put on for the family of a friend of the series who passed away without having insurance. Additionally, there is a featurette that is a huge spoiler so I am not going to mention it here. And finally, you’ll find a cool iPhone app that allows you to explore the clubhouse, see alternate scenes and most unusually… sync with an episode and let you buy items you see on screen.
“Sons of Anarchy” is easily one of the most brutal and powerful shows on television. There are twists and turns in every episode and it is simply impossible not to get sucked in from the very first episode. I cannot wait for the premiere of the 5th season.
Episodes:
Out (commentary by Kurt Sutter, Paris Barclay, Charlie Hunnam, and Ron Perlman)
Booster
Dorylus
Una Venta
Brick
With an X
Fruit for the Crows
Family Recipe
Kiss
Hands (commentary by Peter Weller / commentary by Kurt Sutter, Katey Sagal, and Maggie Siff)
Call of Duty
Burnt and Purged Away
To Be, Act 1 (commentary by Kurt Sutter, Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Mark Boone Jr., Dayton Callie, Theo Rossi, Kim Coates, Tommy Flanagan, and Ryan Hurst)
To Be, Act 2 (commentary by Kurt Sutter, Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Mark Boone Jr., Dayton Callie, Theo Rossi, Kim Coates, Tommy Flanagan, and Ryan Hurst)
Starring: Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Jr., Charlie Hunnam
Extras: Audio Commentaries; Sons of Anarchy App Integration; Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; Farewell Piney; Fans of Anarchy; Anarchy at House of Blues
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 8/28/2012
Rating: TV-MA
