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Supernatural: The Complete Ninth Season Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins
  • Producers: Jeremy Carver, Robert Singer, Phil Sgriccia, McG McG, Adam Glass
  • Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Box set, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Language: English
  • Number of discs: 4
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • Release Date: September 9, 2014
  • Digital Copy Expiration Date: September 9, 2017
  • Run Time: 1012 minutes



  •         Horror movies have developed an unhealthy habit of creating bland characters in order to lazily ensure that the audience doesn’t turn against the film when those characters are brutally killed. What has resulted is a genre riddled with bad acting and one-dimensional characters, and often we don’t complain because we were entertained enough by the scares. The same doesn’t hold true of “Supernatural,” a television horror show. Because we are forced to remain with the same main characters each episode, it hurts that the weakest link in the show is their development. As much as the show tries to quickly jam in motives and feelings into script, the only time that the show feels truthful is when the scares begin. While most shows develop more complex characters as the seasons go by, “Supernatural” simply puts these characters through such an exorbitant amount of melodrama that nothing feels grounded in reality.

     


    Every aspect of the visuals is incredibly impressive. From the stylized cinematography, with shadows and wisps of light falling perfectly in place to make certain each scene is as creepy looking as possible, to the monster effects that are disgusting and fantastic, “Supernatural” is one of the best looking shows on television, and even better looking in high definition. The show is even filled with attractive actors in nearly every episode. Unfortunately, “Supernatural” may be great to look at, but there isn’t much else there.

     

            After a horrific, as well as mysterious, death in the family, Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) were raised with the skills to find and destroy supernatural entities. Sam has moved on to law school, but he is sucked back in one day when his brother appears to tell him that their father has gone missing. Although this was originally a large part of the overall show, it has long since shifted to more complex supernatural storylines involving demons and fallen angels on Earth. The brothers still travel from town to town in their spotless black Chevelle, taking a supernatural road trip across the United States, resembling a sort of A.D.D. “X-Files” for a younger generation. 

     

            There are only so many times that the same gags and tricks can work before they just become tiresome. Blood dripping from an unknown source above onto a character’s face or shoulder is a favored shot in many episodes. Still, if there is anything that the show does well, it is the visuals. The contrast filled cinematography mixed with realistic creatures and monsters is usually helped a great deal by beautiful scenery in each episode. Ironically many of the show’s most hideous creatures are found in some of the most breathtaking areas of North America.

     

            Season nine starts with a storyline that seems to suggest a major shift in the narrative, with Sam nearly dying and the fallen angel Castiel (Misha Collins) losing his grace, but manages to fall into a pattern again after the first couple episodes. In order to save Sam, Dean prays for help and it is answered by an angel named Ezekiel (Tahmoh Penikett), who offers to possess him in order to heal him. This becomes significant in an all-out angel war that takes the main focus of season nine’s narrative.

     

            The Blu-ray release includes all 23 season nine episodes on four discs, with an optional commentary track on three of the episodes. The extras also include unaired scenes, a gag reel, and three featurettes. There is an interactive set tour, a fan’s experience of the show’s production, and the panel from Comic-Con 2013. 

           

    Entertainment Value: 5.5/10

    Quality of Filmmaking: 7/10

    Historical Significance: 4/10

    Disc Features: 7/10




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