Chuck – The Complete Third Season (2010/Warner Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: C     Episodes: B-

 

 

Chuck is a good enough spy-spoof series that has a solid following even if the ratings don’t show it.  The end of Season Two was essentially set up to be the end of the series as the creators saw the series on the chopping block for NBC, but after some advertising and financial cutbacks Chuck somehow made it work.  The series was renewed for a shortened Third Season, later being extended to the 19 episode run we have here on Blu-ray.  The ratings for Chuck: Season 3, continued to reflect a very select fan base, so the future of Chuck remains flighty, but will be around for at least 13 more episodes in its Fourth Season.

 

The Third Season kicked off where Season Two left off with Chuck experiencing some high-tech changes as he suddenly had the abilities of a fighting super spy.  The super spy angle seemed as if it may distract from the established ‘bumbling idiot’ routine that had made the spy series enjoyable (like that of Get Smart) from the beginning, but surprisingly the mix of kung-fu kickass and gangly nerd worked well.  The plot is generally set up that even as the new Intersect has improved Chuck’s skills, he is not the perfect weapon that the device could make him to be.

 

The spy game and action are WAY kicked up this season, which is awesome and adds elements to the plot, but in no way detracts from the hijinks and zaniness that this comedy was intended to display.  Brandon Routh of Superman Returns fame enters the series to takeover over Buymore operations, but also turns out to be a foe for Chuck in more than one way.  Other characters from the first two seasons return including Morgan (Joshua Gomez), Lester (Vik Sahay) and Jeff (Scott Krinsky) to add that special element of goofball comedy and not take the spy business to seriously.

 

Overall, Chuck is more than enjoyable, but I don’t know how much longer it can last.  It is not as if it is totally weak, it just appears to be misguided and may have been doomed from the beginning.  My prediction is that Chuck will be around for just one more season to give creators the chance to cap off their work; but wavering ratings and a ‘cancellation happy’ network have already marked the series.

 

The technical features on this new 4-Disc, 19 episode Blu-ray set are not all too impressive and reflect the same quality that was delivered in the former Blu-ray releases.  The picture again is presented in a 1080p/VC-1 1.78 X 1 Widescreen that maintains bright colors and solid flesh tones throughout; with deep blacks to enhance the image quality.  The series suffers, however, as issues such as grain and artifacting throughout are distracting and in the end affects the crispness, sharpness, and texture of the series.

 

In the end, Chuck does not shape up to the Blu-ray presentation I was expecting.  The sound is a weak 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround track that does nothing to boost the action this season delivered.  Once again, Chuck does not always demand ‘booming sound,’ but seeing as how the series SPECIFICALLY added action/adventure to this Third Season, I was expecting more; especially on Blu-ray.  The dialogue is crisp and clean, but other than that there are not many impressive qualities to the sound presentation.

 

Extras are drab and offer fans some Delted (Declassified) Scenes, a featurette entitled Chuck-Fu and Dim Sum: Becoming a Spy Guy, followed b a second featurette The Jeffster Revolution: The Definitive Mockumentary and finally a Gag Reel.  The first featurette offers some solid insight into the series, whereas the second is a (taken very serious) mockumentary that is funny and reflects the intended tone of the series.  The deleted scenes and gag reel are nothing thrilling, adding little to the experience.

 

If you are a fan of Chuck and have purchased previous seasons, now is not the time to stop, even if the series is slowing to a halt.  Good luck Chuck!

 

 

For more on the previous seasons, try these links:

 

One

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7925/Chuck:+The+Complete+First+Season

 

Two

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/9419/Chuck+%E2%80%93+The+Complete

 

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II