Spartacus: Blood & Sand – The Complete First
Season (2010/Starz/Anchor Bay
Blu-ray)
Picture:
A- Sound: A- Extras: B- Episodes: B
Networks
like HBO and Showtime have consistently produced quality television that’s
rivals even the most expensive Hollywood
films. With the coming of Spartacus: Blood and Sand – The Complete
First Season we can now solidify Starz Network as a force to be reckoned
with as well. Spartacus takes a cue from other historical series like that of
HBO’s Rome
as it manages to entwine action, drama and sexuality into one entertaining
mass. The series stars Andy Whitfield as
the unnamed hero and, to put it briefly, he is perfect for the role.
Spartacus is not for the faint of
heart. The series is blood, bloody,
bloody; did I mention bloody? The
violence is extreme in the series, but never delivers it in such a manner that
I felt it was merely for shock factor; like a SAW movie say. Whereas with
HBO’s Rome
we had the opportunity to experience the political workings of the ancient
city, here with Spartacus it is all
about the fight for glory. The series
embraces gladiator training and battles as its core plot device. The series may historically feel like Rome,
but visually it takes much more from that of 300. The blood is spilled in
copious amounts and every rippling muscle is extenuated as a sword, dagger or
spear is thrust into the flesh of a foe.
The series takes many stylistic liberties as it utilizes “slow-mo”
camera shots, altered hues for the color palette and even “breaking the 4th
wall” and splashing blood on the camera lens.
This is
certainly a limb hacking, bloodbath of a series; but that does not detract from
the great storyline and plot. The
violence that Spartacus has chosen
to embrace is only the icing on the cake for this intriguing and exciting
series. The series is filled with
passion, deceit and plenty of plot twists.
We have the Thracians, led by the unnamed Andy Whitfield, who have been
convinced by the Romans to join their army in exchange for their help in
fighting off the Barbarians that have threatened their way of life. However, the Romans don’t stick to the deal
and force the Thracians into war with a different group. The Thracians revolt against the Romans,
“Spartacus” escapes back home to rescue his wife and go into hiding, but the
Romans capture him and sell him into the gladiator trade. “Spartacus” is our hero’s given name after he
vanquishes several gladiators in a battle that was intended to be his
execution. With his fighting skills “Spartacus”
gains celebrity status and the epic journey begins.
The
series is absolutely addictive as its fast pace and edgy plot captures the
viewer from the beginning. I would say I
see this series going far, but there has been some sad news from the home
front. Perfectly cast Andy Whitfield has
been diagnosed with cancer and for obvious personal reasons has left the
series. Starz was allowing the fallen
hero time to recover, in the mean time deciding to shoot a “prequel” series
with the same Spartacus name, but
the outlook for Whitfield making a full recovery any time soon is looking
bleak. I would recommend this 1st
season to anybody as it is wonderfully constructed, but at the same time it may
just end in disappointment as the series returning to its former glory is not
looking good.
The 1080p
1.78 X 1 digital high definition presentation on this Blu-ray looks Hollywood quality as the detail is amazing and the bright
color palette jumps from the screen. The
series is mostly shot with a green screen backdrop, but I assure viewers this
series never feels artificial. Granted
the creators have messed with the visuals a ton, making Rome appear very stylized, but nevertheless
the picture quality is rich and detailed as the inky blacks and deep reds make
the picture ‘pop.’ The stylized nature
of the series doesn’t end with picture as the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound mix cranks
it up a notch to make your subwoofer boom.
Swords ‘swoosh’ and screams hail across the entire soundscape with ease,
as directionality is splendid and the audience is treated to an explosive audio
experience. For a series that is so
abrupt and violent the sound quality is smooth and balances pumped action and
dialogue with ease.
The
extras are nice as they contain Audio Commentaries (7 in total), Spartacus
Historicus: Pop-Up History, Spartacus: Blood and Sand Behind the Scenes,
Spartacus: Battle Royale, Gladiator Boot Camp featurette, Grime and Punishment,
Andy Gets Plastered, Legend Re-Imagined, Oh, those Randy Romans, Shooting
Green: The Shadow Death and Exposing Your Ludus. Also on this Blu-ray we get extended looks at
four of the episodes that doesn’t add much as far as content, but nice
nevertheless.
I loved
this series and I can’t wait to see more.
I am just praying Andy has a speedy recovery and can hail “I AM
SPARTACUS” sometime soon.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
