Blu-ray Review “The Originals: The Complete Second Season”

Starring: Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Phoebe Tonkin and Charles Michael Davis
Number of discs: 3
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: September 1, 2015

Season: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extra: 3 out of 5 stars

The first season of “The Vampire Diaries” spin off “The Originals” took some time to get started. The second season it starts to build up some steam but still doesn’t really stand alone for me. Maybe it is the supporting cast that I haven’t gotten on board with since I love the characters Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah (obviously this season is lacking Clarie Holt). Honestly, I am really losing interest in this whole “The Vampire Diaries” world lately. I really stopped watcing that show around season 5 and missed the sixth season all together. I am not sure if I plan to continue watching “The Originals” either, this season didn’t really win me over but it wasn’t terrible either. If you love these characters you will enjoy otherwise this is good for background noise.

Official Premise: As Original vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson returned to the vibrant, supernaturally charged city of New Orleans, he was stunned to learn – along with siblings Elijah and Rebekah – that Hayley, a werewolf, was pregnant with his child, and his vampire protégé, Marcel, whom the Original siblings had thought long dead, was ruling the French Quarter. Soon a bloody war escalated between vampires and witches, the stakes raised by powerful teenage witch Davina, and by Klaus’s bond with Cami, a student with a painful past, and a ruthless pack of wolves seized the opportunity to stage a violent coup. Now, in season two, a new status quo must be adjusted to, as the newly empowered werewolves control the city. Plus, Klaus struggles with weaknesses and Elijah fights to save Hayley – now a hybrid – from a vicious spiral of self-destruction.

The Blu-ray comes with a Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfers are solid and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks work well with the show. The special features are decent and worth checking out if you enjoy the show. “The Originals: Always and Forever” focuses on the cast and creators on season two. “The Awakening Web Series” takes a look into this companion series with Kol Mikaelson (Nathaniel Buzolic), also includes a behind the scenes look with the cast and creators of the digital series. there is also the “The Originals: 2014 Comic-Con Panel” included. As well as a PSA “Come Visit Georgia”, some deleted scenes and a gag reel included.

 

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, complete, originals, review, season

Blu-ray Review “The Originals: The Complete First Season”

Starring: Phoebe Tonkin, Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt, Daniel Gillies, Leah Pipes, Danielle Campbell
Number of discs: 9
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Run Time: 929 minutes

Season: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

If there was one thing that I liked about “The Vampire Diaries” it was the characters, Elijah, Klaus and Rebekah. So spin-off series “The Originals” should have been a home run since it focused on these three characters. Unfortunately, that was not the case here. Right from the pilot episode, I wasn’t really feeling the vibe of this new series. The first season “The Originals” stars Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin (The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle), Charles Michael Davis (Grey’s Anatomy), Danielle Pineda (Homeland), Leah Pipes (Sorority Row), and Danielle Campbell (Prison Break). Even though, I wasn’t drawn in by this spin-off series, it’s core audience was and the show will be returning for a second season on October 6, 2014 on The CW.

Official Premise: This sexy and thrilling new series from The Vampire Diaries’ executive producer Julie Plec centers on the Original vampire family and the dangerous vampire/werewolf hybrid, Klaus (Joseph Morgan), who returns to the magical melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago. Acting on a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him, Klaus’ questions lead him to his diabolical former protégé, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), a charismatic vampire with total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of the city. Determined to help his brother Klaus find redemption, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) follows Klaus and is soon forced to side with Marcel’s enemies. Meanwhile, Klaus and Elijah’s sister, Rebekah (Claire Holt), must decide if she’ll join her brothers in New Orleans and help them to reclaim their hometown and all its extraordinary offerings.

Warner Bros is releasing this first season a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copies of each of the 22 Episodes. The 1080p transfer captures the beautuy of New Orleans well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track sounds good as well with the tone of the show. The special features are decent with over two hours Of never-before-seen featurettes and more included. There is a audio commentary track on the pilot with Creator Julie Plec and Director Chris Grismer. Included are highlights from the 2013 Comic-Con Panel with Executive producer Julie Plec and the cast, as well as 2014 PaleyFest Panel. “The Originals: Origins” tells the story of how the show was born. “The Originals: Re-mixing History” talks about blending fact with fiction for the series. “The Original Vampires: A Bite-sized Backstory” is a certain recap of the season. Lastly there are some deleted scenes included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, complete, originals, review, season
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