Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Destiny send the Oceanic 6 back to the Island and into the heart of the mysterious Dharma Initiative. Why they had to return to the dreaded place and the fate of those left behind is revealed and many of the most pressing questions are finally answered as the show builds towards its concluding season in 2010.

It's difficult to write a review of this magnificent show without spoiling it for the unversed, but if you haven't seen it you are missing out on what I consider the best show on TV—ever! The acting is superb, the writing brilliant, and the cliffhanger episodes painful, especially if you have to wait a week between episodes. Luckily with the Blu-ray's, the next episode is one click of the remote away.

Like the previous four seasons on Blu-ray, the video presentation is terrific. The tropical backdrop of the Island is made for HD with its rich green hues, well-saturated colors, and inky blacks. Detail is superb in facial pores, clothing, and in the lush foliage.

The DTS-HD MA soundtrack is another outstanding installment in the series with its fabulous sound design. Dynamic range is tremendous from the whispered conversations to the ear-splitting gunshots and thunderous bass from explosions. When the Oceanic 6 ventures back to the Island prepare yourself for a demo sequence as their ill-fated plane encounters a freak storm over the Pacific.

With the popularity of the show I expected the supplement package to impress, but sadly they're a letdown. Audio commentary fans will be disappointed that only two of the 20 episodes have them. Granted, the one episode ("Because You Left") hosted by executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse is outstanding with their engaging delivery and informative details about the fifth season, but it's full of spoilers —you've been warned. The second, "He's Our You," is hosted by executive producers/writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, which is a somewhat dry by comparison.

Other features include the "Lost Starter Kit," which recaps the series in five minutes; "Lost 100," that looks at the 100th episode; and "Mysteries of the Universe," a witty recreation of an early-1980s ABC TV show that explores the Dharma Initiative. Other supplements include some production featurettes with cast and crew, deleted scenes, and bloopers. The set is BD-Live enabled with "Lost University," which doesn't debut until December 8, 2009. This will allow viewers to enroll in college-like classes and explore the mythologies and secrets of Lost. Sign me up!

Just like previous seasons of Lost, the finale is a whopper of a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the shows return to the airwaves in February 2010. If you're a fan of the show, I'm sure you've preordered the set and I'm preaching to the choir, but for the unversed, you can't imagine what you're missing. Highly recommended.

Release Date: December 8, 2009
Studio: Disney

Show: 10/10
Picture: 10/10
Sound: 10/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Belkin PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics