Blu-ray Movie Reviews

After five long years the fate of Jack (Matthew Fox), Kate (Evangeline Lilly), Sawyer (Josh Holloway), Sayid (Naveen Andrews), Hurley (Jorge Garcia), Locke (Terry O'Quinn), Jim (Daniel Dae Kim), Sun (Yunjin Kim), and Claire (Emile de Ravin) is finally revealed. These survivors of Oceanic flight 815 didn't land in a tropical paradise. Awaiting rescue they discovered polar bears, a smoke monster roaming the jungle, and the "Others" led by Ben Linus (Michael Emerson). Has it all been a dream? Did they all die in the crash and there in some sort of twisted version of hell? Who started the Darma initiative in the first place? Is it just me, or do all of these questions give you a headache?

Ending a popular show is a difficult under the best of circumstances, but when you take a show like Lost with its large ensemble cast, complicated story, and many unanswered questions. Is there a way to please everyone? Not a chance.

The first couple of seasons we get to know the characters through "flashback" sequences, and then the creator's threw in "flash-forward" into the mix. Now in season six we get the "flash sideways," showing an alternate timeline of what might have happened to our beloved characters if flight 815 didn't crash on the Island. Whether it was on the Island or back on the mainland in the "sideways" timeline the show is about the characters and their destiny to end up with one another. If you've devoted as much time to the series as I have, you'll no doubt shed numerous tears throughout the final season as most, but not all, of the questions get answered.

Video Highlights

• AVC/1080p encode on a BD-50 discs
• Vibrant color palette
• Inky blacks
• Exquisite detail
• Blows away the broadcast feed

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack
• Superb dynamic range
• Outstanding score
• Encompassing sound design

Like the previous five seasons on Blu-ray, the audio and video presentation is terrific. Filming in Hawaii certainly helps with its lush green foliage, sandy beaches, and inviting ocean. One thing I'll miss from the show is its fabulous score by Michael Giacchino, which becomes so ingrained in the story it becomes one of the characters.

Bonus Materials

• Audio commentaries on four episodes (LA X, Dr. Linus, Ab Aeterno, and Across the Sea)
• The New Man In Charge mini-episode (HD)
• Deleted scenes (HD)
• Bloopers (HD)
• Lost in 8:15 recap of seasons 1-5 (HD)
• The End: Crafting A Final Season (HD)
• A Hero's Journey (HD)
• See You In Another Life, Brotha (HD)
• Lost On Location
• Lost University: Master's Program interactive experience

I have mixed emotions on the conclusion of the beloved show. I didn't follow the show from the beginning but thanks to DVD and Blu-ray I was able to watch the first four seasons without having to wait a week between episodes, which can be torturous. I haven't been much of a TV watcher for many years, but Lost appealed to me on so many levels I can see myself watching it multiple times over the coming years on Blu-ray. With its multilayered storytelling it deserves to be watched more than once. Highly recommended.

Release Date: August 24, 2010
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