The Sopranos (The Complete Series) DVD / Blu-ray Review
HBO Video
| The Movie | The Extras | Reviewed by |
| 10/10 | 9/10 | Liam |
"The Sopranos" has been called "perhaps the best dramatic series ever" (LA Times). A "television landmark that leaves other landmarks in the dust" (Washington Post). It's been nominated for (and won) more awards than I could even begin to list here. And now, the complete series is available to own on DVD in a beautiful collection containing 33 discs -- 86 episodes from 6 seasons spread over 28 discs -- an additional 2 discs of bonus features -- and another 3 discs of music from the series.  --Season Two-- As Season Two opens, Jackie Sr.'s brother Ritchie Aprile (David Proval) is released from prison and returns to his old haunting grounds in Jersey. At the same time, Tony's sister Janice (Aida Turturro) returns to Jersey in order to help care for her mother. Janice and Ritchie rekindle a high school romance after meeting at a yoga class. Tony reconciles with Uncle Junior and makes a trip to the old country where he picks up a new member for his crew, Furio Giunta (Federico Castelluccio). Frustrated with being on the outside looking in, Ritchie approaches Uncle Junior with another plot. Junior informs Tony of Ritchie's suggestion, but before Tony can exact his revenge, Ritchie punches Janice in the mouth and she shoots and kills him. Further problems with the "Family" develop when Tony discovers that his friend Big Pussy has been talking with the FBI. The season ends with Tony and crew sending Big Pussy to "sleep with the fishes". Season Two Bonus Features include the featurettes "The Real Deal" and "A Sit-Down with The Sopranos". Commentaries are available on Episode 4 ("Commendator"), Episode 9 ("From Where to Eternity"), Episode 12 ("The Knight in White Satin Armor") and Episode 12 ("Funhouse"). Favorite Episode: In "Funhouse" (Episode 13), the season comes to an end as we bid adieu to Big Pussy.  --Season Three-- Tragedy struck "The Sopranos" when actress Nancy Marchand (Livia) died in June 2000. Her death was written into Season Three with Livia dying after suffering a stroke. With Ritchie Aprile out of the picture, Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) takes over his crew, causing a new set of headaches for Tony. Another headache for Tony comes in the form of Jackie Aprile Jr., who begins dating Meadow. Tony at first tries to set Jackie Jr. on the straight-and-narrow, but Jackie's behaviour veers more and more out of control. When Jackie robs a game of poker being hosted by Ralphie's crew, Ralphie (reluctantly) has him killed. The end of Season Three also marks the beginning of a larger look at "Family" life when Paulie gets upset with Tony over financial issues. As a result, Paulie strikes up a friendship with John Sacrimoni (Vince Curatola), a member of one of the New York crime families. On the home front, Tony strikes up a romantic relationship with Gloria Trillo (Annabella Sciorra), another patient of Dr. Melfi's. But when Gloria proves to be a little more mentally unstable than he bargained for (she arranges a meeting with Carmela), Tony breaks off the relationship. A.J. gets kicked out of school for behavioural problems and Tony and Carmela consider sending him to military school. However it is revealed that, like his father, A.J. suffers from panic attacks and he is denied entry. Elsewhere in the "Family", Christopher's girlfriend Adriana (Drea de Matteo) unknowingly befriends an FBI agent who is setting her up to become and informant. Season Three extras include a behind-the-scene featurette as well as commentaries on Episode 9 ("The Telltalle Moozadell"), Episode 11 ("Pine Barrens") and Episode 12 ("Amour Fou"). Favorite Episode: In "Pine Barrens" (Episode 11), Paulie and Chris are sent to collect money from a Russian named Valery. Things take a comical and violent turn.  --Season Four-- Season Four sees the development of the relationship between the Jersey and New York organizations while at the same time we observe as the relationship between Tony and Carmela deteriorates. The friendship between Paulie and Johnny Sack continues with Johnny stroking Paulie's ego in an effort to gather information about the Tony and his crew. One bit of information is that Ralphie made a joke about Johnny's wife. Johnny asks the head of his family (Carmine Lupertazzi) for permission to make a move against Ralphie but is denied. Carmine approaches Tony about making a move against Johnny. Johnny approaches Tony about taking out Carmine to which Tony finally agrees, going so far as to make the appropriate arrangements with Christopher. After having a sit-down with Carmine, Tony has a change of heart and Johnny is naturally a little pissed. Basically, there's a lot of mis-trust in the "Family" in Season Four. As for Tony's other family, Carmela and Furio develop feelings for each other, but Furio heads back to Italy after deciding it would be a problem to become romantically involved with the boss's wife. When Tony has an affair with a one-legged Russian named Svetlana, Carmela finds out and reveals to Tony her feelings for Furio. Things get heated and Tony ends up moving out of the house. Extras provided with Season Four include commentaries for Episode 4 ("The Weight"), Episode 6 ("Everybody Hurts"), Episode 9 ("Whoever Did This") and Episode 13 ("Whitecaps"). Favorite Episode: In "Whoever Did This" (Episode 9), Tony's beloved racehorse Pie-O-My meets an early end, presumably at the hands of Ralphie Cifaretto. Tony and Ralphie come to blows and Ralphie loses his head. And his hair.  --Season Five-- In Season Five we are introduced to Tony's cousin Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi) and Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent), both of whom have recently been released from prison. (Tony B. was sent to prison for a failed hijacking that Tony Soprano was supposed to have participated in -- but failed to show after suffering a panic attack.) Although Tony B. starts life after prison on the straight and narrow, he eventually rejoins "the life" after hearing his children talk about how well-off the Sopranos are. A power struggle breaks out in New York after Carmine dies leaving Johnny Sack and Little Carmine (Ray Abruzzo) to battle for the leadership of the New York family. Tony B. takes sides with Little Carmine and tensions grow between Tony B. and Phil Leotardo resulting in Tony B. killing Phil's little brother. Although Tony B. goes into hiding, Tony Soprano can't protect him forever. On the other side of the family, Tony and Carmela reconcile after he agrees to front the money for a real estate deal she is interested in making. Meanwhile, Adriana comes clean to Christopher about talking to the Feds. Christopher tells Tony, who sends Silvio to have a "talk" with Adriana. As the season comes to a close, Johnny Sack is sent to the big house, setting up another power grab in New York. Extras with Season Five include commentaries for Episode 4 ("All Happy Families"), Episode 6 ("Sentimental Education"), Episode 7 ("In Camelot"), Episode 10 ("Cold Cuts") and Episode 12 ("Long Term Parking"). Favorite Episode: In "Long Term Parking" Adriana gets what she had coming. I feel bad for admitting it, but I cheered as this turn of events unfolded. Kinda the same way I cheered when they stuck the guy's head in the vice in Scorsese's "Casino". (Everyone in the theater turned and stared at me like I was some sort of freak?!)  --Season Six Part I-- For whatever reason, Season Six is broken into two parts. (The opening episodes aired roughly a year apart, so why not just call them Season Six and Season Seven?) Part I opens with Uncle Junior losing his mind and, in his confusion, shooting Tony. The next few episodes are devoted to a dream Tony experiences while in a coma at the hospital. In his dream, Tony is mistakenly confused for a salesman named Kevin Finnerty. Later in the dream, Tony comes to a house where he is greeted with Tony B. who invites him in for a "family reunion". In the background, Tony hears Meadow's voice and declines Tony B.'s invitation. Immediately after, he awakes from his coma surrounded by family, and with a new outlook on life. Back in the "Family" business, Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli), one of Tony's top earners, is revealed to be a homosexual. Afraid of the repercussions, Vito goes into hiding in New Hampshire. Tony is conflicted on how to deal with the issue, but Phil Leotardo takes matters into his own hands. With Phil now being the leader of the Lupertazzi family (Johnny Sack is still in prison), his action against a member of the Soprano crew further escalates the brewing conflict between the New Jersey and New York families. Extras available with this part of Season Six include commentaries for Episode 2 ("Join the Club"), Episode 7 ("Luxury Lounge"), Episode 9 ("The Ride") and Episode 12 ("Kaisha"). Favorite Episode: In "Join the Club" (Episode 2), Tony experiences being "Kevin Finnerty". This was fun for me if only because my Godfather's name is also Kevin Finnerty. So, we've got a TV show whose biggest inspiration is the "Godfather" movies, and the main character is mistaken for a man who shares the same name as my own Godfather. It's a stretch, but it's my little connection to the show. The episode is also great if only to see Tony in an entirely new light.  --Season Six Part II-- The opening episode of the 2nd part of the final season of the series opens relatively calmly with Tony enjoying a little away time with Carmela, Bobby Baccalieri (Steven R. Schirripa) and Janice. But things go downhill quickly. Dr. Melfi drops Tony as a patient, afraid that her therapy is actually be serving to validate Tony's criminal activity. A.J. is dumped by his girlfriend, sinks into a depression and attempts suicide by jumping into the family pool. Meadow is insulted by a member of Phil's crew and Tony retaliates prompting Phil to order a hit on Tony. The Feds inform Tony that his life is in danger and Tony retaliates by ordering a hit on Phil. The two go into hiding, but a deal between Tony and members of the Lupertazzi Family affords Tony the opportunity to end the feud with Phil once and for all. But not before casualties are suffered for a few key members of Tony's crew. The season, and the series, ends in a diner with Tony, Carmela, A.J. and Meadow. But exactly how it ends, we'll probably never know. Extras available this season include "Making Cleaver" which is a behind-the-scenes look at Christopher's horror film and "The Music of The Sopranos" where David Chase and members of the cast and crew discuss some of the show's soundtrack choices. Commentaries are available for Episode 1 ("Soprano Home Movies"), Episode 3 ("Remember When"), Episode 7 ("The Second Coming") and Episode 8 ("The Blue Comet"). Favorite Episode: This would have to be a combination of the series' final two episodes, "The Blue Comet" (Episode 8) and "Made in America" (Episode 9), simply for the fact that they were filled with so much action. You knew it was coming, but at the same time you never could have predicted how it would unfold. You expect there to be winners and losers in the war, but for the series to deliver on such a level was a treat to watch to watch.  So, that's the sum total of the 28 discs containing all six (kinda/sorta seven) seasons of "The Sopranos", which brings us to the 2 discs of bonus material included for this box set release. Disc One begins with the two-part "Supper with The Sopranos". In Part I (TRT 36:52), David Chase sits with Executive Producer/Writer Terence Winter, Director Allen Coulter and cast members Aida Turturro (Janice), Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior) and Robert Iler (A.J.). They discuss a number of topics including the series finale, memories of Nancy Marchand, memorable quotes, the possibility of a Sopranos movie, the writing and general memories about working on the series. In Part II (TRT 38:04), Chase sits with Executive Producer/Writer Matthew Weiner, Executive Producer Ilene S. Landress, Director Alan Taylor and cast members Edie Falco (Carmela) and Steven Van Zandt (Silvio). They touch on a number of topics including (but not limited to) the Carmela character, casting Edie Falco in the role, reactions to the final episode and some of the fake endings used to throw people off the scent. Also included on the first disc of features are 16 "Lost Scenes" from the series. Disc Two extras begin with a 2-part interview with David Chase conducted by Alec Baldwin. In the first part, titled "Cut to the Chase" (TRT 21:14), Chase discusses his life before The Sopranos and how his early childhood influenced the show, getting the show off the ground, the success of the first season and ending the series. The second part, titled "Anatomy of the Mob" (TRT 22:04), mixes clips from the show with discussions about the cast and characters. Taken together, they make for an interesting discussion, although at times Baldwin talks a little too much. This is followed by "Whacked Sopranos" (TRT 1:09:32). Moderated by Bryant Gumbel, this March 2007 event features a discussion with Chase, writer Terence Winter, Steve Buscemi (Tony B.), Drea de Matteo (Adriana), Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy), David Proval (Ritchie Aprile) and Annabella Sciorra (Gloria Trillo). The title of the feature is drawn from the fact that none of characters portrayed by the participating cast members lived to see the series finale. The set's final extra is titled "Extra Gravy" and features a trio of Sopranos spoofs courtesy of "The Simpsons", "Saturday Night Live" and "MADtv".  The final three discs of this set include the previously released soundtrack CDs "The Sopranos: Music from the HBO Series" and the 2-disc set "The Sopranos: Peppers & Eggs". I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the collection itself. It was almost a shame to crack open the package. Weighing in at a hefty 10 lbs., the set is presented in book format with magnificent black & white photography, names of each of the episodes accompanying the DVDs, bonus discs, the CD soundtracks and 16 pages of episode summaries. Without a doubt, this is head and shoulders the finest set in my entire home video library.  Looking back over everything I've written above, I can't help but wonder if I've done justice to the series. How is it possible to write about the show and only provide fleeting information about some of the principal characters like Silvio, Paulie, Christopher, Big Pussy, etc. How is it possible to talk about the series without mentioning sites like Satriale's or Vesuvio's. Or even the Bada Bing! Entire websites can be (and have been) devoted to The Sopranos. And rightfully so. It's arguably the greatest television series of all-time. And now, it gets possibly the finest television DVD release of all-time. How appropriate. If I had to complain about anything, it'd be the lack of James Gandolfini in the bonus features. It would have been nice had he sat in on "Supper with The Sopranos" or even if he'd have participated in the Baldwin interview. Another complaint -- why not release the set on Blu-ray as well. I'd hate to think of all the people out there spending money on this DVD collection only to find a year from now the series is being re-released on the High Definition format with even more bonus features. Still, if you're a fan of the show, this set belongs in your collection. |
It's Time We Had a Sit-Down: Two never-before-seen roundtable dinners with cast and crew
Lost Scenes
Two In-Depth, Revealing Interviews with Executive Producer/Creator David Chase hosted by Alec Baldwin
The Paley Center for Media Seminar: "Whacked Sopranos"
Extra Gravy
16-Page Episode Guide
2 Full-Length Soundtracks
Video
Widescreen (16:9)
Audio
English 5.1
French 2.0
Spanish 2.0
Subtitles
English
French
Spanish
Captioned
Release Date
November 11, 2008
Rating
18A
Length
4996 mins.
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