Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, AMC’s The Walking Dead enjoyed its most popular season to date, averaging 13.3 million live/same day viewers per episode and 8.6 million adults 18–49. Whether evading walkers, resisting a super flu outbreak, escaping the fall of their temporary prison haven or desperately searching for a sanctuary called Terminus, the on-going story of a group of survivors under the protective watch and leadership of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Dr. Herschel Greene (Scott Wilson) continues to capture viewers’ imaginations on a global scale.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, The Walking Dead, on the surface at least, it is about the collapse of humanity after a viral outbreak causes the dead to reanimate as ravenous zombies. The show follows a small band of survivors trying to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Look deeper and the show (and comic books on which it is based) really looks at people, their character, their flaws and how they react to extreme life threatening conditions. The stress breaks some and binds others closer together. As the zombies deteriorate in this world, seemingly so does the moral and ethical centers of those that remain, with few clinging on to the remnants of their humanity.
Season 4 picks up with the central group of survivors safe within the confines of their home, an abandoned prison. Protective fencing and patrols keep them safe; they develop their resources and scavenge whatever they can use outside. However, the zombies are not the only threat when an illness hits the confined spaces of the prison with fatal results leading to a zombie uprising within the walls. While dealing with this issue, the Governor returns to wreak vengeance against the group that ended his rule of a nearby town and repelled his efforts to take over the prison.
In many ways Season 4 was a redemptive season for The Walking Dead. Season 3 was (rightly) accused of dragging out plotlines, focusing on boring characters and wasting elements of the comic book that are famed for their potency. While not perfect, season 4 is certainly an improvement. Threats are manifested with more solidity, most significantly the Governor is realized far more successfully, and the element of sickness is an interesting one that provides a believable and unsettling effect. The choices between life and death are better explored and give the show a lot more weight as a result. Plots are tighter, characters are more relatable and the payoffs come quicker and with more heft.
I know many criticize the show, but there is not much else like it on TV right now and its embrace by the public is to be celebrated. Its popularity can only open the door for more genre television. And on the basis of this blu-ray set, the showrunners are listening to the criticism. Fans of the comics seem polarized regarding the show and I grant it is inferior, but the comics can be flicked through quite quickly, aiding the satisfaction of hitting the meat of the storylines. In TV it is not possible to sustain drama at that level. It is the quieter moments where the horror really seeps in and only serves to underline how terrifying a predicament those left alive are in. Not every episode can be an over the top gore fest much like you cannot eat pizza for every meal (well you could but it isn’t advisable). Those quieter moments, the lulls, the quiet before the storm, help frame the more shocking moments well (see The Grove). Granted, at times the tension can be diffused entirely in the show but again, this is less of a problem in this season. Overall, it is better written, well paced and showcases some impressive and gut wrenching performances. While still wallowing at times in the mundane facets of the show and showcasing some very unlikeable characters there is enough to say a course correction has been made after the meandering season 3 and that hopefully bodes well for the upcoming fifth season.
THE PACKAGEThe Walking Dead Season Four looks fantastic on Blu-ray. The original series is presented in a dark, gritty manner and is transferred well here maintaining the show’s aesthetic. Colors are muted, such are the visuals of the show. But when vibrancy is shown (read gore and blood) it pops really well. With such a dark show, interiors especially, and a lot of woodland settings which can usually give a murky image might be a cause for concern, but there is no need. Detail is great even with fine details including textures and happily the special effects/zombie prosthetics. The sound is great, including a fantastic score that is delivered well. So too is dialogue, which is very clear.
Now to special features and this set is absolutely packed with them. A number of episodes (some of which being extended versions of those originally broadcast) have accompanying audio commentaries from either cast or crew and sometimes a mix of the two. The rest of the special features are handily presented on an extra fifth disc. Inside The Walking Dead is made up of multiple small featurettes that look at various aspects (story, cast, etc.) of making the show for each episode. The Making of The Walking Dead is a similarly structured feature but instead focuses on the technical work that goes into bringing the show to life. This is complemented by Inside KNB Studios which is an impressive look at the zombie effects made for the show. Drawing Inspiration compares and contrasts the show with the original comic book source material while Society, Science & Survival has a brief look at how The Walking Dead fits into some academic scenarios. Hershel, The Governor is Back and A Journey Back to Brutality take deeper looks at the arcs of Hershel, The Governor and Rick respectively. There’s also a chunk of deleted scenes. This package is the very definition of a “shit ton of extras”.
THE BOTTOM LINEA top quality set that is sure to please any fan of the show. The episodes themselves are an improvement on previous seasons and (for those who stopped watching) are perhaps worthy of a second look. Great presentation and a huge amount of extras, many of which add a lot of depth and detail to the show both in front of and behind the scenes, make this a great release.
The Walking Dead Season 4 is released on DVD, Blu-Ray and limited edition Blu-Ray on August 26th, 2014. A link to purchase via Amazon is below.
Official Release Specifications
ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS HOME THE TERROR ONCE MORE WITH AMC’S “THE WALKING DEAD:THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON” EXPERIENCE IT ON BLU-RAY™+ DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET™ AND DVD AUGUST 26, 2014; McFARLANE TOYS UPS TERROR QUOTIENT WITH LIMITED EDITION “TREE WALKER” BLU-RAY™ SET
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — August. Baseball season is in full swing. Barbecues have been blazing since Memorial Day. And fans can count another August tradition, when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Blu-ray™ + Digital HD with Ultraviolet™ and DVD on August 26th. Each format contains five loaded discs, presenting each episode exactly as it was originally broadcast. The Blu-ray™ + Digital HD with Ultraviolet™ presents the episodes in pristine 1080p high-definition and lossless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio. As with previous season releases, THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON rewards fans with hours of bonus features, including never-before-seen production footage, deleted scenes and audio commentaries, with ultra-exclusive content only available on the Blu-ray™ release, including additional audio commentaries and several “extended” episodes seen for the first time!
Another “Walking Dead” home entertainment release tradition, started with the Season 2 Blu-ray™ set, is the unique concept packaging by renowned collectibles creator McFarlane Toys. Following in the “shuffling” footsteps of Season 2’s “Walker Head” and Season 3’s “Walker Aquarium,” THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON will be available in a Blu-ray™ limited edition “Tree Walker” package. SRP is $79.99 for the Blu-ray™ + Digital HD with Ultraviolet™, $69.98 for the DVD and $129.99 for the Blu-ray™ limited edition. Pre-book is July 23rd.
Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” enjoyed its most popular season to date, averaging 13.3 million live/same day viewers per episode and 8.6 million adults 18–49. Whether evading walkers, resisting a super flu outbreak, escaping the fall of their temporary prison haven and desperately searching for a sanctuary called Terminus, the on-going story of a group of survivors under the protective watch and leadership of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Dr. Herschel Greene (Scott Wilson) continues to capture viewers’ imaginations on a global scale.
THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON cast also includes Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, David Morrissey, Melissa McBride, Chad L. Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green and Emily Kinney. New characters introduced this season include Sgt. Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz), Bob Stookey (Lawrence Gillard, Jr.), Rosita Espinoza (Christian Serratos) and Dr. Eugene Porter (Josh McDermott).
“THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON” Blu-ray™
Street Date: August 26, 2014 Run Time: 696 Minutes SRP: $79.99 Format: Widescreen Presentation 1.78:1 Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish
“THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON” DVD Street Date: August 26, 2014 Run Time: 688 Minutes SRP: $69.98 Format: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish
“THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON” Limited Edition Blu-ray™ Street Date: August 26, 2014 Run Time: 696 Minutes SRP: $129.99 Format: Widescreen Presentation 1.78:1 Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish
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