DVD Review: Fifth Season of ‘Breaking Bad’ Stuffed with Extras

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CHICAGO – Sony knows that AMC’s “Breaking Bad” has one of the most loyal fan bases in television and so have released increasingly impressive Blu-ray and DVD season sets of the Emmy Award-winning program. The latest, the first half of the fifth season that aired in Summer 2012, comes with EIGHT HOURS of special features, including an exclusive scene, deleted scenes, and star-filled commentaries on every single episode. It’s one of the most impressive TV releases of the season for arguably the best show on TV.

HollywoodChicago.com DVD rating: 5.0/5.0
Rating: 5.0/5.0

Is there a more exciting TV event of Summer 2013 than the final eight episodes of “Breaking Bad”? The answer is no. There is not. Vince Gilligan and his team have been brilliantly building to this point for the last four and a half seasons, presenting the arc of an average man named Walter White who becomes a drug lord. Season four of the program, which aired in 2011, is one of the best of the last decade. It is pure dramatic perfection. Season five was cut in two to spread it out over two seasons and the first half, eight episodes in total, was stellar even if it felt a little cramped in terms of plotting. A LOT happens in these eight. Don’t worry about the low episode count. You’ll get your money’s worth.

Forget the episode number, just look at the special features. They’re stunning. Fans will likely gravitate to the exclusive scene but these kind of “spin-off” scenes to grab attention rarely deliver anything substantial. Far more interesting are the informative and entertaining commentary tracks, including so many of the major players, who clearly love talking about their passion. It’s probably your passion too.

Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 4, 2013
Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 4, 2013
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul return in their Emmy winning roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in the fifth explosive season of Breaking Bad. With Gus Fring dead, Walt’s transformation from a well-meaning family man to a ruthless drug kingpin is nearly complete. Forming a partnership with Jesse and Mike (Jonathan Banks), Walt proceeds to make a killing until the fruits of his murderous schemes are threatened by a new development in the investigation led by his relentless brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris). Executive produced by Vince Gilligan and Mark Johnson, the fifth season charts the murderous rise of Walter White as he reaches new highs…and new lows.

Special Features:
o “Chicks ‘n’ Guns” - A newly produced exclusive scene starring Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk and Charles Baker
o Three Uncensored Episodes
o Deleted & Extended Scenes
o Gag Reel
o Behind-the-Scenes of “Chicks ‘n’ Guns”
o Cast and Crew Commentaries on Every Episode with Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Laura Fraser and More!
o “Nothing Stops This Train” Featurette
o “The Cleaner: Jonathan Banks as Mike”
o Prison Stunt Rehearsal
o “Writers’ Room Timelapse” - 12 days of breaking Episode 504, shot by Vince Gilligan and narrated by the ~~Breaking Bad~~ Writers
o Jesse Plemons & Laura Fraser Audition Footage
o Gallery 1988 Art Show
o Chris Hardwick’s All-Star Celebrity Bowling
o 19 Episodes of ~~Inside Breaking Bad~~

“Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season” stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Dean Norris, and Jonathan Banks. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 4, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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