Blu-ray Review: ‘Spartacus: Vengeance’ Was Made For HD

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CHICAGO – Starz’s hit “Spartacus: Vengeance” was designed for Blu-ray collectors. With the program’s emphasis on striking visuals, watching it in a quality any lesser than 1080p would be a crime. And Anchor Bay understands the cable hit they have on their hands and have given the show one of the most impressive HD transfers of the crowded TV-on-Blu-ray season and loaded it down with special features. There’s only one season of “Spartacus” left on Starz. Catch up with this 3-disc set before it premieres.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

After star Andy Whitfield tragically passed away, it looked for some time like “Spartacus” would not continue. They took a year off to make a prequel and then decided to give it another shot with Liam McIntyre in the lead role. McIntyre is good even if he doesn’t quite have the gravity of Whitfield. This is a confident program that sometimes relies a bit too heavily on blood and other bodily fluids but it’s a guilty pleasure that you can be proud to own on Blu-ray.

Spartacus: Vengeance was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 11, 2012
Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis:
On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded. Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic in Spartacus: Vengeance. Gaius Claudius Glaber and his Roman troops are sent to Capua to crush the growing band of freed slaves that Spartacus leads before it can inflict further damage. Spartacus is presented the choice of satisfying his personal need for vengeance against the man who condemned his wife to slavery and eventual death or making the larger sacrifices necessary to keep his budding army from breaking apart. Containing all of the blood-soaked action, exotic sexuality, and villainy and heroism that has come to distinguish the series, the tale of Spartacus resumes in epic fashion.

Click here to buy “Spartacus: Vengeance”

Special Features:
o Starz Studios: Spartacus: Vengeance
o The Making Of Spartacus: Vengeance
o Behind The Camera: Directing The Rebellion
o On Set With Liam McIntyre
o Burning Down The House: The VFX Of Epside 205
o The Legend Of Spartacus
o Famous Last Words
o Bloopers
o Spartacus: War Of The Damned Teaser
o Audio Commentaries
o Extended Episodes

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