Blu-ray Review: Lavish Season Set For HBO’s Beloved ‘True Blood’

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CHICAGO – I’ve talked to a number of people who think the fifth season of “True Blood” is when it jumped the bloodsucking shark, although there are certainly legions of fans of this HBO smash hit who will never give up on Sookie Stackhouse and her neverending parade of supernatural friends and foes. HBO Home Video knows how faithful viewers for a program like “True Blood” will become even more so with great home releases and so have turned the “True Blood” line into one of their absolute best. The latest, “True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season,” is no exception.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

“True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season” is one of those Blu-ray box sets that forces a critic to throw up his arms and ask what more a fan of a TV show could possibly want? Perfectly transferred HD versions of their favorite show that look at least as good and arguably better than when they first played on cable? Check. Audio commentary tracks with the key players? How about five of them with major names like Anna Paquin, Alan Ball, Stephen Moyer, Denis O’Hare, and Carrie Preston? Awesome packaging? I have hardcover books that don’t feel as sturdy as this set. Multiple ways to watch? DVD, BD, and Ultraviolet in one box. And other stuff I don’t even know I want? How about “True Blood: Enhanced Viewing,” which allows picture in picture details, bios, hints, and more while the episode plays? And a behind-the-scenes look at every single episode. Just to put a cherry on your sundae. Seriously, these are easily some of the most impressive Blu-ray TV sets on the market. I wish other networks and studios would take notes and ask some of the same questions.

True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 21, 2013
Photo credit: HBO

Synopsis:
The fate of all humanity is at stake in the fifth season of this unique, bold, and undeniably sexy series. While Sookie deals with Tara’s shooting and her own unpredictable faerie powers, Bill and Eric find themselves called into action by the Vampire Authority. Alcide battles new werewolves J.D. and Martha; Sam searches for shifter murderers; and Jason struggles with his attraction to Jessica. It all adds up to a wicked, bloody climax between the Authority and the bloodthirsty vampire fundamentalists that will affect the lives of everyone living and dead in this unrelenting, action-packed season of HBO’s otherworldly phenomenon.

Special Features:
o Inside The Episodes: Get The Backstories On Each Of The Episodes With Revealing Interviews From The Show Writers
o Audio Commentaries: 5 Commentaries With The Cast And Crew Including Alan Ball, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Denis O’Hare, Carrie Preston, and Many More
o Authority Confessionals: Learn More About The Mysterious Institution Known As The Authority, From Nora, Kibwe, Rosalyn, Salome, Steven, And Russell
o Character Bios
o Vampire Histories
o Hints
o FYIs
o Flashbacks
o Flash Forwards
o True Blood Episode Six: Autopsy - Join The Cast And Crew As They Dissect The Major Events Of Episode Six And Provide An In-Depth, Behind The Scenes Look At Home True Blood Is Made
o True Blood Lines: Uncover Secrets From Relationships Past and Present In This Engaging, Fully Interactive “Re-Vamped” Guide and Archive
o Digital Copy Included

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