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Technical Specs
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Season Year: 2009 - 2010
Run Time: 974 Minutes (approx.)
Disc Size: BD-50 x4
Encoding: AVC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles: English ( SDH ), French, Spanish, Portuguese
Region Code:Free
Starring: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz, et. al
Created By: Ryan Murphy
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Synopsis
A talented group of misfits transforms into a performing sensation with the help of a dedicated teacher. Through laughter, tears, irreverent humour and unforgettable music, they learn to follow their hearts and chase their dreams.
The Film
After hearing that the current glee club teacher from William McKinley High School was fired, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) convinces the principal to let him take over glee club in hopes of bringing it back to its former glory. Initially consisting of fame-hungry Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), fashion-diva Mercedes (Amber Riley), flamboyant Kurt (Chris Colfer), paraplegic Artie (Kevin McHale) and the stuttering goth Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), they end up recruiting the high school football quaterback Finn (Cory Monteith) and become a team. Expanding the group even more to include head cheerleader and celibacy club leader Quinn (Dianna Agron) and Puck (Mark Salling) and others as they attempt to make Nationals as well as survive high school. But one of the people standing in their way is the school's cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) who will stop at nothing to not only destroy Glee Club, but Will Schuester as well!
Initially, I was skeptical about Glee, and for a very good reason: the last thing I want to watch is a High School Musical made for TV (well the last thing I want to see is a Twilight movie, but that's a different subject all together). It sounds identical to what High School Musical is... a high school musical. But after watching the first episode I was hooked. I literally watched the entire first half of the season during the mid-season break and couldn't wait to continue to watch it when the back 11 aired. It was a combination of good story telling, characters and music that ended up getting me hooked. Just wait till you hear Lea Michele (who is a Broadway singer) do Don't Rain On My Parade or Chris Colfer sing "Defying Gravity" (yes that's right, a guy singing that song) and you will most likely be hooked.
The guest stars are also fantastic. Neil Patrick Harris gives a knockout role (which netted him an Emmy Award) and does a fantastic duet with Matthew Morrison (who himself one of the Broadway actor's brought onto the show) for Dream On. And even better than that is Mike O'Malley who plays Kurt's father does a fantastic job, though the most impressive was his speech to Finn in the back half (which should have won him the Emmy over NPH).
But the biggest selling point of the show, and definitely one the reasons I tune in every week is the music. It's not just show tunes, but covers of new and old, as well as custom mash-ups. And I think that is what will draw even more people to the show. You've got some old school songs like "Jump", "Dream On", "Bohemian Rhapsody", and even some newer songs like "Bad Romance", "Gold Digger", and "4 Minutes". Even better is that as soon as the episodes have finished airing, the songs are up on iTunes (and apparently they sell like mad).
I could go on and on about this show and why I like it, but just see it for yourself. And if you don't want to watch it, at least check out some of the covers of the songs on iTunes or YouTube.
Film Score: * * * *
The Video
20th Century Fox graces Glee with a very nice 1080p transfer (framed at 1.78:1, or "Full Wide Screen"), but it does have a few issues.
First off, the good. Detail is fantastic on every episode and the colours really pop (especially on the Lady GaGa themed episode, Theatricality). The Blu-Ray transfer is big upgrade over the Fox-HD broadcasts, and doesn't suffer any of the compression issues or blocking that the cable broadcasts do. There is also no DVNR (Digital Video Noise Reduction) or EE (Edge Enhancement / Halo's) which is a big plus.
Now, the bad. It just seems that it could have been better. I know that it's a TV Show so it doesn't have the budget that movies have (or even some other TV shows), but after seeing Universal's House M.D.: Season 6 or even Fox's Bones: Season 4, I just felt that it could have been better. Some scenes do have a little blemishing here and there as well, but it never really distracting (unless you notice that kind of thing). Is that enough to say purchase the DVD? No, just don't expect to be fully wow'ed but it.
[Editor's Note:] Please note that the series is actually filmed on film and not HD-Camera's. This gives the show a more cinematic look and feel, which is why it may look different than other TV shows. This in no way affected the video score.
Video Score: * * * *
The Audio
Continuing Fox's run with High-Definition Audio on all releases, Glee: The Complete First Season gets a terrific DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and when it comes to reproducing the music, it doesn't disappoint. Surrounds are fully utilized, and the music comes out crystal clear. It's never overpowering, but does offer great umph. Unfortunately when it comes back to the dialog sections, the surrounds tend to only have use once in a while. It's unfortunate, especially during the school scenes, when they could be utilized much more. The dialog comes through clear though, and that's what really counts. So it's just a small little hick, in an otherwise fantastic audio.
Audio Score: * * * *
Extra's
- Behind the Pilot: A Visual Commentary with Cast and Crew Blu-Ray Exclusive
- Glee Sing Along Karaoke HD
Sing along to karaoke versions of "Alone," "Somebody to Love," "Keep Holding On," and "Don't Stop Believing."
- Glee Music Jukebox HD
Available on all 4 discs, this will allow you to only listen to the songs on each episode. There is also a randomization for it as well. Remember to crank it!
- Staying in Step with Glee HD
- Bite Their Style: Dress Like Your Favorite Gleek HD
- Unleashing the Power of Madonna HD
- The Making of a Showstopper HD
- Welcome to McKinley!
- Glee Music Video
A music video for the song "Find Me Someone To Love," featuring the actors from the show.
- Full Length Audition Pieces
These are the Full-Length Character Auditions from the Pilot... bummer
- Fox Movie Channel Presents Casting Session
- Deconstructing Glee with Ryan Murphy
- Dance Boot Camp
- Jane Lynch A to Glee
- Meet Jane Lynch
- Things You Don't Know About…
- Video Diaries
Extra's Score: * * * *
Final Words
Glee is a great show, and one that I recommend to all of my friends. You do have to give it a chance and start from the Pilot episode. Heck, my brother said that he would never watch the show in his life... and now he's a gLeek! Enjoy the show!
RECOMMENDED
Notice: The reason that there are no screenshots of the show in this review is because the program I use, Total Media Theatre 3, keeps crashing my video card. Check on Blu-Ray forums for screenshots. Sorry!
