SRP $89.99 1.33:1 DOLBY DIGITAL 2.0 PARAMOUNT

Every studio is beginning to release some of their more popular television series on dvd.  As always, there is a great deal of bad television out there, and finding a series worth owning is a daunting task.  The best release so far had the first season of “THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW,” released by COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  

Now, the premiere season of the hit tv series, “C.S.I.,” boxed set ranks up there with the aforementioned and “THE SIMPSONS,” and “X-Files” as the television dvd boxed sets most worth owning.

There hasn’t been a great crime show since “HOMICIDE,” and the last entertaining show dealing with forensics was the extremely dated “QUINCY.”  But, from the first few minutes of the pilot episode of “C.S.I.,” the well-crafted dialogue, pumped up music score, stylized sets with filtered lights, and tight-editing, lets the viewer know they’re in for something different than their run-of-the-mill cop show.  Even when some episodes are mildly predictable they’re never as heavy-handed as what “N.Y.P.D. BLUE” has become.  

The cast is great!  William L. Peterson is on familiar grounds here, having played a forensic pathologist in Michael Mann’s “MANHUNTER.”  He’s completely convincing and takes over the small screen in the same way he takes over a big movie screen, with finesse.  He’s competing with some stunning visual effects, intent on bringing the viewer “in” on the high-tech science in a way seldom done before.  This is also what makes the show so addictive, it makes the layman, temporarily, feel like they know what’s going on behind all the science!  Almost certainly, there are many strippers who’ve caught an episode or two, who now fancy themselves forensic pathologists in the making! 

PARAMOUNT has released the entire first season in a boxed set. There are 23 episodes here, each running around 45 minutes. 

Episodes include: “Pilot-Cool Change-Crate and Burial-Pledging Mr. Johnson-Friends and Lovers-Who Are You-Blood Drops-Anonymous-Unfriendly Skies-Sex, Lies and Larvae-I-15 Murders-Fahrenheit 932-Boom-To Have and To Hold-Table Stakes-Too Tough to Die-Face Lift-$35 KO.B.O-Gentle,Gentle-Sounds of Silence-Justice is Served-Evaluation Day-The Strip Strangler.

PARAMOUNT has presented the show in a full-frame 1.33:1 aspect ratio.  It’s a bit disappointing when considering it’s aired in 16:9 every week.  Still, it’s an outstanding transfer. Each episode has an elaborate production design and colors are always bold, yet without oversaturation.  Contrast is excellent, allowing for terrific clarity in darker scenes. Fleshtones appear natural. 

PARAMOUNT has presented a Dolby Digital 2.0 mix.  It’s pretty aggressive, with plenty of ambient and directional effects, although we’d have preferred a 5.1 mix. Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion. 

PARAMOUNT has included some extras, but no commentary.  There’s not much worthwhile in terms of extras, but this great series and its great presentation, is more than enough reason to recommend this as an addition to every dvd collection!