FOX continues their impressive tv to blu-ray line-up with “THE LEAGUE: SEASON TWO.” While, admittedly, this film reviewer is not a major sports fan, and knows less about football than ideal, “THE LEAGUE” doesn’t require any real knowledge of the sport or “fantasy football leagues” for that matter, any more than “IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA” requires a viewer to know anything about Philadelphia!

 

Sure, the background of the series brings together a bunch of guys who’ve not really grown up, for their “League,” but it just serves as a story device for these misfits to hang out.  As season 2 begins, the 5 friends hit Vegas. If this sounds like something borrowed from “THE HANGOVER,” well, much of the series aspires to generate that kind of environment, albeit on a much lower budget.  Season 2 introduces a new character into the mix, the brother-in-law of Ruxin, named Rafi.  Although the writers generally make the series entertaining, this addition is annoying. Rafi’s character is just too over-the-top and all of the cliché’s with him bog the show down greatly. Fortunately, Rafi doesn’t take up the entire season, and when he’s replaced by Jenny(Kevin’s wife), it’s a welcome change, and provides some of the most enjoyable situations within the season.

 

While “THE LEAGUE: SEASON 2” is funnier than the previous season, during its best episodes, it’s not nearly as funny as “IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA,” and its raunchy humor makes it evident that it’s trying to replicate that superior series. Still, the “Halloween” episode is close to being a classic, and enjoyable to revisit as are at least 5 other episodes.

 

FOX has provided the correct 1.78:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray.  It’s a much more impressive image than what was offered on “SEASON 1.” Colors are more vibrant, detail consistently more impressive, and blacks, while still not inky, are pretty deep! Contrast is impressive and none of the artifacts plaguing “SEASON 1” are present here. While it doesn’t offer the same amount of stunning depth as some other series on blu-ray, its budget is obviously more modest than “MODERN FAMILY.” It’s a good image!

 

FOX has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. A comedy mix for a series that, for better or worse, is dialogue-driven, can’t be expected to offer a very immersive environment.  Surrounds, discrete and panning effects kick in on occasion, but for the majority of scenes, this is a center channel affair. Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.

 

FOX has provided some extras for fans, including brief deleted scenes, song parodies, a gag reel and alternate takes, all of which are in 1080p.