- Joined: October 1997
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Heroes Season 1
HD DVD Title: Heroes Season 1
Rated: N/A
Screen format: 1080P 1.78:1 VC-1 Encoded
Studio: NBC Universal
First theatrical release: 2006/2007
Previously released on DVD/BluRay: Day & Date with Anamorphic Widescreen DVD
Written & created by: Tim Kring(24 Episodes). Directors: Allan Arkush (5 episodes, 2006-2007), Greg Beeman (4 episodes, 2006-2007), Paul A. Edwards (3 episodes, 2006-2007), John Badham (2 episodes, 2006-2007), Paul Shapiro (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Masi Oka, James Kyson Lee, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Jack Coleman, Adrian Pasdar, Milo Ventimiglia, Ali Larter, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Zachary Quinto, Santiago Cabrera, Tawny Cypress, Leonard Roberts
Sound Formats: English Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
Length: 23 fill length TV episodes plus the unaired pilot over 7 HD DVD disks
Subtitles: English & French
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Plot: 5/5
In Heroes, veteran TV Writer/Producer Tim Kring has crafted a TV fanboy/girl’s dream series, compromising a sweeping ensemble cast of newly discovered superheroes. Without giving away too much of the story, suffice it to say that while each begins to learn about their extraordinary new talents, they also begin to unravel the mysterious forces that tie them together and the inconceivable future that they must band together to prevent. I don’t even want to give a listing of the major characters and their powers, as doing so would ruin some of the charm as viewers witness the characters discoveries, but I will say that for me the breakout stars here were Hayden Panatierre and Masi Oka. While Panatierre’s high school cheerleader balances her two lives with delicacy, Masi Oka’s bored Japanese businessman breathes life into the geek fantasy of becoming a hero with such relish that it’s impossible to not root for the guy, and the hints to his amazing future capabilities that are uncovered in episode five are sure to draw viewers in even more tightly.
Despite the comic book pedigree, Heroes is one of the most creative and smart dramas to emerge in the last few years, along with shows such as Lost and 24. Chances are if you were addicted to either of those shows you’ve already had more exposure to Heroes than I have so far. Like Lost, Heroes excels at feeding its viewers with just enough answers each hour to keep the show moving, while introducing new twists and questions to keep everyone guessing. It is no mistake that the first episode is titled ‘Genesis’ as this very much just the kick off to what is hopefully a very long running series, and both the religious overtones and resonating importance of the genesis of this story is hard to miss.
Heroes also features more movie like cinematography and killer stunts, CGI and effects than most prime time TV dramas. That’s not to say that Heroes is all sizzle, the talented cast and complex story lines ensure that these window dressings serve to enhance the show, and aren’t the only reason for tuning in. In the end, Heroes captures what is best about Comic Book Superheroes, by giving extraordinary powers to average people and putting them into situations both incredible and mundane, we can really examine the best and worst of what makes us human, and in holding a mirror up to us all, help us to focus on who we are individually.
Sound Quality: 3/5
While the visual qualities of Heroes are easy to laud, the sound side of things is a bit more subtle and almost a disappointment. While asking for a truly enveloping surround mix for a 24 hour long dramatic series is probably asking a bit much, it’s hard not to note the very front focused sound stage. Over the last week I’ve checked out a few of the initial reviews from people getting this title and I’ve seen a few scores north of 4 and I simply don’t agree that a title that has been this well cared for on the video and extras side can slide by saying “what do you want, it’s TV!”
So, what do we have? Well, despite being front loaded and a bit short on the bass end, this set DOES capture the audio content that is present with clarity and punch. In particular the popular songs that are used plus the works of Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin. For more information on those, be sure to check the Heroes Wiki at:
http://heroeswiki.com/Soundtrack
As noted the musical score is sharp and ranges the full gamut of emotions that a typical TV drama would need, and not shockingly a lot of it is used a bit repetitively. Dialogue is crisp and well imaged across the fronts, and there are very occasional effects that bleed into the rears. Overall, it’s quality stuff but the fact that it’s so front heavy is noticeable immediately and throughout the season, at least through the three quarters that I’ve gotten through so far.
Visual Quality: 4.5
As a TV show you would be hard pressed to find a finer video package than Heroes. Heroes was conceived from the start as being an HD ‘killer app’, and the season was broadcast in SD and simulcast in 1080i HD. From what I’m told this 1080P VC-1 encoded version blows away even that HD broadcast.
To start with, Heroes is exceptionally sharp and detailed. Individual fibers and small set contents details are overflowing in just about every scene. Facial details are also quite clear which is something that is often lacking in movie content. I never noted any instances of over sharpening or other digital artifacts, but noise WAS present in several scenes, particularly in scenes featuring Niki, tho I am at a loss as to explain why.
The color palette is also quite wide, with some scenes taking on color dramatic casts but for the most part the series mimicked the vibrant hues associated with comic superheroes, and nowhere is this more evident than in the paintings created by Isaac. These are panels that would be welcome in any modern or classic comic book and they are brought through in tremendous detail in this transfer, and the real life scenes that match up with the panels are just as colorful and detailed.
Overall Heroes looks better than any TV show deserves to look, via broadcast or on disk, and it is clear that a lot of love and hard work went into ensuring that these disks capture every bit of detail that was in those broadcasts, and more.
Extra Features: 5+/5
Heroes Season One’s collection of extras is simply off the hook and I hardly knew where to begin going through all of them. Fortunately Universal includes a handy reference chart that tells you how to get going with both the U-control Features and the online interactive content. I’m saving most of those features to dig through once I have finally completed watching the whole season (so as not to ruin any of the many spoilers that they undoubtedly contain), but it looks like we should bookmark a few extra hours to go through all of them. The guide notes that these include character connection links, picture in picture behind the scenes details and commentaries, and high-res presentations of Isaac’s comic panels on the U-Control side as well as Web enabled content like a ‘Genetic Abilities Test’. More on all of these hopefully next week.
Even without counting those features tho, Heroes would be in the neighborhood of a five star score. Extras include the full 71 minute unaired pilot episode (with commentary) which, to be fair, is very similar to episode 1. There are however 50 (!) deleted scenes which are selectable by episode, a full ‘Making of’ featurette, a featurette on the stunts, a featurette on the musical score, an interactive ‘Mind Reader’ game, and a profile of artist Tim Sale who did the comic panels.
Finally, there are both standard audio commentaries for a few of the episodes but also video commentaries as noted in the U-Control segment. Slick! While not every episode has a commentary, it would probably be a bit much to go through 24+ hours of the cast and crew yammering on. Still, like the HD-DVD of 300, having these run along side of the actual episodes is a treat that simply couldn’t be done on DVD and has yet to be done on Blu-Ray either.
Overall: 4.5/5 (not an average)
Heroes is one of this fall’s most anticipated releases and it comes through satisfying on every level except for those who expected it to have a fully enveloping surround mix. While that isn’t the case, it isn’t at all surprising and every other facet is rock solid or better. I’ll be spending a lot of additional time with the extras here myself over the next few weeks and for sure I will be at the front of the line when next season rolls around! Highly recommended!
- Joined: November 1998
- Post Count: 4,594
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Excellent work - and good call on the audio. Mine shipped yesterday. Can't wait!
Every man is my superior, in that I may learn from him.
- Joined: October 1998
- Post Count: 1,863
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Super review Sam!!!
Mine was mailed yesterday (according to Amazon), ... and this morning ... 'Out for delivery"!!!
Episode 1 tonight!!!
Phil
My HT Enthusiasts Google Website
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DVD Aficionado (DVDAF) on-going list.
Acquisition Rule #59 “Free advice is seldom cheap.” (Quark @ DS9)
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ppltd
- Thomas Eisenmann
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Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Another fine review, Sam. I was looking forward to watching this (when it arrives this week) and you review has added to the excitment. Looks like the next couple of weekends are going to be pretty full.
Thomas Eisenmann(Last updated 12/02/08) HD-DVD CollectionBlu-Ray CollectionDVD CollectionToshiba HD-XA2, HD Add-on, Panasonic DMP-BD55KPioneer VSX-94TXH, Panasonic PT-AE 3000U 1080p 252 HDs, 167 BDs, 1560 - DVDs and going down
- Joined: August 2007
- Location: Minot, ND
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Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Same here, Never seen it, but I'm definately pumped to watch it.
When does season 2 start?
My expectations on Jurassic Park in HD. I better fricken BE THERE!
- Joined: October 1998
- Post Count: 1,863
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Averry
Same here, Never seen it, but I'm definately pumped to watch it.
When does season 2 start?
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NEW SEASON. NEW STORIES. SEASON TWO PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 24!
Phil
My HT Enthusiasts Google Website
---- Toshiba 62HM196 62" 1080p DLP HDTV pic's (#1 in Consumer Reports)
DVD Aficionado (DVDAF) on-going list.
Acquisition Rule #59 “Free advice is seldom cheap.” (Quark @ DS9)
JBL S-Series + SVS 25-31PCi (SN: 00034) w/NSD Upgrade!
- Joined: August 2007
- Location: Minot, ND
- Post Count: 378
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
You know.
I REALLY think I have a shot with the cheerleader.
Definately.
My expectations on Jurassic Park in HD. I better fricken BE THERE!
- Joined: October 1997
- Location: Navesink, NJ
- Post Count: 5,240
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Averry
You know.
I REALLY think I have a shot with the cheerleader.
Definately.
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Got Milk?
http://digg.com/celebrity/Hayden_Pan...ng_Got_Milk_Ad
- Joined: August 2007
- Location: Minot, ND
- Post Count: 378
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bob_L
Well, Hayden just turned 18 this month, so you can now safely take that shot, Averry.
However, I think you'll have to get out here and out of NoDak. I don't think she's planning a trip there anytime soon, even to make the scene in Rugby at the geographical center of North America. On the other hand, she might make so much money on the series that she'll want to buy Ryder (my father's hometown) as an investment. I bet she could get it cheap these days. ;-)
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I sell auto parts to the Farmers Union (Cennex) in Ryder. Ha, yeah...
And did you know that they once picked up the NA Center monument, and moved it to build the highway?
Yeah, that's what I was told, but I'd believe without checking sources, because it's just funny to MOVE the center of North America.
My expectations on Jurassic Park in HD. I better fricken BE THERE!
- Joined: October 1997
- Location: Navesink, NJ
- Post Count: 5,240
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
Neat, thanks for the link!
- Joined: October 1997
- Location: Navesink, NJ
- Post Count: 5,240
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
They were using heroes disk 6 as demo material at Digital Life today on 5 side by side 50+ inch plasmas. Good lord the noise/grain I saw on them was NOTHING like what I saw on my projector. The faces on the people was also VERY 'crunchy', like it had been _purposefully_ contrast boosted. I dunno, I consider my display well calibrated, but this could very much be a reason why people say they see more noise than I do. If you have your display set to boost contrast because it 'looks more hd like' to have more apparent detail in with the crunchy noise, you get what you deserve IMO. OF COURSE grain is going to be more apparent if that is the case, you cant have one without the other.
- Joined: October 1997
- Location: Navesink, NJ
- Post Count: 5,240
Re: Official HTF HD Review: Heroes, Season One (Highly Recommended)
I do. =)
