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They are partners, whether she likes it or not. Castle: The Complete First Season is the romantic, clever dramedy that is reminiscent of Moonlighting with romantic tension between Castle, a crime novelist and Detective Beckett as they work in a unique way to solve crimes and mysteries.Bonus Feautres Include: Hardboiled: Genesis of the show, Chemistrry: Experience Nathan and Stana's chemistry on and off the screen, bloopers, deleted scenes, commentaries
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| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Binding | DVD |
| EAN | 0786936792928 |
| Label | ABC Video |
| List Price | $39.99 |
| Manufacturer | ABC Video |
| Product Group | DVD |
| Product Type Name | ABIS_DVD |
| Publisher | ABC Video |
| Studio | ABC Video |
| Title | Castle: The Complete First Season |
| UPC | 786936792928 |
| Number Of Items | 3 |
| Format | NTSC |
| Release Date | 2009-09-22 |
| Languages | English |
| Creator | Andrew W. Marlowe |
| Actor | Seamus Dever |
| Audience Rating | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) |
| Region Code | 1 |
| Running Time | 210 |
| Additional Features | |
| Aspect Ratio | |
| Director | |
| Number Of Discs | |
| Theatrical Release Date |
Many products have multiple models (e.g. black edition, white edition, etc.). If you know of any other models of this product with a different MPN/UPC, please add them below.
| Model Name/Type | MPN | EAN/UPC |
|---|
User Reviews: Castle: The Complete First Season
Featured Review
September 20, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Reviewed by Neil Middlemiss
Castle: The Complete First Season
Studio: ABC Studios
Year: 2009
US Rating: TV PG DSLV
Film Length: 430 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Enhanced for 16X9 TVs
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles: French and Spanish
Year: 2009
US Rating: TV PG DSLV
Film Length: 430 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Enhanced for 16X9 TVs
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles: French and Spanish
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Review Date: September 20, 2009
Will Sorenson: How about you Castle, you've written what... 20 bestsellers?
Richard Castle: 26 but who's counting?
Will Sorenson: Why the sudden need to shadow a real detective?
Richard Castle: Well, the ones on TV seem oddly fixated on their sunglasses.
The Show: 3.5 out of 5
ABC bowed Castle as a mid-season replacement; a back-up series, one of many, that would be deployed in a timeslot vacated by the death of another series that would have been deemed unsuccessful enough to fail to secure a pick-up by the network. Mid-season replacements are commonly more average and unremarkable than exciting, and all too often deserve their relegation to the randomness of chance – 'back-burnered' until a slot opens up from the demise of another. Castle, however, is one of the pleasing exceptions to that general rule.
The concept is easy-going TV fare; a famous murder-mystery novelist works in partnership with a New York City Police Department Detective investigating homicides; an incredibly simple premise upon which a mystery of the week show is sustained. The novelist is Rick Castle, a quick-witted, slightly intemperate soul whose way with the ladies is just one source of his inflated ego and arrogance; his access to powerful players in New York City (the Mayor, judges, and more) is another. Castle is played by the incredibly likeable Nathan Fillion, who has been destined for great things since his remarkably solid, funny, and serious turn as the captain of the Serenity, in Joss Whedon’s tragically short-lived Firefly television series. A short-lived run in Fox’s doomed series, Drive, and a head-turning guest spot on several episodes of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, have all led to his opportunity to star as the titular lead in this successful mid-season replacement, which has earned itself a second season. Fillion has appeared on TV in a number of roles, but the past few years have really since his star quality shine through.
Starring alongside Fillion as the tough NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, is Stana Katic, a lovely actress who, after some effort to find the right tone of her character (which probably had more to do with the producers of the show than Katic herself), manages to balance the throes of detective work, being in charge in an environment dominated by men, and her lack of patience with her tag-along novelist, Castle. Castly, who after working with her to solve a case involving his literary works, had himself granted the chance to shadow her to research his future novels. The chemistry between these two leads is vitally important for the show to work, and the push and pull of irritation and appreciation that Katic must balance in her role, is among the most difficult on the show.
While this show has two distinct leads, it is supported by a solid cast of characters, both in the precinct and in Castle’s home, that give the narrative a good balance, and at times, plot nudges. Castle lives with his smart, adoring daughter Alexis (played by Molly Quinn), and his melodramatic, former actress mother Martha (played by Susan Sullivan). Surrounding Detective Beckett is her Captain, Roy Montgomery (played by Ruben Santiago-Hudson), fellow detectives Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas), and finally, the Medical Examiner Dr. Lanie Parish (Tamala Jones). A good cast that provide the right measure of family drama and support, and comedic influence and interludes – fodder for the fast-mouthed Castle and his embellishments and improbable behavior.
Much like the lite fare of Fox’s Bones, with warm and humorous interplay between sparring, but fond partners, the plots used in Castle aren’t the point of the show. While technically a ‘whodunit’ with influences of style from TV’s most popular crime procedurals (the show is at times reminiscent of C.S.I in how it is shot), it is really a show about an occasionally outrageous man and the muse which he has found in a tougher-than-he-is Detective. And that reversal of traditional roles is a source for much entertainment.
There are weaknesses in this first season. The balance of crime-procedural, drama, and comedy isn’t always quite on the mark; and over at least the first half of the season, the same ground was being walked when exploring Beckett’s reactions to Castle’s flippancy (and even in how Castle would react to being told to “stay in the car”) – but as the show continued through the opening season of just 10 episodes, the interactions became more interesting, and more natural.
Castle is a show that proves to be better in execution and character than the ABC marketing indicated, and its frequent use of literary devices, and ability to be self-referential without becoming parody, is admirable. A refreshingly lite, fun, and entertaining show with an excellent performance by Nathan Fillion (who is, let it be said, always terrific), and strong and likeable performances by Stana Katic and the rest of the cast, make Castle one to watch.
The Episodes
Disc One
Episode 1 – Flowers For Your Grave
Disc One
Episode 1 – Flowers For Your Grave
Episode 2 – Nanny McDead
Episode 3 – Hell Hath No Fury
Episode 4 – Hedge Fund Homeboys
Disc Two
Episode 5 – A Chill Goes Through Her Veins
Episode 5 – A Chill Goes Through Her Veins
Episode 6 – Always Buy Retail
Episode 7 – Home Is Where The Heart Stops
Episode 8 - Ghosts
Disc Three
Episode 9 – Little Girl Lost
Episode 10 – A Death In The Family
The Video: 3.5 out of 5
ABC Studios presents Castle: The Complete First Season on a three-disc DVD set with a widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio enhanced for 16X9 televisions. The image does not come across as favorably on my older 65” CRT when compared to my forgiving 50” plasma – which may stand to reason; but the difference is far more noticeable than other comparisons I have conducted. The lighting on the show is a little darker than on comparable shows (Bones), and the colors are generally either quite rich or quite strong. The use of the color red is prevalent in key scenes (surrounding death), and, while this isn’t the most crisp presentation of TV on DVD, it handles itself well enough. Flesh tones are quite good, and the level of detail (on a plasma screen) is above average. Overall, not the finest presentation, but certainly worthy of your enjoyment (at least until they start releasing this on Blu – which I would hope begins with season two – if season one sells well enough)
The Sound: 3.5 out of 5
With a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound audio track, one would expect just a little more oomph, but what we have is a perfectly capable, if front-focused audio option. The action is handled upfront well enough, and the center channel carries the bulk of the dialogue without any issues. Like many series in production today, the show employs songs to conduct the emotional response within us -- plenty of solitary voices morosely opining life’s tragic ways accompanied by strumming guitars –all of which are pristinely presented. As a 5.1 track, the audio is quite unremarkable – but it delivers what it needs to.
The Extras: 3.5 out of 5
Misdemeanors: Bloopers & Outtakes: (2:37) – A few cute moments, but mostly a grin worthy blooper reel.
Whodunit: The Genesis of Castle: (6:15) – Interviews with series creator Andrew Marlow, legendary writer/producer Stephen J. Cannell, Director/Producer Rob Bowman as well as the cast, on the creation of the show and characters.
Write-Along With Nathan Fillion: (9:07) – A funny, goofy exercise as Nathan Fillion pretends to spend the day with Stephen J. Cannell to get a feel for being a write.
Castle’s Godfather: (7:15) – Reflections on Stephen J. Cannell, and some of his television creations. Includes a couple of great anecdotes from The A-Team and Stingray.
Audio Commentaries: – Several audio commentaries are available, including an engaging track for the Castle Series Pilot.
Final Thoughts
Kicking off on ABC on March 9 of 2009, Castle quickly established itself as a likeable, easy-going entry into the primetime line-up. An accessible mystery of the week show with just enough of an overall plot thread running through the series (the unresolved case of Det. Beckett’s mother’s murder) to give the show something to call upon when an additional layer is needed in an episode -- Castle is truly entertaining.
Despite some freshman growing pains, the chemistry between the actors; coupled with brisk plotting, and enough of a playful vibe to contrast the heavier toned crime drama’s saturating the rest of the line-up (that and the new onslaught of medical drama’s that will compete this fall), make Castle a show that should be a stop on your weekly ride through what television has to offer.
Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5
Neil Middlemiss
Kernersville, NC
1 person found this review useful
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Home Theater Forum › HT Gear & Movies › DVD & Blu-ray › DVDs › Drama DVDs › Castle: The Complete First Season
