About Strike Back Season 1 dvd wholesale
Strike Back The Complete First Season Customer Reviews
In a curious decision, Cinemax decided to import the British spy adventure "Strike Back" to its U.S. viewing schedule. In and of itself, that's certainly not a strange choice as this entertaining program is an expert blend of espionage, action, humor, and sex. What is odd is that they started with Season Two (must have to do with money, always has to do with money)! So the designation used in the DVD release stating that this is the Complete First Season is a tad misleading. It is simply the first season that was brought to a North American audience. For purists or completists, the first season is being sold on an All Region DVD/Blu-ray (with potential playback problems for some U.S. players) as "Chris Ryan's Strike Back." So check that out or hope for a Region 1 DVD version. It is six solid and self-contained episodes featuring a tremendously astute and multi-layered performance by Richard Armitage as the central hero John Porter. Armitage does show up to play a pivotal role in the first episode of this season, but the narrative is structured around a core of different actors and an entirely new international threat. You certainly don't have to have seen the Armitage arc to enjoy these episodes, though, this functions fully as a stand-alone adventure.
This season, classified as Project Dawn, consists of ten episodes and introduces two new leads. Square jawed Philip Winchester plays upright Sergeant Michael Stonebridge and he is teamed with ex-Delta Force operative Damien Scott, played by Sullivan Stapleton. In a complicated plot, the two are chasing villains and Weapons of Mass Destruction in a series of global escapades that have them not only on British soil, but in New Delhi, Cape Town, Sudan, and Kosovo. Just as they seem to be getting close to their target, a new discovery is made that thwarts their expectations. Each stop of their pursuit leads to new alliances, new deceptions and new losses. One of the things I appreciate about "Strike Back" is that (just like in real life) the team suffers some pretty catastrophic set-backs and not everyone that starts this season will finish it! The episodes are taut, and often explicit, and the pacing keeps things moving forward at a nice clip. It takes a few shows for the plot to really fall into its groove, but when it does--there is no stopping it until the extremely satisfying conclusion. The final sequences are operatic and devastating!
Winchester is impressive and strong, but Stapleton gets the showier role by far. His disgraced agent operates by rules of his own and the show survives largely on the opposites attract chemistry of these two actors. They play off each other well, at first for comic effect, but they genuinely bond as partners. Amanda Mealing is also essential as their no-nonsense boss and as the series progresses, you see just how vital she is to the action. The supporting cast is uniformly solid, but this core trio keep the viewer invested as the spy plot veers around the world. The show has copious amounts of violence and plays for an adult action audience. There is also plenty of equal opportunity nudity. Staptleton, in particular, always seems willing to give it a go. With his multiple partners, however, I kept wishing there might be more accessible showers and a supply of condoms handy (but this bit of hygiene and safety never seemed to bother anyone)!
If you like shows such as MI-5 or 24, this plays to those same sensibilities. It is well acted and the action sequences are well choreographed. A strong recommendation for adults, this may not be the greatest show I've ever seen (but what is?). It is, however, solidly entertaining and a ride worth taking. Cinemax has picked up the rights to Season Three as well, so I'm looking forward to the next global disaster! About 4 1/2 stars for non-stop action. KGHarris, 4/12.
Strike Back The Complete First Season is for dvd wholesale
