Review by Gary Tooze

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Description: Episodes 9-16 of the fifth and final season of the blackly comic American drama starring Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned crystal meth producer. Walter turned to drugs after being diagnosed with lung cancer, hoping to pay off his weighty medical bills and provide for his family in the event of his death. Unfortunately, becoming involved in the drugs industry brings with it numerous complications, and the power and wealth it generates may not be easy to give up. In this series, Walter's increasingly ruthless behavior brings him perilously close to the clutches of his brother-in-law, DEA agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris). The episodes are: 'Blood Money', 'Buried', 'Confessions', 'Rabid Dog', 'To'hajiilee', 'Ozymandias', 'Granite State' and 'Felina'.

It all ends with a bang! In the final episodes, Emmyr winners Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul bring the saga of Breaking Bad to a bloody conclusion in their roles as meth kingpin Walter White and his guilt-ridden partner Jesse Pinkman. As each tries to get clear of the wreckage they left behind in the meth world, DEA agent Hank Schrader's obsessive pursuit of 'Heisenberg' gains steam, leading up to a shattering finale that will leave no one in Walt's world unscathed. Executive Produced by Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson and Michelle MacLaren, the final episodes bring the unforgettable story of Walter White to its inevitable close.…

 

 

Season Eight descriptions from IMDb HERE:

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.
 

We've previously covered Season One and Two on Blu-ray and this image looks totally in-line with the strong visual quality that you might anticipate. The 1.78:1 HD shot episodes look very strong with the some extremely impressive landscapes shots of the desert and pristine detail in close-ups. Overall it supports the series in 1080P with bright authentic colors and wonderful contrast. Stills can look like high-quality photos. Both discs are dual-layered and with 4 episodes on each of the 2 Blu-rays plus plenty of extras. There are no manipulations at all and it is, predictably, spotlessly clean. This looks exactly as it was shot and ready for broadcast in 2013; essentially it can be considered flawless as a direct representation.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extras :

Massive supplements - I have not listened to all the commentaries from cast and crew (which are available on every episode) but I did sample a couple and they are good - light, informative - a lot of recollections and memories of details. We also get over 15 episodes of "Inside Breaking Bad" - shortish synopsis and production details augmenting each episode. Disc one has six video featurettes including the lengthy 'Table Read' of the Blood Money episode which can be interesting for those who have never seen one before. Included is Walt's video confession running about 6-minutes, Jesse Pinkman's evidence tape, a keen piece on the Layers of a SoundMix which helps identify to the viewer the meticulous nature of how sounds in production are combined for a certain effect. They are mixed into layers of 'stems'. This brief video examines 3 of the main 'stems'; Production, Music, and Sound Effects - which include sounds created and added during post-production. There is also a trailer for the Ozymandias episode and a Gag Reel. Disc 2 has a few more in-depth production-related pieces; The Main Event, The Final Showdown and one entitled Life of a Show Runner about the process of combining all the parts to equal a seamless sum. There is a humorous Alternate Ending (3:39) and a Behind the Scenes of the Alt Ending plus footage of a M60 firing. The package contains a Digital Copy and a bonus DVD entitled Mythbusters - Breaking Bad Special.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
One of TV's very best shows that left on a high-note rather than being milked to death and getting stale. This show progressed - both plot and characters and the finale couldn't have been better. This Blu-ray package offers more than just a great presentation with the extensive extras and commentaries. I envision revisiting the entire series in future years. It was brilliant formulated, acted and, most difficultly, kept the pace at such a suspenseful level. Our highest recommendation but it would be prudent to see the entire series rather than simply indulge in the last 8 episodes. You will not regret it.

Gary Tooze

November 20th, 2013

The Entire Series is also available on Blu-ray: