The Walking Dead: Season 3 Review

Movie: The Walking Dead: Season 3
By: Maniac E
Date: September 20, 2013

Third Time's is a Charm

After a great first season and a lesser second season The Walking Dead returned guns blazing with a more fast pace and some shocking first moments. We got the bluray in so time to revisit this third season. The review can maintain spoilers.

Well most people out there were really looking forward to this third season since the ending of season 2 was finally picking up some pace we got the black screens with the credits way too soon. With season 3 the writes wanted to pump up things and they did! This season was split up into two halves and mostly for me the first half was one of the better shows I've seen in a while. Especially with "Seed" the mark was set for this season's tone.

Trying to keep the pace high in the following episodes "Killer Within" did the job perfectly. Where normal shows would use this as a ending for their season but for "The Walking Dead" it was just a ordinary episode 4. T-dog, Lori fell and made sure some extra dramatization came along. Making sure that the Zombie Apocalypse wasn't the biggest threat but the living were the zombies were there just for ride. It are not the flesh-eaters that caused the most problems they did use their charms and skills to make sure the hectic environmental threats were kept but the people aren't there to just survive even now people want to make sure they are the boss or that they at least have foot soldiers underneath them to do their dirty work.

Season 3 creates the people the ones that wish it was over and their calm and control makes way for lust and power. This is just what happens to the "Governor" character He's the perfect foil to, and also the possible future reflection of, the heroes who have seen their lives irreparably broken and who struggle to hang on to what they have on the outside and on the inside and who must now battle what they must not become. Even with all the new things in this season it all just blended in. Because of the themes that are being used in this season the threats are coming from all directions and all people are a force to reckon with.

This time around the creators of this season did their best to bring us a more diverse season with a lot more happening at times. The dark gloomy feel of the ending of mankind is lurking around and they really tried to give it a realistic perspective. The Walking Deadas some of the finest television ever created, whether captivating audiences in the excitement of an Aliens-inspired dark and claustrophobic battle against hordes of unstoppable creatures at the beginning of the season, draining all hope in "Killer Within," or journeying towards the unforgettable season climax that will leave viewers craving season four as a zombie craves its flesh.

The Walking Dead keeps being a great mixture of horror and fantasy entertainment. The ending of this season was really a mind fuck and makes us wonder what will come for season 4. Don't forget this season has enough blood and guts to go around! For me personally was the better season of the 3 even though they broke from the comic books. The show is getting its own identity and its own feel. This season just shows how much it has grown and how entertaining a tv-series can be in the end and trying to get to the top tv-series ever around.

BLURAY REVIEW

Image quality

Fine grain remains throughout, but never overwhelms the screen. Color definition is as good as the show's intent allows. Bright outdoor greens fare nicely, but there's a subtle feel of gray and earthen shades running through the show. Black levels are excellent, and flesh tones don't drift too far from character norms. The image shows very light banding and blockiness in a few spots, but otherwise holds up well. It's not necessarily classic "reference" material but this transfer displays the show as it was meant to be seen.

Sound

Every crunching skull, every breaking bone, every squish of tearing flesh is captured with absolute precision. The strength of the show's sound design is its attention to providing a downright scary surround sound experience. The added side channels give the show an engrossing feel. Growls, groans, and the shuffling of undead feet can be heard in the side and rear channels even if you can't see the zombies who are making the noise.

Extras

• Audio Commentaries: Director Guy Ferland and Actor IronE Singleton for "Killer Within;" Director/Co-Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Artist Greg Nicotero and Actor Danai Gurira for "Say the Word;" Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman, Executive Producers David Alpert and Gale Anne Hurd, and Actor Danai Gurira for "Made to Suffer;" Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd and Actor Danai Gurira for "The Suicide King;" and Director/Co-Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Artist Greg Nicotero and Actor Michael Rooker for "This Sorrowful Life." Rising Son (HD, 6:47): A look at casting Chandler Riggs and the character's arc through the series and in season three in particular.
• Evil Eye (HD, 7:54): An examination of "The Governor," including the character traits and dichotomy between the Woodbury exterior and the dark interior. It also highlights the character's evolution and David Morrissey's performance.
• Gone, But Not Forgotten (HD, 8:14): A piece that focuses on the death of a character, death scene makeup and prosthetics, and the emotional on-set and on-screen feelings surrounding the death.
• Heart of a Warrior (HD, 8:25): This featurette examines Michonne, including Danai Gurira's performance, her conflict with Merle, and her deeper character traits.
• Michonne vs. The Governor (HD, 5:13): A closer look into one of the season's driving conflicts with emphasis on the making of one scene.
• Safety Behind Bars (HD, 9:44): Cast and crew discuss the prison location, the prison's place in the show, and the process of constructing the set and the amount of detail that went into making it.
• Making the Dead (HD, 8:06): A detailed focus on zombie construction and the visual effects that support their "lives" and "deaths," both practical and digital.
• Guts and Glory (HD, 7:42): A look at additional character deaths.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 13:20): Scenes from "Walk With Me," "Say the Word," "Hounded," "Home," "I Ain't No Judas," and "Clear."

Overall

Overall this is a very complete set again! With top high quality extras! Great audio and video quality. If you are a fan of the series don't think twice! It is a must own for you. If you are more of a casual viewer make you know what to expect. For me this was one of the better seasons and with this great release you get your money worths.

E1 Entertainment