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Blu-Ray : For Fans Only
Ranking:
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Release Date: May 3rd, 2011 Movie Release Year: 2010

Being Human: Season Three

Overview -
OVERALL:
For Fans Only
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Length:
572
Release Date:
May 3rd, 2011

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

It's fairly easy to review subsequent seasons of TV shows, because the people who are interested in them already have a handle on what's going on. They already know if they're going to pick up the season or not because they've followed along this far. The same goes for BBC's 'Being Human' which has just had its third season released on Blu-ray.

The story still centers around three main protagonists. Mitchell (Aidan Turner) who is a vampire trying to curb his appetite for blood. George (Russell Tovey) a werewolf who's trying his hardest to live a normal life even though he finds himself turning into a giant harry, hungry beast whenever the full moon rises. And, Annie (Lenora Crichlow) a ghost who Mitchell and George met in the first season when they moved in together.

While the premise of the show certainly sounds like a setup for a classic joke "So, a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost all walk into a bar…" it's actually pretty good. It spawned an American remake with the same title, which has turned into a bit of a basic cable hit over here.

Like the American version of the show, the BBC version tends to be far too soap opera-esque for it's own good. Much of the time I feel like I'm watching 'Days of Our Lives,' except with a supernatural slant.

Vampires and werewolves are all the rage right now, but 'Being Human' never feels like it's riding the coattails of the 'Twilight' series, which is what 'Vampire Diaries' felt like.

Season three begins where season two left off. Mitchell is distraught with the disappearance of Annie. The group attempt to restart their lives by moving to Barry Island. Mitchell must revisit his past, how he became a vampire and if he's actually changed, or if he's another lost cause.

A myriad of problems arise throughout the season as more vampires, werewolves, and even zombies enter the picture. Like I said before if you're into the series, not much has changed, you'll still be interested now. Season three is a fun, albeit sometimes too serious, look at the lives of how a few supernatural creatures try to live out their lives in as normal a way as possible. Although, I must say that season three's dramatic climax is one of the series' best season endings in its short run.

Video Review

Ranking:

As has become somewhat habit for BBC Blu-ray releases, 'Being Human: Season Three' comes to Blu-ray with a 1080i transfer that may have a few people wondering if it looks good at all. I'm here to tell you that 'Being Human' on Blu-ray looks fairly good, but given the limitations of its HD source material the show's look seems rather limited.

For the most part, detail appears crisp and clear. Lines are nicely defined, but the presentation features that familiar shot-on-video British look that annoys me sometimes. I understand that it doesn't bother other people, but I feel a need to mention it for the people out there like me that don't enjoy that look. Crushing sets in during some of the darker scenes, with errant digital noise also cropping up in the shadows from time to time. Banding is also visible from every so often in the gray skies of England.

Other than the problems above, there aren't any other major technical problems here. However, this presentation looks slightly sad and just a tad on the dreary side if you ask me.

Audio Review

Ranking:

If the video presentation was about average, then BBC's lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 track is downright abysmal. Why a series as popular and as new as this one only receives a meager lossy stereo track is totally beyond me.

Sure, the mix does blurt out all the sound one would need to understand what's going on, but that's about it. This mix talks at you, and with its limited range it's never able to fully engulf you in the show. Dialogue is somewhat clear, but whispers are routinely lost in the fuss and mess of the show's sound effects and brooding musical score. Since it's all sharing two speakers, everything seems much more crowded.

Fans will not be pleased with BBC's lossy audio mix.

Special Features

Ranking:
  • Deleted Scenes (HD, 12 min.) — A handful of deleted scenes are included here.
  • Cast Interviews (HD, 22 min.) — Each of the four main cast members (Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, and Sinead Keenan) are interviewed as they give their opinions on the series, their characters, and how fun it's been to be on the show for three full seasons.
  • Sinead's Seat Tour (HD, 5 min.) — Pretty self-explanatory. Sinead takes us on a short tour of the show's shooting locale, Honolulu Heights.

Final Thoughts

'Being Human' is a decent enough serial TV series, but I fear it's becoming far too much like a soap opera to keep me invested in it. I still like the show's premise, and feel it's a fresh take on the supernatural existing in today's world. After season three's shocking finale I may stay on for the fourth season which BBC announced will air in 2012. Who knows if it'll keep my attention that long though. We'll see. Fans may end up being a bit letdown when it comes to the video presentation. Everyone should find themselves letdown by the lossy audio mix though. It really is a shame. This one is for fans only.