Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
Film & TV All News Blu-Ray Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders 4K Ultra HD Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders Gear Reviews News Home Theater 101 Best Gear Film & TV
Blu-Ray : Recommended
Ranking:
Sale Price: $30.75 Last Price: $36.74 Buy now! 3rd Party 29.15 In Stock
Release Date: August 7th, 2012 Movie Release Year: 2011

Grimm: Season One

Overview -

In modern day Portland, Oregon, a police detective inherits the ability to see supernatural creatures.

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Limited edition packaging with exclusive "Grimm" collector cards
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/TBA
Length:
0
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.78:1
Audio Formats:
English Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH
Special Features:
Making Monsters
Release Date:
August 7th, 2012

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

I was never really interested in 'Grimm' when NBC was promoting the hell out of it before the new 2011 Fall line-up. It's commercials didn't do it any favors. They made it seem like an unoriginal mash-up of shows like 'Supernatural,' 'The X-Files,' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' I watched the first episode when it aired and couldn't really get into it. I wrote it off as a show that just didn't interest me. That was until I got the Blu-ray to review.

Since my viewing schedule on TV is usually kind of booked, if a new show doesn't really capture my attention from the pilot episode I simply move on. I must now say that 'Grimm' is the kind of show that you have to let grow on you. Once it hits episode six (granted that's a little longer than many people might want to stick with a series, hoping it gets better) or so, the show finally settles into its own rhythm and a formula that works for it.

I wasn't lying though. 'Grimm' is indeed a mash-up of the shows I listed above. Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) is an Oregon detective working homicide. In the pilot episode Nick's cancer-ridden aunt unexpectedly drops by for a visit. At the same time Nick starts seeing weird things. Things that shouldn't be there. People's faces change right in front of him. He sees a normal face, then it morphs into a hideous demon-looking thing, and then back to the human face. He doesn't know what to make of it, and like all people that encounter weird things in movies and TV shows, he simply shakes his head and chalks it up to the old mind playing tricks.


Only Nick's mind isn't playing tricks on him. Nick is a descendent of the original Brother's Grimm, and now that his aunt is dying, the power of being a Grimm has fallen to him. Grimms are basically the keepers of peace in a world full of supernatural beings, many of them of the dangerous variety. Grimms hunt down the dangerous ones (getting the 'Supernatural' vibe yet?) and take them out, making life safer for us regular humans.

The show doesn't waste any time. Nick gets right to work on the weird stuff that goes bump in the night all the while trying to do real, genuine police work. Like 'Law & Order' with a paranormal twist.

Like I said, the show takes a little while to find its groove, but once it does it's sort of fun to follow along with. Yes, the special effects can be a bit chintzy at times; this is network TV after all. The way the show works the actual police work into stories about supernatural beings like werewolves, rat people, and ogres is part of its charm. Although, one does have to wonder how seemingly all of Nick's cases, after he finds out that he is indeed one of the fabled Grimms, suddenly all become linked to one crazy supernatural-themed case after another; and all of them are happening in his jurisdiction.

The best part of the series is the interaction between Nick and his friend Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) who happens to be a blutbad, which is a fancy German word meaning a wolf-like creature. Monroe is a reformed blutbad though and takes it upon himself to help Nick out as he's getting his feet wet in the Grimm business.


The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'Grimm' comes to Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. Inside its fold-out cardboard packaging is five 50GB Blu-ray Discs. The fold-out not only comes complete with an episode list printed on the inside, showing basic information about each episode and what disc they're from, but it also comes with a handy guide which names all the unfamiliar monster names you'll hear in the show, the origins of the words, and what type of beast they are.

'Grimm' comes to Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. Inside its fold-out cardboard packaging is five 50GB Blu-ray Discs. The fold-out not only comes complete with an episode list printed on the inside, showing basic information about each episode and what disc they're from, but it also comes with a handy guide which names all the unfamiliar monster names you'll hear in the show, the origins of the words, and what type of beast they are.


Video Review

Ranking:

The 1080p video presentation on this set is strikingly amazing. Yes, the appearance has its drawbacks – some of the effects look downright silly, especially in crystal-clear HD – but for the most part this is a splendid looking Blu-ray.

Detail, when it isn't created by CGI, looks great. Whenever Nick has to go out into the moss-covered forests of the Pacific Northwest, the picture brims with detail. The lush greenery of Oregon is where the show really shines. As Nick and his partner walk through the forests it's easy to see all of the individual leaves, branches, and even clumps of moss growing on branches and tree trunks. Detail looks good even when they aren't in the forests. The dark, rich greens give way to earth-tone neighborhoods, white, gray and brown homes dominate the view as they are usually set against the luxurious green of the surrounding villages. Right from the opening episode you can tell that this show was meant to be seen in HD. A girl leaves her dorm in a bright red sweatshirt, and runs through an overgrown forest pathway. Her red sweatshirt contrasts perfectly with the green behind her creating a stellar visual. There's a lot of red here as the show is quite gory. Crimson blood is a common occurrence and it usually stands out against the dominate earthiness of the color palette.

Blacks are nice and deep, creating crisp shadows which reveal just as much detail in the night as they do in the day. Close-ups feature pores, facial hair, wrinkles, lip lines, and just about every other facial feature you can think of. The only real negative to the whole presentation is how hokey some of the visual effects appear. The high-def treatment isn't really doing them any favors. Although, if you saw the show in an HD broadcast you know what to expect anyway.


Audio Review

Ranking:

'Grimm' has been given a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that does a good job at creating the spooky atmosphere the show's going for. It sounds much better than the audio that was used for the series' broadcasts. Giving a much more well-rounded, atmospheric surround presentation that keeps the listener engaged in what's happening on screen.

I really like the rear channels here. There was a lot of ambient sound there, whether it was crickets chirping in the forest, voices at a busy restaurant, or the quick movements of something unseen running back and forth out of view. The rear channels pick up the show's excitement and add to the enjoyment. Placing you in the middle of the paranormal action.

Dialogue is clearly delivered through the front and center speakers. The front speakers offer a place for voices that are just off screen giving the series a good sense of directionality. LFE is constantly engaged whether it be for the roars of a hungry blutbad, or the fiery explosion of a car in a parking lot. While there aren't a whole lot of room- rumbling moments, 'Grimm' needs some nice deep bass, and it's provided here. I didn't notice any anomalies with the way the show sounds. Overall, fans should be mighty pleased with the way the show sounds on Blu-ray.


Special Features

Ranking:
  • Deleted Scenes (HD) – These are spread across the five discs. There are deleted scenes included for 13 of the 22 episodes. It's easy to see why most of them were cut, most likely to get down to a brisk 45- minute runtime per episode.

Disc 5

  • Gag Reel (HD, 3 min.) – Messed up lines and the actors laughing at them. Your standard gag reel.
  • The World of 'Grimm' (HD, 10 min.) – This is a far-too-short behind-the-scenes discussion on the show. Since it isn't really long enough to cover the show in much depth it comes across as promotional fluff.
  • 'Grimm': Making the Monsters (HD, 6 min.) – A look at the monster make-up that was used for the show.
  • Audition Tapes (SD, 11 min.) – Audition tapes are included for five of the show's principle actors: David Giuntoli (Nick), Bitsie Tulloch (Juliette), Silas Weir Mitchell (Monroe), Russell Hornsby (Hank), and Reggie Lee (Sgt. Wu).
  • VFX Progressions (HD, 2 min.) – A quick look at the CGI included in the show, but I almost wish they wouldn't have included a segment featuring the show's rather subpar VFX in the first place.
  • Highlight Reels (HD, 6 min.) – Three short highlight reels made up of a bunch of different clips from the show: "Scares," "Morphs," and "The Language of 'Grimm.'"

This show really grows on you, but it takes about six episodes. It's pretty fun once it gets going and finds its groove. It's an amusing way to spend a few hours. I just wish the show's effects could be better since, at times, it relies so heavily on them. Still you're getting a great looking and nice sounding set here. Even if you're not a huge fan yet, this is definitely worth checking out. Recommended.