DC’s unlikeliest group of Super Heroes, the Doom Patrol, are ready to save the world… kind of. After suffering horrific accidents that gave them superhuman abilities, Cliff Steele aka Robotman (Brendan Fraser), Larry Trainor aka Negative Man (Matt Bomer), Rita Farr aka Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), Jane aka Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero), and Victor Stone aka Cyborg (Joivan Wade) were each left scarred, disfigured, and ostracized – until scientist Dr. Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton) brings the outcasts together to treat and protect them. Gritty and irreverent, Doom Patrol follows this part support group, part superhero team as they take on evil, otherworldly forces determined to destroy humankind – even if it wants nothing to do with them.
For in-depth thoughts on Doom Patrol: The Complete Third Season, please see my colleague Ben Belcher’s piece on the series here.
Video Quality
Doom Patrol: The Complete Third Season arrives on Blu-Ray with a lovely AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original broadcast ratio of 2.20:1. The cinematic qualities of the show continue to be one of the highlights. The levels of detail in this presentation are never less than impressive, as all of the distinct details in the production design are easily observed. Skin tones appear to be natural across the entire cast throughout the season. The color palette runs a bit on the cooler side, but there are some beautiful instances of vibrant colors popping off the screen. Black levels are nice and deep as they give way to an excellent amount of detail in shadows. The special effects employed throughout continue to be well rendered. There are no unsightly instances of aliasing or compression artifacts detectable in this transfer. The Blu-Ray is the way to go if you want to see this finely crafted series brought to life as it deserves.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with an immensely active DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings this world to life effectively. The environmental consideration of the track is always a treat with panning techniques that are used to great effect. Ambient sounds are also accurately placed in the rear channels. The series music works perfectly to establish the tone for the story, and it never fails to deliver enveloping moments that draw you further into the show. Dialogue comes through clearly without being stepped on by the formidable score or any sound effects. Kinetic sequences are given the appropriate weight in the mix with a strong showing in the low end. You will not find much of anything to fault in this audio presentation. There are English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Digging Deep Into Doom Patrol – Introducing Madame Rouge: A two-minute look at the kooky, mysterious new character that steals scenes throughout the season.
- The Season On: A two-minute piece which takes a psychedelic look at the goings-on of the season.
- Georgia PSA: A nearly six-minute piece created to boost the excitement over having production take place in Georgia for perspective new productions.
- Doom Patrol Season 3 – Life After Death: A 14-minute look at how the season picks up from the events of the second season finale and evolves in new and exciting ways in terms of character development for the remaining members of the team.
- Filter Not Included – Robotman’s Best Lines: A three-minute assemblage of the highlights from one of our favorite characters.
Final Thoughts
The third season of Doom Patrol finds the series making some big changes that almost all work out for the betterment of the overall narrative. The depths of emotions that are able to be mined from these characters never ceases to amaze us. You get to see previously reticent characters unlock a newfound strength, and you are treated to a richer backstory for already established character while introducing some new, fun faces to the mix. This remains one of the standout shows with the small-screen DC storytelling. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a new Blu-Ray set that offers a terrific A/V presentation and a couple of fun special features. This show has yet to disappoint us, and it comes as a welcome addition to our collection. Highly Recommended
Doom Patrol: The Complete Third Season is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
