Steven Spielberg got it right when he chose to adapt Jaws. No this isn't a continuation of our Jaws Blu-ray review. Rather, Jaws was a pure entertainment B-movie cloaked as a studio picture. It was something Roger Corman would have made back in '50s and '60s – albeit done with much better characters, much better effects, a way better story and Oscar-worthy talent...not to mention way more money.
History seems to be repeating itself here with Grimm. The show feels like a large scale, big-budget network version of pulpy B-grade syndicated shows like Buffy, Supernatural and Angel, as well as cable series like Dexter, Eureka and Warehouse 13. The only problem here is, despite porting some behind-the-scene talent from a few of the above-mentioned shows, Grimm doesn't have the “better characters, better story” part that made Jaws a smashing success. As such, Grimm actually manages to play like a low-quality variant of the often great shows that clearly inspired it.
It's a shame Grimm can't seem to find its footing in this first season. While there are some solid episodes among the lot, the overall quality here is a bit disappointing, especially in comparison to the other shows. Characters feel thin and undeveloped, and most of the mysteries are repetitive or lackluster.
That's not to say Grimm is an all-out failure. Thanks to a decent budget, the show boasts solid CG and classy makeup effects, and even manages to squeeze out a few scares every now and then. And for those who really get invested in the show's mythology, there's a lot to enjoy – even with the scent of familiarity.
Grimm was renewed for a second season, and it'll be interesting to see how the series develops. There's certainly room for improvement, and the writers and show runners had all summer to tweak the formula. After all, even Buffy was a bit of a mess during its first season. Maybe Grimm can turn things around in 2012-13.
For in-depth reviews of the first few episodes of Grimm: Season One, check out IGN TV's Grimm hub.
Grimm: Season One comes to Blu-ray presented in 1.78:1, encoded in 1080p/AVC, spread among five Blu-ray discs. Shot digitally, Grimm has a clean, theatrical look to it that is only marred by a slight hint of noise during darker moments, and a faint hint of motion blur. The encode itself is absolutely pristine, with no major compression flaws or other intrusive distractions popping up. Colors are bold and enticing, and details, textures and depth are outstanding, standing among the best of TV-on-BD.
Audio is presented in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. It's an aggressive experience right out of the gate, but also a bit lifeless when the action is toned down. The show's scarier moments are punctuated by terrific sound design, creating that perfect balance of atmosphere and dread. But the show's cop-drama scenes are a bit soft, with scant surround usage and very little heft. Still, when it needs to, this mix is a powerhouse of frights, jumps and jolts, and should leave most fans smiling or shivering.
Extras for this first season include a relatively dull BD-exclusive interactive guide to the various monsters and mythology of the show. It's interesting, but nothing with any real replay value. There's also a series of deleted scenes, a gag reel and five featurettes. The deleted material doesn't add up to much, nor does the gag reel. The featurettes range from interesting (“Making Monsters” “VFX Progressions”) to fun (audition tapes and “The World of Grimm”) to boring or unnecessary filler (the montage reel). As an added bonus, the season also includes an UltraViolet cloud streaming copy of the show – a nice addition that I wish more shows on Blu-ray and DVD would embrace.
Grimm is likely to have its hardcore fans. It has cult appeal, and a certain charm. And it's hardly an out-and-out terrible show, just a bit too derivative at times. If you're the least bit curious, though, be sure to give it a spin now that it's come to BD. And be sure to cross your fingers for season two (read our review of the second season premiere). Hopefully it will continue to improve on the formula and find its proper footing.
"Never recreate from your memory. Always imagine new places!" Follow R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook and MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!
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