Alias The Complete Second Season DVD with Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman +Movie Reviews

WARNING: A well thought out script.

Jason K. Rindge | Putnam, CT USA | 11/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife has watched this show since the beginning, but I never have as it interfered with my sleep schedule. After recently buying a new DVD player I was anxious to get started watching something. I bought "Alias Season 1" and "Six Feet Under" (which I would also recommend highly). Anyway, my plan was to watch one episode a week, or at most a couple, so I could make it last. So I'm thinking I can get through the 22 or so episodes in 10 weeks. Try 2.Thats right! I would watch like three a day. I was addicted. Conversations in my house sounded something like this..."Honey, come eat dinner."
"No, I'm watching Alias.""Honey, help me with the groceries."
"No, I'm watching Alias.""Honey, I'm pregnant."
"Wow, thats great, we'll talk later, I'm watching Alias."I'm really serious. Every episode would end on such a cliffhanger you had to see at least the beginning of the next episode. But then the middle was so good you wanted to see how it would develope. But then another darn cliffhanger and you were locked in the cycle for good. I can't wait for Season 2. I pre-ordered it at 3 in the morning because that was a minute after I finished Season 1. I'm thinking about starting AA (Alias Anonymous) until I can get my fix."

A great show.

Michael A. Brown | Salt Lake City, UT USA | 09/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Season two started out normally enough. Syndey Bristow is a double agent for the CIA working to take down SD-6, an organization she joined believing that they were part of the CIA but in fact was pure evil.Jennifer Garner as Sydney makes you believe in the set-up. Victor Garber, used better here than in the first season, is terrific as Sydney's fellow double agent dad. The addition of Lena Olin as Sydney's long thought dead mother was a stroke of pure genius. The scenes between Garber and Olin are electric.Things went along very well for about half the season, then everything changed. In one episode, the entire writer's bible for the series had to be re-written. It's surprising they even kept the series title. Just as the shock value of that wore off, they did it again in the season finale with a couple lines at the end.This season is not to be missed for fans of the series, the stars, or of good acting."

Unraveling plans within plans in a gloriously twisted series

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 12/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, kudos to the producers of this show for getting out the complete second season of "Alias" out so quickly after the first and pretty much in time for the start of repeats from the show's current third season. For those of us who came aboard with the celebrated post Super Bowl episode ("What...was...wrong...with...the...black...one"), this has helped fill in the whole back story on Sydney's mom and pop, how Francie became Allison, and the rest of the intrigue from the critically acclaimed ABC series (a way of saying the Nielsen ratings are not in relationship to the quality of the show). They might have used "the...black...one" to reel in new viewers, but "Alais" is about so much more than Jennifer Garner in lingerie (or red wigs, or whatever new look they come up with each week).

When last we left double-agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) at the end of the Complete First Season she had just discovered that "The Man" was really her mom, Irina Derevko, who is played by Lena Olin. This casting just underscores the strong supporting cast, which has heavyweights Ron Rifkin (Arvin Sloane) and Victor Garber (Jack Bristow) stealing scenes from all the kiddies right and left. With Derevko added to the mix along with SD-6 and the Rambaldi artifacts, things are even more convoluted and confusing, which is half the fun. The characters do not really know what is going on, so why should the audience expect to be in a better position? The short answer is that they should not, and be challenged by this rewarding series would be a good thing worth treasuring. The other half of the fun here is the speculation as to what is going on and what might happen next.

While Sydney is having fun with mom and dad (the family that shoots automatic weapons together has successful missions to India together), other members of the supporting cast come into their own, most notably the season's roller coaster ride for Will Tippin (Bradley Cooper) and the world coming crashing down on Marcus Dixon (Carl Lumbley) not once, but twice. Even Marshall (Kevin Weisman) has his moments of glory, and special recognition goes to Terry O'Quinn as FBI Assistant Director Kendall for being a master of exposition. Still, I have to admit that the two most compelling characters were Arvin Sloane and Irina Derevko. As much as Sloane's place in the Alliance matters, both his wife (Amy Irving) and the Rambaldi artifacts matter more, and he finally proves himself a criminal mastermind. But with Derevko "Alias" has its ultimate wildcard, because you know everything out of her life is half-truth and half-lie, and even when the dust is settled from each of her escapades you are still never really clear as to which is which.

It makes perfect sense that at the end of the first season I thought that Sydney cried a lot for somebody that was Jack Bristow's daughter and at the end of the second I was wondering how our heroine was Irina Derevko's daughter. You have to admit, that in any given episode Sydney cries more than her parents have in their combined life. I mean for Jack Bristow becoming enraged is cutting off Marshall in the middle of one of his circular speeches. Still, for those of us going through withdrawal from the demise of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," I have to admit that "Alias" helps fill the void, especially with one of the more unique cliffhangers ending this second season as creator Jeffrey Abrams found a creative way of keeping Sydney and Vaughn (Michael Vartan) apart (at least, on camera). The DVD extras are decent, with outtakes, featurettes, and a few commentary tracks where the cast and crew admire their work."

Review based on TV

juj | 10/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Season 2 smoothly picked up from where the previous season ended - the meeting between Sydney & her mom. Some personalities were given more depth & character in this series, such as Jack, Dorevko, & to a point Sloane. They are all human, with their own strengths & flaws. Some characters also present in Season 1 were given more active role like Will, Francine & Stark. Of course, not to mention the exciting development in the various relationships among our characters, which ended in a great 'twist' in this season's last episode. Truly a cliffhanger, which leaves its viewers anxiously waiting for Season 3 to be shown on air.The only drawback in watching this series in TV is the presence of commercials, which come during the most exciting cuts. I highly recommend to view this series in video, for non-stop viewing. Surely, I will watch all episodes again as soon as I get hold of my Season 2 video."

Absolutely stunning -- But watch at your own peril

Xin Li | Austin, TX United States | 12/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Part I: The show
----------------
Yes, that's right, watch at your own peril! This show is so superb that after watching it, you will be forced to judge all other shows by the same standards. First, its plot lines and story development are among the most organic. Most shows are fresh for only the first season. Soon, their plot lines settle into predictable patterns. Alias keeps everything fresh. You can never be sure what will come next. What you think you know, you don't. Every episode reveals just a few more crisscrossing threads of a gigantic tapestry. What seems like an insignificant side note from half a season ago will come back when you least expect it to deliver the biggest shock of your life. On most shows, the primary cast stays fixed. An established character rarely leaves the show. On the few rare occasions they do, it's a big deal. In the ever mercurial world of Alias, audiences see old, well established characters leave, to be replaced with new invigorating characters. Yet, despite the show's constant metamorphosis, a cohesive theme run through it all so there is no doubt you are still watching the same show. Like a person, this show evolves from season to seasons. But what is a good story without the cast and crew to bring it to life. Here too, Alias outshines all the rest. Jennifer Garner is absolutely brilliant as Sidney Bristow. It would be so easy for her to fall prey to playing an invulnerable supergirl. Instead, she strikes a masterful balance between Sidney, the girl next door, and Agent Bristow, international ass kicker. It is not her spin kicks but her human struggles which has endeared us all. Victor Garber, too, deserves many accolades for his portrayal of Jack Bristow, Sidney's father. At a glance, Jack appears to be the strategic, unemotional, calculating tactician. Yet, beneath the veneer lies a tortured father struggling to hold his fragile family together in a world determined to pull them apart. His love for Sidney is undeniable. Yet his circumstances compel him to silence. Only an actor as talented as Victor could rise up to the challenge of embodying the complex subtleties of Jack Bristow. The same is true of Ron Rifkin who plays Arvin Sloane, a man who is mostly evil, and yet has just a shred of humanity buried deep within the chasm of his blackened soul. And who could forget Lena Olin, who played Sidney's mother. Her performances with Victor Garber were absolutely electrifying. Even the guest stars are a veritable list of who's who in the Hollywood community. In two seasons audiences have been blessed by performances from Quentin Terrentino, Terry O Quinn, and Faye Dunaway. The show just wouldn't be the same without such a superb cast. Yet excellence does not stop there, it permeates every aspect of the show. Unlike most television shows, the production of Alias rivals that of many feature films. Common are the incredible chase sequences, helicopter raids, and pulse pounding martial arts duals. Everything is always kept fresh. For example, many fight choreographies take into account Sidney's surroundings so that she may use objects around her to defeat her enemies. You will just have to see it to believe it. Part II: The DVD Set
--------------------
The season two DVD comes in a slightly nicer package than Season 1. The graphics designs on the cover and inside shows more sophistication and maturity. Like its predecessor, season 2 comes with all 22 episodes in anamorphic wide screen, with Dolby Digital Surround. The video transfer is crisp and clear, like season 1. Where the Season 2 DVD set excels is with the extras. First, this DVD set comes with four episodes with commentary. The episodes are: Phase One, with commentary by JJ Abrams, Jennifer Garner, Greg Grunsberg, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber.
A Dark Turn, with commentary by Ken Olin, and a few others .Second Double (episode 21) with commentary by Carl Llumbly, Ron Rifkin, Kevin Weissman, and a few I may have missed.
The Telling (episode 22) with commentary by JJ Abrams, among others. Of the 4 commentary episodes, Second Double was the funniest one. The Telling was perhaps the most informative, because JJ spoke a lot about where he was going with the episode.
Additionally, Commentary for Phase One included a blooper sequence for the fight between Sidney and one of the security guards on the air plane. Commentary for the telling included an alternative scene for Sidney's reaction to her being missing for two years. Documentary on "The Telling" was very extensive, covering everything through post production and music composition. You get an inside look at the major stunts such as Lena Olin jumping off the building and the fight sequence between Sidney and evil Francie. At 45 minutes, it's very good and worth watching. The Look of Alias segment delves into the costume design and make up for Sidney's countless distinctive looks.
Included are also 7 deleted scenes, some of which interesting, others just so so. The blooper reel was much improved from Season 1. Season 1 was a bit short. This one was 5 minutes, two minutes longer than season 1. It also included far funnier moments, in my opinion.
There are also four radio interviews with the cast of Alias (Jen, Victor, JJ and Eric). There are of course some other extras, but they are not really worth mentioning. All in all, this was an excellent package, and well worth your money."

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	Alias The Complete Second Season Actors: Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman, Victor Garber, Michael Vartan Genres: Action & Adventure, Television 2009 15hr 0min Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 03/03/2009
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