DVD Review: Incredible Fourth Season of AMC Hit ‘Breaking Bad’

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CHICAGO – In a great year for television, one that saw the premieres of “Game of Thrones” & “Homeland” and amazing seasons for “Louie,” “Community,” “Parks & Recreation,” and much more, one might think that it would be tough for a TV critic to choose the best show of 2011. It was incredibly easy. Nothing topped the fourth season of “Breaking Bad,” one of the best single seasons of television in the last twenty years and now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul should both win Emmys for their work in this amazing runaway train of a season, one that doesn’t let up on the tension from the third season finale (when Paul’s Jesse had to shoot a relatively innocent man to save Cranston’s Walt) from beginning to riveting end. This season was so perfect that it could have been the last and I think the fifth and final season, which starts July 15 on AMC, will be seen as the epilogue. This is the climax.

Thankfully, Sony has recognized the landmark program they have in their stable and treated it respectfully with great transfers and a remarkable amount of special features. For everyone who collects modern TV on DVD or Blu-ray, this is an absolute must-own.

Breaking Bad: Season Four was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 5, 2012
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
In Season 3’s finale, Jesse (Aaron Paul) was on the run, with Mike (Jonathan Banks) in hot pursuit, while Walt (Bryan Cranston) negotiated for his life with Gus (Giancarlo Esposito). In a desperate attempt to escape certain death, Walt concocted a disturbing plan - kill his former lab assistant Gale - to provide for his and Jesse’s safety. The scheme ultimately forced Jesse to Gale’s doorstep with a gun while Walt was held hostage in the Superlab. This season, Walt and Jesse must cope with the fallout both personally and professionally. Tension mounts as Walt faces a true standoff with his employer, Gus, with neither side willing or able to back down. Walt must also adjust to a new relationship with Skyler (Anna Gunn), whom while still reconciling her relationship with Walt, is committed to properly laundering Walt’s money and ensuring her sister Marie (Betsy Brandt) and an ailing Hank (Dean Norris) are financially stable. Executive produced by Vince Gilligan and Mark Johnson.

Special Features:
o 5 Uncensored Episodes
o The Extended Version of the Season Finale
o Deleted Scenes
o Extended & Alternate Scenes
o Cast & Crew Commentaries on All 13 Episodes
o Gag Reel
o 30 Featurettes
o “Better Call Saul” Commercials
o Karaoke Video Featuring Gale Boetticher
o And More!

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com