Product Details

• Actors: Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Taylor Wily
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Dubbed: Unknown
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 6
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: September 20, 2011
• Run Time: 1030 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003R4ZMNQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,776 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Hawaii Five-0: The First Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's possible that the popularity of Lost's tropical background played some role in resurrecting this slicked-down update of the famous cop show that ran for 12 solid seasons starting in 1968. There's certainly a strong travelogue element in the 2010 remix that includes glamorous tourist hot spots, rundown native shantytowns, and the sultry, photogenic wilds that make up most of the 50th state. The production team is careful to work in an amalgam of Hawaii's distinctive geography, along with enough stunt-filled action, pyrotechnics, and sexy style to make it appealing enough for an audience that probably doesn't remember Steve McGarrett, Jack Lord, or the inimitable drumbeats of the show's classic theme song. That rousing opening number, the beautiful backdrops, and the starring characters' names are pretty much all that's left over from the original Hawaii Five-0. Rather than the robotic, just-the-facts demeanor that defined Jack Lord's authoritative presence as the special cop squad's commander, the new Steve McGarrett (Aussie hunk Alex O'Loughlin) is an ex-Navy Seal who dives into foot chases, gunfights, and dangerous situations whenever possible, bringing a dreamy, heartthrob charisma that's the exact opposite of Jack Lord's steely, low-key magnetic charm. His number two, Dan Williams (a buff and tough Scott Caan), is a New Jersey transplant who plays dyspeptic foil to McGarrett's impetuous and often illegal whims in the name of crime fighting, telling him that he's crazy, but then backing him up all the way. Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim, a survivor from the Lost ensemble) is a disgraced cop brought back to the job by McGarrett, and Kono (Grace Park) has transformed from a hulking bruiser into a swimsuit model fresh out of the academy and with martial arts moves galore. This special task force has been designated by the governor (Jean Smart) as an elite major crimes unit that works outside the police chain of command, and often flaunts the rules to get their man. In an overarching plot thread, that man is the shadowy bad guy responsible for the murder of McGarrett's parents, eventually revealed to be Japanese yakuza leader and master villain Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos, who also played "The Chairman" on Food Network's Iron Chef America). When not focusing on Wo Fat and the elaborate mystery that reaches into the upper echelons of government, the episodes are based around the Five-0 team chasing terrorists, hostage takers, modern-day pirates, and a variety of desperate criminals. In nearly every situation McGarrett is given cause to go rogue by taking pretty much everything personally. Danny (or Danno, as in, "Book 'em, Danno!") is always there to remind him that he's crazy to cross so many lines, but also has his back in every tough spot McGarrett gets them into. In fact, the whole team is always there for each other with lots of interaction that teases out the personal lives of every character. It lends a touchy-feely tone to the show that was never, ever part of the Jack Lord-era Hawaii Five-0, but which helps this reboot by adding an emotional element that sometimes even bleeds into the action. And plenty of action there is. Shootouts, hand-to-hand combat, elaborate practical stunts, on-set special effects, and CGI enhancements all give the show a brisk and exciting pace, even if the scripts tend to rehash the same kinds of criminal setups. To keep it in the same high-tech league as other series such as NCIS, Criminal Minds, and the CSI franchise, Five-0 also has a command center filled with the latest computer gadgetry to keep them a step ahead in a world of state-of-the-art crime. The 24 episodes in this season-one set end with a fiery cliffhanger that clearly lets loose a big can of worms for the Five-0 team to track down in season two. Also included in the six-disc package are the usual outtakes and gag reel, commentary on two episodes, and a bunch of short pieces with self-explanatory titles like "The Story of Season 1," "Aloha Action!," "The Making of the Pilot," and "Re-scoring the Theme Song." They're a mixed bag, but the episodes themselves are consistently grade-A in bringing a contemporary, hyperbolic flair to a show that first came on the air more than 40 years ago. --Ted Fry

Product Description

Hawaii Five-O is a contemporary take on the classic series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands' sun-drenched beaches.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 118 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hawaii 5-0 is Hot! October 11, 2010

By MichaelC2B

Format:DVD

To start off, Hawaii 5-0 has a stellar cast: Alex O'Loughlin, who is perfect as Steve McGarrett, Scott Caan is great as Danno, Daniel Dae Kim is wonderful as Chin Ho and Grace Park is excellent as Kono.

I was so excited about this show when I first heard about it, and it exceeded my expectations. What more could you want? It has the perfect blend of drama and humor, a brilliant cast who are not only talented but just as enjoyable to look at as the beautiful Hawaiian setting they are in - and the writing is smart, fun and witty.

I love the way CBS has been advertising the show as a "reboot", not a "remake", as so many people had been calling it. The whole story is new, the characters are new, and the writers are quickly letting you see the lives of the characters. You not only have an exciting case filled with lots of excitement and drama each week, but you are drawn into what is going on in the lives of the four characters and it leaves you wanting to know more about them and where they came from.
Hawaii 5-0 is sleek, sexy and exciting, and it is no wonder that it is the highest rated new drama on TV. I don't think it will take long before it is the highest rated drama on TV period.

Congratulations to Alex O'Loughlin for finally getting the success and recognition he deserves so much with this new show. I will be tuning in to watch each week - and then watching again after I have recorded it. Now I can't wait for the DVD to come out for the first season, and I hope it has lots of extras. Hawaii 5-0 is going to be on for many years to come, and I will be buying each new DVD as they come out.

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars-Great! December 25, 2010

By KF in MN

Format:DVD

Was very skeptical when I first heard about this TV series - mostly because no one can replace Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett or any of the other cast members from the original episodes. I couldn't imagine how they could replace Dano either or have a female cast member. But, after watching several episodes, I would rate this the best TV watching out there, 5 stars. The plots are great, interesting and intense and the acting is wonderful - I enjoy the relationship and humor between Dano and Steve McGarrett. I don't try to compare the old with the new - just enjoy watching it as a new TV series that is just good crime drama.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five O Again! December 5, 2010

By D. Pauley

Format:DVD

No, this isn't the original show. If you compare the two and you are looking for the newer version to be a duplicate of the original show, you may be disappointed.

However, if you try to enjoy the new Five-O as a completely new show (with some similarities to the original), it's one of the most exciting new shows out there (IMHO) - along with Blue Bloods.

The scenery is great (plenty of nice shots of Hawaii, the cast works well together. I enjoy the banter between Danny and Steve. The plots have mostly been excellent and well executed. Looking forward to the DVD release of this new show.