Customer Reviews

Hawaii Five-O - The Complete Ninth Season

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Season 9 is arguably the last decent collection of episodes from the original Five-0 stable - I don't consider it to be nowhere near as good as when the show was at its zenith (seasons 3; 4; 5 & 6), but its good nevertheless. In fact, season opener, `Nine Dragons' is outstanding - a real rarity in the fact that it's a post season 6 episode that would probably feature in any fan's top ten list of all time greatest episodes.

So here we have `Nine Dragons' unabridged and thus coming in at circa 98 minutes. Print quality seems ok on this and other episodes - certainly much better than anything I've seen on TV here in the UK. Downside to this is that onscreen `dirt' (black flecks) can be seen from time to time in certain scenes on numerous episodes.

Sadly Season 9 is the last time we see contributions from Five-0 stalwarts Michael O'Herlihy (director) and Jerome Coopersmith . O'Herlihy often helmed some of the best episodes the show had to offer, but here his swansong is the aforementioned season opener, `Nine Dragons'. Likewise Coopersmith pens just two of the instalments in this season - whatever the reasons for their departures, their loss to the series was immeasurable and undoubtedly contributory factors to the show's impending demise.

Notable Season 9 episodes are `Nine Dragons'; `Man in a Steel Frame' - (only marred by some horrendously schmaltzy flashbacks); `Blood Money is Hard to Wash' - (although the last scene where McGarrett yells `Book `em Danno' whilst on crutches and heavily bandaged is both cringeworthy and unintentionally funny); `Double Exposure' and `Elegy In A Rain Forest' - (McGarrett's hat is yet another heinous crime against fashion)

The packaging on these discs is slightly different to previous Region one releases -there are no individual slip cases, instead, all 6 discs are supplied within the one case - which is the same style of packaging afforded to Mannix on DVD with the exception that with this 5-0 release, a cardboard case is also supplied.

Another departure is that the season 1 arrangement of the theme (which accompanied the DVD menus on all previous releases) has been replaced with the Season 9 version.

The only subtitles for this set are those in English - indeed, as is the only language on the discs.

So, If you can ignore the numerous fashion faux pas' committed by Jack Lord, accept the fact that he is also starting to show his age and, basically, that these episodes just aren't as cool as earlier entries, then this is a decent set - probably better than season 8 and hence the 4 stars for this release compared to the 3 I afforded that collection.

Compelling, gripping, hard boiled 1970s cop show. Love the sideburns, flowered shirts, platform shoes and bell bottomed pants. A reminder of a more relaxed time, before the world wide web provided instantaneous access to information: A time when forensic science was in its infancy and hard working cops used shoe leather on pavement to solve crimes.

Print quality superb. Love the episodic promos with Jack Lord's iconic warning/greeting, "Be here. Aloha." I must concur with some other reviewers that it's obvious by year 9 "Five-0" is getting a bit long in the tooth. Tired scripts and repeated plotlines. But there are a handful of good episodes here. I must complain about the lack of bonus tracks. Why have there never been interviews with personnel associated with "Five-0" or CBS Video's other '60s-'70s title "Mission: Impossible" on the expected bonus tracks of these DVDs?! And separately, since CBS Video has gone the extra mile and provided the episodic promos, why not include/offer the station break bumpers mid show? Those 5-second music with "the wave" clips are nostalgic to many of us who fondly recall the show's CBS broadcasts.

I'll skip the review of the show and get right to the actual product. Unlike the first eight seasons, which featured three separate, 2-disc cases inside the box, Season Nine features a single 6-disc case inside the box. While this doesn't create any problems for the discs, it does create problems for the viewer!

The discs themselves are stored one in each end of the case and four on page-type double disc holders. They are SECURE and don't come loose, so that's not the problem. Unfortunately, the episode descriptions are located INSIDE the case. So, if you actually want to read them, you must first REMOVE either disc one or six and hold it while you read. Secondly, the design of the case latching tabs means that some of the print is located UNDER the curvy latch mechanism which renders the text nearly impossible to read unless you twist things around until you are looking at it sideways.

Whoever the person is who thought up this ill-conceived storage case should get the ax! The three separate 2-disc cases with episode descriptions on the BACK OUTSIDE was a FAR, FAR SUPERIOR product design. The new design can best be described in one word--Horrible!

Again, nothing wrong with the playback quality and set still contains the "...be here. Aloha!" episodic promos. My only gripe is with the new all-in-one packaging which just doesn't cut it in terms of ease-of-use. I'd suggest the manufacturer stop trying to cost cut and just give us the NICE, EASY TO READ three case set-up of the first eight seasons--even if you have to charge a dollar or two more!

FIVE STARS for HAWAII FIVE-O, the DVD production and disc quality. ONE star for the abominable case!

Still a great series and was not disappointed with it. I did not care for the new packaging which is why I gave it 4 stars, but it's nothing I can't live with. Most of the plots are still good, but it seemed like McGarrett's enthusiasm is beginning to wane, and the aging is much more pronounced than in season 8. No doubt, after 9 seasons mine would also. Still very enjoyable and looking forward to Season 10.

A very good season, a little better than the tenth
season, when Chin Ho Kelly gets cacked in the 10th
season finale. The ninth season Five-0 staff inclu-
des the usual soild foursome of McGarrett, Danno,
Chin Ho and now Duke Lukela on the cover. Former
Pro Football player Herman Wedemeyer (Colts, Dons
of the ancient AAFC back in the late forties) star-
ted wearing plain clothes for good in season eight,
but was not on the intro with Jack Lord, James Mac-
Arthur and Kam Fong Chun until season 9. very solid
season starts with a great two-hour (later sydicat-
ed in two parts) 'Nine Dragons'. What would a season
of Five-0 be without Keigh Deigh as 'Wo Fat'??!!@!

Pick Up On It!

Nothing lasts 12 years without having something going for it. In the case of Hawaii Five-O, it easy to dismiss it as a typically television crime drama that got lucky by finding its audience and keeping it. The same could be said for Law and Order. Except, in television years, luck usually runs out after two or three years. Gimmicks get old, the formula is figured out, and sharks are jumped so often they don't even complain.

But shows that last five years, much less 12, have to have something besides luck, gimmicks, and great scheduling. Hawaii Five-O had a number of things going for it. First of all, let's be honest. The setting was, and still is so lush and exotic that it is easily intoxicating. Hawaii is beautiful, and most people either live there or want to live there. Filming on location has always been a blessing when it's been done, and probably no more so than on this series.

Next, Jack Lord, playing Five-O chief Steve McGarrett, was one of a long line of no-nonsense law enforcement figures. The strength, integrity, and dedication of these kinds of characters cannot be overstated, and these characters will always have lots of fans rooting them on, not unlike Law and Order's Jack McCoy.

Finally, watching shows like this is always a treat because you see so many stars that were either big stars enjoying a working Hawaiian vacation, or lots of up and coming stars before they got their big break. Hawaii Five-O was a natural draw for both categories, and it's fun to watch them and remember when.

It's also fun to remember when you could look forward to hearing one of the best and most recognizable theme songs in television history. Not a small thing when you add it with the other factors. Hawaii Five-O had a lot going for it then, and it has a lot going for it now.

This is the best season of Hawaii Five-O. Each episode gets better and better. The storylines are gripping and continuously hold your attention. The acting is excellent, as usual, great variety of guest stars, and very dramatic. The villian character Wo Fat is back in the first episode and better than ever. My favorite episode is "Nine Dragons", where McGarrett is kidnapped and Wo Fat is back to no good. There are plenty more great episodes, including "Oldest Profession-Latest Price", "Man on Fire", "Target: A Cop", and "A Capitol Crime." All Hawaii Five-O fans must have this season's DVD.

Just finished watching season 9 .... The writing and acting are still pretty good .... But it is showing signs of its age .... Still very good video and audio my copy had no flaws at all .... I think the teasers in the beginning are a little to much considering the episodes come with the promos as always .... I also don't care for the single package case for the DVDs .... I liked the way they had the 3 package cases with the two disc synopsis that you can read on the back covers .... Each synopsis for each episode is on the inside front and inside back of the holder making you remove disc 1 and disc 6 to read what a episode is about .... But all in all it is still a good buy and just one of the classic tv shows of all time ...

The other being Starsky and Hutch! This series is brilliant with the criminal team of (of course) Steve McGarrett, Danny Williams, and Chin Ho Kelly (Kelley?)! The plots of this show are strengthened by both first rate acting Jack Lord in the lead on down to exotic real life locales (giving the show a lot of realism)! Some of the events on this show are even based on real life events!