Customer Reviews

Prison Break - Season One

5 star:		(222)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With a plot that sounds like it might have come from an Alfred Hitchcock or Brian De Palma movie "Prison Break" seemed the least likely candidate for buzz and a large following on Fox. I expected the show despite the high quality writing, top notch pilot episode directed by theatrical director Brett Ratner ("X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Red Dragon") to tank with audiences.

Boy was I wrong and happy about it. The suspenseful series got the right promotional push from Fox and luckily audiences were ready for another ground breaking series using a season long story arc much like "24" and "Lost". I would have expected a show like "Prison Break" to be on HBO or Showtime (as their answer to "OZ" another ground breaking prison drama that focused less on the gimmicks of this show) not on Fox's network. Reportedly the producers planned a shelf life of "Prison Break" for two seasons recognizing the issues they had with shows such as "The X-Files". I suspect that if the show continues to be popular this will morph into something akin to "The Fugitive". The show also was clearly inspired by "The Shawshank Redemption" and the TV show "OZ" but has its own unique flavor making it much more than a simple copycat. Between top notch writing, directing and acting the show has become the only breakthrough hit from last season worth following.

If you know what this show is about skip this paragraph and go to the extras. The story for those that haven't followed the show is quite simple; Michael Scofield's brother Lincoln has been sentenced to die in the electric chair for a crime he didn't commit. Michael will do anything to get him out of prison. As the clock is ticking and its clear that legal options are limited he obtains the prison blueprints to get his brother out. How can he get them to his brother so he can use them? Simple Michael has them tattooed on his back. He then stages a bank robbery to get himself thrown into the same prison as his brother. His plans are to break out with his brother and eventually disappear. While their lawyer tries to get Lincoln out legally Michael must move forward with his plan and also negotiate a complex peace with inmate John Abruzzi (the marvelous Peter Stormare best known for "Fargo" and "Constantine") who controls many of the inmates inside the prison to achieve his goal.



"Prison Break" is presented in its original widescreen presentation and looks quite good here. There were occasional compression artifacts and edge enhancement but nothing too distracting. Overall colors are accurate with nice clarity and definition to the images. The surround tracks are used quite effectively as well evoking the atmospheric surroundings of the prison.

For those interested in the extras included with this set they are quite extensive. We get multiple commentary tracks on the pilot episode by Paul Scheuring & Dominic Purcell with a second one by director Brett Ratner & Mark Helfrich. Similarly we get multiple commentary tracks on the following episodes:
Cute Poison Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell & Wade Williams
Cute Poison Commentary #2 by: Matt Olmstead and Silas Weir Mitchell
Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1) Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell, Robert Knepper, Sarah Wayne Callies, Amaury Nolasco & Wade Williams
Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1) Commentary #2 by: Nick Santora & Bob Mandel. Part two of "Riots, Drills and the Devil" has a single commentary track by Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell, Wade Williams, Amaury Nolasco & actor Peter Stormare
We also get commentaries for Odd Man Out Commentary by: Garry Brown & Karyn Usher & Bobby Roth, Brother's Keeper Commentary by Paul Scheuring, Robert Knepper, Sarah Wayne Callies, Amaury Nolasco & Wade Williams with an alternate commentary track by Greg Yaitenes & Zach Estrin. Extras also include 2 Alternate Scenes for Cute Poison as well as three featurettes. The first "If These Walls Could Speak: Profile of the Joliet Correctional Center" takes you inside the correctional facility. "Beyond the Ink: Tattoo Featurette" focuses on the extensive "map" that plays a key role in the series tattooed on the back of Michael Scofield and one of Fox's routine " Inside Look" previews. All in all an exceptional package of extras considering the price for the series that will definitely make this set worthwhile for both new fans and ones that have been following it on the Fox network since its premiere last year. This set arrives just in time for the premiere of the second season as well.

A terrific, comprehensive set from fox "Prison Break" has been packed with commentary tracks and has three featurettes two of which vary from exceptional to very good with one so-so one recycled for this set. Overall this is a great value and is highly recommended. I suspect that the creators of the series weren't sure if the show would last more than one season and, as a result, structured the series so that it could be easily wrapped up if necessary but also allowing an out for a second story arc recognizing that fans would be frustrated if they remained within prison walls beyond the first season of the series.

Most men would do anything to get out of Fox River Penitentiary, but Michael Scofield will do anything to get in. His brother Lincoln has been sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit, and the only way to save him is from the inside out. Armed with prison blueprints and an impossibly intricate escape plan, Michael gets himself incarcerated, and the race against time is on. Now, he'll need all of the cunning, daring, and luck he can muster... along with the assistance of some of the prison's most vile and dangerous felons.

Finally, the premiere season of television's greatest pleasure (IMO next to 24) is being released in a six-disc package filled with all 22 episodes and tons of extras!

* Pilot Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring & Dominic Purcell
* Pilot Commentary #2 by: Brett Ratner & Mark Helfrich
* Cute Poison Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell & Wade Williams
* Cute Poison Commentary #2 by: Matt Olmstead and Silas Weir Mitchell
* Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1) Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell, Robert Knepper, Sarah Wayne Callies, Amaury Nolasco & Wade Williams
* Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1) Commentary #2 by: Nick Santora & Bob Mandel
* Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 2) Commentary by: Paul Scheuring, Dominic Purcell, Wade Williams, Amaury Nolasco & Peter Stormare
* Odd Man Out Commentary by: Garry Brown & Karyn Usher & Bobby Roth
* Brother's Keeper Commentary #1 by: Paul Scheuring, Robert Knepper, Sarah Wayne Callies, Amaury Nolasco & Wade Williams
* Brother's Keeper Commentary #2 by: Greg Yaitenes & Zach Estrin
* 2 Alternate Scenes for Cute Poison
* "If These Walls Could Speak: Profile of the Joliet Correctional Center"
* "Beyond the Ink: Tattoo Featurette"
* Inside Look

Episodes include:

Disc 1:
1. Pilot
2. Allen
3. Cell Test
4. Cute Poison

Disc 2:
5. English, Fitz or Percy
6. Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 1)
7. Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part 2)
8. The Old Head

Disc 3:
9. Tweener
10. Sleight of Hand
11. And Then There Were Seven
12. Odd Man Out

Disc 4:
13. End of the Tunnel
14. The Rat
15. By The Skin & The Teeth
16. Brother's Keeper

Disc 5:
17. J-Cat
18. Bluff
19. The Key
20. Tonight

Disc 6:
21. Go
22. Flight

Pick up this set, you will not be disappointed!

Prison Break is guilty pleasure TV wrapped in a an intelligent and creative package. But within the first twenty minutes when we find that Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) purposely robs a bank (firing his weapon inside the building to guarantee sentencing at a State Penitentiary) and then conveniently getting incarcerated at the same prison his brother is in, we can pretty much tell this show is going to be full of improbable scenarios that will become reality.

In getting sent to the prison of his choice, Michael finds out quickly where his brother is and starts laying his groundwork from day one. He makes contacts with those who can help him move once they are on the other side of the wall. Time is short and Michael's brother, Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) is on death row soon to be executed for the murder of the Vice presidents brother. Although Lincoln was a petty criminal at times, Michael doesn't believe his brother murdered anyone and has exhausted his resources and considerable intelligence to find a way out of the prison. He even goes so far as to have the plans tattooed on his body (sounds ridiculous, although once you see it, you understand that it's the schematics hidden in a complex design).

Lincoln is being framed for killing the Vice President's brother. Lucky for him there are people outside the prison trying to exonerate him, including his ex-girlfriend. People are also dying outside the prison as well. The death of the VP's brother is attached to a conspiracy that goes very high up, so as people start looking into the details they start dropping one by one.

This show if FULL and I do mean `FULL' of manufactured drama. About 12 episodes into the series you'll be throwing your popcorn at the TV and screaming, `Oh, C'mon, that's ridiculous!' This action will be followed by putting in the next DVD to find out what happens after the last cliffhanger. By the time you stop buying the plot as anywhere NEAR realistic or relatable, you're caught up in the digital crack-pipe of addiction that moves this series along. One thing that seems out of place in this show though is the level of character complexity. This cast of misfits, and I'm including the people who are supposed to be normal, are endearing and pretty three-dimensional. I suppose you have to be in order to like people who are mobsters and a thieves. The jury is still out on liking the child killer, but at least he's a great character.

The title says it all.

This 22 episode drama series was the best FOX or anyone else on the Network had to offer this season in Drama. I will say House, 24, Lost, Monk, Dead Zone, Smallville (all up coming box sets in the next few months) were all very good this year, but Prison Break kept you interested, kept you entertained and twisted your interests weekly. And it beat all the CSIs and Law & Orders hands down!

The producers say that this show (Prison Break) is a story will be told in 44 episodes (That is two TV seasons for you and I)(TV Guide April 2006)..All I can say is I hope not.

This show was just as gritty as the prison drama OZ , just as tension filled twists as this season of 24, Just as character driven as ER or Smallville and with a great adventure story to boot...It also owes a tip of the fidora to the movie the Wrong Man. So FOX, when is the fall season coming-so i can see new episodes of Break?

The box set is worth it for the extras alone-action and production audio comments, promos, features,etc--This is what a GREAT box set is about!

If you didnt get the 24 advance disk which came out earlier this year with the first episode of Prison Break and a feature about the show attached ...TOO BAD-however all those interviews are on this box set

All I can say is GO GET IT NOW!

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

I am a PRISON BREAK die-hard. Monday nights are reserved for my favorite show PRISON BREAK. Season One was full of plotting and planning and ended in a victory break out. Season Two picked up on the most awesome adventure, with twists and turns. Every character brings a seperate life to make the show whole. Each episode leaves you in suspense and wanting Monday to get here quickly. The show is so well written that you can't help but stay glued to the TV for 60 minutes and anticipate "scenes from the next show" . Very few DVD's make it to my Home collection, but I own Season One and am anxiously awaiting the release of Season Two. This is definitely a show you will NOT want to miss!

The actors, set and camera work is good, but the writers got lazy after a while and things deteriorated badly. The basic plot is a man gets himself sent to prison so he can break out his brother, who was improperly convicted. The man, Scofield, is a structural engineer, and has access to the prison blueprints - knowing what he knows, he thinks he can mastermind an escape.
I want to see difficulties overcome by ingenuity, courage and hard work - qualities in which I can believe, but by the third DVD of the set the series has degenerated into a series of problems and solutions that might have been arranged by some whimsical deity - for example, Scofield is sentenced to 90 days in the hole - his brother will have been dead for months before he can get out. How can he fix this ? He doesn't - the script does. The warden needs him to help with the warden's popsicle stick Taj Mahal. Another time, the bad guys are going to have him transfered to another prison. How can he fix this ? He can't - The warden has a change of heart. It works both ways. The bad guys are everywhere, know everything, and can find anybody. They are absolutly deadly to any number of bit-players. They are prevented from carrying out thier evil plans only by the writers, who cause them to not be able to catch a barefooted teenager, even though they know where he is from his cell phone, or kill a 100 lb female lawyer, even though they can abduct another frightened and careful larger woman from the same building in downtown Chicago. If you are younger than 14 or so you might not notice the longer and longer string of improbabilities, and unbelievable behaviors, but it will get harder and harder for adults.

Prison Break the best show i've ever watched. I'm such a huge fan and nothing would distract me on my Monday nights when Prison Break was on I turned the world off and enjoyed my show. I'm very pleased with this season and the writers do such an amazing job just when you think to yourself where is this going to go your just amazed at the outcome. The actors on this show are absolutely fantastic whether you love them or hate them. They all bring something to the table and each storyline is great. It's just very edge of your seat it drives you crazy i just hated waiting every week to watch the next episode. Michael Scofield aka Wentworth Miller is so amazing to watch because the guy is a genius and he knows how to get himself out of every situation and your always wondering what his plans are next. The writers did a wonderful job with the season finale i felt every emotion in one episode and was shocked at the end. I cannot wait for this season to come out on DVD and i can't wait for next fall for season 3 i'm already going through withdrawals. For anyone who has not watched this show i highly recommend watching both seasons you won't be disappointed i promise it's very addicting you won't stop.

There are no words to describe the tension and thrill that Prison Break succeeds in creating. The fact that Lincoln Burrows is framed is in itself an underlying point of tension. Lincoln's brother Michael Scofield having designed the penitentiary where Lincoln is lodged is a little too convenient but one gets over that little quirk rather quickly. Michael's plan to get incarcerated and to carry the blueprints as torso tattoos is daring and ingenious. The alliances that must be formed with hardened criminals is incredibly riveting TV watching. This is TV suspense at its very best.

What a great show! All the episodes have the suspense, drama, and cliffhangers that any show needs! Go out and buy Season One because you will regret it if you don't. Wentworth Miller is such a great actor and I can not wait for Season Two starting on 8/21! Best Show Ever!

It's a mystery to me that the first season of this show didn't get more attention while it was running. While viewers and reviewers were ranting about 24, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives, this show slipped completely under the radar.

Tragic for those who missed it, but a real find for those who caught it. This show had me entranced and, literally, on the edge of my seat, from the very beginning and I didn't, couldn't, wouldn't let myself, miss an episode.

Prison Break is a masterpiece of suspense (Yeah, I said it, a masterpiece). Not only did every episode conclude with a cliffhanger that made you feel like you were facing the longest seven days of your life before you could find out what happens, but even the commercial breaks were torture. Absolutely none of the cliche' and predictability of most network television (including the series mentioned above).

Prison Break is so brilliantly crafted that, by the 15th or 16th episode, I actually found myself wishing for just one predictable turn, for just one thing to happen the way I guessed it might. Fortunately, it didn't happen. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, thought it was even obvious what would happen next, I was way off, and never so delighted to be wrong in my life.

You might wonder how a prison show would play out on network television with no room for vulgarity, hard-core violence or other elements of an action series set in a maximum security prison. But the script is well crafted enough that you truly don't notice the lack of expletives that should be commonplace in such a setting, even a fictional one.

Who are these writers? Where have they been? and Why have they not been hired to write every show on television?

The acting is decent but, with the exception of Wentworth Miller as Michael and Robert Knepper as T-bag, not great. It doesn't matter though, because the story and script is so good, I'd watch it if a team of farm animals were acting it out. Maybe next season.

In closing, Prison Break is the most engaging, suspenseful series on network television and one of the best shows on network or cable television.

Fair warning to those who watch it on DVD for the first time - When you sit down to watch the first episode, you may want to plan for a 22 hour marathon, because once you start watching, you won't be able to stop.