Customer Reviews

The Wire - The Complete First and Second Seasons

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though it isn't given the National publicity as the Sopranos, the Wire undoubtedly is much better. I say that not taking away from how good the Sopranos is, but the fact is the Wire is not only showing you Baltimore's Hood, but every ghetto hood across America. From D.C. to Philly to the brick city in Jersey, to the 5 boroughs in NYC, to the dirty dirty down south, to them wards in Texas, all the way to Cali. Granted, most of the characters in the Wire dress and talk East Coast, the struggles and lifestyles are no different in the drug game. The Wire is not afraid to show you the gully side of drugs, police corruption, political corruption, and dishoner amongst men and women who break bread together and will off each other or their families over principle. This is basically a reflection of what our society has become and The Wire doesn't try to sugarcoat it or hide that fact. Probably why it's on HBO and not on regular TV (Is there such a thing as free regular TV anymore?). The acting is top notch from everyone including extras. This set gets watched just as much as my Godfather, Heat, Goodfellas, Casino or Scarface movies do. It's on the same level.

I'm jealous: the Amazon editorial review above is a 100 percent bull's-eye, and I wish I had written it.

This IS the best show on HBO (or on television for that matter). The writing has a richness and precision that is not describable and the casting is as perfect as I have ever seen. The storylines are intricate and gripping, the characters are layered and real, and the acting is beyond description -- there isn't a weak performance, or even an average one, anywhere. From top to bottom, The Wire is brilliant. Its craft is stunning and its heart is profound.

More good news: the third season is up to the standard of the first two. With due respect to Hill Street Blues, the Sopranos, and many other greats, this is the best work I have seen on television. The Wire is without peer.

The Wire is one of the most raw and realistic shows that portrays all angles of the dope game and street life. It takes place in Baltimore and shows perspective from the police and the drug dealers. The only downside to watching this series is that the episodes are addictive and one can easily spend 3 hours watching all the episodes on a disc.

I hesitate to try to typify THE WIRE in a wee Amazon review, as the show's extraordinary realism and excellence are reflected in so many different components, it would take a feature article to do it justice. For example, this crime program is populated by police officers and criminals who are in many cases, the "genuine article," and there is no obvious difference between these real-deal folks and the show's ACTUAL actors. Thus, we can score one for verisimilitude. (Actually, score two.)

I'd also like to point out that if you're a fan of this show and you haven't read teleplay writer and novelist George Pellecanos's work yet, get to it. (Oh, and cancel that holiday you were thinking about spending in Baltimore. The place is apparently a corrupt hellhole.)

With over 10 out of 10 stars given on their latest season(4) in every newspaper around, these older seasons show where the characters came from and how they developed. Amazing show, well drafted cast, and impelling story line. Its one of a kind!

The wire is a very interesting show. Dive into the everyday problems of the "cat and mouse" game between police and drug dealers. Intrigue, betrayal, politics, greed, The wire show, in full extent, what is going on in all the main cities, not only of the U. States but, also, in all countries around the world.

The wire is a story about men, our fear, denial, hesitation and, here and there, outstandig overcome of our own deficiencies...

The show is so good that I decided to buy the dvds.

Alfredo Augusto Cruz
[Rio de Janeiro Brazil]

A gritty realistic telling of life in the city of Baltimore meant for those who drive through Baltimore on I-95 or over fly over it, but never care about the life on the streets.

The language, which if taken out of context would be shocking, is as necessary to setting the mood as the backdrop of city landmarks and abandoned buildings.

The bad guys are not all bad, but there is little excuse-making forthcoming by the writers. The good guys are not all that good and their excuses sound too hollow to be believed.

Wathcing it on dvd is superior to the week to week viewing on HBO since it is meant to be like chapters in a book. The going seems slow in the beginning of each season and the pace too frantic at the end, but the real story is charecter development. You cannot help but wonder what happens to these charecters lives when the season is done.

The ensemble cast is surpassed only by the writing.

This is time well spent, even if no one you know has ever even heard about the show.

Because you are left wanting more, the lack of special features usually filling up a dvd are really missed.

Great introduction, Jeff. My only addition would be that "The Wire" is one of the funniest shows on television, too. From Snot Boogie to moving desks, to fax's from the port, to beer cans on the roof, to Ziggy's duck, you will laugh at the gallows humor until you cry.

I can't wait for the fourth season.

The Wire does not cease to amaze me. Season's One and Two are masterpieces. I think I like season two a little more, but it is really hard to compare. Season's Three and Four are good, but somehow lack the magic of the first two. This is not only the best show I've ever seen, but also one of the greatest productions ever made. Watching this show is almost like reading a long, carefully detailed, masteruflly engineered novel. If you haven't seen it yet, too bad for you!

I am not really a t.v. fan other than sports but this show made me a believer. I was glued to the t.v. when this show aired. This is a great show with a great cast. A must have..