Product Details

• Actors: Jennifer Garner, Ron Rifkin
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
• DVD Release Date: November 21, 2006
• Run Time: 724 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000H5V8D6
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,486 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Alias - The Complete Fifth Season" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Alias was a show that constantly reinvented itself. And its fifth and final season was no exception, as the creative team behind the espionage show worked to pull together the labyrinthine plot elements that had existed over the years, as well as tailor the show around the pregnancy of star Jennifer Garner. The results were somewhat tinged with melancholy as everything was wrapped up, but also had a maturity and respect for its characters--which is not to say that Alias lacked in action. In fact, the season started out with a literal bang, as a truck slammed into the car carrying Sydney Bristow (Garner) and her co-worker and lover Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan), right after Vaughn had made a mind-blowing revelation to Sydney. What followed was a mind-trippingly enticing blend of fake identities, false fronts, blind alleys, and new characters with dubious intentions, with the importance of the enigmatic Rambaldi device hanging over it all. Just another day at the office for Alias, you say? Not this time--for long-time fans of the shows, the true natures of all characters would finally be revealed, and Sydney would at long last discover the powers of the dreaded Rambaldi device, as well as who was behind the machinations to obtain it for world domination.

What Alias did best was mix its outlandish plotlines with accessible characters who were more than just pieces on an espionage game board. The final season did have a few false starts, as it juggled the departure (and reappearance) of established characters and the introduction of new ones, but by the time it had reached its 100th episode, "There's Only One Sydney Bristow," battle lines were drawn as the core characters hurtled toward the show's conclusion. Not to be too cryptic, but the less you know the better, as part of the fun is puzzling out who's doing what to whom; suffice it to say that the ever-capable Garner, along with Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin as the dueling father figures in her life, laid a groundwork of personal drama that held the show together amidst all the shootouts, tech gadgets and costume changes. While (literally) everyone from Sydney's past made an appearance in the show's 100th episode (including an outstanding turn by Bradley Cooper as Syd's erstwhile friend Will), there were a couple great additions too: Rachel Nichols made a fetching Syd-in-training while Amy Acker, who played the daffy good-girl Fred on Angel, was a menacing and captivating adversary. We will answer one question for die-hard Alias fans: Yes, Lena Olin does return as the lethal Irina Derevko. Sorry, we're sworn from saying anything more. --Mark Englehart

Product Description
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 12/26/2008

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Actually 4 1/2 Stars, July 30, 2006

By	T. Stewart "moviemancritter" (Windy Valley, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Final Season / The Last Stand

By the time the fifth season of `Alias' came onto the airwaves, the fans knew something was up: Jennifer Garner had suddenly become a box-office actress (and a soon-to-be mother), J.J. Abrams had his hands full with `Lost' and `Mission Impossible 3,' and the series was finally starting to show signs of its age (which included a rather large dip in the ratings), and it came to no surprise really when Abrams and Garner jointly announced that the show would not return pass its May Finale.

Despite the fact that the show now had an expiration date (and the episode order was cut from 23 to 17), Garner and company seemed to get really into these last episodes, giving them everything they had and actually brought the quality back to the early years. Early in the season the regular cast went through a large overhale, getting rid of two older characters and bringing in four fresh-faced rookies... And with the new cast (and the storyline of Sidney growing up and becoming a mother) brought some much needed new blood into the series.

In the form of a plot this final year focus's mainly on Syndey Bristow growing up and learning about all the responsibility's that come with life. She was thrown a heavy and heart-wrenching curve in the first season, and throughout the entire season she feels the repercussions from it, realizing that she is not invincible, she isn't as young as she used to be, and that her actions affect more people than just herself. So Sydney kinda moves into a mentoring position training and working with two new members to APO, and essentially passing the reigns off to them (it was mentioned that if the show had gone to a sixth season, Garner would have left the show and these characters would have become the main focus).

Since this is a final season, that means that included is not only the series finale, but the 100th episode as well. With only 17 episodes, the 100th episode was the fifth from the last and essientially served as a `reboot' for the series taking the story from the first 12 episodes and bringing it into the home stretch... especially by bringing back old foes and friends including Sark, Anna, Will, and a few other 'surprise' returns... while the final 4 episode successfully tied up 99% of the loose ends left throughout the series, by the final episode the audience was still left a little confused, but I think in a good way, because if this show proved anything it was that nobody really understands what is going on in their own life.

Season five, while not as strong as the first two season's is definitely a step-above the third and fourth seasons, and highly recommended. Note also that on the same day a "complete series" set will be coming out, so if you don't have any of the episodes, that might be the way to go...

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alias, the Fifth and Final Year: Disappointing but Satisfying, August 18, 2006

By	Matthew C. Russoniello "truthtakestime" (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Warning: This review contains references to very specific plot points during the season. These could be considered spoilers to those of you who've not yet watched this season and wish to remain unaware of what happens.

Alias has been my favorite show since it started in 2001, and up until its very last moment, I would have cancelled any meeting or skipped any class to make sure I got to watch. Its fun marriage of spy thriller action and serialized family drama (plus the unique addition of Rambaldi, the mysterious 15th Century prophet whose works play a key role in characters lives) was a perfect combination, and the show got so many things really right. And, as illustrated during this season, a few things really wrong.

In retrospect, Alias lost sight of The Bigger Picture after season two, but it continued to entertain and move forward, always leaving some hope that answers were on the way and mysteries would be solved. As long as the show had a future, I remained annoyingly optimistic that the writers would find a satisfying way to tie everything together: The Rambaldi mystery, Irina's role, the missing two years and fulfillment of The Prophecy, etcetera. With season 5, the time had come for the show to make good on its promising potential...or not.

Season 5, the final season, is by far the weakest of the show's run. The first handful of episodes all struggle to illustrate even mediocre stories and ideas. Perhaps this is because the writers, even knowing this to be their final year, unwisely decided to introduce three new main characters in order to divert attention away from Garner's real-life pregnancy (read: Garner/Sydney's inability to don sexy outfits and jump off the roofs of 30-story buildings). The most offensive of these additions is the character of Rachel Gibson, played by the banal and boring Rachel Nichols. Her character was meant to be a parallel of Sydney, a smart and capable spywoman who finds her entire spyworld is backwards, wrong, and evil. Instead of honoring the image of Sydney, however, Rachel only reminds viewers that there is only one Sydney Bristow and only one actress to play her.

The list of wrongs committed extends from there. The new characters constantly distract from the original premise and character dynamics of the show. At one point, the writers actually attempt to take Sydney out of the center of the plot and put Rachel in her place (skanky dress and all). For the best illustration of this, see episode "Solo." Balthazar Getty's character matches the blandness of Rachel's, and he adds no intrigue or interest to any of the stories in which he is involved. This becomes painfully clear during the last half of the season as we are introduced to an "Agent Grace (Getty) has a dark secret and mysterious past" plot that eats up massive amounts of valuable time. The only addition that merits any praise whatsoever is Elodie Boucher as Renee Riene, a beautiful and attitudinal outlaw, and who it is revealed was a longtime friend and collaborator of "Michael Vaughn." Of course, Boucher's character is severely underused, leaving viewers to wonder what the point of having her around was. Had they written more for her and ignored the Blonde Boob (Rachel), things would have been much better.

In addition to throwing useless characters into an already complicated (some might say "convoluted") story, the writers commit sins across the board. Among the chief offenses:

1. Killing off "Michael Vaughn" just to bring him back (through flashback/fantasy and through "Gotcha! We fooled ya! He wasn't really dead!"-type storylines) due to fan demand and the realization that Sydney needs her soul mate.

2. The writers come up with the astoundingly exciting and well-fitting idea of using Project Helix to clone Sydney (with ANNA ESPINOZA as the procedure's (un)lucky volunteer!!!) in order to fulfill the Prophecy. However, they obliterate the arc before it even has the chance to play out. Such a disappointing climax on so many levels: No Prophecy fulfillment, no battle between Syd and EvilSyd (as foreshadowed in Season 3), and no battle period...Just a few easy bullets to kill the best story idea the show had all year).

3. Though it was clear they were trying, the Rambaldi resolution was less a resolution and more of an unclear, bogged-down headscratcher.

4. We were fortunate enough to see Lena Olin (Irina) pop up throughout the season, and while all of her scenes were incredible, I find that the writers' ultimate handling of her character (read: demonizing of) was tasteless and illogical.

5. Ignoring Nadia (could she not have stepped in to fill the role of "sexy spy" in place of newcomer Rachel?). Bringing her back just long enough to kill her (a highly offensive end to an unfortunately underused character).

6. 17 episodes. You'd think since I'm here writing about the diminished quality of the show I'd be glad the season was shortened. However, the smaller batch of episodes is, in my opinion, a huge detriment to what could have been a better season. With 5 less hours to explain and tie everything up, viewers can definitely feel the rushed quality of the story arcs. The pacing of the season is ruined, with a strong (mostly) second-half attempting to balance out a slow, uninspired first-half.

So, you may wonder, then why the high rating? Well, simply because I couldn't bring myself to rate it less. Though there are some plot holes to leap over, some characters to ignore, and some resolution left wanting, this is still an integral part of the series. And it is not without its strengths. In the last hour of the show the writers get several things right with respect to Sloane. Sydney revenges the deaths of Danny and Francie as she fires her gun empty into a maniacal Sloane. Though his death is short-lived, his ultimate fate is even more appropriate. I get chills when I think of GhostNadia walking out to leave him alone for eternity. The previously mentioned storyline of EvilSyd was pure genius while it lasted. The show's big Episode 100 (the brilliantly titled "There's Only One Sydney Bristow") was among the best they have produced, with great returning favorites (Will and Anna Espinoza) and a humorous, action-packed story.

At its worst, Alias is a confused but still entertaining show with good intentions. At its best, Alias is thrilling, shocking, moving and innovative. Season 5 illustrates both sets of qualities, and gives a decent, though not totally satisfying, closing to a show that I will sorely miss every Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday night, at 9, 8, and sometimes 10 p.m., respectively. I wonder where we'd be if ABC had treated it even slightly better...

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alias, like "Rambaldi", goes on forever ( in our hearts), October 11, 2006

By	AliMama "aliluvsalias" (Midwest) - See all my reviews

As an addicted Alias fan, I can say that I have watched every episode of all five seasons (some numerous times), and I do not find some of the incongruities in season five that others have commented on. For example, how can any of us forget Sydney's tirade to Vaughan in the beginning of season 3, when she tells him that if he had been the one that had "died", she would have waited and believed? From that moment on, anything that happened to Vaughan (such as his supposed death in season 5)or Sydney could not be considered out of reach for this show. I mourned for Sydney's loss of Vaughan like anyone else, but I was not disappointed for the way it was handled. Michael Vartan could not be replaced in this show any more than John Ritter could be replaced in "Eight Rules". Yes, I found that Rachel Nichols and Balthazar Getty added little to the show, but that wasn't their fault. They were treading in shoes that could not be filled by other characters. I LOVED the SPYGRANDPA Jack moments, such as when watching his baby granddaughter (and in his usual deadpan)saying "Apparently I'm funny". David Anders "Sark" was underused in season 5 but was fabulous when he was used. He showed a glimmer of humanity after his tryst with a certain agent. Loved that! Through all the twists and turns, Alias always stayed true to the family dynamics, (skewed as they were in this show). If the show had revealed Irina or Sloane different than the way they ended up, those would have been incongruous plot twists. I absolutely recommend season 5, all seasons of Alias are by far the best of the best shows on television. You must watch them all, in order preferably! Thanks to all of you involved in Alias for providing great, high quality entertainment!