... Very often which route a show takes can be determined or at least influenced by the writers and producers of a show and Alias season 4 is an experiment in this concept. Before explaining myself fully a brief overview of this season's storyline is in order.
Sydney's world is changing fast. ... Read review
The fourth exciting season of undercover adventures which secured a Screen Actors' Guild ... more
award for Jennifer Garner starring as Sydney Bristow! Episodes Comprise: 1. Authorised Personnel Only (Part 1) 2. Authorised Personnel Only (Part 2) 3. The Awful...
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The action explodes in ALIAS' phenomenal fourth series. When Sydney leaves the CIA to join ... more
a powerful new Black Ops unit, she has no idea of the reunion in store for her. Old friends (and enemies) come together for a year of nonstop excitement.Experien...
The action explodes in ALIAS' phenomenal fourth series. When Sydney leaves the CIA to join ... more
a powerful new Black Ops unit, she has no idea of the reunion in store for her. Old friends (and enemies) come together for a year of nonstop excitement.Experience all 22 heart-stopping episodes of series four in a sensational six-disc set - from the two-hour pilot episode to the mind-blowing surprises of the series finale. WARNING: This DVD contains a sequence involving strobe light effects
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Action & Adventure - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Melissa George, Ron Rifkin, Jennifer Garner, Ricky Gervais, Quentin Tarantino
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Advantages: getting back on track after a poor season three Disadvantages: none
...producers of a show and Alias season 4 is an experiment in this concept. Before explaining myself fully a brief overview of this season's storyline is in order.
Sydney's world is changing fast. She swaps her position in the CIA to join a new unit called APO, (Authorized Personnel Only) and is filled with anticipation of a great future with the new project, that is until she meets her new boss. Enter Sloan, the last person you would ... ...contains some of the best Alias moments. After the slightly disappointing previous season the show is back on track. One minor complaint is that the Rimbaldi prophecy storyline that we have all followed with baited breath since the start is still to deliver the goods and at best feels like it is just tacked on here and there and at worse is irrelevant to the main thrust of the show.
As hinted at in the introduction, there is some thing ... more
Once a show comes of age it goes in one of two directions. Either, by now, it has caught the imagination of the mainstream and become a show with a prime time viewing slot, or it has been stamped with the label "cult show" and assigned to the territory of the fanatic and collector. Very often which route a show takes can be determined or at least influenced by the writers and producers of a show and Alias season 4 is an experiment in this concept. Before explaining myself fully a brief overview of this season's storyline is in order.
Sydney's world is changing fast. She swaps her position in the CIA to join a new unit called APO, (Authorized Personnel Only) and is filled with anticipation of a great future with the new project, that is until she meets her new boss. Enter Sloan, the last person you would choose to lead such a team and a character that we already use as a by-word for untrustworthiness. To balance this quite far-fetched plot device we have the fact that the team is made up of tried and tested associates of Sydney and means that the good guys can keep an eye on their dubious boss to make sure he is really on their side. A likely story! Also joining the team is Sydney's half sister Nadia Santos played by Argentinean actress Mía Maestro. Family affairs have always been a common underlying theme on Alias, the complex relationship between Sydney and her father was always pivotal, but by the time we get to this season it is often in danger of overshadowing the action factor of the show. Santos is supposedly the daughter of Sloane and Sydney's own mother but the realities behind this situation remain vague in order to keep the viewer guessing.
The early episodes of this 22-piece season begin in a routine fashion, but there is always a hint that there is a greater plot line taking shape in the background. After a slow start the series really takes off about halfway through and the closing episodes and especially the series finale contains some of the best Alias moments. After the slightly disappointing previous season the show is back on track. One minor complaint is that the Rimbaldi prophecy storyline that we have all followed with baited breath since the start is still to deliver the goods and at best feels like it is just tacked on here and there and at worse is irrelevant to the main thrust of the show.
As hinted at in the introduction, there is some thing different about the style of this season. In an attempt to presumably avoid being left in the bargain basement of cult TV (especially with the rise and rise of Abram's new show, Lost) the series seems to almost stand alone from what has gone before, a fresh start where new converts can jump on board without being fully versed in Alias history. This may raise the hackles of die hard fans but at the end of the day its all about ratings and sales so you can see why it is done.
That aside although it still doesn't compare with the first season season 4 is still a masterful piece of action story telling and even if it's a bit slow to get going by the time you reach the end of the episodes everything will seem alright in the world once more.
--- Image & Sound: The camera work seems much improved in this season, that's not to say it was in anyway lacking before, but somehow it seems to have taken a step up. A brooding set of noir-ish tones and shadows provide a perfect backdrop for the twisted tale of espionage being woven before it. A real depth of atmosphere is attained and a dark threat seems to be lurking just out of view in many scenes. This is the icing on the cake to the way the filming and direction has been deal with. Also the musical score seems to be better suited to the nature of the show. The soundscapes that Giacchino has created better reflects the nature of the show and it stands head and shoulders above the collection of ill-fitting musical themes that were used in the previous seasons.
--- Extras: Lovers of the bonus features will not be disappointed with this package. Alongside the 22 episodes there are a number of interesting additions. Four of the episodes are covered by a commentary by cast and creators and there is a director's diary for those interested in the logistics of creating such a show. There is and interview with Jennifer Garner, as well as a synopsis of Mia' character, Nadia Santos. As well as bloopers and deleted scenes that we all come to expect these days, there is a look at the gadgets that feature in the show. --- Final Words: Aimed at seasoned fans as well as trying to pull in a new audience, this season wins through in the end. Although the magic of the early years has faded with familiarity, it still delivers the goods and gives more that a few "wow" moments, which is not easy to do in an era when viewers are not easily impressed. The package is a forth while addition to collection or even a good place to begin a retrospective collection and the extras do represent good value for money.
Advantages: Story twists everyweek, never a dull moment, great acting and action Disadvantages: I miss the old days when Sydney had friends outside the CIA that didn't know she was a spy, now all the cast are spies
...story plots and twists. The season finale is fantastic and is built up nicely through the series. Alias Season Four doesn't fail to please!! If you've loved the show previously then get it now!! If you have yet to see this great show then go buy season one ...
flickchick83 24.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Alias - Series 4 (DVD)
Nocturne Extended Episode Including Russian Roulette Deleted Scene, Deleted Scenes, One To One Interview With Jennifer Garner, Meet Mia Featurette On Mia Maestro And Her Character Nadia, Directors Diary, Marshalls World Featurette, Blooper Reel, Season 4 Guest Stars Featurette, Audio Commentaries
DVD Description
Features the entire fourth season of the hit show 'Alias'. Sydney Bristow is a 26 year-old graduate student working for a secret division of the CIA. The mission of this arm of the CIA is to combat SD-6, a secret terrorist organisation whose agents believe that they, in fact, work for a secret organisation of the CIA that combats terrorism.
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