The Wire - Series 1 - Complete DVD

Advantages: Its fantastically made
Disadvantages: It will steal your life

...was a little apprehensive about The Wire, all of the reviews I have read in the press seem to rate it very highly, as did my friends in the USA who have had 3 seasons to enjoy. = The Plot = The Wire is set in Baltimore, Maryland on the East Coast of the USA and is basically a cop show, with a difference. The best way i have heard it summed up would ...
...against an underworld kingpin by the name of Avon Barksdale. Our main character is homicide cop, alcholic, divorcee Jimmy McNulty who appears at the trial of " D " otherwise known as D'Angelo Barksdale, the nephew of our kingpin. After seeing D walking away from a murder despite overwhelming evidence to convict him and send him to the chair or similar fate. Jimmy digs a little deeper to the annoyance of his superiors who are eager to clear this ... Read review

Advantages: Gripping, realistic and thoroughly addictive!
Disadvantages: Requires concentration!

The best cop show ever made? Absolutes are hard to prove, but The Wire - gritty and realistic, with great performances and a story that completely sucks you in - is certainly a strong contender. Set in Baltimore, the title refers to a wiretap, the key ingredient of a surveillance operation initiated by homicide detective Jimmy McNulty (Brit Dominic West - The Forgotten, 28 Days) amidst indifference in the police department and against political opposition. ...
...UK vampire show, Ultraviolet), and the story is told from both sides - that of the police and their suspects. This 13 episode show is from US cable channel HBO - who brought the likes of The Sopranos and Deadwood to our screens, and the creative minds behind it are that of David Simon, the man responsible for Homicide:Life On The Street, and Ed Burns, himself a former Baltimore police officer. With that sort of pedigree, you know you can expect ... Read review

Advantages: Engrossing Plots, Good acting, Good Characters
Disadvantages: Not many DVD extras

...have you engrossed after watching the first disc. The basic story is of a group of police working on Wire Taps to bring down a Drug ring in the Baltimore Projects. The unique aspect of the Wire is that they also follow the side of the Drug Dealers and the inner working of their circle. This means that you can feel a real connection with the supposed 'Bad Guys' as well as the cops and it is not just a case of wanting the cops to catch the crooks like ...
...and every character is believable. The writing and story lines are well written with lots good twists and turns. There is also some comedy moments which can be a good change of pace from the more heavy story lines. The only real negative I can think off is if you are easily offended there is allot of swearing in it and the storyline can be very dark and gritty. It does have an 18 certificate though so this really should be expected. Also there are ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic story, uniques atmosphere, iconic characters
Disadvantages: Initially challenging

...Wire' is easily one of the most engrossing, intelligent and amusing shows on television. It has become cult-viewing of the highest standard, and you've likely heard about it from either the media or any one of the growing number of Wire enthusiasts. But if you haven't heard about it, heres my attempt to convince you that 'The Wire' is essential TV viewing not just for lovers of crime shows, but all lovers of quality television. SYNOPSIS The Wire ...
...influence of drug dealers and the corrupt bereaucrats of the police department and local government. In theory the show follows a unit of special investigators who attempt to take down one of the city's major drug lords, running their operation from a basement and attempting to gather enough evidence to finally pin the guy down. In practice though, the show dosn't take sides between the 'good' and the 'bad', instead giving characters from both sides ... Read review

Advantages: Completely hooks you in.
Disadvantages: Having the series over 5 DVD's

Having had the program recommended to me by my friend who is (almost!) never wrong about films and tv I have to say that this was definately one of his best suggestions! One of the problems I have with a lot of crime programs/ films is that they make it look incredibly easy to solve crimes. The Wire holds it all out there for you to see - in fact the whole series is based on the same case and how it unfurls as they investigate. It shows the cops ... Read review