Aside for those serving in the Military, I would say being a Fire Fighter would be one of the most thankless jobs. These guys (and women) put their lives on the line every day and night saving us when we are in trouble. Such is the focal point of FX’s terrific Drama/Comedy Rescue Me created by Denis Leary & Peter Tolan. Entering its 4th season this summer, the folks at Sony were
kind enough to give us an advanced copy of the season 3 DVD set and here is the review.
Rescue Me centers on the inner workings of a New York City firehouse and the personal and emotional battles of it memebers in a post-9/11 world. The Third season opens with Tommy Gavin’s (Denis Leary) crisis-prone family falling apart. His Son Conner is dead, the victim of a hit-and-run drunk driving accident that also puts his marriage in jeopardy; his uncle Teddy (Lenny Clarke) is in prison (for murdering the driver); and his father’s (Charles Durning) health is failing. Romantically, Tommy continues his neurotic relationship with his cousin’s widow Sheila (Callie Thorne), while conduction affairs with a teacher and his brother’s ex-wife (Marisa Tomei). In addition his brother Johnny (OZ star Dean Winters) romances Tommy’s Ex-wife, Franco’s (Daniel Sunjata) new girlfriend (Susan Sarandon) thakes his daughter and Mike The Probey explores his sexuality. I know it may seem like a lot of ground to cover for 1 show but Rescue Me handles them all flawlessly.
The features are spread out evenly throughout the 4-Disc set, in addition to all 13 season 3 episodes you also get the following special features:
• Blooper Reel
• Featurette: Behind the Smoke - Making Season 3
• Featurette: Rescue Me Heroes
• Featurette: The Bravest Traditions
• Featurette: Being Denis Leary
• Featurette: Going to the Gay Place
• Location Tour
• Deleted Scenes
• Season 4 Sneak Peek
The only thing really missing from the set would be episode commentaries by Denis Leary and the cast (the first season had 2 audio commentary tracks). Leary is a very fun person to listen to and im sure the other cast members woudl have a fun time sitting in a room B.S.ing talking about the episodes.
-Rating: 5 out of 5
For a series that tackles such gritty subject matter you would think they would go for a darker visual look (like The Shield) but not so, this 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transer is excellent, colors are well balanced, but slightly saturated at times. And the 5.1 Dolby Digital track is top notch as well. There will also be a Blu-Ray version released as well, but we do not presently have a copy to review, so pick up what ever format you prefer.
- Rating: 5 out of 5
One of the best series on television gets a set it deserves. Im so glad Denis Leary was given a chance to really go all out with this project, FX has a tradition of putting television shows that push the boundaries of decency and this is no different. If you want to look at another excellent series by Leary that wasnt given a chance check out “THE JOB”.
- Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Series and Features: 5
Technical Specs: 5
Overall Review: 5
Studio: Sony Home Entertainment
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Aspect: 1.78:1
Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital
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