Plot: What’s it about?
The escape from Fox River was no simple task, nor was the international chase that followed, but now Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and his brother Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) face the gravest challenge to date. Michael finds himself in Sona, a Panamanian prison where the inmates have taken over and violence runs rampant. He was placed there by agents of The Company in order to break out a fellow prisoner, a mysterious man known as Whistler. If he is unable to do so, The Company will kill Lincoln’s son L.J. and Michael’s girlfriend Sara. No one has ever broken out of Sona and since Michael is surrounded by others involved in the Fox River escape, he is always being watched. As he works inside the prison and Lincoln works on a plan outside, can the brothers engineer one more prison escape?
As I watched the first season of Prison Break, I wondered where the show could go once the escape went down. The second season was all about the chase, as it unfolded on a grand scale with all kinds of wild action. This third season takes us back inside however, but this time, inside of a harsh foreign prison. This is a solid season, with more of the elements that made the first season so good, but always with this series, you have to really suspend your disbelief. Coincidences, luck, and blind faith come into play often, so while fun to watch, realism isn’t one of Prison Break’s strengths. But the show is a blast and never slows down, with twists, turns, and all the tension you can handle. The performances continue to be strong and as with last season, some old faces vanish and some new ones appear, but the core remains intact. In short, Prison Break’s third season was 13 episodes of entertainment and really, that is all we can ask for sometimes.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This show has some impressive visuals, as it continues to look more like a polished feature film than a television series. This Blu-ray release looks excellent, with impeccable detail and depth, not to mention a slick, polished overall presence. This season changes the visual design a lot, as the image is bathed in hot tones, as opposed to cooler tints. But the colors never miss a beat, as hues seem dead on and contrast holds up well, even in the darkest of sequences. The detail level is simply stunning at times, with individual beads of sweat visible and that kind of depth is visible even in mid-range shots. A great looking presentation for one of the best looking shows on television, period.
Audio: How does it sound?
The DTS HD 5.1 soundtracks provide enough presence to make you feel like you’re locked up yourself. The presence brings to life the small touches of life inside the hellish Panamanian prison, from the distant sounds of other inmates to minute elements like drops of water. Whenever the inmates square off in combat, the impact is tangible and the realism is impressive. The audio in this show doesn’t offer up a lot of power, but it has its moments and from start to finish, the audio is effective. This release also includes Spanish and French language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
A total of four featurettes have been included, some more substantial than others. None stand out as overly in depth or insight laden, but for fans, these are worth a quick look.
