Plot: What’s it about?
The dreams of children are being haunted by horrific nightmares, but who is responsible? While all nightmares can be brutal, some go beyond simple scares and seek to cause irreparable damage. What if everyone you loved, everyone you could count on, was suddenly taken from you? The group also has to uncover the truth behind the Vault of Secrets, discover why they’re the only survivors of the human race, and even engage ghosthunters in an epic confrontation. Sarah Jane also attends the funeral of the Doctor, which has her encounter friends and enemies, some more unexpected than others. In the chilling finale, Sarah faces the truth that no one can protect the world forever. She is plagued by worries over how competent and trustworthy the new regime will be, but is there cause for such concern. This fourth season is packed with memorable moments and the finale is a powerful episode that leaves a lasting impression.
The Dr. Who series has an immense, dedicated audience and as Sarah Jane is one of the show’s more popular characters, this spin-off was a smart move. The Sarah Jane Adventures has been a great show, one that remains steeped in the world of Dr. Who lore, but it has also established an identity of its own. This fourth season continues the trend of previous installments, with great storylines and remarkable performances. Elisabeth Sladen is simply excellent, a genuine performance that only seems to get better with each passing episode. She anchors the series, but the rest of the ensemble is rock solid as well, with good chemistry that adds a lot to the show’s storylines. The appearance of Matt Smith is of course a treat for fans, but the season is great from top to bottom, with no weak episodes present. The season finale is a potent, emotional episode that is sure to resonate with viewers long after the credits. So if you’re a fan of the Dr. Who world or just enjoy well crafted sci/fi entertainment, The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Complete Fourth Season is highly recommended.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The show looks great here, with clean and clear visuals in all the episodes. The detail level is rock solid as far as DVD is concerned, while colors are bright and contrast is accurate. I’m sure this would look much better in high definition of course, but it looks quite good here as well.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack isn’t going to knock you over, but it gets the job done. The show is dialogue driven, so the vocals remain the focus of attention as it should be. The music sounds good here, but isn’t very rich, while sound effects are passable. As long as the dialogue is clear however, all is well. And since the vocals sound great and no audio issues creep in, this soundtrack earns a solid score.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes no bonus materials.
