Plot: What’s it about?
Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) has just been pushed into a world he cannot even grasp, one that spans subjects people don’t even want to discuss, let alone deal with. He stumbles into this strange realm when his friend Jack disappeared, but little did he know the scope of the forces involved at that time. You see, humans don’t live alone in this massive world, as vampires (known as leeches) also stalk the streets and of course, they need to feed and remain prosperous, just like the humans do. But they also have to deal with problems like the humans do, such as AIDS and other diseases, the potential destruction of mankind, and all sorts of other issues. One band of humans seeks to wipe the leeches off the planet however, seeing them as little more than common parasites, which is true to an extent. This team is CIB, an undercover unit within the police department, which is also where Michael works, as luck has it. With the latest technology and heavy arms at their disposal, CIB looks to level the playing field before the leeches attempt to take control, which will be much easier said than done, to be sure.
I do love vampire stories and this series offers a fresh take on the subject, one I found myself liking very much. I had heard good things about this series, but was unable to view the episodes until now, though it was well worth the wait, I assure you. This series takes a look at some elements of vampire culture and then tries to expand upon known information, such as the idea that vampires can’t be seen in mirrors. This is taken to the next level, where we learn other instances where vampires remain hidden, but this is just one example of what Ultraviolet explores. I liken this to a more focused X-Files, though this was a mini-series and as such, it begins and ends with these six one hour episodes. This series seems to have it all, from great writing to a superb cast to excellent direction, all the pieces just seem to fall into place here. The attention to detail is awesome and while some episodes are better than others, I was never let down by any of them, not in the least. I also like how the series is more adult aimed, it tackles some hard topics and never flinches, very impressive indeed. This is a must own release for vampire fans, while all science-fiction buffs should at least rent it, Ultraviolet is the real deal, I assure you of that.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.66:1 widescreen form and are not enhanced for widescreen televisions, which is a real let down. Even so, the episodes look terrific and much better than I expected, so I can’t complain too much. The image looks very sharp and shows minimal flaws, which is good news indeed. The rather bland color scheme is intact, but sometimes hues richen and that is reflected also, while flesh tones are natural at all times. The dark nature of many scenes also come off very well, with razor sharp black levels and no visible detail loss to report. This is a dynamic, impressive transfer to be sure, though anamorphic treatment would have been most welcome, no doubt about that.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included Dolby Digital 5.1 track is a good one and while the surrounds won’t blast off the walls, they will see more than a little action. Whether driven by dialogue or loaded with action, the material is always well presented and above all else, it always seems natural in scope. A few sequences really put the speakers through the paces, but even the more subtle scenes have terrific presence, no worries on this end. The vocals are clean and crisp as well, with no clarity or volume issues to discuss in the least. This disc also includes a Dolby Pro-Logic track, just in case that better suits your home theater needs.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes some episode summaries, a dictionary of UV terms, personal files, and two brief audio interviews with the series’ creator, Joe Ahearne.
