The DVD Review

THE SHIELD 
Season One | Four Disc Set. Released by Columbia. Available to buy now.

The hard hitting cop show that was one of TV’s big hits last year has its first season (in a four disc set) released by Columbia . Michael Chiklis certainly pulls no punches in his role as detective Vic Mackey, a cop whose line of duty extends to getting involved in the underworld and it’s shady practices and is just as interested in lining his own pockets as he is keeping the streets crime free. Contrasted with that is Jay Karnes as by the book cop Dutch (who amusingly thinks he has the skills to be a psychological profiler - he doesn’t) and his partner Claudette (CCH Rounder), other on the squad include Danni (Catherine Dent), rookie cop Julien (Michael Jace) who is both Christian and homosexual and Captain Aceveda (Benito Martinez) who is determined to get rid of Vic.

The Shield is strong stuff and doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of modern day life, whether that drugs, hate crimes, you name it - if it’s down and dirty the Shield will cover it. It is an excellent series though, full of edge of seat action, fast paced hand held shooting that puts you right in the thick of it. Chiklis steals the show as Mackey, probably one of the toughest cops ever seen on TV but all of the ensemble cast are excellent. If you haven’t yet cottoned onto The Shield this set is the perfect way to do so.

EXTRAS: A good package that not only includes commentaries for each of the 13 episodes in this season but also a 20 minute behind the scenes feature, 17 deleted scenes, various effects bits and pieces and best of all, the audition tapes for all the principles.