The Film
Thanks to the success of the last three sets, CBS and Paramount are starting to crank out Star Trek: The Next Generation at warp speed. The latest in the franchise is Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Four, and it's a doozy.
When we last left the Enterprise, we had quite the cliffhanger -- and a conundrum. What would the enterprise crew do about an evil Picard (Patrick Stewart)? If this is the first time you're watching this season, "The Best of Both Worlds: Part 2" makes this set worth the purchase price all on its own. Of course, you can also get the single-disc Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds Blu-ray, which came out back in April.
However, if you opt for that, you don't get the other 25 episodes from Season Four. It's pretty safe to say that as this installment of the Star Trek franchise moves along, it just keeps getting better. Season Four is no different. Besides evil Picard, this is the one where (hello, spoilers!) we get to meet Picard's brother, Q comes back, Wesley (Wil Wheaton) leaves, and we finally one-up that pesky Borg. All of these episodes are favorites for the season, which leads up to another cliffhanger.
Yes, that went so well last season, TNG showrunners decided to repeat that here with "Redemption Part 1." It doesn't pack the same punch as "The Best of Both Worlds," but it's still a good one -- good enough that both of these parts are also getting a single-disc release. (Check back tomorrow for the full Blu-ray review.)
The Picture
Let's get one thing out of the way -- two, actually. This season has two blips of SD footage that were upconverted to HD. Those moments include 3 seconds of "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II," with "The Drumhead" offering another 2. CBS and Paramount aren't trying to slip those few seconds past anyone. Both are mentioned in the main menu and really shouldn't detract from the overall presentation. The time and money that both studios have spent on remastering this series (and we're only just over the halfway mark!) is evident once again. Yes, each season seems to have a few minor issues, but should also delight any fan. Season Four's imagery is pretty gorgeous overall, as you'd expect. And yes, there are a few less-than-stellar tidbits. The grain isn't very consistent, there's some soft imagery, and a few other "blink and you'll miss" moments. That said, I have to guess that most fans will barely blink through this set's 1180-minute runtime. Expect wonderful, realistic colors and a lot of detail, mainly on faces and even in those special effects-heavy moments. The costumes and makeup are most impressive, as always. "Brothers" is also a standout, with some wonderful outdoor scenery to ogle. On the flipside, some of those wider Enterprise shots could be slightly better, but I can't complain -- and neither should you. A lot of work was put into this set and it certainly shows. If you enjoyed Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3, you'll watch this one with a smile. Engage and enjoy.
The Sound
Once again, Star Trek: The Next Generation does wonders with its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. Action scenes certainly pack the most punch here. Those moments are very immersive. However, even some of the quieter moments take advantage of the entire soundfield, thanks to the ambience and the many sounds of the Enterprise. Even better, those louder moments never detract from the dialogue. Also, even though some of the action can be loud, you won't find yourself adjusting the volume at all. Everything is perfectly balanced here.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
If you've been buying Star Trek: TNG sets up to this point, there's no use in stopping now. Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Four is an excellent installment in the franchise. It delves deeper into a great cast of characters, giving each one a time to shine. Even better, it carries on TNG's tradition of great Blu-ray releases, with wonderful video, stellar audio, and plenty of extras to keep you chained to your chair.
Product Details
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