Starring: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper, Zach McGowan, Toby Schmitz, Clara Paget, Mark Ryan, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sean Michael, Louise Barnes
Rated: TV-MA
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Run Time: 456 minutes
Season: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Ever since “Game of Thrones” blew up on HBO, everyone has been trying to recreate that success. STARZ is the latest to hone in on that with “Black Sails”. This show was described to me as “Game of Thrones” on the sea. I am a big “Game of Thrones” fan, so I figured I would check it out. The show is quite epic for sure. I mean who doesn’t want to see a show about pirates including Long John Silver. I just wasn’t as enthralled as I was with “Game of Thrones”, if we are comparing.The visual effects are stunning but the cast doesn’t really grip me. I have a feeling though this show is going to be going on for a while since the second season starts on January 24, 2015 and the show was already renewed for a third season as well.
Official Premise: 1715. The Golden Age of Piracy. New Providence Island is a lawless territory, controlled by history’s most notorious pirate captains. The most feared is Captain Flint. As the British Navy returns to redeem their land and exterminate Flint and his crew, another side of him emerges. He allies himself with Elenaor Guthrie, daughter of the local kingpin, to hunt the ultimate prize and ensure their survival. Many opponents stand in their way: rival captains, jealous of Flint’s power; Eleanor’s ambitious and intrusive father; and a young sailor recently recruited onto Flint’s crew, John Silver, who constantly undermines his captain’s agenda.
This season comes stocked as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet included. The 1080p transfers who perfectly with the lavish sets for this production. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers with the action and works perfectly with Bear McCreary’s score. The special features are jam-packed for this release. There is a behind-the-scenes look with “Black Sails: A Look Inside”. “Dress To Kill” gives into the series’ wardrobe with the costume designer. “Pirate Camp” shows what it takes to get into character. “Folklore Is Finished: Pirate Politics” dives into the shows story. “A Place In History” looks into the shows period. Lastly “Building The Behemoth” looks into the shows production and sets.
