The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray and DVD box sets of Once Upon A Time hit stores Tuesday, August 18. The Blu-ray set – which we’re reviewing here – comprises of 5 discs containing all 22 episodes. (Some might argue that with the double-length finale, it was 21; we’re saying 22 here).
Here’s how the set is described:
Love. As seductive and dangerous as magic, this potent, unpredictable force proves to be the ultimate weapon in the epic battle between good and evil in ABC’s Once Upon a Time: The Complete Fourth Season.
Soon after Emma and Hook unwittingly bring Elsa of Arendelle to Storybrooke, they encounter the mysterious Snow Queen, whose relentless obsession with both Emma and Elsa has chilling consequences. Meanwhile, it appears Regina has at last found true love with Robin Hood, but how will she react when her happy ending is thwarted yet again by a maddening twist of fate? Then, a banished Rumplestiltskin enlists the Queens of Darkness (Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella De Vil) in an insidious scheme to rewrite their own endings and corrupt the Savior by turning her newly blissful heart pitch-black.
Relive all 22 thrilling episodes of Season 4. Plus, delve deeper with never-before-seen bonus features as you revel in the intoxicating magic and mystery of Once Upon a Time – spellbinding now… and forever after!
Review
The Episodes: I admit it… I love the show, but I kind of fell off the wagon during Season 4. It is not that I wasn’t enjoying the show; I just couldn’t keep up with so much TV. That makes a set like this so much more convenient, so I can watch at my own leisure. Like with Season 3, Once Season 4 comprises of two main arcs. The first arc – featuring characters from Frozen that were very well cast, as well as Elizabeth Mitchell – was the one I preferred over the “villains team up” story for the latter half of Season 4.
It’s equal parts good and bad that they do this split. On the bright side, you have a better chance of finding something you like; on the down side, you can also just as easily find something you don’t like.
I also feel this way with a lot of long-running shows: Once Upon A Time is in danger of choking on its own continuity, with so much going on, but more than that, I sometimes feel like the show is having more fun playing with its new toys vs. the established ones. From what I hear about Season 4 so far, and how Emma is involved, I hope the show will get back onto that track. For me, Emma and Regina are the two main reasons to watch, with the other series regulars close behind, so if the story isn’t involving the main cast, it takes away from the great ensemble that has been assembled.
As far as guest stars, though, Georgina Haig is amazing as Elsa, and I really liked Elizabeth Lail as Elsa, too. They truly brought the Frozen characters to life. The villains, including Cruella de Vil and Ursula, though? Meh. Good actresses, but I didn’t really care for the characters.
The Extras: Once Upon A Time DVD/Blu-ray sets never disappoint and are often among the best of the year, when it comes to extras. “Defrosting Frozen” is everything you’d expect it to be, covering the season’s first arc, but my favorite extra is the “Behind the Magic Tour,” as Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas give a tour of the studio. I’ve been to the Vancouver sets of the show before, so it was fun to watch as they present it. (Also glad they went to see Eduardo, because he’s the true star of the Vancouver studio!) The “Behind the Magic” has some cheesy staging, but it’s pretty cool.
Also every year, though, it seems Once DVDs have a feature that’s just plain not funny, and this time, it’s “Three Who Stayed.” Patton Oswalt, who is routinely unfunny whenever he shows up on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., is in it, which should be enough of a red flag. I guess the senses of humor of the people putting together these DVD extras and my own sense of humor just don’t match up.
There are commentaries, but without a booklet telling me what is where, I can’t tell you much about those. I know there is commentary on the episode “Mother” but beyond that, I’m not sure. The press release says “commentaries” plural.
Graphics & Sound: Again, these sets look and sound great. I liked the Season 4 packaging which really highlighted the Frozen of it all. The discs look nice, as do the menus.
Is it worth it? Blu-ray is the best way to enjoy Once Upon A Time, especially with all these extras. Pre-order yours from Amazon.com and support this website!
