CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Complete Fourth Season
November 2004 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

In a short time, CSI has been established as the most popular crime show on television as well as the best-looking and -sounding franchise on DVD. Its first spin-off, CSI Miami, though not quite as good dramatically, has upheld the franchise standards for great video, audio, and special effects. The newest member of the family, CSI New York, has yet to prove itself. The first episodes have seemed somewhat cautious, as if testing the waters.

In case your cable connection has been broken for four years, all of these shows deal with crime-scene-investigation units and how they aid in solving crimes. Crimes are committed in act one, usually two so we can have a pair of stories cross cut for more interest. The crime-scene unit enters and works its technological magic to catch the culprits. It has been written that the methods shown on the show are fanciful, that though the equipment all exists, no CSI unit in real life has it all. Nevertheless, the shows are fascinating for their attention to detail.

The new CSI on the block is cast as an ensemble effort. Though Gary Sinese is ostensibly the man in charge, the scripts haven’t let him throw much weight around. The original CSI, however, belongs to Gil Grissom, and actor William L. Petersen has made the character his own. The rest of the cast consists of some fascinating characters, all played by first-rate actors. These individuals speak their mind on methods and solutions as investigation progresses, but one is always aware that they are under the thumb, and watchful eye, of Grissom.

The fourth season contains some fascinating cases. In one, a man’s body is found in a rural town, buried upright from the neck down, his head missing. Another involves the investigation of an infant that was left to die in a locked car during a heat wave. In another, five people are killed in a shootout in a grocery store. A cop accused of shooting a civilian is relying on the CSI team to prove there was a third shooter, though only two bodies are found.

The widescreen picture is, as in the other seasons, incredibly sharp and detailed, the next thing to high def. The colors are true to the design of the show, meaning they are sometimes a little off but always by design. The outdoor shots in the heat-wave sequence, for instance, are filtered yellow to give the impression of soaring temperatures. The sound is first-rate. All of the music has presence, with good, solid bass and clean highs. The surrounds are successfully used for atmosphere and motion effects.

The extras include intelligent commentary on seven of the episodes and a four-part documentary that explores, among other topics, the birth of a show, documenting how it goes from idea to script to finished product.

If you have not seen CSI, do not deny yourself. It is an incredible thrill ride that will also show off your home theater to the max.

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