The Film
Many of writer Elmore Leonard's stories have ended up on the big screen (Out of Sight, Get Shorty), but in a unique twist his short story "Fire in the Hole" actually was adapted as a TV series. Whether this move could be considered "justified," as a series Justified delivers a unique take on crime dramas missing from mainstream network TV. As a colorful U.S. Marshal, one who has a cowboy type of outlook and even appearance, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) is quick on the draw and fast on his feet as he deals with fugitive con men, corrupt sheriffs and has to face off against a drug cartel. Justified: The Complete First Season moves at a brisk pace through 13 episodes, leaving you wanting more Givens.
The Picture
After introducing Givens in Miami, the series supposedly takes place in Kentucky, with a few jaunts to other parts. This is the shame of Blu-ray, which offers a superior picture often revealing the real locations - Los Angeles and Pittsburgh are poor substitutes for the Appalachians. Getting past this fact, the 1.78:1 1080p presentation is quite good - in fact the Blu-ray looks a tad superior to the F/X HD broadcast of the series - and is free of any major artifacts and other distractions.
The Sound
While the Blu-ray features a 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, and the series is about a lawman who typically shoots first, there isn't a lot in the way of noticeable discrete surround sound or other notable audible cues. The sound is good, and it does more than an adequate job, but like many TV series there isn't much to notice. The dialog is clear, the music sets the tone and is well balanced, and the occasional sound effects, such as gun fire, come through with a bit of punch, yet this isn't the type of series that is all that remarkable on the audio front.
The Extras
The Blu-ray offers cast and crew commentaries that feature cast members Olyphant, Natalile Zea and executive producer Graham Yost, as well as several short featurettes including "The Story of Justified," "Justified: Meet the Characters," "Shooting for Kentucky," "The Marshal" and "What Would Elmore Do?" There is also a music video for the song "Long Hard Times to Come." All this rounds out the 13 episodes, while a "Season 2: A Look Ahead" offers a preview for those waiting for more Givens.
Final Thoughts
Elmore Leonard has created many colorful characters, and while the adventures of Karen Sisco - the U.S. Marshal character from Out of Sight - was short lived as a TV series, something tells us that Givens will give us much more. Justified: The Complete First Season offers a fresh style, with interesting stand-alone stories and just enough season reaching arc to keep you intrigued by what may follow.
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