The Shield - Season 1 [DVD] [2002]

RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £4.99 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Teeming with gang-bangers, perverts, rapists and killers, The Shield is unabashedly adult TV drama; and even liberal viewers may flinch at plots involving child pornography and serial murder. The first series of this uncompromising police drama focuses on pugnacious detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), whose amoral Strike Team employs dubious tactics in the crime-ridden (and fictional) Farmington district of Los Angeles. Mackey and his maverick partners are at odds with seasoned detectives and beat cops, escalating tensions with precinct Captain Aceveda (Benito Martinez), a Latino with flexible scruples and a political agenda.

The series invites viewers to form their own judgments regarding Mackey's volatile behaviour, which includes killing an undercover cop in the electrifying pilot episode. While each episode stands alone, the arc of the series incorporates Aceveda's campaign to end Mackey's career, the self-loathing of a homosexual rookie (Michael Jace) whose partner (Catherine Dent) is Mackey's occasional mistress, a straight-laced detective (Jay Karnes) yearning for respect, Mackey's compassionate attempt to rehabilitate a crack whore (Jamie Brown, giving the season's finest guest performance), the autism of Mackey's young son and the recklessness of his closest partner (Walton Goggins) and the vigilant stoicism of Det. Wyms (CCH Pounder), who's as sensibly upright as Mackey is corrupted. The Shield is excellent TV for those who can grasp its complexities; all others beware. --Jeff Shannon

Better then The Wire ?
Review date: 2010-08-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

This show was recommended to me by a friend and he was trying to convince me that is was better then The Wire. Bought Season 1 and totally enjoyed it. Like any new show it takes a few episodes to get into it but by the end of episode 3 you just want to stay up all night to watch it all. Characters are great mixed with violence and humour and after spending time watching a box set of Criminal Minds Season 1, The Shield was a wonderful relief. The jury is still out at the moment whether it is better than The Wire but only time will tell..........Highly recommend it!!!

Reviews

Naive, Formulaic, Irritating
Review date: 2010-08-06 Rating: 4 out of 10

I initially abandoned this series after the first two episodes because I found it so predictable and simplistic. But after seeing this referred to again and again as equivalent to The Wire and The Sopranos I thought maybe I had not given it enough time - so I sat down and watched all 13 episodes. It grows on you in a way but it is still totally unbelievable (everybody confesses after being threatened with a slap)and there is not a single sympathetic character in the whole cast. The whole premise gets more ludicrous as the series progresses with virtually everybody in on the conspiracy and nobody telling and the only curiosity I have is how they can string this out for further series.

Bottom line unbelievable pap but OK to pass a spare hour if you are prepared to suspend belief - biggest mystery is who wrote all those 5 star reviews - I suspect the publisher has been busy.

Ive seen every U.S series
Review date: 2010-07-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is the best of all of them. Fast paced, funny and shocking it has everything and more. Micheal Chilkis as Vic Mackie puts in a brilliant performance from start to finish.

Its addictive viewing!
Review date: 2010-06-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

I do not generally like U.S. Police series, but The Shield is the exception. Every series sucks you in. The plots are well written, the filming is edgy and believable. You have this love-hate relationship with the 'Strike Team' characters. They are fundamentally corrupt cops, but somehow you are on their side (well I was). I like The Wire, but this is just so much better. I would totally recommend this series.

Brilliant
Review date: 2010-05-29 Rating: 8 out of 10

Having never watched the series when it was broadcast on tv I none the less purchased this along with series 2 & 3.
The acting is quite superb, the characters likewise & despite the fact that all characters have much to dislike about them, you can't help but liking some of them. Vic Mackay the true anti - hero !
Can't wait for the other series, which I have ordered to arrive.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Michael Chiklis
Catherine Dent
Walton Goggins
Michael Jace
Kenny Johnson

Creators:
Michael Chiklis (Primary Contributor)
Catherine Dent (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

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Recording label: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video
Manufacturer: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video
EAN: 5035822119819
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-07-21
Number of discs: 4
Aspect ratio: 16:9 - 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 575 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-03-12
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)