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“Dark
Angel” takes place 20 years in our
future, posits the theory of what would
happen following and electronic pulse that
renders electronic materials useless. This
sets up a great ‘what if’ scenario
of a city in decay. Where life has reverted
to that of the Great Depression, with everyone
trying to eke out an existence doing whatever
work they can get. Caught in the middle
of this world is Max (Jessica Alba), a girl
who seems on the surface to be normal, but
is in fact a genetically engineered human,
with hyper senses and abilities. She is
on the run from her past, where she escaped
from the military installation in which
she was created. Hunted by a man named Lydecker
(John Savage), Max befriends Logan (Michael
Weatherly), a cyber-journalist known as
‘Eye Only’ who hides his identity
as reports news of a corrupted government.
“Dark Angel”, for those who
hadn’t seen it, was another one of
those TV series that should have lasted
longer.
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It was James Cameron’s foray into network
television, and it was a well-written series that
I believe could have continued if given a chance.
The first season offered up a highly stylized
introduction to this future world. As opposed
to looking high-tech and futuristic, we were given
a grittier view more like the what a once rich
town would look like as it settled into decay.
The people hunting Max were brutal and unrelenting,
stopping at nothing to get their property back,
or at the very least destroying it.
The overall story arc of Max’s past and
the existence of other genetically engineered
‘brothers and sisters’ consistently
kept the series interesting, and ultimately tragic.
I was pretty much hooked on this show from the
pilot episode. The performances from all the leads
were exceptional, and surprisingly so from Jessica
Alba. Her good looks are quite disarming, and
she could change the character from coy and shy
to smart and tough with little more than an expression.
Michael Weatherly is extremely likeable as Logan,
and he proved himself to be quite a strong actor
over the course of the series.
I was actually a bit surprised to see that there
was going to be a DVD release as the show didn’t
last long, but I was glad to see it. “Dark
Angel” was certainly worth of a longer run,
and the first season was more than welcome on
DVD.
Now Fox is releasing the second and final season
of the short-lived series in a 6-disc set that
is a great follow-up. The story during this season
furthers the plot by having Max escape her capture
by Manitcore with the help of a fellow X5 named
Alec and another stranger individual who seems
to be part human / part canine. Seemingly free
from Manitcore’s grasp, it turns out that
Max was infected with a virus tailored to Logan’s
DNA and the slightest touch will activate it.
The second season took the story arc into a far
more complex sci-fi direction than the first season
had, with mixed results. Fans of the series really
seemed to enjoy the storyline, but it’s
complexity kept newer viewers from coming on board.
Unfortunately the ratings never climbed high enough
to warrant keeping the show on the air and it
culminated in a terrific season ender directed
by the man, James Cameron himself.
The season 2 set offers up commentary by various
members of the creative team on four of the episodes,
including the final episode, “Freak Nation.”
There are also three featurettes that turn out
some really good behind the scenes information
for hardcore fans of the series. Topping it all
off is a pretty funny, though way too short, blooper
reel that is not to be missed.
“Dark Angel” was a highly underrated
series that was perhaps too high-concept for mainstream
audiences and might have faired better had it
aired on the Sci Fi channel. Well, at least it
lives on in DVD land.
Starring: Jessica Alba, Michael Weatherly,
Extras: Audio Commentary on Selected Episodes,
Three Behind the Scenes Featurettes, Blooper ReelSpecifications:
Full Screen (1.33:1), Dolby Surround
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 10/21/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
We'll give Dark Angel - Season 2 an A.
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