CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Grave Danger DVD Review:

On a routine investigation, CSI Nick Stokes (Eads) is kidnapped from his crime scene. Drugged, he awakes to find himself buried alive glass coffin with only a gun for company. Disoriented, confused and having a light intermittently going on or off, Nick struggles to assess his situation and use his skills to try and make sense of the situation. Unbeknownst to him, the light is been turned on by Gill Grissom (Petersen) and the rest of his CSI team as they look at him on an Internet web page set up by the kidnapper, who gives them instructions on how they can save Nick from certain death.

One of the highest rated and respected dramas on television is bound to have some high profile fans but when one of them is Quentin Tarantino and he offers to write and direct an episode, everyone should take notice.

The original ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ has been the epitome of quality criminal drama since it launched in 2000. With an extraordinarily good ensemble, brilliant writers and an amongst cinematic look to every show, this is a series that set new standards for television, gaining countless awards and unprecedented praise. This made the show a huge ratings hit leading to two spin off shows (CSI: Miami and CSI: New York), video games and numerous other merchandising opportunities. It became a franchise and this was bound to gain it some attention.

When that attention comes in the shape of Quentin Tarantino, CSI moves to a whole new level. As the finale to the show’s fifth season, the acclaimed writer/director brings his unique style and vision to a two-part, standalone extravaganza. Infusing the show with his trademark dialogue and visual flare, Tarantino makes this already outstanding show even better. What all of the CSI programmes have lacked over the season is real development of the character’s personal lives outside of the job. The characters always tend to just concentrate on the job and nothing else but Tarantino asserts himself on the show by having the characters talk amongst themselves about none work related issues. This is classic Tarantino and for fans of the show, a welcome distraction from the usual high drama.

This is not saying this episode looses any of the show’s high drama, far from it. Throughout CSI’s entire run there have been many a tension filled episode but this two-parter is something completely different. With one of their own under threat, the stakes are at there highest as the remainder of the team working against the clock to save Nick’s life. This sees every single member of the team pushed to their professional and personal limits as they watch their colleague and friend fight to stay alive.

This is not just a great episode of CSI but this is a genuinely brilliant piece of television. With tension brimming over the rim, this is an absolute classic episode and shows again how good dramatic television is becoming. If you have never watched CSI before, this is the perfect introduction and a prime example of how good this show really is.

Star Rating = * * * * *

PICTURE AND SOUND

Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack the transfer is very good.

BONUS FEATURES

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Pilot

Gil Grissom is the supervisor of the graveyard shift of Las Vegas' elite crime scene investigators. Holly Gribbs, fresh out of the academy, joins the team. Jim Brass is head of the unit and is trying to scare Gribbs from CSI. Catherine Willows, mother of a young daughter, is the number two CSI on this shift. Warrick Brown and Nick Stokes are competing to solve their 100th case to earn a promotion to CSI 3. Grissom investigates a murder staged to look like a suicide with precious little evidence. Warrick and Catherine take the case of a drunk who breaks into the house where he had been staying and is shot to death. Nick talks to a man who picked up a woman that drugged and robbed him.

CSI: Miami - Golden Parachute

Megan Donner returns to the CSI unit in time to work on a jet crash in the Everglades. While searching for survivors, they inexplicably discover a female victim found five miles from the crash site. When the only survivor says the woman opened the plane's hatch in order to commit suicide, Horatio is suspicious. The team must now recreate what happened on that fatal flight, especially when the pieces don't quite fit together.

OVERALL

The decision to package the pilot episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami is a strange one. While this might be intended to entice new viewers to the popular shows, some support material for the actual episode would have been more welcome. Fans of the show will probably wait until this is included in a full season box set but for those of you have haven’t been initiated into the world of CSI yet this is the perfect introduction.

Jamie Kelwick