Monk: Season Four (Blu-ray Review)
- Review Date: Dec 10, 2024
- Format: Blu-ray Disc
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Director
VariousRelease Date(s)
2005-2006 (February 27, 2024)Studio(s)
Mandeville Films/Touchstone Television/USA Cable Entertainment (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)- Film/Program Grade: B+
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A-
- Extras Grade: D+
Review
Adrian Monk, the obsessive-compulsive, phobic, and lovable police detective, returns for another series of investigations while strengthening bonds with his friends and colleagues in the fourth season of Monk, which initially aired on the USA Network from July 2005 to March 2006. The show’s popularity continued to grow after the third season saw a sudden major casting change, but Monk (Tony Shaloub) manages to grow even closer to his friends and colleagues while navigating his sometimes unbearable OCD and continuing to be haunted by the death of his late wife, Trudy.
As Traylor Howard came into her own as Monk’s caring and loyal assistant Natalie, fully replacing Bitty Schram’s character from the previous three seasons, the fourth season of the show further explored the relationships between the main characters, but also made some surprising dives into Monk’s past—even seeing the return of his brother Ambrose (John Turturro). One episode provided the possibility that Monk’s wife (Melora Hardin) may not be dead after all, which leads to a very dramatic and memorable conclusion. Returning as always is Ted Levine as Captain Stottlemeyer, Lieutenant Disher as Jason-Gray Stanford, Stanley Kamel as Monk’s psychiatrist Dr. Charles Kroger, and Glenne Headly as Stottlemeyer’s wife Karen (though briefly and for the final time). Guest stars include Jason Alexander, Daniel Roebuck, Malcolm McDowell, Jon Favreau, Dana Ivey, Wings Hauser, Felicia Day, Rachael Harris, DJ Qualls, Derrick O’Connor, Tyler Mane, Brooke Langton, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Richard Libertini, Ashley Williams, Eddie McClintock, Paul Ben-Victor, Scott Adsit, Charles Napier, and Laurie Metcalf, the latter of whom was nominated for an Emmy for her single-episode appearance.
Monk would see further success and go on to win multiple awards, eventually becoming the “highest-rated series in cable history” at the time. Today, the show stands as one of the most popular TV series of all time and continues to garner new fans, thanks in no small part to a small but likable cast of characters, chief among them Adrian Monk, played perfectly by Tony Shaloub.
All sixteen episodes of the fourth season of Monk were shot by cinematographers Anthony R. Palmieri and Marshall Adams on Super 35mm film with Panavision cameras and lenses, finished on HDCAM SR videotape, and presented in the aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Kino Lorber Studio Classics brings the show to Blu-ray for the first time using new 4K masters created by NBC/Universal from the original camera negatives, framed at 1.78:1, and presented on dual-layered BD-50 discs. As with the previous season, the overall look of the show is organic and much sharper than any disc-based presentations that have come before it. Each disc features bitrates that range from 25 to 35Mbps, spiking occasionally, while every episode is crisp with excellent detail and color, as well as solid levels of grain. The palette offers a nice variety of hues with deep blacks and good contrast. Other than some mild flicker during a transition here or there, every episode is otherwise clean, stable, and true to its source.
Audio is included in English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio with optional subtitles in English SDH. It’s not a mind-blowing sound experience, but it offers good separation with plenty of push for dialogue, sound effects, and score. It’s more than satisfactory.
The 4-Disc Blu-ray release of Monk: Season Four sits in a blue Amaray case with a double-sided insert, featuring the episode titles and their synopses on the opposite side. Everything is housed in a slipcover featuring the same artwork. The following episodes and extras are included on each disc:
DISC ONE
- Mr. Monk and the Other Detective (43:30)
- Mr. Monk Goes Home Again (43:15)
- Mr. Monk Stays in Bed (43:17)
- Mr. Monk Goes to the Office (43:17)
DISC TWO
- Mr. Monk Gets Drunk (42:55)
- Mr. Monk and Mrs. Monk (43:17)
- Mr. Monk Goes to a Wedding (43:14)
- Mr. Monk and Little Monk (43:01)
DISC THREE
- Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa (42:56)
- Mr. Monk Goes to a Fashion Show (43:01)
- Mr. Monk Bumps His Head (43:05)
- Mr. Monk and the Captain’s Marriage (42:17)
DISC FOUR
- Mr. Monk and the Big Reward (43:08)
- Mr. Monk and the Astronaut (43:03)
- Mr. Monk Goes to the Dentist (42:16)
- Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty (43:06)
- The Monk Writing Process (SD – 14:29)
- Jon Perkins Behind the Scenes (SD – 3:36)
The only extras included are standard definition featurettes from the original DVD release, offering brief interviews and behind-the-scenes clips, but nothing all that engrossing. This is definitely a show that’s crying out for more attention in the bonus materials. Perhaps commentaries with various members of the cast and crew, but even if that isn’t a reality, Monk: Season Four on Blu-ray is still another home run for Kino Lorber. Highly recommended.
- Tim Salmons
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