Harsh Realm is the name of a military simulator created to give soldiers a battlefield for limitless training scenarios. Soldiers are sent in with one mission: defeat Santiago and "win" the game. When Lt. Hobbes decides to quit the military and move to California with his fiance he is sent on a mission into Harsh Realm, like so many before him. Harsh Realm is an exact recreation of our world, down to every last man, woman, child, street, and animal. The game feels like reality, but it's far from it. If Hobbes wants to win the game then he'll have to work with his new friends, Pinnochio and Florence. Together they can defeat Santiago and beat the game.
Harsh Realm - those words can almost be used to describe Fridays at 9:00 on the Fox network. The series is just one of the many failures that have occupied the time slot since The X-Files was moved to Sunday nights. The series lasted 3 episodes before the network gave up on it and pulled it from the schedule, leaving 6 unaired episodes. Those episodes were eventually shown on Fox's sister network, F/X, but this DVD set will be the first opportunity many of us have to watch them. I liked the concept, and the execution of the show, but it simply didn't have a chance to find viewers, and unfortunately that's what a show needs to last.
Video
Though the series originally aired in full frame (1.33:1), these episodes are presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1). Strangely enough the box lists the specs as being 1.33:1, but I assure you this is wrong. The show is shot beautifully, with colorful scenes inside Santiago City, and dark, dingy holes outside of it. Fox has done a nice job with the transfer; dust is almost nonexistent, and there are very few grainy scenes. The show looks great.
Each episode contain a chapter after the opening, but "play all" feature is elusive once again.
Audio
Ah, I would love to hear this show with a 5.1 track! Fox has provided us with wonderful Dolby Surround audio tracks, in English and French. These tracks are the next best thing to a full 5.1 mix; they provide enough punch to put a smile on my face. The rear speakers, which are often under utilized on a Surround track, are alive with music and ambient effects, and the front speakers contain a number of panning effects. The set also includes English and Spanish subtitles, and is closed captioned.
Commentary on Pilot
Chris Carter, and Dan Sackheim (director/executive producer), provide separate commentary tracks on the pilot episode. Carter hardly talks at all, and could have used a second person in the room with him. Sackheim is slightly better, but I think these two would have been better if they recorded the commentary tracks together.
Inside Harsh Realm (25:50)
This is a very cool featurette which examines various parts of the show; Origins, The Players, Design, Music and Fridays at Nine. Includes interviews with Chris Carter, Dan Sackheim, Frank Spotnitz (writer/executive producer), Scott Bairstow (archival footage), D.B. Sweeney (archival footage), Terry O'Quinn (archival footage), Samantha Mathis (archival footage), Sarah-Jane Redmond (archival footage), Max Martini (archival footage), Rachel Hayward (archival footage), Mark Freeborn (production designer) and Mark Snow (composer).
Creating the Logo & Title Sequence (8:46)
Justin Carrol (designer and co-founder - Hamagami/Carroll, Inc) shows us the progression of the logos they developed for the show, and then Ramsey McDaniel (art director/editor) explains how she pieced together the opening of the show.
FBC "Pilot" TV Spots (1:36)
3 promos that Fox used to promote the series on the network. World (0:32), Moment (0:32) and Head Trip (0:32).
FX TV Spots (0:44)
A couple of FX spots for the show - FX Premiere (0:22) and Review Spot (0:22).
Trailers (3:11)
A few trailers for other Fox DVDs. Alien Quadrilogy (1:18), Planet of the Apes 35th Anniversary (0:43) and Predator Special Edition (1:10).
Summary
You'd think a show like this would have done well after The Matrix tore up the box office, but it fell flat when it premiered. I get sad while watching short seasons like this because I see such potential in the show, but I also know that it ends on disc three, even though I wish it would continue. FireFly fans know of the pain I'm writing about; it's another show that was cut down before its time, and another Friday night failure for Fox.
If you enjoy a sci-fi show with a military twist then this is a great show, and one you should pick up. Heck, just pick it up, but know that the final episode doesn't wrap up the series.
