Creator: Jenji Kohan
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Jason Biggs, Kate Mulgrew, Michelle Hurst, Michael J. Harney, Natasha Lyonne.
Running Time: 700 minutes.
Extras: Gag Reel, 2 x Producer Commentaries, 4 x Featurettes ‘New Kid On The Cell Block’, ‘It’s Tribal’, ‘Mother Hen: Red Runs The Coop’ And ‘Prison Rules’.
Do we have to introduce Orange Is The New Black? The Netflix smash about everyone’s favourite federal correction facility is now making its way to DVD.
Jenji Kohan, known for creating Showtime’s Weeds, had big shoes to fill once the show had finished. She might not fall too far from the tree where “middle class woman has secret drug mule life” is concerned, but it is still as incredible, and possibly even more addictive, than her first creation. There is something captivating about a show that does not rely on its protagonist to keep the show going. Taylor Schilling’s performance as Piper Chapman can be a love/hate relationship sometimes, but as the season goes on she becomes a protagonist we can root for.
When she first enters Litchfield, she is demanding, naive and she sets herself up for what she deserves. But by the end, she pulls her head out of her butt and accepts her situation. Sure, we came for the story of Piper entering prison for the first time, but we keep on watching for the fantastic ensemble cast that we are introduced to because of her. Characters like Sophia (Laverne Cox) and the Queen of Litchfield’s one liners Taystee (Danielle Brooks) keep you going to the end.
But I can sense what you’re thinking, “Why would we need the DVD when we have Netflix?” you need this DVD in your life because it does not come with buffering or any weird Internet troubleshooting. It is there in its full quality, and it makes you appreciate the cinematography in the series. Vanja Cernjul and Yaron Orbach manage to capture something magical in that dingy little prison, and it really is magical. Orange Is The New Black also features an ensemble of directors all the way from Weeds’ Michael Trim all the way to Jodie Foster and erm…Mannequin’s Andrew McCarthy.
Orange Is The New Black does have some teething problems, but that is to be expected from such a new series. But If the series did not impress you the first time around, you might just be better off with the series on your Netflix, but for the fans, this DVD will be a must have in your collection, even if you get it for the season one blooper reel alone. Now give us season two already!
[usr=5] ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK is released on DVD and Blu-Ray on 19th May.
