Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47011 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-23
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Spanish

Amazon.co.uk Review
Murder, and its tale-telling aftermath, is the compelling subject of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Since its inauguration in late 2000 CSI has been a ratings triumph, spawned two spinoffs (CSI: Miami and CSI: New York and positioning itself for long-term success. Creator Anthony Zuiker's foolproof formula was established early on, bolstered by a fine ensemble cast and requiring minimal tweaking as the seasons progressed; its Las Vegas-based "criminalists" eventually became "CSIs" steeped in the scientific minutiae of forensic investigation, but the series arrived essentially intact, with an irresistible (and seemingly inexhaustible) supply of corpses and the mysteries that surround them. Influenced by the graphic precedent of movies like Seven and Kiss the Girls, CSI matches morbidity with dispassionate methodology; viewers are so fascinated by the investigative process that they're unfazed by intimate autopsies and internal (i.e., digitally animated) views of traumatized flesh, bone, and sinew.

While keeping abreast of cutting-edge technologies, CSI combines the ingenuity (and fallibility) of villains with the appealing humanity of its heroes. CSI director and entomologist Gil Grissom (played by series co-producer William Petersen) is introverted but ethically intense; he's both mentor and moral compass for his night-shift team, including a former stripper-turned-CSI (Marg Helgenberger); a recovering gambler (Gary Dourdan); an eager ace (George Eads) with room for improvement; a workaholic (Jorja Fox) who can't always remain emotionally detached from her cases; and a chief detective (Paul Guilfoyle) who's a necessary link to police procedure. Like The X-Files, CSI supports its characters with feature-film production values, employing a Rashomon structure that turns murder into a progressively accurate study of cause and effect. Script quality is consistently high ("Blood Drops" and "Unfriendly Skies" are exceptional), direction is slick and sophisticated, and the mysteries are complex enough to invite multiple viewings. Despite a regrettable shortage of DVD features, CSI remains addictively worthy of its lofty reputation. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Really good tv
Even though I have seen most of these episodes on tv, I still seem to be able to watch them time and again and still enjoy every minute of them! Whilst this is no doubt a sign that I don't have enough hobbies, it is also a good indication of the excellent quality of this show.
Highly recommendable and worth every penny!

hooked from the get go!
Watched the odd episode on tv and was interested. Bought this box set, and season 4 part 1, and have watched every episode so far in just under one week! I literally couldn't stop watching. However, it is also really good to just dip in and out of-as my mum found out (she's now hooked too!) The graphic visuals can be disturbing to start (so don't let younger kids watch) but they soon become an integral part of the stories. Can't wait for the rest of season 4, and season 5 to come to Britain.

My opinion? Buy this, switch your mobile off, unplug the landline and enjoy!!

Great TV
CSI is fantastic and you could do alot worse than buy this phenomenal bargain. The first 3 seasons are excellent and I completely concur with the other reviewer, the Paul Millander episodes are sheer class and far superior to any of the third rate thrillers appearing in your local cinema (especially featuring Morgan Freeman!). CSI, in my humble opinion, made it cool for film actors to consider TV work and spawned a generation of high octance, intelligent, and gripping TV drama - especially from the States. Britain just cant compete. And another niggly plus - for the money the box that these DVDS come in is far superior than the substandard box that the complete Friends came in. I cant wait for season 4 and will continue to watch the TV episodes.