Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5336 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-28
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6

Synopsis
This third Law and Order series tweaks the well known format of the original show even further than Special Victims Unit. Starring Vincent D'Onofrio, whose incredible performance is the heart of the series, as Detective Robert Goren, Criminal Intent now focuses on the criminals as much as the investigators, allowing the viewer to see the planning and execution of a crime as Goren and his team try to crack the case. This collection contains the entire first series of the show.

Customer Reviews

Another American Cop-Type Drama........
But this is probably my favourite of the lot. Mainly due to the supreme, intense acting of Mr Vincent D'Onofrio, who tears up the screen with his portrayal of criminal psychologist type person Det. Bobby Goren. It's a joy to behold him ripping the villains minds to shreds every week, with his amazing intellect and some funny one-liners thrown in too.
He does have a female partner who is very good too, played by Catherine Erbe, though she doesn't often get much of a chance to shine. The producers obviously realised what a coup they got with Vincent D'Onofrio signing on, and the focus is certainly on him.
This first series was very good, the story's weren't too 'same-y', and were consistently mind-boggling and sometimes disturbing, but you feel safe in the hands of Bobby Goren....

Captivating
D'Onofrio's acting skills are really captivating! Here is this detective, tall, big, clumsy-looking, with rings under his eyes and unshaven jowls- none of your usual good-looking type hero- and yet, his presence is more compelling than any baby-faced handsome actor. Forget Cruise, Di Caprio, Bloom or whoever it is that you prefer, I'd rather watch him act than any of the afore-mentioned. What is it with him? Subtlety, I think, and real acting talent! I bought the 6 DVD pack after having read a good TV review and I've spent the last two weeks watching nothing but this! I'm even saving the last two episodes because afterwards, that's it, over with! How pathetic is it?
Yes, he is annoying at times with his mr-know-it-all act and yes, we can't really believe that such a gifted cop could really exist!
I also wish that Erbe played a larger part in solving the cases, it's very much a the-guy-has-the-brains-the-woman-plods-along type of show!
However it is a very good series and I'm really waiting for the release of the 2nd season!

Almost a whole 24 hours of entertainment....
I'm only two discs in, because I don't have the stamina to watch too many at once, but this is well worth it. Vincent D'Onofrio is brilliant and that Kathryn Erbe as his partner still manages to make an impression alongside "the Goran show" is a testament to her acting skills as well. Interrogation scenes are a guaranteed thrill and D'Onofrio's physical presence as well as his banter is captivating. Like an intimidating and mildly autistic Colombo crossed with Sherlock Holmes. Despite the not so mild supercop aspect to Goran, and the sometimes (okay, often) far-fetched plots, this is in many ways the most sophisticated of the Law and Orders. Less formulaic than the original (in terms of structure, not plot) and with better (less shock-value reliant) plots than Special Victims Unit. It's also less likely to leave you in a pit of despair over human nature. Though it can if it wants to. Courtney B. Vance is excellent as the D.A who is perhaps a little more slimy than usual for a "good guy" and Jamey Sheridan's Captain is often pleasantly bewildered as Goran reaches seemingly incomprehensible yet accurate conclusions on very little evidence. He and Eames run rings around their captain as well as the criminals.

The only thing I'd complain about is the title music. The rather beautiful remix of the 'Law and Order' music and the sepia shots of New York are replaced by something soulless I've never heard before and a poorly done slideshow imitation of the credits I saw when I caught it on TV. What is up with that?