DVD Reviews

Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season – DVD Review

By June L. Sep 7, 2010, 12:06 GMT

After a meteor shower bursts from the heavens, raining destruction on the unsuspecting citizens of Smallville, years pass, and the healing process leaves the town\'s inhabitants with scars and secrets. From the ashes of tragedy, a popular yet awkward teen attempts to decipher the meaning of his life and his clouded past. As he struggles with the transition from boyhood to adulthood, Clark finds that his strength and strange abilities ...more

It is such a treat to find that something you already like has become even better! Such is the case with Smallville’s Ninth Season, in which the story of Clark Kent is moved forward and embellished with rich storyline and characters.  This show was a greatly anticipated weekly event, and now we can enjoy it with all the nuances and mythology again on DVD.

Smallville continues to evolve into a new and exciting entity.  The characters are perfectly cast, and after nine seasons the audience has observed Clark Kent grow from boyhood into the man and hero he was meant to be.  Being from Krypton and having super powers has never meant that Clark (played so well by Tom Welling) has not been spared the angst and trials of becoming an adult and finding his place in the world.  If anything he has been subjected to a more rigorous training and level of expectation than humans could endure. 

This year Clark takes on his role of protector, proudly wearing his family’s symbol which we recognize as the iconic “S” of superman.  The costume decision to put Clark in all black, long coat and insignia a ghostly emblem on the front of a black tee shirt is superb.  Clark looks the part of a 21st Century Hero.  And while we are on the subject of costuming for the series, I was worried when I heard that we were going to be seeing members of the Justice Society of America in this season. 

I was pleased with the result, like Oliver’s (Justin Hartley) green leather suit for Green Arrow, the Justice Society members were costumed with enough campiness to recall comic book originals, but patterned to present strength, dignity and attention to the dimensions of the work of the characters. 

The overall look of the show is perfect, with an exceptional use of lighting and colors to enhance the scenes, and special effects that work with the story.  The storytelling this season has reached a new height.  Smallville has always had well-crafted stories, but the episodes this season have a feel of both adventure and history blended with emotional developments of the characters that have kept fans talking long after the episode is finished.

Along with Clark’s maturing sense of purpose, we see Chloe (Allison Mack) move into her calling as Watchtower’s primary force.  Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark have a developing relationship, and we agonize over the problems that seem to beset their feelings for each other. 

Zod (Callum Blue) and the refugees from Kandor have found earth, and Clark must deal with issues that stretch his loyalty to his purpose on earth.  And Tess (Cassidy Freeman) surely deserves some award for being the most injured character in television, and with really gruesome wounds.  There is so much to say about Season Nine, but if you have not seen it I don’t want to spoil any of the actions or revelations. 

Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season is presented on six discs with all the stunning episodes and a variety of great special features housed in a multi-disc bookshelf box and slipcover.  There is a sixteen page booklet lavishly illustrated with stills from the episodes inserted in the box.

It contains the message from Executive Producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson which illuminates the intent of the season and is fascinating to read.  There are also production notes and a synopsis for each episode including chapter titles for the scenes.

There are unaired scenes for many of the episodes and commentaries for two pivotal episodes.  “Kneel Before Zod!” is a featurette that traces the evolution of the evil character Zod, and “Absolute Justice: From Script to Screen” introduces the Justice Society of America’s heroes.

Visit the DVD database for more information.