DVD Reviews

Zen: Vendetta / Cabal / Ratking – Blu-ray Review

By June L. Aug 2, 2011, 14:03 GMT

Premiering on PBS\'s Masterpiece Mystery, the best-selling novels of Michael Dibdin come to life in these breathtaking new adaptations from PBS and the BBC. Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell, "John Adams") is a formidable detective, but he\'s always put honesty before advancement. The arrival of clever and ambitious Tania (Caterina Murino, "Casino Royale") to the team sees Zen\'s vigor reawakened. Driven by romance, re-energized and armed with a new confidence, Zen\'s ...more

“What kind of a name is Zen?”  “It’s Venetian.”

Italian police detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell) joins the ranks of beloved sleuths whose adventures were first enjoyed in print and have been adapted for television or films.  Based on the novels by Michael Dibdin, Zen is one part James Bond and three parts just regular guy trying to do his job, but always with “a reputation for integrity.” 

The series unfortunately has been cancelled, but fans and newcomers who appreciate a well written and artfully portrayed drama will want to add this to their collections. 

Set in Rome, Zen is not a travelogue type series, but is focused on the methods and style of Italian police work in the daily life of Aurelio Zen.  Using the beautiful and interesting cityscapes and countryside as backdrops, the crime cases unfold and Zen must collect clues to arrive at a solution. 

Handsome and suave, one might expect Zen to be in total control, and master of the situation. However, we see another side of him as a man with a failed marriage, back living at home with his mother, and bumbling a bit in processing the information he has collected. 

He can be tricky and devious when necessary, but his ethics and sense of justice are the primary motivators for his actions.  He is utterly real and charming, and brings a wry humor to work and life.

The Zen Blu-ray is presented on two discs with the three 90+ minute stories.  The first episode is Vendetta, the second Cabal and the third Rat King. 

Special feature for the blu ray is a featurette “Zen: An Italian Adventure” which allows cast and crew to speak about the characters and the places as well as production decisions and problems. 

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