Review and news hub for movies, music and video games

Show:		8.0
Picture:		10.0
Sound:		10.0
Extras:		8.0
Score:		9.0

Director(s):	Joe Chappelle • Karen Gaviola • Sam Hill • Scott Lautanen
Writer(s):	Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, Anthony E. Zuiker
Starring:	Adam Rodriguez • David Caruso • Emily Procter • Eva La Rue • Jonathan Togo • Megalyn Echikunwoke • Rex Linn
Genre:	Crime • Television
Website:	http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_miami/
Release Date:	September 15, 2009

List Price:	DVD - $49.99
Amazon:

While I'm more of an SVU kinda gal, I did catch a few episodes with that dreamboat Grissom back in the day. On another note, CSI: Miami's a fair show, pretty basic by way of forensic/crime series which features a completely unique and bitchin' lab with technology I hope I get to use someday (I'd probably use it to pick out my clothes each day). Like most shows in this fashion, it intermingles personal drama with the workplace, adding just a touch of suspense and danger.

There are some fun surprises. We find out that Horatio's ex, Julia Winston (Elizabeth Berkley), is bi-polar (her breakdowns will probably have you fondly remembering Jesse Spano's short-lived addiction to caffeine pills and how excited and scared she was about it). Diddy guest stars in a couple episodes as a shady defense attorney. Calleigh (Emily Procter) and Eric (Adam Rodriguez) share a passionate kiss, which didn't strike any chords for me, but for all you die-hard fans was probably on par with the famed Ross-Rachel kiss (but without the awesome U2-esque tune). Much of the acting on CSI: Miami is pretty one-dimensional. The characters crack a smile here and there (most of them, anyway), but generally, they all have their schtick and stick with it.

Not a surprise: Horatio, played by David Caruso (who, by the way, I cannot handle), isn't dead. Watching him lean, tilt his head, say something dramatic, never crack a smile, over and over is a little daunting. There are drinking games out there about Caruso and his one-dimensional dramatic acting tics). I watched the finale of season 6 after I finished 7, just in case there was a cliffhanger (there was). Messageboards were filled with "OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY LEFT IT LIKE THAT!", but let's face it: how could the show get on without “H?” Even after watching one season I could tell that Miami without David Caruso just isn't Miami.

The nice thing about a show like this is that you can start watching it whenever you want. There are loose overlaying plots, but for the most part, if you start halfway through a season, or have never seen a single episode, you'll be able to pick things up pretty easily. It's one of those shows you can get sucked into, but at the same time invest yourself in. Have a weekend free with nothing to do? This might just be the answer. Like I said before, there's really only a touch of suspense--this series is more about the means than the end, showcasing the means to full effect, rather than the end.

DVD Bonus Features

The extras are pretty cool. On disc 2, the episodes “Wrecking Crew” and “Gone Baby Gone” have audio commentary with some of the producers and designers. You can also turn on a Pop-Up Video-style fun-facts provider on "Wrecking Crew."

Disc 3 features “The Miami Sound Machine,” a half-hour long inside look at the importance of sound behind the show. The sound crew gives us an in-depth view of what they do, and how they do it.

Disc 6 has my favorite feature, “The New AV Lab.” We get to see how they learned about the technology that inspired the lab, how the actors interact with images that aren't actually there, all the work that goes into one scene in the lab, and so on. It was super interesting, though I was a little disappointed to find that it might be a while before I'm putting together outfits via holograms.

Disc 7 ends with “Heating Up Season 7,” which is mostly just interviews with the actors and creators. They talk about their experiences with the season and what they hope for in Season 8.