| The Wire - The Complete Fifth Season | 
| Actors: Dominic West, Clark Johnson, Aidan Gillen, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $59.99
Buy New: $30.08
You Save: $29.91 (50%)
Buy New/Used from $30.08
Avg. Customer Rating:   (73 reviews)
Sales Rank: 367
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 630 minutes
Number Of Items: 4
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.5 x 1.3
MPN: HBOD38240D
UPC: 883929015368
EAN: 0883929015368
ASIN: B00123BY6S
Release Date: August 12, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
In the projects. On the docks. In City Hall. In the schools. And now, in the media. The places and faces have changed, but the game remains the same. Times are tough for the detail. Mayor Carcetti has slashed the departments budget to the bone. Police are operating without overtime some without cars and radios. Angered, McNulty is off the rails again and headed down a dangerous path of deception and lies that will ally him with an unscrupulous reporter. The drug trade still rules the corners, all you have to do is read between the lines.DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Featurette
Amazon.com
A barroom toast to Det. Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), a one-man good cop/bad cop, offered in The Wire's final episode could very well serve as this series' epitaph: "When you were good, you were the best we had." Season five bears witness to this. The 10 riveting, wrenching episodes focus on yet another beleaguered Baltimore institution, The Baltimore Sun daily newspaper, whose staff, much like the police, is forced to do more with less. One editor (Clark Johnson) struggles to maintain the paper's journalistic standards in the face of declining ad revenues, employee buyouts and bureau closures. An ambitious reporter (Tom McCarthy) undermines him by taking a page out of the Stephen Glass/Jayson Blair playbook, manufacturing sensational quotes, and eventually, whole stories, while bean-counter management encourages its rising star and keeps its eye on the (Pulitzer) prize. Meanwhile, on the streets, the year-long investigation of rising drug lord Marlo Sansfield (Jamie Hector) and the 22 bodies found in "the vacants" has been discontinued and police morale is at an all-time low (the money promised to the department has been diverted to the schools). McNulty manufactures a serial killer case that will have far-reaching repercussions in the mayor's office, where Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) is mounting a run for governor a mere two years into his term. "I wonder what it would be like to work at a real police station," McNulty rages at one point. The Wire, as ever, is all about real. It's a gritty and unflinching look at life in one of roughest districts of a "broke-ass city." There is street justice for some characters, and street injustice for others. Some meet sad, sudden, or shocking ends that defy TV convention. Referring to Marlo, McNulty declares early on, "He does not get to win; we get to win." The hard-earned victories are mostly small, or come with a price. Not that The Wire does not offer glimmers of hope. Bubbles (Andre Royo) struggles to maintain his sobriety (Steve Earle portrays the leader of his 12-step program and also does the theme song honors this season), and the final episode features a cameo by Jim True-Frost as the once overwhelmed teacher, "Prez," who now seems to have the hang of the job. The ratings-strapped and criminally Emmy-snubbed The Wire has always been a critic's darling with a passionate fan base. To the show's credit, it did not make itself more accessible in its final season (consequently, its send-off did not receive near the fanfare of The Sopranos or Sex and the City). That should not dissuade newcomers to the show. It is heavy lifting, and if you're just joining The Wire, a visit to the show's official website for orientation is recommended. But buy it, watch it, and be patient. It's so worth it. From the masterful storytelling to the peerless ensemble, it just doesn't get any better than The Wire. But that's not exactly news. --Donald Liebenson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 68 more reviews...
 A Must Have January 6, 2009
The final season of this critically acclaimed and underappreciated series does not disappoint. Acting, writing wonderful as with the other seasons. You just wish there was more.
 Season 4 is a masterpiece, 5 is just good January 4, 2009
If you're a fan of The Wire, you've probably already seen the first four seasons and you have your personal favorite episodes, plotlines, characters and seasons. I'm viewing this series for the first time starting with four (as recommended) which was the most riveting television of my life. Five doesn't disappoint. This season's angle reflecting the role of the media in addressing, ignoring and or perpetuating society's problems is an interesting one but surely doesn't resonnate as well with viewers as Four which dealt with Baltimore kids and public schools.
If you're NOT a fan of this show and just pondering a season to view, I wouldn't recommend starting here. HOWEVER, because of the intricate way the Show's writers & producers script each season as (well, close to) a series unto itself with different themes & perspectives, you won't struggle with the ending. What I mean is this isn't the kind of show where if you missed everything from the first four seasons, you won't get the ending. Perhaps sadly this isn't a Season that ties together a lot of loose ends from earlier seasons though some plotlines reach their dramatic climax.
Easily one of the best and most realistic shows of TV history.
Best Series, EVER! December 16, 2008
This has been a most joyful viewing experience. Without, question The Wire was the most entertaining television production I have ever scene.
Great price and fast delivery November 24, 2008
This dvd set was priced well below retail stores. Target was selling it for $20 more. Can't beat the price (and free shipping, too). I will definitely buy through this site again.
 Really great, but not as good as the first 4 seasons November 20, 2008
By any standard other than being the last season of the Wire, this would be a five-star season. It's incredible, and definitely must-see television for anyone willing to invest the time to understand it. However, I would say that it is clearly the worst of the five seasons, for two reasons. One has to do with the actual story, which in this season takes a slight turn towards the fantastical and unrealistic, with Jimmy McNulty's mildly absurd gambit for additional funding. More importantly though, this is the first season in which the show seems to have an axe to grind, in this case against the Baltimore Sun. The first four seasons are gorgeously balanced in their presentation of everything. This one is merely well-balanced, if that makes sense. Nevertheless, I absolutely recommend it.
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