Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013)

Spartacus... That is not my name.

The 3rd and final season of Starz's bloody and melodramatic retelling of the legendary Spartacus pulls no punches. The action is plentiful and still as over the top gory as viewers have come to expect from the series. The plot is also ramped up with a new and excellent antagonist in Marcus Crassus who is both extremely cunning and intelligent as well as having the resources to enforce his will however he sees fit. Unencumbered by the faults of past romans sent to kill Spartacus makes him a dangerous foe for Spartacus who also must deal with a fracturing of his army as well as the coming winter.

Knowing full well that this would be the last season of the show, the producers and crew spared no expense. Everything from the sets to choreography is much more polished and enhanced while the plot's stakes are raised. It still felt a little rushed given the limited 10 episodes and it's a shame it had to end just as all the actors finally seemed to find the characters and the original melodrama of the show was creeping ever closer to regular drama. The fast paced story and action though is exactly what the show has always delivered and more and won't disappoint fans.

Buyer's Guide:
Available now on DVD and Blu-ray box sets and on iTunes.

4½ History already spoiled it for you out of 5

Spartacus Vengeance (2012)

 

Freedom is not a stick of wood to be presented as a bone to obedient dog. It is a thing all men deserve.

Spartacus and his band of rebel slaves have escaped their shackles and now hide in the wilderness raiding Roman caravans and shipments to survive as they are hunted as fugitives. Gaius Claudius Glaber is sent to deal with them as it is seen as his mess. Spartacus must overcome not just the Romans, but also infighting between factions within the rebels as he tries to fashion them into some sort of useful fighting force.

Season 2 sees the late Andy Whitfield replaced with Liam McIntyre who slips straight into the role and dare I say I liked him much better. His gravely voice and presence makes him seem much more a part of the melodrama. Also returning in a much larger role is Craig Parker as Glaber who was criminally underused in the first season and is the primary scene chewer in the absence of Batiatus. Many returning characters and a bevy of new ones make the show feel fresh and still the same with all the changes.

The show feels much more open now that locations and stories are no longer confined to just the ludus and arena. New characters, locations and grander storylines are now possible with the same over-the-top production filled with violence and nudity that the show is known for. Quite an improvement while still being somewhat cheesy and indulgent, though I am less inclined to see that as a problem now.

Buyer's Guide:

Available on DVD and Blu-Ray box sets.

4 Heightened Body-Counts out of 5