Crime Story - Season 2 (DVD, 2005, 4-Disc Set)

Michael Mann's CRIME STORY followed his more famous creation, 'Miami Vice' Friday nights on NBC from 1986-1988. Mann, who is known for making a location a character in itself, captured my imagination with this classic "cops and robbers" series when I was in my teens.

Though I wasn't even alive during the time period it depicted, I was captivated by the show's amazing retro feel. Very few anachronisms disrupted the mood, allowing your television set to become a time machine, and take you back for a look.

Mann used classic, neon-laden Las Vegas as a backdrop for most of season two, making the character's surroundings as exciting as the characters themselves. Overall, it was a very entertaining and interesting show with a legendary, no-superstar cast, and absolutely UNFORGETTABLE characters!

I have to admit that my high grade for the Season Two disc set is much influenced by my love for Crime Story's SEASON 1, which was superior. Really, there would be no point in watching season 2 without first watching season 1.

The first season's very linear plot development became more choppy in season two, taking on, perhaps, too many sub-plots and stand-alone episodes. The show's quality declined as the second season progressed, going from great to good. Especially when leaving the powerful venue of retro-modern, (populuxe) Las Vegas in favor of a never-named, uninteresting Latin-American country to further the drug-dealer sub-plot.

Unfortunately, the greatest disappointment of the show was the series finale. I won't spoil it, but it was as if they found out at the last minute that there would be no third season and needed to wrap the series that very day.

If you watch Crime Story season 2, just enjoy each episode for what it is. Take in the scenery and appreciate the genius of the show. Then go back and watch Season 1 all over again!