PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Rake-Complete Third Series (2013)

Rake-Complete Third Series (2013)

If you create a user account, you can add your own review of this DVD

Released 2-Apr-2014

Cover Art

This review is sponsored by
BUY IT

Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Comedy Drama Main Menu Audio
Outtakes
Rating Rated MA
Year Of Production 2013
Running Time 448
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered
Multi Disc Set (3)
Cast & Crew
Start Up Ads Then Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Peter Duncan
Jessica Hobbs
Jeffrey Walker
Rachel Ward
Studio
Distributor
ABC
Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring Richard Roxburgh
Toni Collette
Matt Day
Case ?
RPI $39.95 Music Michael Lira
David McCormack
Antony Partos


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English for the Hearing Impaired Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

     Australian television has been improving over recent years especially the quality of shows coming out of the ABC after changes a few years ago. One example of this is the marvellous comedy drama series, Rake. Rake has been running for three seasons now (the third is included in this three disc set) but this may be the last. The series was the brainchild of star Richard Roxburgh, writer Peter Duncan and lawyer Charles Waterstreet. They are credited as the creators of the concept.

     In this context the word rake refers to a dissolute man in fashionable society, which is an excellent description of the main character, Cleaver Green (Richard Roxburgh). The character is loosely based on the well-known lawyer and man about town Charles Waterstreet. Cleaver is a highly skilled criminal barrister who defends all sorts of people, many of whom are guilty as charged. His life style is a miasma of prostitutes, gambling, associating with criminals, political corruption, drink and drugs. He has loyal friends but also many people who are either annoyed with him, angry with him or want to hurt him. His friends include Barney Meagher (Russell Dykstra), a solicitor who briefs him for a lot of his cases, Wendy (Caroline Brazier), his ex-wife, Missy Partridge (Adrienne Pickering), a former prostitute and now successful author, and his long-suffering secretary, Nicole (Kate Box). Those who are somewhere in the spectrum of enemies include the former NSW Police Minister & Attorney General, Cal McGregor (Damien Garvey), the Opposition Spokesman for many portfolios, 'Harry Sorry' David Potter (Matt Day) plus a variety of others who sometimes switch from one camp to the other. This series opens with Cleaver in gaol having been convicted and sentenced to 11 months inside. He has an appeal coming up however the evidence seems to be stacked against him, whether real or fabricated. During the season he needs to get out of jail, avoid the various crims after him, get his business moving again, attempt to carry on an adult relationship, help the new mate he makes in jail, solve issues with his son and ex-wife and help his mate, Barney, deal with his problems.

     Each episode covers one legal case as well as continuing the storylines of the major characters and their relationships. This series includes 8 episodes, each of just under an hour. I would not have really thought it possible however season 3 improves upon the marvellous first two seasons of the show. This show is a great combination of amusing dialogue, interesting cases and drama. It is very engaging and highly entertaining. Roxburgh is marvellous as Cleaver Green, funny, emotional, superbly raffish and shambling from one disaster to the next in his personal life.

     This is great Australian television. Highly recommended!

Don't wish to see plot synopses in the future? Change your configuration.

Transfer Quality

Video

     The video quality is very good.

    The series is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced.

     The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout. The shadow detail was very good.

     The colour was very good with no issues to report.

     There was some motion blur but no other noticeable artefacts.

     There are subtitles in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.

     The layer changes are not obvious.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is good.

     This set contains an English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0.

     Dialogue was mostly clear and easy to hear and understand, although the subtitles were useful at times. The soundtrack displayed some good front separation.

     The music sounds great and is a big part of the show's jaunty atmosphere.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

   

Menu

    The menu included music.

Outtakes (4:39)

    A funny set of stuff-ups and jokes. Better than most.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This set does not seem to be available outside of Region 4.

Summary

    The third and best so far series of a great Australian television show.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is good.

    One extra.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Review Equipment
DVDSONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output
DisplaySharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p.
Audio DecoderBuilt into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum.
AmplificationMarantz SR5005
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer

Other Reviews NONE