In this prelude to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island we learn of pirates, ships and how brutal life was during this period. Obviously, this is not a historical piece, so not everything is accurate, but all is entertaining while still giving you a window into the time. In its gritty portrayal of the time it allows for a nice change of pace from daily life today. Pure escapism!
The story is quite fast-moving with plenty going on in each scene. Action and adventure predominate. We also learn, which is interesting considering what is going on in the world today, what a mess politically the world is in. Though this is a pirate drama the political upheaval is key to it all.
Pacing can be a problem with the series mostly glossing or passing quickly over things, but one thing that is never a problem is the dialogue. It is so good that it is a pleasure to listen to. You could listen to the characters for hours on end.
CGI would seemingly be important to a show like this but surprisingly there is precious little to be found here. Most is actually done and the choreography of the fight scenes is top notch. That decision to do everything live makes it all that much more realistic.
Captain Flint (played by Toby Stephens) is a man you love to hate. His match in likability is John Silver (played by Luke Arnold), a man who is just as charming as he is sly. Season three sees Flint ruling through fear and Silver trying to deal with the man and not the myth. All this falls to the backburner when a new pirate in town or Nassau emerges – Blackbeard (played by Ray Stevenson).
Black Sails is going to end after season four so large parts of this season is setting the ending up. Though there is a freshness to the season in that there are some twists and turns along with new characters introduced.
Special Features:
-Season 2 Recap (1080p, 4:30
-Inside the World of Black Sails (1080p, 24:03)
-The Storm (1080p, 3:43)
-SPOILER ALERT A Pirate’s Last Words (1080p, 4:03)
-Blackbeard: An 18th Century Pirate (1080p, 10:03)
-Woodes Rogers (1080p, 5:33)
-Digital Copy
