DA VINCI’S DEMONS is an intriguing historical fantasy that combines history, fantasy, and conspiracies to make a very watchable show about a young Leonardo Da Vinci and the politics in Florence and Rome.  Writer David S. Goyer has created one of the best written and designed shows of 2013.  The show starts with a young Leonardo Da Vinci (25 years old) who is leaving in Florence and he gets the attention of Lorenzo Medici to become a military engineer for the city.   Meanwhile, Da Vinci is looking for the second key (which joins with the first key that he has) so he can use it to find the Book of Leaves and find his mother (who is still alive).  Forces on the side of the Vatican (including Pope Sixtus IV and Count Riario) want to bring the city of Florence back under the thumb of Rome and they have a spy (Lucrezia Donati) who is also the mistress of Lorenzo Medici.   The first season of DA VINCI’S DEMONS leaves me wanting more and too bad fans will have to wait until 2014 for the second season (and it is smart that Starz renewed the show).   I like how they were able to use studio sets, Welsh locations, and CGI to create one of my favorite shows of 2013 (and an interesting mix of history, fantasy, and conspiracy).  I can't wait to see how they resolve the cliffhanger, blend history with fantasy, and whether Leonardo will be making a  journey across the ocean.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio commentaries for THE HANGED MAN and THE SERPRENT with David S. Goyer (producer/ creator), Tom Riley (Leonardo Da Vinci), Laura Haddock (Lucrezia Donati), and Blake Ritson (Count Riario)

Audio commentary for THE TOWER with David S. Goyer, Tom Riley, and David Schofield (Da Vinci’s father)

Audio commentary with THE LOVERS with David S. Goyer, Tom Riley, and Tom Bateman (Giuliano de’ Medici)

 

Four short featurettes on disc 3:

MASTERING DA VINCI- Bear McCreary talks about scoring the show

CONSTURCTING DA VINCI- a look at the sets of the series

DRESSING DA VINCI- the cast and crew talk about the costume design of the series and how it blended the look of the time with modern day fashion

WORLDWIDE FANFARE- Creator David S. Goyer and the cast visit San Diego Comic Con

 

Six deleted scenes are included on disc 3 with the last two being cut out of the last episode, but one of those are wisely cut out of the season finale which ends on a  cliffhanger.

 

SECOND SCREEN PROMO for the interactive mobile app you can download (but it is available for free for iPad and the Apple AppStore) that gives you access to hour of custom video clips and more.  I wish the additional content was included on the set since the behind-the-scenes content is very short and the audio commentaries give more info about the show including production secrets, hints at where the show may go in season two and three, and the times the show takes place in.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS: DA VINCI’S DEMONS is an interesting historical fantasy that manages to weave history with an alternate take on the life of Leonardo Da Vinci and weave in politics, conspiracies, and secret societies in what I would rate as one of my favorite shows of 2013.  Too bad we have to wait until 2014 for season two and hopefully they will include more extras on season set next time.

 

This DVD review is ©9-16-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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