DVD Reviews

Entourage - The Complete Second Season

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Created by: David Ellis

DVD Release Date: February 26th

Having set off to make low-budget independent film Queens Boulevard, superstar leading man Vinny Chase (Grenier) is back in LA looking for a big money follow up to his hope of cracking the indie world. With E (Connolly) now officially his manager, the pressure is on to deliver on his promise to continue to pick the right scripts, and earn his ten percent. To put it candidly, Entourage is still the best serialised television show to be aired either side of the pond over the last few years. It pays further testament to the exceptional writing and beautifully well rounded characterisation on display, and what's more, the show has actually defied the odds and managed to get better on its second run. It's done what any great show should do as it goes on and expanded its characters' personalities; the seemingly perennial bachelor Vinny Chase actually falls in love, Turtle (Ferrera) begins to grow into himself, Johnny Drama (Dillon) finally gets work (and pitches wood while hugging Brooke Shields), E grabs the managerial role with a firm and honest grasp, and the hilarious - but still inexplicably likeable - Ari Gold (Piven) continues to push his boy to be the new Johnny Depp. This year, the plot centres around the role of Aquaman, a blockbuster in the works at Warner Brothers (who really want Vinny in the lead role), but Vinny is reluctant to commit to a character he feels he has no connection with. Everything that worked so well last season is improved this time 'round, including Jeremy Piven (who deservedly won an Emmy for this season); as Ari has a stressful year when there's a power struggle at his agency. There really are too many standout episodes this season to unfairly single out one, as the boys hit Sundance (where Turtle and Drama hilariously 'cross swords' after falling in love with the same girl), the Playboy Mansion, and even sunny Malibu, there's even a hint of financial woe for our heroes. If you've already purchased season one of this show, you know how good it is and will be unquestionably excited about this season on DVD; if you haven't, and are a fan of funny, smart and brilliantly-acted TV, then hurry up and buy it before people laugh at you.

Review by Mike Sheridan