The Strain Season 1 Collector's Edition

Series Creators - Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim) and Chuck Hogan
Starring - Corey Stoll (Ant-Man), David Bradley (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), and Mia Maestro (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror
Format - BluRay (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Writing for Horror Society has opened so many doors over the last two and a half years that I have been contributing to the site.  I have met so many wonderful people in the industry and built up so many great friendships along the way.  It has also opened up a lot of doors in the way of reviewing and I have made so many connections through various media outlets and distribution companies that are kind enough to send me their films and television show to check out, sometimes before they hit the store shelves.  I recently made contact with the fine folks that released the new season one collector's edition of the FX show The Strain that comes with a collectible bust of The Master.  They were kind enough to send one of these over for review which is by far the coolest thing I have received to date to review.  Thanks so much!

     The show follows former CDC agent who is investigating an airplane liner when everyone on board dies.  He believes this is some virus but soon discovers that it is much more than that when he witnesses those infected turn savage and drain the blood from those not infected with a giant stinger that shoots out from their mouth.  He partners with his former CDC partner, a city health inspector, a lesbian artist, his son, and a former death camp Jew turned vampire hunter.  

     Now this review is going to be a little different than my other blu reviews.  Typically, I review the film and the release when I review a blu but with this being such an amazing release, and the show so well known, this is strictly going to focus on the release itself.  This release stands out in so many different ways.  First, the blu itself.  The film looks amazing on blu with the series using the same transfer (1080p) as the first blu release that hit store shelves back around the holiday season.  However, this blu is different in that it now has several special features including In the Beginning, A Novel Approach, He is Here, Setrakain's Lair, commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, and teasers.  These special features are all great and add a lot of value to the blu itself.  Now, on to the packaging.  The set comes cradled inside the packaging with clear plastic over the Master's face.  This is great for those of us out there that want to keep the bust in the packaging to protect it but still want to show the piece off.  The packaging has the design that can be seen on the Master's coffin that was hand made by the vampire hunter when he was in a death camp.  The box opens up easily from the back to avoid from damage during the initial opening and the bust can be easily removed and placed back in without damage.  I don't know how many box sets with busts I have got over the years and there was no way of taking it out without destroying the packaging.  This was a thoughtful design.  Finally, the bust itself houses the blu.   The stand the bust sits on has a secret compartment that pulls down in the back that the blu case just slides into.  The bust itself is made solid and is surprisingly heavy.  The piece is very detailed in the painting and does not feel cheap even though the price tag says otherwise.  Overall, this a great piece for any fan of the show or collector of horror memorabilia.  The price for this is not that steep considering the quality of this product.  Grab one now while you can!