DVD: Mutant X Season One
(ADV Films)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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The tireless pursuit of new humans - the super enhanced kind - and the preservation of their abilities is the heart of Mutant X. Discovering and protecting these unique freaks is the duty of Adam (John Shea) who is the moral and strategic hub of the program, seeking to develop where others seek to destroy. He is a warrior poet of mysterious origins and with his group of attractive 20-something misfits, they battle Russian mercenaries, temptation and the maniacal Mason Eckhart on their way to discovering their own powers.

If these themes sound familiar, they should be. Mutant X deals with a number of time tested characters and visual themes and is seemingly unashamed in how it draws from all over the Sci-Fi/Action genre. The series provides a more thorough examination of these themes than most two hour movies and the character development throughout Season One is admirable. While some might cry foul at the close association with X-Men or The Matrix, Mutant X explores places the others only imagined.

The ADV Films DVDs are absolutely packed, truly providing everything a fan could want. Each contains two episodes and a load of extras. There are cast and character profiles as well as out takes, TV spots and photo galleries. The best extra however are the commentaries. They are well detailed, touching on the specific episode as well as the technical and creative genesis of the project.

The sound throughout Mutant X is rich, well layered with crisp differential between music and dialogue. Its high paced electronic score keeps the action moving through the well choreographed fight sequences and at times, dazzling visual effects. In their anamorphic widescreen presentation, these DVD's are crafted in a magnificent scope befitting a series such as this one.

© 2003 - Erick Mertz