Dark Angel - Season 1

Before Jennifer Garner became Sydney Bristow but after Buffy Summers went to school on the Hellmouth, a virtually unknown Jessica Alba ("Fantastic Four" & "Sin City") donned leather, climbed on a motorcycle and showed the world that girls can kick butt – or at least, that's what the t-shirt says. In the year 2000, James Cameron ("Terminator" series & "Titanic") tackled tv in this sci-fi vision of genetically engineered soldiers on the run in a futuristic third-world America. Cameron did something that no other television show had done – he cast actors of various races and used a unique hip-hop soundtrack that made "Dark Angel" unique.

The story begins with a flashback to 2009, outside Gillette, Wyoming. A voiceover tells the story as several children are seen running from soldiers, climbing fences and disappearing into the night. The voice is revealed to be that of Max Guevera (Jessica Alba), ten years later, in Seattle, Washington. Max pretends to be a normal nineteen year-old, working as a bike messenger and hanging out with her friends Original Cindy (Valerie Rae Miller), Sketchy (Richard Gunn), Herbal Thought (Alimi Ballard) and Kendra (Jennifer Blanc). But, Max is anything but normal.

In Cameron's version of America, this is about all anyone can ask for. Sometime after Max's escape from secret government facility, Manticore, some bad guys set off an EMP which destroyed pretty much anything running on a computer. While this wasn't a good thing for most of America, it does help Max and her fellow escapees hide, though they do have to contend with their identifying barcodes located on the backs of their necks. All Max wants to do is have a normal life and stay away from Donald Lydecker (John Savage), the military personnel who's hunting for the X-5s who got away in '09.

In the first episode, Max is doing some after-hours employment – stealing – when she encounters a handsome rich young man with a secret. Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly) is the real identity of Eyes Only, a freedom fighter who exposes corruption and protects the innocent. When he sees Max "dive headfirst out a window like you're Rocky the flying squirrel," he uncovers the truth about who she is and asks for her help, offering information about the other kids. Max refuses and tries to forget the whole thing. Unfortunately, her decision results in Logan being shot and left in a wheelchair. Fueled by guilt, Max joins forces with Logan.

Unlike most other shows, "Dark Angel" takes its time with its characters, revealing pieces at a time instead of rushing into things. This slower pace is probably why it ended up only running two seasons – most people aren't accustomed to delayed gratification. And while there are some minor glitches in the plot, some things people forgot or changed, the basic story and overall writing is solid. Much of the special effects could have been better, but it's tv and it's 2000, so they're not too bad when that's considered. The stunts are very good and fit with the story. The make-up is amazing and the directing is spectacular. The actors are all convincing and talented. They manage to be humorous, realistic and endearing all at once. The bad guys aren't 100% bad and the good guys aren't 100% good; they're real and relatable.

The extra features include amusing bloopers, which are always fun, and some making-of features. A few episodes contain commentary, but I wish they would have put in more. I find the story fascinating and would have liked to hear more of how it came to be. The features are interesting, exploring how the show came to be and how different aspects were created. While more extras could have been included, the series itself is worth buying the dvds.