HORROR DVD/BLU-RAY REVIEWS

Two Secret Service agents are recruited by a mysterious woman to work at Warehouse 13, a repository of apparently magical artifacts that the powers that be have determined are too dangerous to leave out in the world.

I hadn't heard of this show before I got the DVD for review, but as soon as I read the back cover it was pretty obvious this was going to be X-FILESish. And it is. With a healthy does of DR WHO. thrown in as well. In the case of WAREHOUSE 13 we're dealing with artifacts of such advanced technological specs that they are for all intents and purposes magic. Which sets us up for all manner of shenanigans.

Because this is a well traveled road for sci-fi fans, down to the loose and funny male agent partnered with a rules and detail-focused female agent, a big part of the success or failure comes down to casting and style. For the most part they get both of these right. Eddie McClintock and Saul Rubinek are great as agent and mentor, and the the late season addition of Alison Scagliotti as a young genius hacker sort really spices up the show. Sadly Joanne Kelly doesn't fare as well as the series female lead, but she's not so bad that it distracts from the overall appeal.

The producers are facing the typical problem that all series of this type face - deus ex machina. Specifically it is difficult to avoid laziness in your storytelling when you create a world where anything can happen. Every artifact explored in the series does have a negative side effect when used, so hopefully that will keep them in check, but only time will tell on that one.

For now WAREHOUSE 13 is a fun ride with an appealing cast that will easily wrap you in after just a few episodes. The Pilot is by far the weakest offering of the season, and it just gets better and better from there.

Video: Widescreen

Audio: Dolby Surround

Deleted Scenes

Gag Reel

Saul Searching: An attempt to put a "clever" twist on a traditional interview with series star Saul Rubinek. Emphasis on "attempt".

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop: Fairly typical BTS package.

Episode Commentaries: Episodes covered include the Pilot, Claudia, Implosion and MacPherson.

Sneak Peek at Season 2

Artie-Facts: Throw away feature about the artifacts on the show

What's In the Shadows: A look inside the Dark Vault where all the most dangerous artifacts are kept.

This is well traveled ground, but that is because the scenery is so much fun when done right. W13 is not a perfect show, but has ample charm and surprises to make it well worth a watch for anyone who wishes they had a little more Mulder and Scully in their lives.