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Riverdale: The Complete First Season   Review by Suzanne Lanoue 8/10/17

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.

This is a very good teen murder mystery/soap opera show. It's not as clever as, say, "Dawson's Creek" or "Pretty Little Liars," but it's fun and intriguing.   If you're a fan of Archie comics or cartoons, then you may not like the show because of all of the changes.

Archie is not your typical every-boy. Instead, he's a jock and also is really into writing music. He's also played by an Aussie actor, but he does a great job of hiding his accent. He's very handsome, and not a smiling dork like the real Archie Andrews of the comics.  Betty is very pretty but smart. She's probably the one most like the comics character.  Veronica used to be rich but isn't any more, and she's not nearly as mean as in the comics. She and Betty are good friends (although that is often tested). There are many changes to the other characters, especially the ones that are supposed to be old, such as Veronica's father and Mrs. Grundy.

They added some characters, like Betty's gay friend Kevin, and the red-headed Blossom siblings. One of the Blossoms is killed in the first episode, and that is the big murder mystery of the season. Like most dramas nowadays, everyone has some kind of secret.  The show is a good way to pass the time, and teens probably love it. I enjoyed it.

The DVD has a lot of good extras and features. I think this would make a good gift for anyone, but especially teens.

MORE INFORMATION:

From The Studio That Brought You The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl Comes The CW's Top New Series

RIVERDALE: 

THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Own It On DVD August 15, 2017

Riverdale also Coming to Blu-ray^TM via Warner Archive Collection

BURBANK, CA (May 22, 2017) – Unlock the mystery and dive into small town secrets as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Riverdale: The Complete First Season on DVD on August 15, 2017. Premiering with 2.4 million viewers, The CW’s top new show across all major demos* is created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Glee, Big Love), produced by Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Blindspot), and stars KJ Apa (Shortland Street), Lili Reinhart (The Kings of Summer), Camila Mendes (Randy Doe), Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Marisol Nichols (Big Momma’s House 2), Madelaine Petsch (The Curse of Sleeping Beauty), Ashleigh Murray (Deidra & Laney Rob a Train), Mädchen Amick (Twin Peaks), and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210). Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is also an executive producer, along with Sarah Schechter (Arrow, Blindspot, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), and Jon Goldwater (Publisher/CEO, Archie Comics). The release contains all 13 gripping episodes from the first season, and includes new bonus content, and never-before-seen deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Riverdale: The Complete First Season is priced to own at $39.99 SRP. Riverdale: The Complete First Season is also available to own on Digital HD via purchase from digital retailers.

*Source: Nielsen National TV View Live + 7 Day Ratings, excluding repeats, specials; 16-17 Season To-Date = 9/19/16-1/29/17

Riverdale: The Complete First Season will also be available on Blu-ray^TM courtesy of Warner Archive Collection. The Blu-ray^TM release includes all bonus features on the DVD and is also arriving August 15, 2017. Warner Archive Blu-ray releases are found at Amazon.com and all online retailers.

Based on the characters from Archie Comics, Riverdale gives a subversive take on small-town life. Things aren’t always what you expect in Riverdale. As a new school year begins, the town is reeling from the tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom. The summer’s events made all-American teen Archie Andrews realize that he wants to pursue a career in music, but his fractured friendship with Jughead Jones, and Josie McCoy’s focus on her own band leaves Archie without a mentor. Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper is not ready to reveal her true feelings for Archie, and new student, Veronica Lodge, has an undeniable spark with Betty’s crush. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale’s queen bee, who stirs up trouble amongst Archie, Betty and Veronica. But is Cheryl hiding something about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there’s so much more to the story.

“Riverdale is full of nostalgic Archie elements, but this all-new series brings viewers mystery, seduction, and corruption; and would probably make the original gang blush," said Rosemary Markson, WBHE Senior Vice President, Television Marketing. "We’re thrilled to offer fans this dark, subversive pleasure – along with exclusive DVD and Blu-ray bonus content - just in time for the second season premiere on The CW."

SPECIAL FEATURES

·         Riverdale: 2016 Comic-Con Panel

·         Riverdale: The New Normal

·         Riverdale: The Ultimate Sin

·         I Got You – musical piece

·         These Are Moments I Remember – musical piece

·         Gag Reel

·         Deleted Scenes

13 ONE-HOUR EPISODES