ROAR is a fantasy action adventure series set in Ireland in 400 AD. It was one of those shows that never caught on like
other great series that executive producer Shaun Cassidy produced (AMERICAN GOTHIC, INVASION). IT was a great series to watch
again and again. It featured two actors that went on to bigger roles: Heath Ledger and Vera Farmiga. Heath went on to a KNIGHT'S
TALE, THE PATRIOT (with Mel Gibson), BROKEBACK MOUNMTAIN (that gay cowboy movie which I will probably never care to watch),
THE BROTHERS GRIMM, NED KELLY, and taking up The Joker for the forthcoming BATMAN: THE DRAK KNIGHT. Vera would be one of the
two leads for the short-lived TOUCHING EVIL remake and a role in THE DEPARTED ( a remake of the great INFERNAL AFFAIRS).
Conor (Ledger) is the last of his tribe and his mission is to unite and lead the tribes against the Roman Empire. He can
harness the power of the Roar (whatever that is- never really clear what it was). In his group is his protector Fergus, Molly
(Fergus's daughter, and former slave Caitlin (Vera Farmiga). Their two big enemies are Queen Diana and her 400 year old advisor
Longinus cursed by his immortality (for stabbing Christ on the cross). Connor finds unlikely advice from a 7 year old boy
Druid King (Druid "Father"). In one episode, he finds the Spear Of Destiny (which Longinus hopes will kill him). Also watch
out for a guest appearance from Kerri Russell in the first episode.
FOX only aired 8 episodes and only the last 5 aired on the Sci-Fi Channel when they picked up the rerun rights. I do wish
the series ended with THE CAGE because the episode after it is not a fitting conclusion to ROAR since it was cancelled. It
was just a regular episode where THE CAGE changed the status quo.
VIDEO: 1.33:1 (full Frame)
AUDIO: English 2.0 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH
SPECIAL FEATURES: sadly there are none. Not even a single featurette on the series or an audio commentary from Shaun Cassidy.
CASE ART: not that special. It's not bad, but it doesn't jump out at you. Then Universal screws up the listing of episodes
on the back of disc 3 case and leaves one episode off the listing (the episodes are in order on the disc if you're asking)
FINAL ANALYSIS: ROAR was a great short-lived gem that showed that Heath Ledger would be a great talent in the years that
followed since it was cancelled. Too bad the set has no extras. The upside is that ROAR fans can watch the episodes again
and again in DVD quality.
this review is (c)10-25-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link
to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
