DVD Review – Empire (Season 2)

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews, Top Story

The one thing Empire has been able to do, two seasons in, is find its audience early on and keep it. Harkening back to the days of Dallas, Knots Landing and Falcon Crest the Terrance Howard top-lined show focuses on a record label and the assorted theatrics therein.

When we find Lucious (Howard) he’s in jail after the events of the first season. Cookie (Taraji Henson) is working on the outside to free him while struggling to keep control of Empire Entertainment. As the season progresses it’s a struggle for power as Lucious, Cookie and others all vie for control of the label (among other things).

The show, which found its groove early in its first season, keeps up the pace for the second season with a steady flow of what the made first season great. There’s quickly emerging storylines, over the top acting, plenty of guest stars and enough great music to keep the show on its heels throughout.

It’s not very good, of course, but it at least makes things interesting. It’s one thing to be bad and boring; this is a show that’s but never dull, which is a good thing. The show suffers in the transition to DVD because it has a distinct need of commercial breaks. It allows you to catch your breath for a couple minutes and then get back into it. Without that break, like a binge watch, the show suffers because it moves at such a brisk and intense pace that you need that break to catch your breath.

Empire is an entertaining show but not quite a good one. It takes the mantra of “If you can’t be good, be wild” and runs with it.

Nothing of note.

Fox presents Empire (Season 2). Created by Lee Daniels and Danny strong. Starring Terrance Howard, Taraji Henson. Run Time: 480 minutes Not Rated. Released on DVD: 9.27.16