Harsh Realm - The Complete Series (DVD)

Before you go calling "Harsh Realm" a Matrix knockoff you have got to check out the special features which point out that the actual pilot for "Harsh Realm" was shot before the first Matrix film ever hit the big screen. Now for those of you that are reading this review wondering just what the hell I am talking about let me lay out the idea behind "Harsh Realm" for you and I think you will have a good idea where I am coming from.

"Harsh Realm" is/was a television series by "X-Files" creator Chris Carter that ended up only seeing 3 episodes air on network television and while the other 6 episodes that were shot did actually air on the FX channel I think we can all agree that this is a failed television show and based on my earlier comments it has a lot to do with unfortunate timing.

You see "Harsh Realm" is a television series designed around the idea that the US Government has designed a virtual reality game developed for simulated war strategy that has met an unusual fate. A Major Omar Santiago has somehow managed to take over the game and now the government is determined to reclaim control.

Lieutenant Tom Hobbes is chosen to help out the government in this cause and "plugs" himself in to the program in order to assasinate Santiago and wipe out the threat he poses in the world that has now been classified as "Harsh Realm".

Yeah, while the name and situation has changed the overall idea of the story is oddly similar to that of The Matrix but it is true that it is only an odd coincidence and as the series hit the airwaves it was received as a poor man's Matrix and ultimately failed.

Now I am giving it a lot of credit saying that is the only reason it failed, when in all honesty this isn't really that good of a show. I don't know just how much footage got shot and how cohesive the nine episodes that make up this DVD set are but once you get to disc two they are jumping around like crazy. Then there is the overall question as to who really cares what happens in a virtual world where everything and everybody is fake?

I will admit that I was able to sit down and watch each episode without being bored but I would in no way want to sit down again and check out a series in which the ending is never revealed, especially when the end result is what you want to learn.

As for special features there is little to look forward to with an audio commentary on the pilot episode, a making-of feature and a look at the creation of the logo and main title sequence which was actually a highlight for me out of the limited selection.

Overall I am not quite sure who would be interested in this series considering I was never into the X-Files and the fact that this is an unfinished show. That said, I cannot recommend this title unless you know exactly what you are in for and you are okay with the fact that you aren't going to ever learn what actually happens to these characters.