Cops: Wildest Chases.

OK, there's more to it than that, but not much more, primarily being the fact that the two-and-a-half hours of Cops episodes you're about to watch are just that; two-and-a-half hours of episodes. At least that's how it appears to me, considering pretty much every episode of Cops has a chase of one type or another anyway, and this collection doesn't string together only chases, just some episodes with chases in them.

So there you have it. Cops as you probably know, is a popular, long running reality show featuring footage of beat cops. Launching in 1989 and running an astonishing 25 years on the FOX network, the show was then picked up by Spike TV, who kindly here deposits seven episodes from seasons 26 and 27. Cops introduce themselves with two or three lines of philosophy before cruising off to settle a domestic violence dispute or pull over a vehicle. Ensuing encounters are often hairy and/or poignant, and can give you a dim view of humanity. On the other hand, people love to watch folks they deem lower and stupider than they, as they're hogtied by the fuzz.

That's what you get here, seven episodes worth. You could buy the DVD, or just turn on your television and you'll easily be able to watch two-and-a-half hours of Cops episodes, no problem. The episodes here contain, among other stuff, notables such as a 'tactical stop' or something, wherein the cop car rams the fleeing vehicle, which does a 360 on a fire hydrant before coming to rest, and the guy who flees the cops who only wanted him to pull over so they could pass, and the drugged out crazy guy who keeps screaming funny stuff, and the pathetic hipster who tries to argue himself out of a drunk driving ticket.

This DVD looks great, in a sharp 16 x 9 transfer, but I must relegate this release to the realm of 'stocking stuffer'. Pick it up if you're a clueless grandparent and you want something 'fun' to put in a gift-basket for that no-good slacker laying around all day at your Daughter's house. Otherwise, Skip It.

The DVD

Video:
The case tells us this is presented in a 'widescreen format' (we're guessing 16 x 9 will do) and that the 'black bars on the top and bottom of the screen are normal', so you get the idea of the target audience here, people still using CRT televisions. (No offense, God love ya, technology is sending us all to hell anyway.) The presentation is acceptable for a show that is probably shot in HD in the first place. Colors are digital TV standard, fairly natural, maybe a little washed-out from harsh lighting. Details are good, and black levels are nice.

Sound:
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Audio, mixed well, with all elements in harmony of volume, is just fine. The theme song is robust, and when the cops are talking, and the crazies are raving, location mics (or do the cops wear lapel mics?) pick up everything pretty well. No complaints.

Extras:
English Subtitles and Scene Selections will have to suffice as far as extras are concerned.

Final Thoughts:
Cops: Wildest Chases looks great, even though it's not a collection of the 'wildest chases', rather it's a collection of seven episodes of Cops from seasons 26 and 27 of the long running police reality show. Therefore I must relegate this release to the realm of 'stocking stuffer'. Pick it up if you're a clueless grandparent and you want something 'fun' to put in a gift-basket for that no-good slacker laying around all day at your Daughter's house. Otherwise, Skip It.

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