This flashy Lee Daniels-produced Fox hit continues to follow the highly outlandish (yet, amazingly, never campy) melodrama of a lucrative hip-hop music corporation that is run, sometimes violently, by the contentious Lyon family, which is headed by former Philly street hood Lucious (Terrence Howard), who is more akin to a mafia don. Lucious is surrounded by lust and treachery, even among those closest to him, such as his tough ex-wife and still business partner Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). Following the shocking season two murder of a white girl who married bipolar Lyon son Andre (Trai Byers), Lucious is busy fending off both an FBI investigation—led by his own bitter half-brother Tariq (Morocco Omari)—and Andre's treasured business proposition to take Empire's live shows to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Cookie dates a NYC mayoral candidate whose own family (headed by a steely matriarch played by Phylicia Rashad) ends up in full war mode against the Lyons. A cliffhanger ending cues a cameo by Demi Moore, who will turn into a key villainess in the fourth season. Other actors/musicians (some playing themselves) include Snoop Dogg, Leslie Uggams, and Mariah Carey. Compiling all 18 episodes from the 2016-17 third season, extras include uncut musical performances and studio sessions. Recommended. (C. Cassady)
Empire: The Complete Third Season
Fox, 5 discs, 792 min., not rated, DVD: $29.99 Volume 33, Issue 2
Empire: The Complete Third Season
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