Once Upon a Time: The Complete Fourth Season

The symbiotic relationship between ABC and its owner Disney has rarely been more evident than in the latest season of this modernized version of fractured fairy tales. The first 11 of 23 total episodes center on the entrance of characters from Disney's animated megahit Frozen into the lives of Storybrooke's “modern” residents (and their fantasy personas), while the rest place House of Mouse villainesses Maleficent, Cruella De Vil, and Ursula the Sea Witch into the season's basic narrative arc, which involves the identity and purposes of the Author who wrote the magic book that started the entire series and continues to transform the main characters in unpredictable ways. The good and evil permutations have by now become so numerous and complex that it would be difficult for a newcomer to cope with the bizarre storyline. But longtime fans will likely enjoy this latest chapter in fairy-tale revisionism. The large cast (including Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Josh Dallas) adopt an appropriately tongue-in-cheek attitude, and while the special effects aren't Hollywood cutting-edge level, they are certainly small-screen impressive, as are the sumptuous sets and costumes. Presenting the entire 2014-15 fourth season, extras include audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a blooper reel (exclusive to the Blu-ray release are additional audio commentary and more deleted scenes). Recommended. (F. Swietek)