Red vs. Blue—The Blood Gulch Chronicles: The First Five Seasons

Although not anime, this six-disc compilation of 100 animated webisodes from the first five seasons of the series inspired by the Halo video game franchise may appeal to some members of the same audience, but is something of a bore for those who think outside the Xbox. Set in the future in an unspecified location, the plot basically centers on an endless battle between two small military forces for the control of a canyon. Although one side wears red armor and the other is clad in blue (hence the title), both sides spend a lot of time cursing, complaining, ogling their weaponry, and shooting anything or anyone that moves (eventually it becomes impossible to tell them apart without their color coding). Much of the running time consists of dull chatter, although when the shooting starts, Red vs. Blue serves up plenty of commotion and noise. Like it or loath it, the fact that writer-director Matt Hullum and co-writer Burnie Burns squeezed so many short chapters out of this quotidian concept is a testament to the show's popularity. The abundant DVD extras include audio commentary by the filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, outtakes, and the Xbox Live miniseries' Out of Mind and Recovery One. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Red vs. Blue: Reconstruction—Season 6 is also newly available.] Aud: P. (P. Hall)