Product Description

Sure it would be great to have it all, but at what price? For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywoods fast lane can be an intoxicating ride. In Season Four, in fact, Eric and Vince have taken on new roles as producers. Will their film be hailed as a critical masterpiece, or will it end up on the trash heap of broken Tinseltown dreams?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #938 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2008-08-26
• Formats: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 360 minutes

Features

• Sure it would be great to have it all, but at what price? For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywoods fast lane can be an intoxicating ride. In Season Four, in fact, Eric and Vince have taken on new roles as producers. Will their film be hailed as a critical masterpiece, or will it end up on the trash heap of broken Tinseltown dreams?Running Time: 360 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:&n

Amazon.com
The fourth season of Entourage follows Vincent Chase's quest for legitimacy (and Oscar) through his dream project, the Pablo Escobar biopic Medellin, whose development deal was the focus of season three. As expected, the production is riddled with troubles: Vincent (Adrian Grenier) and Eric (Kevin Connolly) clash over the ability of the film's director, Billy Walsh (Rhys Coiro), to handle the grand scale of a film. Eric even flies in Oscar-winning screenwriter Stephen Gaghan (playing himself) to the shoot in Colombia at Billy's request in order to rescue the script, only to send him home when Billy comes up with the ending himself. ("I've never had anyone pay me not to work before," says Gaghan in a hilarious cameo. "It was nice.") But as the pet project puts strains on their friendship, Eric finally takes a step off of Vince's coattails to become a manager in his own right; his first step is snagging actress Anna Faris (as herself) as a client (in true Hollywood form, after she hits him with her car). As buzz on Medellin ebbs and flows, Eric and Vince's agent, Ari Gold (Emmy winner Jeremy Piven) wheel and deal to lock in distribution and spin the behind-the-scenes drama to their advantage. Key to the negotiations is a swaggering, hotheaded studio magnate named Harvey Weinhald--the caricature is obvious--who threatens the life of any agent who double-crosses him. And that's right where our boys land, but is it a gamble that will pay off? The fourth season, as always, is rife with celebrity cameos (Dennis Hopper, the late Sydney Pollack, Kanye West), but the Medellin plot pushes out any chance for other Entourage cast members to get a storyline (Johnny Drama gets a condo! Buys a hat!), which ultimately becomes a detriment considering that Medellin, as the big finale at Cannes attests, may not have been worth all the hype. Bonus features include commentary by the cast and creators, a panel discussion, and the Medellin trailer, which with its slo-mo, self-important music and bad makeup, is a gem. --Ellen A. Kim

Customer Reviews

Soars To New Heights & Sinks To New Lows
I press "Play." The HBO static kicks in. Yet, the "Superhero" theme by Jane's Addiction is nowhere to be found. Before we begin, ENTOURAGE's 4th season presents a mini-documentary (like THE OFFICE) detailing the trials and tribulations of getting a dream project made. This change of pace promises great things to come; the premiere episode of ENTOURAGE's fourth season will undoubtedly go down as one of its greatest.

As the show continues, it continues its solid streak for a while. Although the remaining 11 episodes are shot in the traditional style we've seen this show use for years, things become even more desparate and challenging for Eric, Vince, and Ari than ever before. Their domestic lives and careers are really put through the ringer this time.

Eric continues to try to expand his career, but struggles to get what he wants most: Respect. Vince actually matures more than the rest of the cast this season. His optimism is no longer a boyish laziness; he actually steps up to plate when the line is drawn in the sand. Ari Gold has plenty of issues on his own. If you thought his financial woes in seasons' past made him a bitter man, wait until you see how his domestic life tests his aggressive masculinity.

You may have noticed I haven't mentioned Turtle or Johnny Drama yet. Well frankly, ENTOURAGE really drops the ball with them this season. While the gang's rapport is still very funny, I'm frustrated that neither of these two characters have shown any growth since the show began in 2004. Seriously, does Turtle really only think about sex, weed, and assorted materials? Gimme a break! Drama's insecurities are becoming pathetic, but at least Kevin Dillon's brilliant performance still sells it. Never once did I think that Drama wouldn't behave the way he does.

I don't want to give away any cameos, but be assured that they all pay off. Remember Scarlett Johannson's pointless bit from the Season One finale? Don't worry, you won't find any of that useless "Hey-Look-It's-Him/Her" garbage.

Special mention also has to go to Rhys Coiro's turn as crazed auteur Billy Walsh. While I can't believe a man like that is inspired by a real person, he's given just the right amount of screentime (and madness) to be effective, but not overstay his welcome. Also, Perrey Reeves and Rex Lee (as Mrs. Ari and Lloyd, respectively) get to kind of "star" in their own individual episode. While neither really contributes anything significant to Season Four's overall story, they were a nice change of pace.

I guess that last sentence summarizes my overall reaction to Season Four. I found these 12 episodes to be very entertaining, and with plenty of neat ideas thrown in to keep things from getting stale. But when I look at the season from beginning to end, the middle patch really doesn't have much to with the bookends. For example, there's a nice small angle involving Anna Faris. While it works the way it plays out, there were so many lateral moves the writers could've done with it. But in the end, very little has changed.

That's the problem with Season Four - Nothing's Really Changed.

The creators had one of their best plots when Ari Gold wasn't in Vince's good graces. That's why that particular season was so excellent. The writers and creators took a chance. But in Season Four, the chances are merely temporary. For four years, I've watched these characters take small steps into uncharted waters, only to return to shore. It's time to shake things up again before ENTOURAGE starts getting stale. That day hasn't come yet, but be assured that this series is still a very slick, entertaining comedy.

SEASON ONE --> 7.0 / 10
SEASON TWO --> 8.0 / 10
SEASON THREE > 8.0 / 10 (Part 1)
SEASON THREE > 9.0 / 10 (Part 2)
SEASON FOUR -> 8.5 / 10

Medellin - Production To Premier (Entourage Season 4)
I have enjoyed the HBO series "Entourage" since its first episode, but its fourth season somewhat squanders the gains its characters made in previous series. Turtle and Johnny Drama have very little to do here; Turtle seems to have given up any chance at an outside career, and not only do we see little of Drama's television work, he doesn't even cook this season. When Eric finally extends his management talent, the enterprise is uncerimoniously squashed. And forget about relationships this season: Women only pop up here to fill the usual nudity quota.

The series mostly focuses on the post-production and potential sale of "Medellin," the dream project for Vince, Eric, and unhinged director Billy Walsh, and the aside adventures of everyone's favorite agent, Ari Gold (played terrifically by Jeremy Piven). The Gold plotlines are great but isolated, often making one feel as if there are two different shows going on here. However, despite the season's narrow focus, you get the sense that these 12 episodes are preparing the viewer for some major changes in the lives of these Hollywood adventurers.

The DVD has a few audio commentaries, a nice making-of featurette of the "making of 'Medellin,'" a terrific, complete trailer for the film within the series, and a solid, 45-minute sit-down with show's creative heads and actors Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, and Jeremy Piven.

Trying to make a transition, some bumps but successful
After 3 stunning seasons of Entourage, the writers and producers seem to be trying to make a transition for the show and the characters. Episode 1 is the making of Medellin and the show uses a technique where the characters are talking to the cameras as a "ghost" reporter takes their points of view. It is very well done and the Season 4 is off and running.

As the season progressed, I found myself enjoying the shows, and here's the "but": They were going over much of the same territory. Yes, the guys have made some moves and changes, but there wasn't anything new developing. Ari is still stealing his scenes, and Lloyd is now coming around. There are some new character traits that are beginning to show - especially with Ari, but not enough to give the show its edge back.

That is, however, until episode "Snow Job" begins. Everything changes. The writers have made a successful transition to an entirely new level. The season's finale, "The Cannes Kids" blows the doors off. The writing is superb, the filming is getting better and better. This is the best 30 minute show on television. Can't wait to begin Season 5.