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For twenty-five years of my short life; I have been watching the New Orleans Saints play football. For twenty-five years I have watched the Saints underachieve and play extremely below the potential of the players with only small flashes of brilliance here and there. My entire life and sick fascination (obsession) of Saints' football has focused every year on them going to the playoffs, making it to the Super Bowl, and winning it all. One of the bigger wishes and dreams in my head though is that it would happen sometime in the lifetime of my father whose fandom has lasted even longer than mine. It would be something that we could share forever and no-one could ever take away from us. My dad and I watching the Saints in the Super Bowl and winning it all. We honestly never really knew if this dream would come true...and then it happened.
The Movie

New Orleans Saints: Super Bowl XLIV Champions is a highlight reel of the season that was the biggest sporting event (yes, an event that lasted five and a half months) in the history of Louisiana. It takes fans through every single game showcasing the big moments and low moments in a season that will be remembered for all time. The "lovable losers" of the NFL had finally risen out of the cellar and realized what it was like to be in the spotlight and feel like champions. A few short looks back at the Saints' traumatizing early history shows those outside of Louisiana what it has been like for so long as we've all supported the black and gold. Then 2009 came around and week-by-week; this odd and unknown feeling in the pits of all our stomachs began to grow and wins were pulled out one-bye-one all the way up to thirteen. It was at that moment though that it felt like the carpet was pulled out from underneath our feet, but the team and the fans still had one common goal in sight: Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

While this is a great DVD release, it isn't going to truly appease every single die-hard Saints fan out there and let me explain why. Fans such as myself are those that watch every single game each week and when the Saints won; we'd then turn on ESPN or the NFL Network (NFLN) to watch the highlights. Yep, to watch the highlights of the game we just saw. Then we'd hope that the Saints' game would make it to NFLN's replay games of the week so we could watch the whole thing again. Call it sad if you want to, but this is the God's honest truth. So I'm going to tell you that this DVD is awesome because it is, but the problem persists that my DVR still has the two complete playoff games and Super Bowl on it. Those won't be deleted because sometimes I just want to go back and watch the whole game again. Luckily there is a four-disc box set coming out on June 1 with those games presented in their entirety. When that arrives at my door is when they'll come off the DVR.

Still this is a good release in that it captures all the ideal moments that made the season so extremely magical. Devoted fans of the black and gold will get chills repeatedly much like I did. When Garrett Hartley's NFC Championship game-winning kick is shown in slow-motion and the reactions of multiple players on the sideline as it sails through the air; well, every single hair on my arms and neck stood straight up as my spine tingled. NFL Films does such a good job with the music they choose and the narration of Scott Graham makes every single highlight that much more exciting. You just can't beat getting all the excitement of sixteen regular season and three post-season weeks brought together in one place. Sure there could have been more footage shown from the victory parade then just during the end credits, but can't get everything we want. I guarantee you as well that there are moments shown here you'll recall being on the edge of your seat or even be there once again just because it's so fresh in our minds still. No matter when though, this will be a season never to forget and this DVD is a great reason why.

Now since I have this grand stage before me; allow me to touch on one thing that bugs me to no end. Watch this DVD or the games released in the set on June 1 and remember that this Super Bowl winning season is not one of "destiny." Yes, the team dedicated the victory to the city and all the tragedy that has gone down with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. Yes, this city banded together behind a common hero in the Saints and rallied with them to bring the people back together. But this season is not one of destiny at all. The 2009 New Orleans Saints are a team built on the leadership of Coach Sean Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis, and quarterback Drew Brees. There is nothing but pure talent on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball, and coming off the sidelines as back-ups. Motivation, fan support, and team spirit may have fueled this team, but it surely was destiny. It's not like this was "supposed to happen." Watch this DVD and witness players like Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston, Jonathan Vilma, Tracy Porter, and countless others as they used their talents and played like a team to win this championship.

Thank you, I'll get off my soap box now.
How's It Look & Sound

Witness the miracle season in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen format where there are no problems whatsoever. NFL Films has always done a tremendous job with everything they do including all home releases. Great footage from all angles with tremendous camerawork and beautiful editing make this a great looking DVD.

Now here is something that could have been improved upon because the feature is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Sound. It sounds good, don't get me wrong. But things could have been so much better with surround sound and letting the crowd noise from the games and inspirational music fill the room. There are optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired but no extra languages.
Your Special Features

Super Bowl Media Day - This featurette is full of interviews from the entire media day leading up to the big game. Plenty of highlights from the day's interviews with Drew Brees, Jeremy Shockey, Darren Sharper, Jonathan Vilma, Marques Colston, Coach Sean Payton, and Reggie Bush. I remember watching those live as they happened and it's thrilling still just to hear the guys talking about the anticipation leading up to the Super Bowl. (12:31)

The Bridgestone Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show Featuring The Who - This is the game's halftime show in its entirety. It really wasn't a bad performance by The Who as they played some classics and really rocked the place. Still confused though on some of the choices for performers by the NFL. (12:34)

Super Bowl Post-Game Ceremonies - A great moment for Saints' fans everywhere as they witness the Lombardi Trophy being carried to the celebration stand and presented to the world champions. The best part is possibly watching it being carried through the team crowd as they grab it, touch it, hug it, and kiss it. It's like watching kids on Christmas morning. There are then words from owner Tom Benson, Coach Sean Payton, and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. (6:11)

Anthony Hargrove: A Player's Journey - Now here is a featurette that is a tremendous special feature addition to this DVD. Hargrove is a player the Saints picked up before the season and decided to take a chance on. He was out of football for close to two full years after failing multiple drugs tests and this is his tale of making a comeback. In no way do I condone what he did to merit his suspensions, but seeing him back on the right path (and in a big way) is a great story. (9:19)
Fleur De-Cision

If you're like me then you'll want every single piece of Saints' Super Bowl memorabilia you can get your hands on including this DVD. While it may not be ideal and give us all we want from the season; it still captures the feelings and emotions and essence of all that went down during it. That box set on June 1 will let fans see four full games from the season, but this brings it all together in one neat package and also allows us to relive some awesome moments with the special features as well. Obviously this won't be for everyone so it's worth a rental at least for fans of other teams. Nice work by NFL Films and a must have for any fan that has ever worn a black and gold fleur de lis. WHO DAT!

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