Throughout the course of seven controversial and trailblazing seasons, the shocking and groundbreaking series The Shield completely reinvented the cop TV genre. From the pilot to the final episode, Michael Chiklis played the show’s main character, the bulldog-like Detective Vic Mackey, the corrupt but loyal leader of an elite LAPD police squad.

Read Earl Dittman’s Chiklis chat (plus this week’s DVDs and Blu-Rays) after the jump.

Late last year, Michael Chiklis – who resurrected comic John Belushi in 1989’s biopic Wired, became The Thing in the Fantastic Four film franchise and portrayed The Commish for five seasons in the ‘90s – finally hung up Mackey’s badge and gun, it was a bittersweet time for him. “I hated to see the show end, but I think we did it with the best season of the entire series,” the short, bald actor admits. “I think fans are really going to miss Vic, because I know I will. But the final season [now available on DVD--ed] is the greatest gift we could have left our loyal fans. I love it. It’s the best 13 episodes you’ll ever see.”

How bummed were you about The Shield finally coming to end after seven seasons?

“Listen, here is the thing: There is life after The Shield. I’m able to do movies like Eagle Eye and Fantastic Four, so there are things for me to do that I’m really excited about. But I’m still sad. The one great thing is, if you’re a fan of The Shield, then you’re going to be thrilled about the Final Season. The first four episodes are plot-heavy. But then the train really leaves the station and gets up to speed. There are 13 episodes, and I’m so proud of all of them. We’ve taken it to the end and seen it through. And it’s not like I’m just talking shit. It’s great.”

How did you feel about filming the final episodes?

“I had a lot of emotions going into shooting the final season. I had mixed emotions about it because doing The Shield has been – hands down – the greatest experience in my life as an actor. It’s hard to believe it’s over.”

So many fans of the show believe that it could have continued on for several more seasons. Why did everyone decide to end it?

“One of the things that [creator] Shawn [Ryan] never responded to was shows that stayed too long at the dance. We didn’t want to go out on a weak note. That was a valid and deep concern for Shawn, and I respected him, although it hurt me in a deep place. If I felt that it was burned out, I would have said it was burned out and told everybody, ‘Let’s get out of here.’ But I didn’t feel like we were burned out at all. Of course, it’s just my opinion.”

What was it like playing an anti-hero for so many years?

“Strange. Vic is a character that you shouldn’t be rooting for because he does some pretty bad things, but people do root for him to win, anyway.”

For those who may have not watched The Shield over the years, how would you describe the character of Vic Mackey?

“You know, it’s an interesting character study. Mackey is straight up in ways that are admirable even though he has killed another cop and stolen mob money for himself. Mackey operates by his own set of rules. He manipulates. But deep down, he has morals in this world he has created with questionable morals. Vic is a family man who loves his kids, so at night he can go into a neighbourhood and find a rapist that threatens his family’s neighborhood. He has two very distinct sides to his personality.”

The storylines in The Shield were always so realistic. Were they all based in fact?

“The stories were very accurate in terms of the kind of, of course, it was heightened in the amounts of events that happen. What happened to Vic Mackey, over the course of the last few years, was probably something that would have happened to him over the course of 15 years, but it was sort of condensed for the purposes of storytelling. Listen, if you knew how much time cops spent in cars – just sitting around doing nothing – that’s not good viewing. Then, the shit happens and that’s what we would put in the show. But in terms of personal agenda and the bureaucracy that they have to put up with, then yeah, they were pretty accurate.”

You’ve enjoyed so much success because of The Shield. You were in the business long before The Shield came along and you’ve experienced so many ups and downs, so how has the last couple of years felt for you?

“I did everything ass backwards. I was playing fat characters when I was 27, and in my mid-40s, I’m playing everything from a corrupt cop to a superhero (Fantastic Four). It’s just the complete opposite of everything. I love it, it’s great. It’s hard to explain what it’s meant to me, partially because between my wife and I, we sort of willed it to happen. I always believed that I could play leading men, I guess it just took a great woman to convince me to go for it. Honestly, I credit my wife, Michelle, wholly for my success.”

What did Michelle say to encourage you?

“She said, ‘It’s incumbent upon the studios to reinvent you. It’s incumbent upon you to reinvent yourself.’”

So, what did you tell yourself?

“I looked in the mirror and said, ‘You need to go to the gym, you need to get yourself in shape and not take another fat, affable guy role again.’”

How would you describe the attention you get from fans because of the fact that you are so recognizable?

“It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time, because you can see a baldie from hundreds of yards away. [Laughs] I’m kind of blessed because it’s been very positive. I can’t complain, because when people come up to me it’s to tell me they really like my work. What am I going to say, ‘That really sucks?’”

You must have had a few bad fan experiences?

“Well, there is always the odd person who has no couth, who doesn’t recognize the borders. One time, there was that person who had had way too much to drink, and I was about to take a photo of my family and we were all standing there, ready to go. He came up, threw his arms around me and was like, ‘Dude!’ I was like, ‘Whoa!’ And this was on the streets of New York City, and I was like, ‘Get off me, man! Don’t do that!’ There is always that person. Sometimes they grab you, literally, when you’re just doing your own thing. You’re like, ‘Let go of me.’”

Do you think fans act that way towards you because you have been in people’s homes, every week, for the past two decades?

“Interestingly, people don’t do that as nearly as often, and I think part of that is because I played Vic Mackey. They are so much more intimidated. When I used to play the Commish, they used to hug me on the street and it was because I was in their homes and I was playing a truly affable guy, but over the past few years, I was playing Vic and The Thing (in the Fantastic Four movies), so they are more meek when they come up to me now. They ask, really meekly, ‘Do you mind if you could sign this?’”

Do you think there will be a Shield movie?

[Laughs] “Oh, that’s good. You want me to talk about a Shield film? That would pre-suppose that Vic lives at the end of the Final Season. I think we’re done. We did our job, and did it well.”

Are you going to miss being a badass with a heart of gold?

“You know, I saw Gene Hackman when I was six or seven on The Mike Douglas Show. Mike asked him, ‘Do you want to be remembered for one great role like Popeye Doyle in The French Connection?’ Gene said, ‘I hope I’m remembered for a body of work.’ Even as a kid who wanted to be an actor I said, ‘Yeah, that’s right. That’s it.’ That’s been my feeling my whole life. I know there are certainly key roles and Vic Mackey was one for me. But over a lifetime I want to leave behind a formidable body of work. Like Gene.”

The Shield DVD Bonus Features: Cast + crew commentary on each episode, 51 deleted scenes with optional commentary by creator Shawn Ryan and the two featurettes “Nobody Expects to Lose, Nobody Expects to Die: The Shield’s Final Season” and “Last Call: The Final Episode.”

This week’s DVDs & Blu-rays:

Gran Torino

In his first acting role since Million Dollar Baby, multiple Oscar-winner and all-around movie badass Clint Eastwood stars as Walt – an uncompromising retired auto-worker, stubborn Korean War vet and unrepentant racist – who is forced to deal head-on with decades-old prejudices and bigotries when he comes to the rescue of his Hmong immigrant neighbours, rescuing them from the wrath of teenage gangs. The embittered Walt is content to live out his days cleaning his rifle and talking to his dog, Daisy, at least until a young man tries to steal his prized Gran Torino. That fateful night changes his feelings about his past, the life he currently lives and his plans for his future. Directed by Eastwood – who won numerous Best Actor critics awards for his performance – Gran Torino features the iconic actor at his best. Bonus Features on the DVD include two featurettes (about the Gran Tarino auto), while the Blu-ray includes an additional interview with Eastwood and Jamie Cullum’s music video for “Gran Torino” (written by Clint) on the BD Live feature.

The Cleaner: The First Season

In his new series, the former Law & Order detective Ray Curtis — actor Benjamin Bratt — portrays a real-life, one-time addict who often works outside the rules of the law to help save lives and to offer others a second chance. Based on actual incidents in the life of an “extreme interventionist,” Bratt (a multiple Emmy-nominee) plays William Banks, an unconventional, street-smart hero who must deal with his own daily struggles with staying clean and sober while he and his team of recovering addicts (that includes Battlestar Galatica beauty Grace Park) dedicate their time and efforts to aiding others in their fight against drugs, alcohol, gambling and even eating disorders. One of the highest-rated cable series in history, The Cleaner: The First Season DVD also contains “The Mystery of William Banks” documentary, cast and crew interviews and commentary on selected episodes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

The International

In one of the most timeliest films of the year, Clive Owen is an Interpol agent and Naomi Watts is a Manhattan D.A. that pair up to expose a group of greedy and corrupted lending institutions in order to uncover a web of conspiracy that includes murder, arms dealing, theft and terrorism facilitated by these banks across the globe. A suspense-filled whodunit and an action-packed spy thriller, The International follows Watts and Owen on a deadly, cross-continental, high-stakes game to bring down the big bad money guys of the world. Directed by Tom Tykwer and written by Eric Singer, The International also stars Armin Mueller-Stahl and Brian F. O’Byrne. The bonuses on the DVD and Blu-ray of this fast-paced and timely thriller include deleted scenes, four featurettes and commentary with Tykwer and writer Singer + with additional Blu-ray extras such as a digital copy of the film, an Q&A with Tykwer, a Picture in Picture Track and the new CineChat Send feature.

Reaper: Season Two

The hot fun and fiery shenanigans continue in the sophomore season of the comedy series that traces the chaotic existence of Sam (Bret Harrison), a slacker whose world goes to Hell after he discovers his mom and dad sold his soul to Lucifer himself (Ray Wise), a debt that is payable on when Sam turns legal, his recent 21st birthday. In exchange for keeping his soul, Sam is enlisted to become a bounty hunter from Hell, and with the help of his lazy, shiftless buddies, he is forced to track down sinners and evil-doers and ship them to his boss, waaay Down Under. Forced to be a bounty hunter from Hell, Sam, with the aid of his goofball friends, must track down evil-doers and send them back where they belong. The four-disc set includes all 13 episodes from the Season Two plus bonus materials that include a gag reel, a funny featurette, deleted scenes and cast commentaries.

Home

Directed by world-renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand and produced by internationally-acclaimed director/producer Luc Besson, Home is narrated by actress Glenn Close and it aspires to alter the perceptions that humans have towards the planet and how they impact life on Terra Firma. Shot across 54 countries (in Hi-Def) and over the course of 217 days, the enlightening Home uses unique all-aerial filming to showcase the planet’s marvels as well as the injuries man has inflicted upon it. Available on Blu-ray and DVD, Home presents an essential point of view in which to approach the changing environment we live in.

Perry Mason: Season Four, Volume One

The granddaddy of all legal shows offers up substantial evidence – to such current ratings hits like Law & Order and Raising The Bar — as to why it is guilty of being considered the best courtroom drama of all-time. In the 1960-61 fourth season, star defense attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) continues to utilize his incredible legal skills and immense talents as a lawyer to recreate the crimes that his clients are falsely accused of – only to prove that they are innocent beyond a shadow of a doubt. From the initial crime scenes to the dramatic courtroom confessions, Mason, along with his team of do-gooders Della Street (Barbara Hale), Paul Drake (William Hopper) and Lt. Tagg (Ray Collins) insure that justice always wins.

Nobel Son

When it comes to dysfunctional families, the Michaelsons win the grand prize. A highly-accomplished chemist on the verge of winning a Nobel Prize, papa Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman) refuses to pay kidnappers a two million dollar ransom (the same amount a Nobel recipient would take home) for the safe return of his estranged son Barkley (Bryan Greenberg). Barkely, a student struggling just to finish his Ph.D thesis, on the verge of winning a Nobel Prize. So, when his Eli won’t pay up, a family game of deception, intrigue and loyalties heats up – with hilarious and shocking consequences. In addition to great performances from Rickman, Greenberg, Ted Danson, Danny DeVito and Eliza Dushku, the Nobel Son DVD includes cast and crew commentary, deleted scenes, and alternate ending and cool tunes from The Chemical Brothers and Spitfire.

Crossing Over

In Crossing Over, an absorbing modern-day tale about the price immigrants are willing to pay for a piece of the American dream, Academy Award-winning actor Harrison Ford brilliantly portrays a L.A. ICE officer (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) in charge of keeping terrorists, criminals and illegals from crossing the borders into the United States. Joining Ford – in a story that includes the peddling of false documents, ridiculous naturalization issues, scary counter-terrorism plots and a missing persons investigation – is first-rate ensemble cast that includes Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta, Jim Sturgess, Cliff Curtis and Alice Braga. Written and directed by Wayne Kramer, Crossing Over is a thought-provoking and heart-felt film about the imaginary borders that separate us as human beings.

Now Available on Blu-ray:

Predator 2

After getting his butt kicked by Arnold in the first film, the Predator returns to Earth to take on Danny Glover and holy-roller Gary Busey. So, who is the Predator’s latest prey? How about the natives in the jungle known as Los Angeles? Special Features: Original theatrical trailers, 19 featurettes, commentary with the writers and director Stephan Hopkins and still photo galleries.

Fatal Attraction

The Adrian Lyne thriller that turned casual sex into a truly deadly sin (and became a catch-phrase describing obsessive love) finally gets the Blu-ray treatment. From bubbling bunnies to steamy elevator sex between Michael Douglas and Glenn Close to a wrist-slicing soundtrack that includes the classic Madame Butterfly aria, Fatal Attraction is a must-have. Special Features: Commentary with Lyne, two behind-the-scenes featurettes and an Alternate Ending.

The Siege

Long before terrorist attacks on New York City became very real, the citizens of the Big Apple becoming targets of fanatics, fundamentalists and mercenaries was dramatized in The Siege. Are Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis or Annette Bening fighting terrorists, or are they America’s true enemies? Special Feature: Theatrical trailer.

Indecent Proposal

Prostituting yourself never looked as sexy, stylish and financially rewarding as it did when Demi Moore sold herself for one night to a billionaire (Robert Redford) for a cool million. A morality tale at its core, the Adrian Lyne-directed Indecent Proposal (which also stars Woody Harrelson as the dejected hubby) continues to fire up debate and controversy decades after its theatrical release. Special features: Commentary with Lyne.