Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Avengers: Endgame Blu-ray Movie Review

"Part of the journey is the end."

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 1, 2019

Spoilers for this film, and previous Marvel entries, appear below.

Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of a now 22-film saga in the fabled Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise of films, and it is arguably the finest. What began with 2008's franchise foundational Iron Man is now a collection of record breaking blockbusters that has grown well beyond any reach possibly envisioned at the outset. The series has come full circle with Endgame, Directors Anthony and Joe Russo's box office-breaking film that serves as both a direct sequel to Avengers: Infinity War as well as a powerfully purposeful, emotionally draining, and fully heartfelt conclusion to what is now cinema's most richly realized saga.

The remaining Avengers team -- Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) -- is in physical and emotional disarray following the crushing loss to the team, and to humanity, at the hands of the villainous Thanos (Josh Brolin). When Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) returns the derelict ship carrying a frail Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thanos' daughter Nebula (Karen Gillan) to Earth 22 days following Thanos’ attack, the surviving team team travels to a planet believed to be hiding the villain. That encounter proves fruitful but ultimately resolves nothing. Five years pass and the world remains in disarray and in mourning, still trying to pick up the pieces following mass tragedy. When Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) randomly materializes into this world from an extended stay in the Quantum Realm, a microscopic universe all its own, it is believed that he, and the science behind his miniaturization, may hold the key to reversing Thanos’ devastating population reduction and return the universe as it once was and should again be.

Dramatically, Endgame has a lot riding on it. Financially, not so much. There was never any question the Russos, who had previously helmed Infinity War as well as the hugely successful franchise films Captain America: Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, would deliver and that audiences would welcome the film in droves, but perhaps the slight surprise was they would attend to the tune of it becoming the highest grossing film ever released in non-adjusted dollars, eclipsing James Cameron's Avatar (the other three Avengers films all appear in the top nine). That's a ringing endorsement, even if the film it surpassed is not, subjectively, a great one. Endgame does not have that worry. It's not destined to be remembered amongst the top handful of cinema's most prominent giants, but it's up there, and for a "comic book film" it's certainly plenty well attuned to what it takes to build a dramatically satisfying story and the Russos are well capable of delivering a movie that is more than action. They find a sweet spot in the three-hour runtime, crafting a film that is at once both zippy enough to carry that runtime and happy to slow down and allow the characters, and the audience, the necessary opportunities to feel and appreciate the characters and the story rather than merely watch those currents unfold. Endgame accomplishes much by way of innumerable highlights, fan service, and story building and finishing, but it also feels intimate within the maelstrom of activity.

Indeed, for such a sprawling movie in terms of its character roster, reach, and runtime, it remains remarkably focused for the duration. The emotional pull is strong. The feel of loss, both large-scale and intimately personal, is palpable in every face and in many frames. The cast, all of them from the major players to secondary and tertiary character performers, excels. Each is content to play their part, no matter how prominent or how deeply in support, how much screen time is earned, no matter who lives or who dies. The cast, and the Russos, harmoniously blend humanity into the film's digital highlights. For the CGI sprawl on display the picture never loses sight of its center. It is certainly a sight to see, and for far more than the special effects artistry that absolutely only supports it and never supplants the heartfelt centers that define this film and the collected universe that Endgame capably carries on its mammoth shoulders.

Avengers: Endgame Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Avengers: Endgame's 1080p transfer looks quite nice if not a bit ordinary, meaning that the presentation is quite capable but not anything remarkable in 2019. The digitally sourced material translates well, and the blend of live action and extreme CGI integration is handled flawlessly. Take a look at almost any shot involving Banner's "new and improved" Hulk. A good example comes in the well-lit diner scene in chapter five. The skin definition is superior, the salt-and-pepper hair and facial scruff enjoy terrific clarity, and the image doesn't miss a beat in blending with the live action surroundings. Viewers will find agreeably dense and detailed skin and clothing textures across a broad spectrum of characters with differing qualities to explore, including facial hair and pores on some and fur or various prosthetics on others. Costumes are another go-to point of reference, and while they cannot match the intimate clarity the UHD provides, there's a good feel for the basic tactile textures shaping them. Environments are broad across a number of locations throughout, which include various visits to places seen in previous films. It's all sharp and abundantly detailed. Colors are nice enough, finding neutral contrast with enough punch and saturation to please, again exploring a broad spectrum of hues, from The Ancient One's orange conjuring magic to Hulk green. The color spectrum is even and agreeable in high and low light all the way to the further reaches of the cosmos where black levels prove appropriately deep if not ever-so-slightly raised. Skin tones appear natural to each actor's complexion. Noise is kept to a bare minimum and the image suffers from no immediately obvious examples of banding, aliasing, or other unwanted source or encode artifacts. While the picture is not necessarily dynamic, it's perfectly agreeable as-is.

Avengers: Endgame Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Disney continues its tradition of downgrading audio for the Blu-ray, presenting Avengers: Endgame on the format with a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack while the UHD earns a Dolby Atmos presentation. It does not continue the tradition of downgrading volume and downplaying dynamics, at least not to the studio's normal extent. While the track is not a monster, as one might reasonably expect it to be, it does play at a more balanced level at reference volume while finding firmer low end output and dynamic range than many of its predecessors. The film begins with a healthy allotment of well-balanced and nicely integrated natural ambience around Hawkeye's home. That gives way to a fairly stout low end output when Captain Marvel returns the ship holding Tony Stark and Nebula to Earth. Various time jumps present with more bass than expected from a Disney track but nowhere near quite as much thump as such might very well likely earn on another studio's track. Action scenes enjoy frenzied output with plenty of stage movement, engaging all channels with fluid, effortless, and detailed maneuverings that pull the listener into a number of frenzied moments, both familiar and not so familiar. Musical engagement is of high quality, playing with seamless stage immersion and output from every channel, though the front left and right speakers do rightly carry it. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized. Unless the situation warrants it never leaves its front-center home. The track is largely fine and at least requires no volume fiddling as it plays within a fairly balanced range (though an argument could be made for a decibel or two, but not the larger adjustments usually necessary). It's a step in the right direction that is hopefully a sign of the studio getting back on track for its soundtracks.

Avengers: Endgame Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Avengers: Endgame contains an audio commentary track and a director introduction on disc one and all other extras on disc two. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. Via the digital code users will find an additional digital exclusive bonus, Steve and Peggy: One Last Dance. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

Disc One (Feature Film):

• Intro by Directors Anthony and Joe Russo (1080p, 2:33): The directors discuss the film's, and the series', emotional and total conclusion to the years-long Marvel Cinematic Universe saga. They also touch on the production's scope and their time with Marvel.
• Audio Commentary: Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely discuss the larger franchise, Endgame's story, juggling the large character roster and actor performances, various technical details, and more. It's a good blend of basic and deep with, obviously, plenty of time for both. It's not the most dynamic track of all time but fans should find plenty of value in it.

Disc Two (Bonus):

• Remembering Stan Lee (1080p, 7:15): A tribute piece to the late comic icon who made cameo appearances in all of the Marvel films. Lee discusses his good fortune, his favorite moments, the qualities of the movies, and more.
• Setting the Tone: Casting Robert Downey Jr. (1080p, 5:25): A look back at Downey's work throughout the MCU.
• A Man Out of Time: Creating Captain America (1080p, 12:18): A look at the "backbone" of the MCU, Steve Rogers. The piece looks back at the character's films and and his appearances throughout the franchise. It looks at writing the character, transition design from comic to film, crafting scenes around the character, Chris Evans' performance, and more.
• Black Widow: Whatever it Takes (1080p, 7:25): An exploration of the character's background, history through the films, and Scarlett Johansson's work in the franchise.
• The Russo Brothers: Journey to Endgame (1080p, 5:01): This supplement offers a brief look at the directors' work in several of the franchise's best films.
• The Women of the MCU (1080p, 4:52): A quick in-praise piece of the females who appear in the Marvel universe.
• Bro Thor (1080p, 3:42): A too-quick look at the Asgardian's arc through the series.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 4:51 total runtime): Included are Goji Berries, Bombs on Board, Suckiest Army in the Galaxy, You Used to Frickin' Live Here, Tony and Howard, and Avengers Take a Knee.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 1:58).

Avengers: Endgame Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Where the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes after Avengers: Endgame is anyone's guess. The landscape has been drastically altered and while several new films have been announced for development and some in progress, it feels as if nothing will ever quite match these 22 films for interconnectivity, scope, depth, character building, and sheer cinema spectacle. That last one will certainly be proven wrong in time, but it's impossible to imagine something so complex yet so organic as what Marvel has accomplished with the first three phases and culminated with Endgame, a truly stellar movie experience in every meaning for the term. Disney's Blu-ray is quite good, featuring quality 1080p video, a hearty and not overly lacking 7.1 lossless soundtrack, and a good selection of extras. Highly recommended.