Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Loki: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 27, 2023

Some might jokingly argue that the so-called expanding (real) universe may still eventually not have enough room for the expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it looks like things are only going to get more "crowded" in that regard. If Loki is commonly thought of as being something of a trickster, the ultimate trick with regard to this latest MCU series may be trying to keep track of where and how both the title character and the, well, galaxy if not universe of other characters in this "little" corner fit together and as part of the greater whole. That niggling qualm aside, Loki in its first season tended to remind me (however odd it may sound) as its own kind of alternate universe version of a combo platter of elements from Doctor Who and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. For those who have seen both of those properties, that comparison may be intrinsically intriguing, but my hunch is more people are probably familiar with the good (?) Doctor than with the addlepated Dirk, so let me just clarify by saying in this particular setup, Loki is what might be whimsically described as a Time Lord, though in this case, a la Dirk Gently, he's caught in a loop of sorts where he seems to be chasing a version of himself. Trivia fans may already be aware of a connection between Doctor Who and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, namely the involvement of the inimitable Douglas Adams as either a contributing writer or the actual source writer, and with that connection in mind I'd also argue that Loki is often rather brilliantly Adams-esque, which is frankly one of the highest compliments I personally can pay any effort which attempts to combine a whirlwind of often incredibly labyrinthine activity within what might be termed a rather bracingly metaphysical context.

Loki rather cheekily refers to its big screen progenitors at various points, including in a raucous opening which sets the tone for the rest of the series. Loki (Tom Hiddleston), being taken prisoner by group or armed soldiers, is surrounded by a gaggle of characters from the MCU, but due to some anger management issues on the part of Hulk, manages to abscond with the Tesseract. That plops him down in a Mongolian desert where he's soon confronted by another group of armed soldiers, who turn out to work for the Time Variance Authority, a McGuffin to end all McGuffins, and with an appropriately baroque bureaucratic name to boot. The bottom line to this high concept is that long ago in a galaxy far, far away, Time Lords (or something very much like them) managed to unite warring "multiverses" into one cohesive whole, though occasionally certain individuals, like Loki with his theft of the Tesseract, go off the predetermined path into their own alternate universe and need to be "reset", so that nothing is fractured.

Loki is taken prisoner again by the TVA, ushered into a world that is perhaps deliberately reminiscent of some aspects of the workaday office Heaven in Powell and Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death. Suffice it to say the TVA office is more of a Purgatory or possibly even a Hell than a Heaven, though worker Mobius (Owen Wilson) takes a special interest in Loki, convinced that an alternate version of Loki has been responsible for a series of puzzling deaths of TVA agents working in a dazzling array of locations and eras. That sets up the general premise of the piece, where Loki is on a quest to find himself, in more ways than one. Without spoiling things too much (though I suspect pretty much anyone aware of this series already knows), suffice it to say that journey toward identity invovles a bit of gender bending, as personified by a character known as Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino). Later in the tale other variant versions of Loki enter the fray, including one enacted by a wonderfully buffoonish Richard E. Grant.

The actual expanding universe is apparently beset by something called entropy, which evidently may not spell a happily ever after, but in the meantime the good news is that somehow, someway the expanding MCU, or at least this particular corner of it, is alive and well and thriving, and I found the first season of Loki to be a hugely enjoyable, mad rush of visual splendor and sometimes surprisingly thought provoking writing. The finale might suggest that yet another referent might come in handy for Season 2, not Quantum Leap as creator Michael Waldron jokingly mentions in a supplement, but Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Loki: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Loki: The Complete First Season is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista and Marvel Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. While I'd certainly recommend that those with the suitable equipment opt for the 4K release of this series, this 1080 presentation benefits from what were evidently source capture resolutions of up to 6K and a 4K DI. The show's riotous production design and especially lush uses of both lighting and grading choices give every episode a really amazing look that offers secure fine detail and really nice tonal values for an amazingly diverse palette. Detail levels are beautifully consistent throughout the first season, and that extends to both practical items like props and costumes, but also commendably to virtually all of the CGI, which has an unusual crispness and overall detail level. The variety of colors in the palette is almost phantasmagorical at times, and while again I'd certainly argue that the 4K UHD's release with its HDR offers more nuance, this 1080 presentation is really an eyeful.

Loki: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Somewhat interestingly, this 1080 version offers "only" a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, while Disney's 4K UHD release sports Dolby Atmos (I'd also note in passing that despite this, at least according to my experience, the 1080 release is selling for a higher price than the 4K UHD release). The DTS- HD Master Audio 5.1 track is perfectly excellent on all counts, lest anyone be overly concerned, but this is another place where I'd recommend those with the proper equipment opt for the 4K release. This track provides near constant immersion, though, and even without some of the fun "multidimensional" effects that are heard in the Atmos version, offers really intelligent use of directionality and discrete placement of individual ambient effects. There's some fun LFE that will give your subwoofer a workout as well. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

Loki: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One

• Designing the TVA (HD; 5:43) looks at some of the production design elements that give the series such a distinctive look, with some brief interviews with Production Designer Kasra Farahani and Tom Hiddleston. Interestingly, this also promotes the second season of the series.


• The Official TVA Orientation Video (HD; 1:46) is the hilarious animated short with a midcentury design flair that greets Loki as he is taken prisoner by the Time Variance Authority.


• Gag Reel (HD; 1:20)


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 4:59)

Disc Two

• Assembled: The Making of Loki (HD; 1:03:01) is a really fun look at the series, providing a wealth of enjoyable candid footage, interesting interviews and what might be termed built in "meta" aspects (you'll understand when you watch).

Additionally, Disney is packaging this release is a really nicely designed SteelBook with some fun imagery of Loki, Sylvie and Miss Minutes. Bonus concept art cards are also included.

Loki: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hiddleston is on hand in the main making of supplement at the end of the first day of shooting expressing his amazement that he's still wearing the Loki costume ten years later. The energy and excitement of this first season of Loki may suggest he has another ten to go. While I personally recommend those with the right setups to opt for the 4K UHD release, technical merits are first rate and the supplements very enjoyable. Highly recommended.