Avengers: Endgame

You can read our full thoughts on Avengers: Endgame in our review of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray HERE.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Marvel Studios bring Avengers: Endgame to Blu-ray as a two-disc pack with a flyer code for a Digital Copy. The Region Free, BD50 disc sits opposite another BD25 disc inside a blue, eco-cutout case with an embossed, glossy slipcover. After a couple skippable promos, the screen changes to the usual menu with options along the bottom of the screen, full-motion clips and music playing in the background.

The final chapter in the MCU's Infinity Saga snaps into Blu-ray existence with a marvelously awesome, reference-quality 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that'll have viewers wowing and oohing in almost every scene. Right from the opening moments, the freshly-minted transfer shows clean, distinct lines in the Barton household and in the New Avengers Facility, and we can plainly make out every cable, wire, smudge and flaw in the background while aboard the Benatar with Tony Stark and Nebula. Every blade of grass and leaf atop a tree is clear and unmistakable while the stitching and threading of each costume is razor-sharp, and facial complexions are highly revealing, exposing every pore, wrinkle and negligible blemish. Even the CG visuals maintain extraordinary clarity whether we're looking at the stunningly lifelike features of Professor Hulk or during the climactic all-out brawl. 

Presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the HD presentation also comes with spot-on contrast, displaying pitch-perfect whites throughout and allowing for extraordinary visibility into the distance of the extreme wide shots. Many of those aforementioned shots also show intensely striking and brilliantly crisp highlights, such as in the edge of the clouds, the dazzling red glow from Thanos's Sanctuary II warship, the fiery explosions or every time Captain Marvel radiates into action. Likewise, black levels are gorgeously rich and luxuriously inky, bathing each scene with remarkable gradational differences and detailing within the darkest shadows. Meanwhile, primaries are sumptuous and dynamic, but even more attractive is the vividly spirited array of secondary hues, from the flamboyant purples and pinks to the lively oranges and energetic yellows showering the action and drama with an animated comic-book appeal. (Video Rating: 96/100)

Joining the fight is an equally awesome DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack that's sure to marvel and delight listeners while giving one's system a welcomed workout. Again, from the opening moments, the design sets out to immediately immerse viewers with the sounds of rustling leaves and the wind blowing through trees filling the room. A little later with Thanos at his idyllic cabin, the sides and rears come alive with the local wildlife fluttering and chirping all around. Other subtle atmospherics continuously envelopment the listening area with the distant noise of a busy military base, the echoes inside space ships and the psychedelic noise when traveling through the quantum realm. Naturally, action sequences erupt with debris scattering everywhere, heroes and monsters flying in every direction and the grunting yells of everyone surround the listener, generating a fantastically satisfying 360° soundfield.

All the while, the lossless mix delivers a phenomenal soundstage with tons of background activity convincingly spread out and fluidly moving into the off-screen space, creating a highly-engaging wall of sound with superb, crystal-clear clarity. With outstanding directionality and placement, imaging feels spacious and expansive while maintaining outstanding accuracy and separation within the upper ranges during the loudest, ear-piercing segment. The only area of complaint is having to raise the volume a few decibels in order to better appreciate this, which in my system is -5 from reference. Still, Alan Silvestri's score also exhibits a great deal of warmth and exceptional distinction within the orchestration while the dialogue and character interactions remain precise and intelligible amid the chaotic mayhem. And topping things off is a powerfully robust low-end that provides each explosion, gunfire and time jump with a wall-rattling impact and palpable presence. (Audio Rating: 96/100)

Blu-ray Disc One

• Audio Commentary: Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely join the Russo brothers for an informative and enlightening conversation on the production and the franchise.
• Intro (HD, 3 min): Directors Anthony and Joe Russo share their thoughts on the series.

Blu-ray Disc Two

• A Man Out of Time (HD, 12 min): Looking at Captain America and Chris Evans' performance.
• Remembering Stan Lee (HD, 7 min): Touching tribute to the legendary comic-book icon.
• Black Widow (HD, 7 min): The character's role and Scarlett Johansson's performance.
• Setting the Tone (HD, 5 min): Spotlighting the role of Robert Downey, Jr.
• The Russo Brothers (HD, 5 min): The duo's contribution to the series leading to this movie.
• The Women of the MCU (HD, 5 min): Praise for the characters of the Infinity Saga.
• Bro Thor (HD, 4 min): Brief piece on the character's story arc.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 5 min):
• Goji Berries
• Bombs on Board
• Suckiest Arm in the Galaxy
• You Used to Frickin' Live Here
• Tony and Howard
• Avengers Take a Knee
• Gag Reel (HD, 2 min)

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo accomplished the impossible in Avengers: Endgame, assembling the largest ensemble cast of characters ever seen in a single movie while amazingly delivering a coherent, terrifically engaging and fantastically satisfying plot. Uniting several stories threads from various other movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe into one gargantuan yarn, the final chapter to the Infinity Saga feels like a genuine, well-deserved conclusion to an epic fantasy adventure and to a host of characters audiences have come to admire, grow up with and see evolve over the last decade. 

The epic saga comes to a close on Blu-ray with a stunningly gorgeous video presentation with several HD demo-worthy moments, and it's accompanied by an awesome reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack. Considering the size and scope of this history-making production, the bonus features are disappointingly small, if not also somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, the overall package is highly recommended for the completist and makes for an awesome addition to any collector's film library.