This Week In Home Entertainment – “Avengers: Endgame” (Blu-Ray Review)

Watching Avengers: Endgame at Home

Avengers: Endgame is the conclusion of ten+ years of stories about some of the most iconic superheroes in the Marvel pantheon. It’s the end of an era that hints at things to come even as it brings about the inevitable changing of the guard. Its record-breaking run in theaters makes it unlikely that many comic book movie fans haven’t seen it, but I can attest this is one story that loses none of its impact, interest or ability to draw in its audience. The image is super clean on most standard HD screens and the Dolby sound quality is still superb. It’s not a spot-on theater experience but you’ll in no way be disappointed.

Bonus Content & Extras:

Marvel has a history of either loading up on extras or keeping the home entertainment experience streamline. This time around, there’s a separate disc full of featurettes and clips for fans to peruse at their leisure. After you’ve finished crying ahem re-watching the Avengers assemble be sure to turn on the audio commentary and play it back through.

• Audio Commentary: Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely discuss the franchise as a whole, Endgame‘s story, giving such a large character roster and actor performances, and interesting technical details, and more. It’s interesting and informative even if it’s not a laugh a minute.

The Blu-ray/Digital Package Content:

This time around, viewers get a nice mix of good stuff, some of which will throw put several memorable film moments into a whole new light. I still can’t decide if I wish these scenes had been in the theatrical release or not.

• Remembering Stan Lee: 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.: A look back at Downey’s work throughout the MCU.
• A Man Out of Time: Creating Captain America: A look at the “backbone” of the MCU, Steve Rogers. The piece looks back at the character’s films 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: 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: This supplement offers a brief look at the directors’ work in several of the franchise’s best films.
• The Women of the MCU: A quick in-praise piece of the females who appear in the Marvel universe.
• Bro Thor: A too-quick look at the Asgardian’s arc through the series.

Deleted Scenes: 

• • “Goji Berries” – A glimpse of Tony and Petter (and their alpaca) goofing around preparing dinner at home.
  • “Bombs on Board”- Steve and Rhodes discuss why Steve crashed the Valkyrie into the ocean.
  • “Suckiest Army in the Galaxy”- Rocket Raccoon, mocking the Avengers for their strategy for dealing with the Chitauri mothership.
  • “You Used to Frickin’ Live Here”- Rocket and Thor on Asgard in the past.
  • “Tony and Howard” – An extended scene between Tony Stark and his father Howard Stark in the past. Howard offers him a job but Tony is “a little tied up in Futures, right now.”
  • “Avengers Take a Knee” – An alt send-off scene in which Pepper grieves over Tony while the gathered Avengers take a knee, led by Hawkeye. It’s a good thing they deleted this one because, while it’s touching, it’s a little goofy in execution.

Digital Exclusives:

• Steve and Peggy: One Last Dance (6 minutes) – Explore Captain America and Peggy Carter’s bond, forged in moments from previous films that lead to a momentous choice in Avengers: Endgame. It’s a great chance to look back on the on-again/off-again relationship between Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, from the moment they met to the moment they shared their first dance.

Be sure to bring home Avengers: Endgame for your collection, whatever it takes. Available as of August 13, 2019