[Blu-Ray Review] ‘Captain America: Civil War’: Now Available On Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D & DVD From Disney & Marvel

Captain America: Civil War (2D) [Blu-Ray]

Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson

Release Date: September 13, 2016

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Film Rating: 9.5/10
Disc Rating: 8.5/10

Synopsis:

The most explosive clash to ever rock the Marvel Cinematic Universe ignites a firestorm of conflict in the game-changing epic, Captain America: Civil War. In the wake of collateral damage, government pressure to rein in the Avengers drives a deep wedge between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), causing a catastrophic rift that escalates into an all-out feud. Against a backdrop of divided loyalties, their fellow Avengers must deal with the fallout. Pick a side in this spectacular adventure, packed with mind-blowing action, suspense and exclusive bonus content!

With an already increasing number of civilian casualties and foundations destroyed as a result of the ever increasing superhero population and the subsequent villains who challenge them, when an explosive confrontation between Captain America (Evans) and the deadly Crossbones (Grillo) results in devastating destruction claiming numerous more innocent lives, the governments of the world finally reach their limit and propose what they feel is a viable solution, an agreement dubbed The Sokovia Accords which will restrict the actions of the Avengers and other similar superheroes. Yet the drastically opposite opinions of Cap and Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) regarding the accords quickly results in a split between the world’s heroic forces. With neither side willing to relent and thoroughly convinced they are in the right, the Avengers and those heroes closest to them soon find themselves divided into two warring sides led by Iron Man (aka Tony Stark) and Captain America (aka Steve Rogers) as events continue to reach critical new levels building to an imminent battle of heroes versus heroes that will change them all forever.

Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) from a script penned by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World), the Russo brothers once again do an outstanding job at the helm of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ delivering another exceptional superhero film that is every bit as fantastic as their phenomenal ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ which marked their first Marvel film in the director’s chair(s). As always, the film also owes a large share of credit to the talented individuals who comprise the cast and continue to keep us loving (most of) these characters including Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, and Paul Rudd, along with newcomers Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland, in addition to a number more, nearly all of whom deliver solid and perfectly fitting performances in each of their respective roles.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ delivers all of the action, excitement and overall fun we’ve come to expect from the Marvel films of late, while also taking things in a drastically different direction that results in an added layer of tension that really balances the film to a perfect blend of action packed insanity and outright fun. Director’s Anthony and Joe Russo continue to prove their competence at the helm of this franchise, in addition to offering a glimpse at their obvious capability to handle a wider scope of characters and should therefore have no trouble guiding the next Avengers film along without qualm. Most of the fan favorites are back and as fantastic as ever, and the new additions to the roster are equally outstanding; the film offering introductions to Black Panther and (the latest) Spider-man who are portrayed by Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland respectively and both deliver everything I had hoped for in two Marvel Characters I’m personally quite fond of. Anyone who enjoyed the previous Captain America films or any of the Iron Man, Avengers or other more popular Marvel Cinematic Universe films definitely won’t want to miss out on ‘Captain America: Civil War’ which is easily up there with the best entries in the Universe thus far.

Overall, ‘Captain America: Civil War’ is another phenomenal entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and easily up there with the finest it’s brought to the big screen so far, brimming with action packed excitement and some game changing events fans won’t dare miss out on. The Russo brothers once again prove their capable hands guiding the franchise and the talented cast including Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and many more are all in top form. I would highly recommend any fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ to make sure and check it out as soon as you have the opportunity to do so.

VIDEO:

The Blu-ray release of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ features a full 1080p High Definition presentation utilizing the film’s original 2.39:1 Cinemascope Aspect Ratio. The video presentation looks outstanding as a whole and provides a consistently sharp, detailed and nearly flawless presentation throughout. It holds up impressively even during the numerous fast paced and/or darkly lit sequences within and never falters for a moment or allows anything occurring on screen to ever become negatively affected in any way, let alone rendered indiscernible. Overall, this is a phenomenal high definition video presentation that should easily thrill the fans and casual viewers alike.

AUDIO:

The Blu-ray release features a lossless 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This lossless multichannel soundtrack delivers a crisp, clean and wildly aggressive audio presentation from start to finish. Utilizing all seven available channels more commonly than not in order to send a barrage of debris and other action related auditory effects along with plenty more constantly whipping throughout the various speakers, while never causing any dialogue which may be occurring simultaneously to become distorted or rendered inaudible. Overall, this is an exceptional 7.1 channel DTS-HD MA soundtrack that shouldn’t disappoint in the slightest.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The Blu-ray release of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ includes some notable extras. Included on the release is an ‘Audio Commentary with Directors Anthony & Joe Russo, and Writers Christopher Markus & Stephen Mcfeely’. We are also treated to some ‘Deleted and Extended Scenes’ from the film (running approximately 8 minutes in length altogether), in addition to a ‘Gag Reel’ (running approximately 3 minutes), and a few behind the scenes Featurettes that include interviews/comments with the cast and crew, behind the scenes footage and more. The included Featurettes are: ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall – The Making of Captain America: Civil War’ parts 1 & 2 (running approximately 46 minutes in length total), ‘Captain America: The Road to Civil War’ (approximately 4 minutes), ‘Iron Man: The Road to Civil War’ (4 minutes), and ‘Open Your Mind: Marvel’s Doctor Strange – Exclusive Sneak Peek’ (4 minutes).