Avengers: Endgame 4K Ultra HD

"Avengers: Endgame" is the final chapter of the 22-movie Marvel Cinematic Universe series, which has spanned 11 years. The Avengers take one final stand against Thanos after the devastating events of "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018). The universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely; a visionary intro by the Russos; seven featurettes: "Remembering Stan Lee" (HD 07:15), "Setting The Tone: Casting Robert Downey Jr." (HD 05:25), "A Man Out Of Time: Creating Captain America" (HD 12:18), "Black Widow: Whatever It Takes" (HD 07:25), "The Russo Brothers: Journey To Endgame" (HD 05:01), "The Women Of The MCU" (HD 04:52) and "Bro Thor" (HD 03:42); six deleted scenes (HD 04:51); a gag reel (HD 01:58); upfront previews (Blu-ray) and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa 65 IMAX camera system in Ultra Panavision 70 Anamorphic, and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. Marvel and Disney have released a 3D Blu-ray Disc with stereo conversion by Stereo D, DNEG and Legend 3D but not in the United States. The 3D conversion was performed by Stereo D and DNEG Stereo. The movie was photographed reportedly at 6.5K. Other than the real characters, there is extensive motion capture and CGI, which is remarkably well integrated. Picture quality is excellent, with fine detail particularly evident in textural objects. The Wide Color Gamut (WCG) delivers a natural color palette with striking hue saturation and depth, from the perspective of earthy terrain, battlefields, space, and colorful costumes. Fleshtones are naturally hued as are those of computer-generated faces and bodies. HDR contrast extends blacks deeply and solidly and white brightness as well, with revealing shadow delineation throughout. Resolution is superb throughout. Fine detail is exhibited not only in object textures, but also in costumes and fabric texture and wear, facial features, including skin pores, hair, beards and complexions, and environmental settings. Such sharpness enhances the more distant backdrops past the near-field focus and enhances the overall appreciation of image dimensionality. WOW! scenes are numerous and include, beginning with the opening scene from 07:30 to 08:05, 15:00 to 16:19, 49:05 to 49:50, 01:12:00 to 01:14:00, 01:26:32 to 01:28:24, 02:11:57 to 02:13:08, 02:16:36 to 02:19:26 and 02:26: 06 to 02:28:58.

This is a really satisfying "Avengers" movie that delivers high appreciation for its visual presentation elements. It is sure to thrill fans of the franchise. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1- and DTS-HD Master Audio™ (Blu-ray) 7.1-channel soundtracks as ear-level presentations are essentially the same. Dynamics are excellent throughout with powerful deep bass extension delivered as well. Bass extension in the .1 LFE channel frequently extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies during the various battles and other instances of support for sound effects. Surround energy is robust and prominent, whether extensions of atmospheric and ambient environment elements or of the intense battle scenes that employ sound effects that are often directionalized. Dialogue throughout is intelligible, though, at times is wanting in spatial integration, as it is ADR prominent.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of the subtle extension of the orchestral score to the height layer, metalitic sounds of spacecraft landing, human fly-in swish sounds, a voice yelling "help!", a brief explosion, metallic caving sounds, missile firings, a female voice, "Is anyone else seeing this?," and other very brief sound effects. This is a weak and very disappointing Immersive Sound element, which manages to completely ignore giving a spatial dimensional presence to the incredible CGI special effects.

This is a terrific and engaging holosonic® soundtrack, which while lacking an exciting height layer, will thrill "Avenger" fans while providing home theatre enthusiasts a showcase of sound dynamics. (Gary Reber)