Captain Marvel Blu-Ray Review

Marvel’s latest superhero is a ripsnorting blast of otherworldly fun. It may not have the heft of Iron Man or the profundity of Thor, but it packs plenty of punch.

Oscar-winning “Room” actress Brie Larson is a knockout as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel. The comics-accurate costume is a perfect fit for her take-no-prisoners, no-holds-barred warrior who finds herself fighting to reclaim the planet Earth from a shapeshifting alien race.

Captain Marvel’s a blast from beginning to end. Though it occasionally has to fast-track its exposition in ways that feel a bit clunky, this film takes the best ideas from early MCU origin stories and forms them into something that feels both familiar and fresh. It’s also anchored by the incongruous but undeniable charisma of Brie Larson. The Kree warrior possesses all the familiar comic-book-movie accoutrements (leaping and flying martial-arts moves, high-energy photon blasts) but she radiates an ability to connect with audiences that many MCU characters lack.

Carol’s struggle against forces that delegitimize her becomes the recurring theme of the film. But despite the odds and her personal setbacks, she continues to fight for what’s right. As a result, she’s never anything less than completely enthralling.

The movie features a slew of talented supporting players, including Lashana Lynch as the super-powered Skrull called Talos; Mohan Kapur as the villainous Yusuf Khan; and Daniel Ings as the ace pilot Ty-Rone. The movie is rounded out by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and co-stars Laura Dern, Jude Law, and Jude Law. The movie flies onto Blu-ray with an impressive 4K digital-to-digital transfer. Deeply detailed black levels work hand-in-hand with light peaks that pop with extra intensity on this disc. This enhanced detail helps to amplify the effects of all the action sequences in the movie.