This is a Blu-ray set that’s really review proof. We’ve all bought this film and there’s really not much I can say that will convince you to buy it or to not buy it.
On Blu-ray the film looks as good or better than it did on the big screen. Seriously, it was so sharp that the green screen shots were popping out at me much worse than on film or blown up digitally. I just bought a new TV, too, so maybe that had something to do with it.
As for bonus features on the version I got, we had deleted scenes and a gag reel, both excellent. I love watching deleted scenes. It makes me respect the filmmakers even more. The scenes would not have worked to make a better movie in any way, but they were good. Seeing them sacrifice good scenes and whole subplots for the good of the movie is the mark of a great film editor. The Agent Hill subplot might have been interesting, but starting the movie in a wraparound sequence of her interrogation by the shadow council would have been absolute clown shoes.
And I loved all the stuff of Steve Rogers adapting to his time, but it simply didn’t fit with the pacing. We should be getting plenty of that in The Winter Soldier.
The gag reel was a bit of nonsensical fun. The commentary was fantastic…
The biggest feature, perhaps, is the Marvel short film Item 47. It looks at a couple who finds some discarded Chitauri weaponry and start robbing banks with it. It’s fun, has high production value, and is a great side-story in the Marvel Universe. I hope they keep up making the shorts for the DVDs, it’s nice to get extra movie-like content in the universe that doesn’t have to get stuck inside the movie. My biggest complaint is that it didn’t involve any actual Marvel characters. I’d love to see these shorts as a way to showcase the heroes who don’t have movies yet.
But too bad if you have just a DVD player. Pretty much all of the special features are Blu-ray only, which sucks for those who haven’t made the leap. Maybe it’s smart on the part of the technology companies that want us all to have the latest and greatest technology, but it sucks when you buy a film that has a Blu-ray and DVD version and your DVD is next to worthless.
There is one thing to consider, however, if you haven’t already bought this version of the Avengers, it might be worth it to get the Avengers Phase One Ultimate Box Set. It’s pre-ordering for around $140 at the moment and contains all the Marvel films leading up to and including the Avengers and comes with bonus material for each film.
That set comes out in the spring of 2013.
It really doesn’t matter, though. My guess is you’ve all already watched your copy about a hundred times. I know I’ve watched the film at least three times since I’ve had it. It stands up. There’s nothing bad about this movie.