Captain Marvel, based on the comic-book series first published in 1967, which introduces Marvel’s first female-franchise stand-alone title character, is available on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD starting today. The film, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, takes place in the 1990s and follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she eventually becomes Captain Marvel.

At the beginning, Danvers, who goes by the name Vers, has been learning to control her powers and training as a member of the Kree military team known as Starforce, under the command of Yon-Rogg (Jude Law). When a rescue mission goes awry, she finds herself back on earth, and realizes she might have been there before.

While trying to find answers to her past, as well as stop the Skrulls, the shape-shifting alien race who followed her to earth, she runs into Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). The two of them must work together to stop the alien threat and protect planet Earth.

The film’s tone is more serious than some of the recent MCU films, but it does have its comedic moments. Larson and Jackson make a great team and are a lot of fun to watch. Ben Mendelsohn as Talos also adds more great moments. I also really loved all of the 90s music and references.

You don’t have to have seen other Marvel films in the franchise, as this is stand-alone, but there are a lot of moments that are impactful and often funny, because they are references to other films.

The storyline itself is a little slow at first, but quite entertaining, though I think to those who are not at least familiar with these kinds of movies, it may drag a bit more at the beginning. Once it gets into the meat of the film, however, it flies along.

The visuals are fantastic and really add to the experience. I also was pleased with the creature design of the Skrulls.

Overall, Captain Marvel is a fine addition to the MCU franchise. If you are a fan of Marvel, you will definitely want to add it to your collection. If you are new to the game, I still suggest you take a chance, especially as it’s stand-alone.

Bonus Features:


Alternate Movie Versions:

     * Movie with Intro [2:05:28] - introduction by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden
       and Ryan Fleck

     * Movie with Commentary [2:03:42] - commentary by directors/screenwriters Anna
       Boden and Ryan Fleck


Featurettes:

     * Becoming a Super Hero [6:40] - This featurette is about the facets of Captain
       Marvel as a hero, as well as what Brie Larson brings to the role. Larson herself
       talks, as well as directors/screen writers Boden and Fleck, and Kevin Feige. Also
       discussed is Larson’s visit to the Air Force and getting to fly in a F16 jet to learn
       more of what Danvers would face. The actress also touches upon her training.

     * Big Hero Moment [3:31] - Larson talks about her character being an inspiration
       and how Danvers refuses to give up. Executive producer Jonathan Schwartz and
       Feigealso weigh in. Also mentioned is how the film sets the stage for and
       influences a lot of what happens in the other films of the MCU.

     * The Origin of Nick Fury [3:34] - The film is not only an original story for Carol
       Danvers/Captain Marvel, but also for Nick Fury, and therefore it’s also kind of an
       MCU origin story. Fury introduced a lot of the important characters. Besides
       Larson and Samuel L. Jackson himself, other actors from the MCU are shown
       talking about the character, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris
       Hemsworth.

     * The Dream Team [2:44] - Members of the cast and crew talk about working
       with Boden and Fleck. There are also some behind-the-scene clips of Larson
       “flying.”

     * The Skrulls and the Kree [3:32] - The cast and crew talk about the two
       different races and a bit about their mythology and how they were inspired
       by the comics. Ben Mendelsohn also talks about playing Talos/Keller.

     * Hiss-steroidal Cat-titude [3:23] - Done to look like an older film, the cast and
       crew talk about casting and working with the cat that plays Goose, Reggie.
       Christopher Townsend, the visual effects supervisor, also weighs in. It’s
       mostly done in a comedic way.


Deleted Scenes:

     * “Who Do You Admire Above All Others?” [1:52] - Yon-Rogg visits the
        Supreme Intelligence, who is not happy with the way things have gone.

     * Starforce Recruits [2:02] - Yon-Rogg lectures students on the dangers of
       the Skrulls and their mission to defend against them.

     * Heading to Torfa [1:19] - Vers (Danvers), Yon-Rogg, and the other
       members of Starforce talk before they leave for their mission.

     * “What, No Smile?” [1:15] - In an extended scene, when Vers meets the
       male biker, she scares him into giving her his motorcycle, jacket, and
       helmet, before she speeds off.

     * Black Box [1:00] - Director Keller tries to track Vers and Fury after
       they’ve escaped in the jet.

     * Rookie Mistake [1:19] - Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) helps Keller into
       his office.


Gag Reel [2:03] - The normal set of flubs, joking around, and of course, dancing.


Sneak Peeks [3:10] - These include a trailer for Marvel Rising as well as advertisements for mobile games, including Marvel Strike Force, Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Marvel Contest of Champions.

The disc is also front-loaded with the same previews as well as an ad for Captain America: The First Avenger in 4K at the beginning.


Digital Exclusives:

     * Journey into Visual Effects with Victoria Alonso [7:20] - Co-president of Marvel
       Studios, Louis D’Esposito, talks about bringing visual effects producer Victoria
       Alonso to meet with Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau to discuss Iron Man. She talks
       about also getting a co-producer credit and how they told her there would be
       more films. Alonso discusses visual effects on many of MCU films, from using new
       technology, to creating completely CG characters such as Rocket (Bradley
       Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel), as well as motion capturing their facial
       expressions, which they also did for Thanos (Josh Brolin). She also talks about
       trying to use practical effects when they can. Lastly, she discusses the de-aging,
       which they used much more in this film, specifically on Fury, and to a lesser
       extent, Coulson. Throughout, clips of other MCU films are shown.

     * What Makes a Memory: Inside the “Mind Frack” [4:36] - Boden and Fleck talk
       about storyboards and previs with the scene from the film when the Skrulls are
       going through Ver’s memories. Larson and fight choreographer, Walter Garcia,
       talk a bit about her training. Lastly, they talk about creating the style of the
       memories and other bits in the “mind frack.”


Packaging:
Unfortunately I was only given the Blu-ray edition to review, but it’s still a nice set. It comes in the normal blue clamshell case with the Blu-ray and DVD discs. Also included is a sheet with the free digital HD code for the film, which can be redeemed via Movies Anywhere, and information on Disney Movie Rewards points. On the flip side is an ad for Movies Anywhere. There is also a sheet with information on the Disney Movie Club, which shows Marvel films on the reverse.


Final Thoughts:
Although not my favorite of the MCU films, Captain Marvel is very enjoyable and an excellent addition to your collection. There are also many bonus features included to make the set have an even greater value.


For full specs of the film, please be sure to also check out the official press release.


Bonus Clip: We Need You

Bonus Clip: A Fresh Take

Bonus Clip: Hiss-Sterical Cat-ittude