Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265 (45.35 Mbps) Resolution: Upscaled 4K (2160p)
HDR: HDR10 Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: Dolby Atmos English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) English: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 French: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
English: Dolby Atmos English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) English: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 French: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (less)
Audio descriptive
Subtitles
English, English SDH, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin (Traditional)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Blu-ray delivers truly amazing video and audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter's parentage is revealed.
For more about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K and the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Blu-ray release, see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Blu-ray Review published by Martin Liebman on August 15, 2017 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.5 out of 5.
There's no mistaking that the Guardians of the Galaxy films have focused on the family, not necessarily blood relations -- even if one
particular
character's blood relations have drawn the most curiosity from fans since the first released -- but rather the bond between friends, that familial, tightly knit
tie that's stronger than the weapons each guardian wields in their various misadventures in saving the galaxy, all set to a killer soundtrack. Vol.
2 only expands on that sense of connection as it reveals the series' biggest secret to date -- the identity of Peter Quill's father -- that in turn only
prompts more questions and, unsurprisingly, a whole lot of wickedly fun action and more great tunes. Though this film isn't quite as narratively
fantastic as the original, it's
still a joyride of epic proportions, a smart, snazzy, and downright funny film that maintains that perfect elemental balance and delivers what is
arguably the most purely enjoyable spectacle film 2017.
The Guardians -- Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and Groot (voiced by
Vin Diesel) -- have been hired by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), leader of the Sovereign People, to protect their immensely powerful and infinitely
valuable batteries. The Guardians' prize is not wealth but rather Nebula (Karen Gillan), Gamora's sister and a rogue who was captured attempting
to steal
the batteries. The Guardians are successful in their mission, but sly Rocket pockets some of the batteries for himself. That results in the Sovereign
fleet chasing them down and, despite the Guardians' best efforts (and too much testosterone-fueled piloting one-upmanship between Peter and
Rocket), forcing them down on Planet Berhert. As Yondu (Michael Rooker) tracks the Guardians under Ayesha's orders, the Guardians meet Ego
(Kurt Russell), a man who holds the answer to one of the great secrets of the universe.
Guardians Vol. 2 not only continues the story as it began in the first, it maintains the same boisterous spirit, arguably more critical to the
film's success than even any narrative connections or dramatic developments. Few films are so dependent on identity as these, and Director James
Gunn, who also helmed the original, never allows the movie to miss a beat, whether in its most insanely over-the-top action scenes, its comical
overtones, or its most intimate character moments, all of which often intertwine into the same sequences. Though it may be overlong by a few
minutes, it captures that same beat that's partly its heartbeat soundtrack and partly its lifeblood rhythm which comes from the uncannily strong
connection shared amongst the cast and the characters they portray that plays right into the franchise's core strength of family. Even as secrets
are
revealed, new characters are introduced, as humor abounds, as explosions dot the movie's landscape, as character quirks and quips flow like
running
water, Gunn and company maintain a harmonious, connective balance that through all the bickering, mayhem, reveals, tunes, and trials keeps the
movie feeling fresh, invigorating, and always in-tune with its strengths, what its fans want, what its characters and universe need. Few films and
franchises come as harmoniously precise as this.
The movie's character-driven heart and its perfectly tuned complimentary soundtrack -- so finely integrated into the movie it's almost a surprise
that Cameron Crowe's name isn't in the credits somewhere -- are matched by a barrage of awe-inspiring visuals effects, a seamless blast of
intergalactic goodness where every zippy spaceship, weird alien landscape, and fantastic creature isn't just plopped in digitally, they all appear
organically integrated one with the other. The film outdoes even its predecessor in terms of scope and digital perfection. There are moments when
the artificiality of it all is perceptible, but not particularly bothersome. Given the diversity of the cast and all of the abundant colors and the many
supporting practical elements, the viewer never feels overwhelmed even as the movie throws so much stuff onto the screen, even
through the most fearsome, chaotic action scenes. Gunn makes sure every shot has a focus, serves a purpose, and that even when visual effects
are center screen, they're not center emotionally. Truly, all of the complimentary digital bits -- even fully digital characters -- melt into the greater
whole as the humor takes hold, the soundtrack takes shape, and the story comes into focus. As with everything else, even when it would seem
there's some element that would overwhelm a lesser film, Guardians Vol. 2 manages to maintain harmony from start to finish. It's an
incredible technical achievement but even more an incredible thematic achievement, too.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
The printed press release packed in with the screener copy of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 states that the digital version
features
HDR-10 or
Dolby Vision; there's no indication that Dolby Vision is included on this disc but it at least leaves the door open for the possibility of future physical
copy
content from Disney with the new color enhancement format.
Regardless, the standard 4K/HDR UHD, presented at 2160p
and likely upscaled from its reported 2K digital intermediate (albeit from an 8K source and, per
IMDB, Dolby Vision), marks a quality debut to the format for Disney. The boost in color is the most immediately notable quality over the standard Blu-ray. Color depth shows marked improvement. Yondu's blue skin may be
the
most immediately obvious beneficiary, but the film's broad-spectrum color palette, which includes an insanely diverse collection of both skin tones
and
outer space elements (various stars, starship engines, laser blasts, explosions, and so on) produce impressive vibrancy and accuracy even over the
first-rate
Blu-ray presentation. The image appears a notch darker, but that doesn't interfere with the sheer quality of the precisely nuanced palette. Details are
firmer as well, though only by degrees, not leaps. The UHD reveals more tangible skin textures, particularly on Drax, while also revealing improved
clothing lines and fabric textures. Surfaces areas, which are very diverse and range from ultra-clean and smooth to well worn and dirty, are all
showcases for the heightened complexity. Back levels remain perfectly deep here, an area where other UHD discs tend to struggle. The boost in
clarity
does render the movie a bit more artificial-looking over the Blu-ray, a bit more naturally smooth and plastic-like in places, but once the eyes become
accustomed to the presentation it becomes quite easy to appreciate the improvements. Disney has certainly come out of the gate strong.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's Dolby Atmos soundtrack marks a nice little improvement over the Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless
soundtrack. This presentation plays with a noticeably fuller and more robust stance. Added overhead presence is rarely, if ever, significant, but what is
significant is the sense of complimentary space. As Rocket and Yondu stage an escape halfway through the film, both music and intercom chatter,
never mind the franchise's famous zippy whistling effect, find an added sense of stage presence and immersion with engaged top end detail. Action
scenes, particularly various and intense space battles, offer a more conclusive sound field where the top layer again draws the listener in with increased
detail, depth of field, and total immersion. The track maintains the core excellence of the DTS presentation in all other ways, which includes flawless
transitional
and location-specific sounds (one of the best comes during a pitch battle at film's climax in which Peter moves about the stage asking his various
allies if they have any tape on them). Whether full-bodied music, faultless low end depth, or precise action effects, every square inch around the stage
is saturated as
needed, and the expectedly precise dialogue makes this is a top-of-the-line reference Atmos track.
The UHD disc proper contains no supplements. A fun little bonus poster is included under the shrink-wrap. All extras as reviewed below may be
found
on the included 1080p Blu-ray disc. A Disney digital copy code is included with purchase.
Visionary Intro (1080p, 1:39): Director James Gunn briefly discusses the film's story and evolution for the franchise.
Bonus Round: The Making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (1080p): A four-part feature.
In the Director's Chair with James Gunn (8:36): A look at the first film's success, ideas and visions for the second film, Gunn's
dedication and abilities, love for his cast, the cast's love for him, and more. A basic pat-on-the-back piece.
Reunion Tour: The Music of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (7:37): A discussion of the important part music plays in the series.
Living Planets and Talking Trees: The Visual Effects of Vol. 2 (10:44): As the title suggests, a closer look at the film's dazzling
special effects.
Showtime: The Cast of Vol. 2 (10:41): A quick run-through of the cast and what makes them a perfect fit for the film and a
family on- and off-screen. Another three-cheers-for-everyone! piece.
Music Video (1080i, 3:35): Guardians Inferno by The Sneepers Ft. David Hasselhoff. The video is made to reflect a 70s-style
presentation, including scan lines and a ~4x3 aspect ratio.
Gag Reel (1080p, 3:41).
Deleted Scenes (1080p, 5:04): Adolescent Groot Extended, Memorial to the War on Xandar, Kraglin and Quill Talk
Tunes, and Mantis and Drax Feel the Sadness Extended.
Audio Commentary: Director James Gunn delivers an insightfully complimentary track that covers the movie in great detail, covering
both
everything that's seen on the screen and the complex process that was necessary to bring it all together.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may be a smidgen less of a film than its predecessor, but it's still a blast of a movie, telling a quality story
supported by
seamless visuals, a stellar soundtrack, perfect humor, and more goodness from its terrific ensemble cast. It's the quintessential spectacle film, a near
flawless sequel, and promises more epic goodness whenever the Guardians again return to the screen. Disney's debut UHD is terrific. High quality
4K/HDR video, a reference Atmos soundtrack, and a fair assortment of extras make this one of the year's top releases. Very highly recommended.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Other Editions
4K + 3D SteelBook
3-disc set
Best Buy
4K
2-disc set
Target
3D
2-disc set
Blu-ray
3-disc set
Wal-Mart
Blu-ray
2-disc set
Wal-Mart
Blu-ray
2-disc set
Wal-Mart
Blu-ray
2-disc set
Target
SteelBook
2-disc set
Best Buy
Blu-ray
2-disc set $19.32
Blu-ray Bundles/Box Sets with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K (1 bundle)
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