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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Captain America: Civil War (4K Blu-ray) (2016)

Captain America: Civil War (4K Blu-ray) (2016)

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Released 17-Apr-2019
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Details At A Glance

General		Extras
Category	Action Adventure	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2016
Running Time	147:41
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Language Select Then Menu	Cast & Crew
Region Coding	1,2,3,4,5,6	Directed By	Anthony Russo Joe Russo
Studio Distributor	Marvel Walt Disney Studios Home Ent.	Starring	Chris Evans Robert Downey Jr. Scarlett Johansson Sebastian Stan Anthony Mackie Don Cheadle Jeremy Renner Chadwick Boseman Paul Bettany Elizabeth Olsen Paul Rudd Tom Holland Daniel Brühl
Case	Standard Blu-ray	Starring
RPI	$24.95	Music	Henry Jackman

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Atmos English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 (320Kb/s) French Dolby Digital 5.1 (640Kb/s) French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Spanish Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 German Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Italian Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Japanese Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.40:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	2160p
Original Aspect Ratio	2.40:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No	Miscellaneous
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired French French German Italian Japanese Norwegian Swedish	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	Yes, Mid and post credits scenes

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Plot Synopsis

    The status quo of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was blown to smithereens in 2014 by Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a sizzling espionage thriller which reinvented its titular superhero and took the MCU to a deeper, darker place. Thankfully, this thematic density and harder edge is preserved for 2016's Captain America: Civil War, which also sees the return of directorial duo Anthony and Joe Russo. As to be expected from a superhero blockbuster, it marches across the globe to provide expanse, but the stakes are entirely personal this time around, which is a refreshing change in such a crowded subgenre. In addition, Civil War is a more fitting thematic follow-up to 2012's The Avengers than its own underwhelming sequel, as this is as strongly a movie about a team falling apart as the first Avengers was about a team coming together. While it's removed from the playful jubilance of prior Marvel entries, Civil War still delivers bruising action set-pieces as it works through an intricate narrative, and the Russo Brothers confidently maintain control of the picture from start to finish.

    When a skirmish in Lagos against bioterrorists ends in innocent deaths, the Avengers suddenly find themselves under increased scrutiny by the United Nations. Enter U.S. Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt), who proposes a legal document known as the Sokovia Accords, which would require the Avengers to seek approval from a designated U.N. panel before engaging in battles that could jeopardise innocent lives. Billionaire industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself in favour of the legislation due to the guilt he feels over both creating Ultron and devastating Sokovia, while Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) resolutely opposes it, believing that bureaucratic control will hinder their duties and ultimately cost more lives in the long run. As a result, the Avengers are split right down the middle. In the midst of this, Rogers realises that his old friend Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is being used as a patsy for global unrest, held responsible for the death of Wakandan King T'Chaka (John Kani). Convinced that Bucky is innocent and something more sinister is afoot, Rogers goes rogue to hunt for the real culprit, while the manipulative, vengeance-hungry Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) methodically lurks in the wings.

    Once again written by the pair of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (who scripted both Captain America: The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier), Civil War is based on the seven-issue limited series of the same name by Mark Millar, and in many ways it represents the next logical step in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. The cost of collateral damage is not normally addressed in superhero stories, and it's fertile ground for exploration, presenting a different perspective to previous battles. Of course, it ostensibly seems as if Russo Brothers chose to deliver The Avengers 2.5 at the expense of a more focused Captain America story, but we actually get both. Civil War is a Captain America story first and foremost, as it delves further into his troubled character and largely concentrates on Rogers, but because Cap resides at Avengers headquarters and his social circle is almost exclusively compromised of the other superheroes, the movie can't help but feel like an Avengers sequel. It's also a creative way to eliminate the question of "Where are the other Avengers?" which lingers throughout other solo adventures like Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World. (However, the glaring absence of Chris Hemsworth as Thor is baffling, though the Hulk's absence is understandable given the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron.)

    Prior to directing The Winter Soldier, the Russo Brothers had predominantly dabbled in comedy and television, but now they've become the go-to guys for superhero extravaganzas. Civil War is a full meal, spending nearly 150 minutes working through its complex themes and narrative machinations, but it never feels strained or messy. Furthermore, just as The Winter Soldier was a more serious affair, Civil War likewise dials back the humour, a wise move after the forced, inorganic comedy which plagued Avengers: Age of Ultron. Nevertheless, laughs do permeate the movie, adding plenty of unforced levity, avoiding the dismal gloominess of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. As to be expected, fight choreography remains top-notch - the close combat throwdowns are tight and brutal, and the characters bleed and bruise. The well-publicised battle royal at the airport, meanwhile, is a standout in the grand scheme of the MCU. Much has been said about the airport showdown, and you can believe the hype - it is thoroughly awesome in every sense of the word, observing the skilled and ornate heroes unloading on each other with their unique gifts. Furthermore, thanks to smooth cinematography and astute editing, it's always easy to follow and enjoy all of the action scenes, which are coherent and thrilling. Plus, digital effects are consistently convincing, as to be expected from a movie with this price-tag. From a visual standpoint, it's hard to fault Civil War.

    Commendably, after the standout airport skirmish, the Russos dial things back a touch for the climax, which is more intimate and understated, and more rewarding as a result. It's explosive and gripping, to be sure, but it's a far cry from the scope of something like the New York City showdown in The Avengers. Incredibly, once the driving force behind the superhero civil war is identified and the motivation for the action scenes has ceased, the fighting continues because the dark secrets, deep-seated character flaws and furious emotional pain involved in this story have transcended the plot mechanics which brought them to the surface in the first place. While it's a given that more cynical, smug viewers will downplay the tremendous achievements of Civil War since it's "just another Marvel/Disney movie," the picture works as well as it does largely because Marvel has spent so many movies introducing these characters and establishing the world for this narrative to inhabit. To be sure, the screenplay isn't airtight; the villain's plan does rely on accurately predicting the behaviours of the Avengers and government with little margin for error, which is certainly ridiculous in hindsight. But then again, this is the fantastical MCU, and this nit-pick may be fixed with a retcon in a future movie.

    Despite being Captain America 3, this particular Marvel adventure also introduces Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), and both are permitted more than just a cameo. Miraculously, the script manages to handle both subplots without detracting from the central narrative, in the process negating the necessity for either hero to be subjected to a generic origins movie. (Seriously, the story you would expect to see in an introductory Black Panther movie is told in the background here.) This is the third cinematic Peter Parker in just fifteen years - after the dismal failure of the Amazing Spider-Man reboot series, Sony agreed to a rights-sharing situation to allow Spider-Man to join the MCU. Holland instantly makes an enormously positive impression in the role, right down to an authentic-sounding Queens accent, making the character feel truly alive for the first time in years. It also helps that this is the first Peter Parker to actually look like a teenager.

    Speaking of the heroes, a huge cast comes out to play in this instalment. Remarkably, just about everyone gets a chance to shine here, though Rogers does undeniably remain the protagonist. Evans carries a lot on his shoulders, but manages to pull it off with ease and make us still care about him. Moreover, you can understand his perspective, as well as his frustration with the bureaucrats. Rogers and Stark have always had a humorously antagonistic relationship, as Cap's patriotism and purity clashed with Iron Man's conceited vulgarity, but it's something else to see the two truly at odds with one another. Downey Jr. is oddly serious and sombre in the role this time around, due to his change in character, which may require a period of adjustment. Still, the much-loved Marvel luminary has a real talent for witty one-liners, of which he delivers a fair few, and he handles the dramatic material without missing a beat. As Bucky, Stan is given a beefier role than ever, and he's one of the movie's secret weapons. Meanwhile, the other members of the Avengers - Scarlet Johansson, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany and Jeremy Renner - hit their marks as expected, and it's a treat to see Paul Rudd return to the fray again so soon as the wise-cracking Scott Lang/Ant-Man. Elsewhere in the cast, this is the first time that Hurt has appeared in the MCU since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and it's a nice touch to bring him back. Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, Sherlock) even shows up in a minor role.

    It's often said that Marvel has little in the way of memorable villains, but that changes with Brühl as Helmut Zemo. He isn't a flashy bad guy by any means, but he's possibly the best antagonist in the MCU to date directly because of how low-key he is. His motivations are wholly understandable, and he manages to do a lot of damage without the need for super powers. Brühl is quietly chilling in the role, but he's also not out-and-out evil.

    All things considered, Captain America: Civil War is the best Marvel production in some time, making up for the studio's weak 2015 output. Even though it covers a daunting amount which causes it to feel a bit leaden at times, it nevertheless doesn't feel too overstuffed. Under the careful eye of the Russo Brothers, Civil War is thrilling and consistently engaging, belying its origins as a comic book superhero film. And when the dust settles, what really sticks around and satisfies is the emotion-driven character work that the action scenes ultimately exist to facilitate and underline. Plus, even though this is a gloomy tale, it ends on a note of optimism which will ultimately lead into the next Avengers. It’s also encouraging that Marvel has finally nailed a trilogy. As usual, be sure to stay tuned for both a mid-credits and a post-credits scene.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    Arriving nearly three years after its theatrical release, Captain America: Civil War finally comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray courtesy of Walt Disney Home Entertainment (the first two Captain America films were also released on 4K Blu-ray on the same day). I mentioned several times in my review of the standard 1080p Blu-ray that a 4K upgrade would be welcome, and it's encouraging that Disney has now issued the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe on the format (just in time for the launch of its streaming service). Presented in 2160p, this HEVC/H.265-encoded transfer retains the movie's original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 (no expansion of the frame for the IMAX sequence), and is placed on a dual-layered BD-66, resulting in an average video bitrate just below 42 Mbps. Given that this is a 2.5-hour movie, a BD-100 with a higher bitrate would've been preferable, but that's neither here nor there. According to IMDb, the movie was filmed with Arri Alexa and Red Epic Dragon cameras at resolutions ranging from 2.8K to 6.5K, and was only completed with a 2K digital intermediate; presumably, this UHD transfer represents an upscale of the 2K source. But don't let the "upscale" word scare you - this 4K Blu-ray looks very, very good.

    I've become accustomed to watching Captain America: Civil War on regular old Blu-ray, and therefore, the improvements afforded by this UHD transfer were apparent from the beginning. And holy crap, it looks gorgeous, leaving very little to be desired. The 1080p Blu-ray still holds up in terms of fine detail, but this 2160p transfer is appreciably tighter, with firmer textures on faces and costumes (especially during wider shots, which show incredible improvement), as well as superior specular detail. Even in fast-moving wide shots, the level of texturing scarcely falters, kicking the ever-loving crap out of the Blu-ray in this respect. As per standard operating procedure, several scenes look like they've been hit with digital noise reduction, as there is a bit of smoothness that's more apparent in some scenes than others. See the scene with the de-aged Downey right after the opening Lagos sequence, while the following scene between Downey and Alfre Woodard looks a bit on the smooth side. A close-up of Evans at 19:22 is exceedingly smooth, while also looking digitally sharpened as well. Likewise for the scene with William Hurt at the 22-minute mark. This continues on and off, varying in terms of severity. However, some mild source noise does remain, which is more noticeable in some scenes than others, and I'm glad said noise wasn't completely scrubbed. It's worth pointing out that certain moments look just as smooth and smeary on the Blu-ray, and I can therefore safely surmise that these shortcomings are traceable to the original post-production process, rather than the 4K remastering. Don't be concerned about the source noise throughout this transfer, as it's always extremely fine and well-resolved, rather than blocky or distracting. "Grain haters" are welcome to crank up their TV's noise reduction if it bothers them.

    Even though Captain America: Civil War was reportedly only finished at 2K, the improved resolution and superior video codec is immediately apparent compared to the Blu-ray. Just see the iconic airport action sequence, which was shot using monstrous Alexa 65 cameras fitted with anamorphic lenses - the fine detail is eye-popping. Oh sure, the texturing is extremely good for the remainder of the movie, with crisp edges and superb fine detail on sets, skins, etc., but it reaches another level throughout the airport sequence. Facial texturing is outstanding, especially in close-ups, while the costumes look insanely detailed and vivid. There is no smoothness during this set-piece, either - it's always razor-sharp and intricately refined, and it looks gorgeous. I'm sure some people will continue to wish that the expanded IMAX aspect ratio was included for the airport sequence, but I never felt as if I was missing vital visual information during the airport sequence - it looks great in regular old scope. Clarity, meanwhile, is virtually flawless throughout the movie, with the image remain wholly comprehensible in darkness and under thick smoke. When the lights go out at the 64-minute mark, and Bucky and Zemo are covered in darkness, shadow detail is hugely improved compared to the Blu-ray, as you can still make out all the details on faces and on the book - it doesn't look smeary or texturally lacking.

    As usual, the High Dynamic Range grading is only encoded in HDR10 as opposed to Dolby Vision (though it's streaming in DV on Disney+), but I can't say it's a huge deal. The HDR grading is great, and really makes this presentation sing. Thanks to the HDR and wide colour gamut, the resulting palette is more varied, with primaries looking bolder and more vivid than before. This is especially noticeable on Iron Man's armour, as well as the suits on characters like Spider-Man, Ant-Man, and Captain American himself. Blood is also deeper and more lifelike. Additionally, large chunks of Captain America: Civil War were shot on green and blue screens, and the resultant compositing does look hit-and-miss on the Blu-ray. The airport sequence is disappointingly flat and inert on the 1080p Blu-ray, for instance, with a blanket tint strangling the life out of the skin tones, and the blue screen work is obvious. Thankfully, the HDR grade does wonders for this sequence, with insanely vibrant colours and exceptional image depth making the scene genuinely come to life. The digital effects genuinely benefit from the HDR grading and superior chroma resolution. Furthermore, skin tones occasionally struggle on the 1080p Blu-ray, but they're much healthier and more accurate in HDR. Wanda's hex powers are also more vivid and true. Indeed, the increased luminance of the HDR grade ensures that flames, sparks and explosions carry more visual impact. Additionally, the specular detail which is restored here is hugely impressive compared to the Blu-ray, with superior highlights in skies and explosions. Hell, in some shots, Falcon nearly disappears amid the bright skies on the Blu-ray, but he's more apparent here. In another moment, Wanda's blown-out hex powers mask Falcon on the SDR Blu-ray, but you can actually see Falcon here, thanks to the HDR. Black levels are inkier and truer, with superior contrast improving the overall image depth and again doing wonders for the digital compositing.

    In terms of the encoding itself, there is no flaws to report. It's worth pointing out that, through re-watching the 1080p Blu-ray, I actually noticed some shimmering/aliasing from time to time - during the prologue, for instance, there's some awful aliasing on the computer screen. Thankfully, the UHD encoding fixes this, resolving these parts of the frame far more proficiently. Luckily, too, there is nothing else to report in terms of video artefacts - no banding, macroblocking, or crush, even though the black levels do get deliberately heavy at times. Aside from a few imperfections, I have ample praise for Civil War's 2160p presentation, with the exceptional use of High Dynamic Range bringing out more highlights and shadow detail. This is now my default disc whenever I wish to revisit Captain America: Civil War at home - the regular Blu-ray is now a coaster, and the 3D disc probably won't be watched again.

    Subtitle options are available in several languages, as outlined in the specs. The English track is easy to read and free of issues.

*Video Ratings Summary*
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

As with every Marvel 4K upgrade, Captain America: Civil War debuts on 4K Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos mix (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core), while the regular Blu-ray only came with a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track. I state it with basically every Disney audio track, but it unfortunately bears repeating here: to get the full experience of this Atmos track, you'll need to raise the volume above regular listening levels. Thankfully, however, the audio is frequently great once the volume is raised - plenty of dynamic range, ample impact, noticeable subwoofer activity, and clean dialogue. Since this is a lossless encode, it's pristine from the very first frame, though some dialogue is mixed a bit too low, which again is pretty standard for a Disney soundtrack. Aside from that, there's much to admire about this Atmos mix. The action sequences pack plenty of oomph, with terrific low-frequency effects to the gunshots, explosions, punches, kicks, engines, and even Zemo using a sledgehammer on a wall at the 25-minute mark. When the EMP detonates at around the 60-minute mark, LFE is apparent to give the detonation sufficient impact. Whenever Stark or Rhodes takes flight, there's impact to the rumbling of their thrusters.

Panning and separation is apparent during the big set-pieces, with Falcon's drones zipping around, gunshots flying, and Wanda throwing people around. When cars whiz past during the chase scene at the 49-minute mark, there's some terrific panning effects. The surround channels are also used to deliver music, with Henry Jackman's score routinely filling the rear speakers, and coming through with ideal clarity. There's satisfying ambience, as well, such as Stark aboard a helicopter at the 109-minute mark. During the big set-pieces, the soundscape is wholly immersive, with all channels engaged to put you in the thick of the action. Although the dialogue is a touch low, especially during quieter scenes, prioritisation is exceptional more often than not, as you can understand what is being said during the most frenetic of action sequences. I do have some reservations with this track, but - for the most part - the Atmos mix is an engaging listen, nicely complementing the beautiful 2160p transfer.

*Audio Ratings Summary*
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

Alas, Captain America: Civil War comes to 4K with no special features. Only the 4K disc is included, and it's barebones. If you want extras, you'll need to retain your 1080p Blu-ray.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

4K discs are the same worldwide, though overseas editions contain a 1080p Blu-ray with extras. For the most complete experience, buy overseas.

Summary

Another staggering success for the well-oiled Disney/Marvel machine, Captain America: Civil War manages to be epic in scope yet also intimate. With its amazing action sequences and engaging story, this one holds up on repeat viewings and is absolutely worth owning.

I've been anxiously waiting for a 4K upgrade since Captain America: Civil War first hit home video, and the results are very encouraging. The 2160p transfer is outstanding, showing great improvements across the board. The Dolby Atmos track, meanwhile, is pretty good, though it falls short of perfection. And alas, there are no extras. Still, on the technical merits of the disc and the excellence of the movie, this one comes highly recommended.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

Review Equipment
DVD	Sony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, using HDMI output
Display	LG OLED65E6T. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 2160p.
Audio Decoder	Built in to amplifier/receiver. This audio decoder/receiver has not been calibrated.
Amplification	Samsung Series 7 HT-J7750W
Speakers	Samsung Tall Boy speakers, 7.1 set-up

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