Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of Avengers: Endgame, team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities — and patience.
For in-depth thoughts on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, please see my colleague Tia Fabi’s review from its original streaming release below:
For a look at the SteelBook packaging, please check out our video here.
Video Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier offers a rich uptick in quality over the lackluster, compressed Disney+ stream that plagues our screen. We are happy to see these MCU shows continue their run on physical media, as we believe this is an invaluable choice for fans. The release comes with the six episodes from the first season spread across two discs without the inclusion of any additional Blu-Ray discs, so be sure you are 4K UHD capable if you are going with this format. The standard HDR enhancements conjure the spectacular nuances of the hues in unique ways. Highlights are in top shape with no trace of blooming to be found. Black levels are miles better in this presentation than the stream, never stumbling with depth and detail.
This format sidesteps banding, compression artifacts, and other digital anomalies. The frame is teeming with deep, vibrant colors that shine off the screen. The amount of improved detail in the costumes and background textures is a treat with the increased resolution conjuring up something quite tactile. There are very subtle elements which you can see with more clarity here. Skin tones are natural and consistent with stellar facial detail, such as stubble. This 4K UHD presentation is the clear choice for how to experience this series. Disney knocked it out of the park, and we can only hope great things keep happening on physical media for them.
Audio Quality
The set comes armed with a dynamic Dolby Atmos presentation that keeps all of the sounds flourishing throughout this journey. The soundscape achieves a level of care that is admired, rendering every sound in a way that exemplifies the sonic possibilities. Sounds are faithfully executed with pinpoint directionality from the numerous active scenes to key interpersonal moments of dialogue. The overhead channels complement the other channels rather than carrying all of the weight, which adds a nice sense of dimension to this globetrotting adventure. Ambient details are plentiful and satisfying in the rear and overhead channels.
The Henry Jackman score is a standout as it saturates the room with purpose. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever being overpowered by the competing sonic elements. The sounds of the different locales transport you and anchor you in the space for a greater level of immersion. The low end digs deep to provide the necessary texture to the world. The audio track does what you hope for in the most ideal circumstances. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Cap’s Shield: A five-minute featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss moving forward after Avengers: Endgame, what the shield means for different people, the arc of Sam, the practicalities of working with the shield, and more.
- Gag Reel A two-and-a-half-minute collection of flubbed and forgotten lines, goofing around on set, ruined takes, and more that is quite delightful.
- Deleted Scenes: Two unused scenes totaling two-and-a-half minutes are included here featuring Sam and Rhodey having a personal moment and Bucky bonding with Sam’s family. They are interesting even if we understand why they were cut.
- Assembled – The Making Of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: A terrific hour-long documentary on the making of this series which is lovingly produced and filled with interviews with the cast and creative team. You get some background details about the development of the series, how this format allows the story time to be expanded, the dynamic between the performers, the themes being explored, the new and returning characters, and more.
Final Thoughts
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has moments that are really enjoyable throughout this first season, but the transition from the feature film world to episodic television proves to be a bit inconsistent. The series does not fully embrace the rhythms of television, instead choosing to treat the story like a chopped-up film. This results in the show overstaying its welcome with languid pacing and a scattershot execution. The characters are still great and the storyline works for us, but this was the first sign that the MCU could not rest on their laurels just because of the change in venue. Disney Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a magnificent A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. If you are still a hardcore MCU fan, this release will treat you well. Recommended
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray SteelBook and Blu-Ray SteelBook on April 30, 2024.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Disney Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.