High-def junkies take note
Superhero movies are shifting to ultra high-definition releases
The Guardians of the Galaxy are taking Marvel Studios to a place they’ve never been before: the world of ultra high-definition.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, available now on Blu-ray and digitally, is Marvel Studios’ first home video release in 4K, the format that’s the next level up in terms of picture quality and is available on many of the newest TVs and Blu-ray players.
It’s the one area where Marvel Studios has been behind the pack in the world of superhero cinema. Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have released Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and the upcoming fall release of Wonder Woman in 4K.
There’s also Netflix, which offers its Marvel (not affiliated with Marvel Studios, the film arm) shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders) to stream in 4K.
So, Marvel Studios is late to the party, which could be for a number of reasons. It’s owned by Disney, which has been cautious about the format. Marvel Studios and Disney have had to consider younger fans who likely consume their superhero entertainment on their phones and tablets. Some mobile devices have 4K streaming capability and more might have it in the future — but their young users are not so likely to want to purchase a 4K Blu-ray dis.
4K viewing provides brighter and stronger colours. If you’re a high-definition junkie, the difference is noticeable and enjoyable.
We should now expect future Marvel Studios releases such as November’s Thor: Ragnarok and next year’s Avengers: Infinity War to also get the 4K treatment.
The viewing future of Marvel Studios’ home entertainment releases, and possibly others under the Disney umbrella, is now brighter and a whole lot more clear.