Why So Blu?

WandaVision: The Complete Series (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

It’s pretty exciting this fall, seeing Disney+ programming coming to collectible disc editions. Is this a Bob Iger thing, or was an exclusive window in the plans all along? Nonetheless, if you are a fan and you are a physical media enthusiast, you probably want to pick these up, no questions asked. Until we get a standard edition, the steelbooks are all we are assured of. Next up, on November 28th is WandaVision: The Complete Series. This is the Marvel show that kicked off their Disney streaming TV brand (Yes, I know Agents of SHIELD, The Inhumans and all the Netflix Defenders shows were a thing, that’s why I said streaming). You can order yourself a copy of this by using the paid Amazon Associates link and know the money was going to Why So Blu all along!

Series

Newlywed couple Wanda Maximoff and Vision move into the town of Westview in a black-and-white 1950s setting. They attempt to blend in despite Vision being an android and Wanda having telekinesis and reality-warping abilities. One day they notice a heart drawn on their calendar, but cannot remember what the occasion is.

WandaVision takes some chances in the first few episodes, but once it reveals its hand turns into your standard Marvel fare. But for that first couple of episodes, the show teases at some real David Lynch-type vibes and is doing so with a pretty straight face. Utilizing the aesthetic of sitcom programming of a golden age with dark underpinnings is the right move and they do so pretty well.

Week to week, the show was moving forward through different eras and stereotypical stylings of those decades. Technical-wise, they do quite well in aping it and getting everything from the sets to actors’ cadence in performing lines down. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are very exceptional at the work they are putting in here. And also being able to switch it on and off from decade to decade and between the “vision” and reality of the situation.

One of the issues with the show is once they show what is behind the curtain (a bit early for my personal tastes), the show becomes a bit less interesting and decides to demonstrate a lot more hand holding. There is also a desire to connect, tie up some universe loose ends as well as set up characters for future movies or shows. While I personally it would have gone harder, at the end of the day I do have to realized I’m watching a heavily commercialized product with branding services it has to do. So, I do commend what they were able to pull off in that arena.

And while the show opens up to more easy going, there are still some fine performances going on. I’m especially happy the Marvel/genre folks that don’t ever check anything else out got to get a nice dose of how special Kathryn Hahn is. Evan Peters even stops for a nice bit of gag casting work which I did appreciate, but I’m sure drove the diehards (who don’t understand jokes) nuts.

WandaVision starts out a pretty top tier program before settling into a solid standard. There are some interesting takeaways, impressive production and good performances abound. What starts in a more riveting, intriguing David Lynch style storytelling winds up being tow superhumans shooting glowy stuff at each other in the sky standard fare by the end. But hey, she got her more comic accurate costume by the end, so it was all worth it, right?

Episodes

1. Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience

2. Don’t Touch That Dial

3. Now In Color

4. We Interrupt This Program

5. On A Very Special Episode…

6. All New Halloween Spooktacular!

7. Breaking The Fourth Wall

8. Previously On

9. The Series Finale

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are studio promotional images, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, 1.78:1, 2.39:1

Layers: BD-100

Clarity/Detail: WandaVision features a various array of aspect ratios, color palettes and video types in this episodic transfer to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. But, it handles every one of them absolutely wonderfully. The black and white showcase some rich shadow and artful definition, while the more 80s/90s sitcom look is very bleeding color and slightly fuzzy in appearance. The real world stuff definitely is up to snuff with your top tier Marvel 4Ks in terms of depth, color, detail and sharp picture quality.

Depth:  Depth of field is very strong here as this show feels pretty open and even has good scale in the smaller, sitcom aspect. In fact, the images in those look a tad more impressive than the real world stuff in terms of size. Movements are smooth, natural and have no issues with blur or jitter during the more rapid action moments.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and natural. The work on the black and white stuff is pretty top notch (tho nothing compared to what actual film looks like on the format). No crushing witnessed.

Color Reproduction: Colors bop around and can be stronger in some versions of shows and weaker in the others. One of the sitcoms features a nice bursting palette that makes you wish the real world Marvel stuff would pop. Magic beams and other visual effects get an added glow from the HDR.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish for each aesthetic showcased. No matter the video quality you still get a real solid read on the textures and fine details.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Dynamics: I have to give some credit where credit is due. While every episode features a Dolby Atmos track, there is a true sense of restraint on a majority of the first couple sitcom episodes to hold back and give it a stereo/mono-like presentation and not utilize the rear channels. When we get to later ones and the real world, they do utilize the full room and it does provide a good effect and contrast early on. This is a well thought out and balanced mix with good stylistic choices done for authenticity.

Height: From above you get your typical battle stuff, music, people flying over or characters and stuff going over the camera.

Low Frequency Extension: The subwoofer hits with the music and also comes into play with roaring engines, explosions and other battle sounds.

Surround Sound Presentation: Early on, there’s a lot of keeping everything to the front, but once things open up, the rear and side channels add a big, noticeable ambiance help power sound across the room.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear and crisp.

Extras

WandaVision: The Complete Series is a 2-Disc set. This particular version comes in collectible steelbook packaging and includes 3 art cards. For a look at the packaging, see the video above.

DISC 1

Through The Eras (HD, 7:01) – “A story that can only be told in the medium of television” Elizabeth Olsen says as she describes a lot of introspective actor type stuff. Includes interviews, both press junket style and on set, as well as behind the scenes footage as they go through Matt Shakman’s talent in directing all 9 episodes and how they made them visually and tonally distinct. “We all did our homework” Paul Bettany says.

Gag Reel (HD, 2:36)

Deleted Scenes (HD, 1:01)

DISC 2

Assembled: The Making Of WandaVision (HD, 57:07) – A full on Making-Of documentary that is one of the things that the Disney+ at has excelled at producing.

Summary

WandaVision was a solid kick off for the Marvel Disney+ streaming brand. Featuring more recognizable, popular characters from the big screen now on the smaller one. It has terrific technical merits and a good assortment of bonus features. You’ll want to pick this up if you’re a fan and collector of physical media.

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