Captain America Blu-ray Review
Collector's Edition
Score: 62
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
"Captain America" Blu-ray, with its surprising camp charm and nostalgia, offers good video, audio, and a special featurette, appealing mostly to dedicated fans.
![Captain America Blu-ray Front Cover](https://images.mightychroma.me/content/xlarge_captain_america_blu_ray_front_9ab77615ad.jpeg)
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 73
Presented in 1080p AVC, 'Captain America' on Blu-ray showcases superb fine object detail and vibrant color saturation, especially in blues and reds. While minor haloing and mosquito noise are present, they're overshadowed by the film's largely damage-free, clean transfer that brings out the comic book aesthetic.
Audio: 75
Captain America features a surprisingly strong 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix, presenting clear dialogue and well-rendered Foley effects despite some flaws in the original recording and a synth-heavy score. While lacking true LFE, the mix offers balanced audio with occasional minor inconsistencies.
Extra: 55
"A Look Back at Captain America" (1080i, 20:05) offers a candid and insightful reflection by Albert Pyun and Matt Salinger on the constraints and challenges they faced, emphasizing missed opportunities due to budget and support issues, making it an essential watch for fans and film enthusiasts.
Movie: 55
The Collector's Edition Blu-ray of the 1990 'Captain America' offers a nostalgic yet flawed experience with behind-the-scenes insights, subpar special effects, and an unconventional take on the hero, making it a curious comparison to its 2011 counterpart while reflecting Marvel's rocky cinematic journey.
![Loading](https://images.mightychroma.me/content/xlarge_Mighty_Chroma_Square_Logo_0973ab8c2d.png)
Video: 73
The Blu-ray presentation of "Captain America" from Shout! Factory boasts an impressive 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Fans will find satisfaction with this release, especially compared to previous subpar broadcast prints. The elements used in this transfer are largely free from damage, maintaining a clean and clear image throughout most of the film. Fine object detail is exceptional—so detailed that the seams of Captain America's latex suit are easily visible. Although there are minor issues such as mosquito noise in a few stock shots and dimly lit nighttime scenes, the natural grain structure is well-preserved, albeit slightly heavy at times. Additionally, slight haloing issues appear sporadically but are not overly distracting.
The high-definition presentation benefits from deep and vibrant color saturation, particularly with the blues and reds that truly pop. Black levels are generally robust, though some scenes exhibit minor crushing. This intense colorization complements the comic book aesthetic of the film, lending it a bright and visually engaging appearance. The transfer has been diligently cleaned to remove aging flaws; scratches are non-existent while dirt and grime become noticeable only briefly around the 22-minute mark. Despite occasional Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) softening a few textures, the overall fine detail remains robust and impressive. This painstakingly restored release completely transforms the visual experience of "Captain America," making it a worthwhile upgrade for fans and collectors alike.
Audio: 75
Captain America’s Blu Ray edition features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that is commendable given its format's limitations. The dialogue is exceptionally clean and well-articulated, although some may find the transparency of the track revealing of the original recording's flaws. Notably, the audio unveils certain raw elements such as the echoes within stage walls and vehicle cabins, highlighting imperfections that might have been less noticeable in less refined mixes. Despite this, Foley effects remain crisp and well-rendered, adding to the overall fidelity of the presentation. The audio mix maintains a decent low-end presence, especially during scenes involving significant action sequences like the rocket blast-off.
The sound effects, vocals, and music, despite the latter's somewhat cheesy, synth-laden score, generally exhibit proper balance throughout the film. However, there are occasional moments where the music overshadows vocal delivery, albeit briefly. Two particular audio flaws stand out: an abrupt audio cut when Steve locates his girlfriend at their favorite beach spot, and a distorted scream in a later scene involving a character's discovery of a family member's murder. These glitches suggest issues inherent in the source material rather than faults in the remastering process.
Overall, while the Captain America DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix may expose some raw aspects of its original recordings, it still offers a quality audio experience with clear dialogues, crisp effects, and generally well-mixed components that enhance the viewing experience. This mix stands as a solid example of how even a 2.0 track can deliver an engaging auditory presentation when executed with careful attention to detail.
Extra: 55
The Blu-ray extras for "Captain America" offer a comprehensive and engaging retrospective look at the film's production and challenges. With candid reflections from Director Albert Pyun and actor Matt Salinger, these features provide an honest exploration of the numerous obstacles the team faced, including budget constraints, casting challenges, and lack of studio support, which significantly impacted the final product. The detailed recollections cover everything from the ambitious initial plans for dual casting to the last-minute script changes necessitated by financial limitations. This featurette is highly beneficial for fans and insightful for those interested in behind-the-scenes filmmaking dynamics.
Extras included in this disc:
- A Look Back at 'Captain America': Candid interviews with Director Albert Pyun and Matt Salinger on the movie's production and challenges.
Movie: 55
The 1990 iteration of Captain America remains an intriguing albeit problematic piece of cinema history. Set against the backdrop of a deeply troubled production, this version had to overcome numerous adversities including studio changes, a negligible budget, and minimal support from Marvel. The film infamously missed a theatrical release in the United States and was relegated to video with select international showings, achieving a sort of cult status over time. Directed by Albert Pyun and starring Matt Salinger, the film explores a unique angle on Captain America's origin by portraying Steve Rogers as a polio survivor—an alteration that intensified his transformation into Captain America.
In terms of plot, both the 1990 and 2011 versions maintain fundamental similarities: Steve Rogers becomes Captain America through a top-secret super-soldier project. However, the '90s adaptation features specific deviations, such as Red Skull's origin as an abducted Italian boy subjected to experiments by Fascists. As Steve becomes Captain America, he engages in a series of ill-fated encounters culminating in his near-disastrous flight on a Nazi rocket aimed at the White House—a scene that stands out despite the limited budget. The film's low production value is evident in several poorly executed World War II action sequences and subpar special effects, yet these limitations add a certain charm reminiscent of its era.
Years later, Steve re-emerges in modern times to confront Red Skull once more, setting up a strained storyline that sees him reconnecting with an old flame's daughter. Despite Salinger's earnest portrayal and Scott Paulin's commendable turn as Red Skull, the film is marred by mediocre scriptwriting and unimpressive romantic subplots. While the film may never escape its B-movie status or shaky special effects, it retains a nostalgic charm evocative of '80s TV favorites like The A-Team and Knight Rider. Ultimately, Captain America (1990) serves as a nostalgic curiosity that underscores the journey Marvel had to undertake before ascending to its current cinematic glory.
Total: 62
The Blu-ray release of "Captain America" offers an intriguing look into a lesser-known chapter of Marvel's cinematic history. Despite its undoubtedly low budget and unabashedly cheesy aesthetics, the film manages to provide moments that hint at its untapped potential. The video and audio quality of the Blu-ray are commendable, surpassing the expectations set by the film's modest production values. A standout feature of this release is the retrospective featurette, offering insights from the director and star that shed light on the movie's production challenges and creative decisions.
This release stands out primarily due to Marvel and Shout! Factory's commitment to preserving even their most contentious projects. It would be easy to dismiss or overlook a film like this, but Marvel's choice to bring it to Blu-ray underscores a respect for their history and a willingness to cater to their dedicated fanbase. This approach is commendable, as it provides fans with an opportunity to explore a piece of Marvel lore that, while flawed, possesses a certain nostalgic charm. Moreover, such releases encourage a broader understanding of the genre's evolution.
In conclusion, revisiting this version of "Captain America" after many years reveals a film that, despite its many flaws, holds a quirky charm worth exploring. While fans of the Chris Evans portrayal may initially approach it with skepticism, the combination of solid video and audio quality, alongside a valuable behind-the-scenes featurette, makes this Blu-ray a worthwhile addition for enthusiasts. The film's camp factor and historical significance offer enough merit to warrant a recommendation for fans setting their expectations appropriately. This release exemplifies how Marvel's lesser-known efforts can still find their place in the modern entertainment landscape.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
Fans of this film who have had to contend with pretty shoddy looking broadcast prints through the years should be very well pleased with this high definition presentation, at least for the most part....
Audio: 80
Dialogue is very cleanly presented, and while there's not any true LFE here, the low end has some nice "oomph" in such scenes as the blast off of the rocket with the hapless Captain strapped to the side....
Extras: 30
A Look Back at Captain America (1080i; 20:05) is a really interesting set of reminiscences by Albert Pyun and Matt Salinger, both of whom go out of their way to state the film could have been so much better...
Movie: 40
That finally sets up the rather long second act of the film, where a revitalized Steve Rogers must finally confront the still living Red Skull, a supervillain who has the wise idea to use mind control...
Total: 50
It's unabashedly cheesy and shows its paltry budget virtually every step of the way, but it's a lot better than one might expect, considering the circumstances....
The Digital Bits review by Dr Adam JahnkeRead review here
Video: 85
Audio: 80
Extras: 70
Movie: 40
Prior to the release of Blade in 1998, the closest thing they’d had to a live-action success was The Incredible Hulk TV series with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno....
Total: 69
Who knows, maybe one day we’ll even see an official release of that Fantastic Four debacle....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Considering that it was only shown on a small number of screens around the world, I can't help but wonder if several reels of this transfer were prints that never saw the light of day....
Audio: 80
There are only two flaws that I could find with the mix, both of which may very well have originated with the source....
Extras: 20
They openly explain the film's pre-production evolution, their original desire for the duel casting of Steve and Cap (they wanted football's Howie Long to play the Cap role), the limitations placed on...
Movie: 40
You might expect this scene to happen at the end as opposed to the beginning, but it seems like the producers could only keep up the period piece schtick for so long due to the financial state of the movie....
Total: 40
There's a reason it wasn't included in Marvel's Phase One set – because it's not worthy of being included with the worthwhile releases – but it has gone Blu just for the fans who appreciate despite its...
Director: Albert Pyun
Actors: Matt Salinger, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty
PlotDuring World War II, a scrawny volunteer named Steve Rogers undergoes an experimental procedure to become a super-soldier. Abandoned behind enemy lines, he transforms into the heroic Captain America. His primary mission is to stop the Red Skull, a fascist operative and product of his own super-soldier experiment, who now has plans for global devastation. Captain America’s initial encounter with the Red Skull ends abruptly, as he is frozen in ice during a climactic battle.
Decades later, he is discovered and revived in the present day. Disoriented by the modern world but determined to complete his mission, Captain America learns that the Red Skull has survived and adapted his plans to contemporary threats. Seeking alliances and reconciling with his displaced sense of time, he races against the clock to thwart the Red Skull's latest scheme, confronting both his old foe and new dangers along the way.
Writers: Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Stephen Tolkin
Release Date: 26 Jul 1991
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States, Yugoslavia, Croatia
Language: English