You might as well just buy it.

If you haven’t yet seen Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, you might as well just buy it when it comes out on Blu-Ray on August 22nd.  It’s that good. If you’re not convinced, just ask any of the people who helped to make it the third highest grossing film domestically and fourth highest internationally.  After a surprisingly popular first film, the Guardians return to the movies to save the universe again making them (as Rocket put it) “two-time galaxy savers!”  The film is action-packed, filled with humor, and will make you cheer.  It is also deeper and more emotional than you might expect.  If you’re prone to tears, you might want to bring a Kleenex.

• For a full spoiler-free review, read our article on the film and find out even more.

The home release will actually be available in four different formats.  Digital was already released on 8/8 and you can get that through Disney Movies Anywhere or your favorite digital retailer (Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, etc.) complete with digital only features.  You can also buy it on Blu-Ray or 4K Ultra HD when it comes out on 8/22.  Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 is the first Marvel film to be released in that format.  Or you can buy the DVD, but then you’d miss out on all of the bonus features that come with the Blu-Ray, 4K Ultra HD, and digital versions.  And who’d want to miss out on that?

To be fair, the bonus features on the Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD are pretty standard.  Nothing shocking to blow you out of your seats.  But all of it well done.  The gag reel is actually pretty funny and includes LOTS of outtakes from filming.  The “making of” featurettes aren’t surprising either, but I loved the one about how the music of the movies was so critical to the emotional impact of the story.  Listening to why certain songs were smart choices for specific scenes made me even more appreciative of Gunn’s creativity.  Only four deleted scenes were included with the bonus features.  Either Director James Gunn was extremely efficient (and that could be the case) or they are saving some for the NEXT Blu-Ray edition which surely must be coming considering that the film was done in 3D and a 3D home release is not to be found.  The scenes don’t really add anything to the film, but I did love the one where Ego created a statue to honor his son.  You just have to see it to believe it.  Two of the four were simply extended scenes.  The one bonus feature I just didn’t like was the David Hasselhoff music video.  While some will really appreciate it, I left the 70’s behind for a reason.

There are some digital only bonus material that looks terrific, which will become live on 8/22.  They include three scene breakdowns on how key moments in the film were put together.  Then included on the digital format is an exclusive about the new Mission Breakout attraction at Disney California Adventure.  Even though there is not an overwhelming amount of bonus material on the Blu-Ray release, what’s included is well produced and good quality.  This movie is so good and plays such a pivotal part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it’s an auto-include in most collections including mine.  If you’re a fan of the MCU, you need this in your film library!

• For some exclusive content from group cast interviews, see our earlier posts to hear from Zoe Saldana, Sylvester Stallone, Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, and everyone else!
• How do the films connect to their comic book history? Find out in our Marvel Universe post.

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