New on DVD:
Films and TV shows based on comic books are among the top DVD offerings being released Aug. 22.
“Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2”: It’s rare when a sequel can be better than the original and this isn’t one of those rare times. This follow-up includes the same humor, massive special effects and wonderfully quirky cast, but the writing and direction by James Gunn stumble because the team gets split into smaller splinter groups. The Guardians are at their best when they are together cutting each other down and saving the galaxy at the same time.
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) find themselves hired to protecting precious batteries owned by a race of creatures that have a very high opinion of themselves. This job gives way as part of the Guardians team is taken to a planet by a man who claims to be Peter’s father.
Gunn makes every scene or action bigger and bigger. He also loads up the film with one-liners that after a while just start getting in the way. Gunn’s efforts to expand his Galaxy results in his cast being split into smaller groups including a secondary story about Gamora her sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan). They work well together but not as well as the core group.
The film is still loaded with strong special effects and a must-have soundtrack. This makes the sequel good but lacks the element of surprise that made the original film so much fun.
“Supergirl: The Complete Second Season”: The move of this network series —based on the DC Comics character —from CBS to the CW was a big plus. Instead of focusing so much on the 24-year old cousin to Superman (played with great charm by Melissa Benoist) in the work place, the second season opened up the comic book world action and characters including the introduction of Mon-El (Chris Wood).
The move away from so much time spent with Linda Danvers, the secret identity of Supergirl, chatting with Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart) helped move this series from being a soap opera with a female hero to a much better action series.
A special bonus is how the producers are mining old Superman projects for guest stars including Laura Vandervoort, who played Supergirl on “Smallville.” These are fun elements for loyal fans.
“Daredevil: The Complete Second Season”: Charlie Cox stars in the Netflix series based on the Marvel Comics character. The first season established the background of how an accident involving toxic chemicals stole Matt Murdock’s sight from him at a young age but also gave him special abilities he uses to fight crime in New York.
That opened up the second season to take the character deeper into the Marvel Universe including the addition of the character of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), better known as the Punisher.
The expansion of the comic book universe has only started. If you haven’t watched the series, it’s a good time to pick up the DVD series as Cox reprises his role as Daredevil/Matt Murdock for the new Netflix series, “The Defenders.” He joins Iron Fist (Finn Jones), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter) as part of the New York-based heroes who must work together.
Cox does a masterful job as both the blind lawyer and crime fighter that the “Daredevil” series is worth watching on its own even if you have no plans to look at the other offerings from Netflix based on Marvel characters. Also new on DVD Aug. 22. “Ash vs. Evil Dead: Season Two”: Bruce Campbell stars in the cable series based on the popular film franchise.
“Scales: Mermaids Are Real”: A girl discovers that on her 12th birthday, she will become a mermaid.
“The Walking Dead: Season 7”: Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his fellow survivors face their deadliest foe in Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
“800 Words: Season 2: Part 2”: Set includes eight episodes of the series about a man looking to make a new home for himself and his family in a quirky New Zealand coastal town.
“Kill Switch”: Former NASA scientists must travel to an alternative Earth to save both worlds.
“Jessica Jones: The Complete First Season”: Krysten Ritter stars in the Netflix series based on the Marvel Comics character.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season Four”: Andy Samberg network comedy set in a New York police precinct.
“NCIS: Los Angeles: The Eighth Season”: Small group of naval officers fight crime in Southern California. LL Cool J stars.
“Dominion Creek: Series 2”: Connolly brothers stand against the dangers of the Yukon’s Klondike Valley during the 1890s gold rush.
“A Blast”: Woman must find a way to deal with the crumbling Greek economy.
“Blue Bloods: The Seventh Season”: CBS family/cop drama starring Tom Selleck.
“Lucifer: The Complete Second Season”: Lucifer moves to Los Angeles after he gets tired of running the Underworld. He finds time to help the local police solve crimes.
“Whale Rider”: The film about a young girl finding the courage to pursue her destiny is being re-released to mark its 15th anniversary. Available on Digital HD AUG. 22 “All Eyez On Me”: Newcomer Demetrius Shipp, Jr. portrays Tupac Shakur in this look at the hip-hop musician’s life. Will be released on DVD Sept. 5.
“The Wedding Plan”: Woman continues with her wedding plans despite her fiance calling off the marriage one month before the exchange of vows. Will be released on DVD Sept. 5.
“The Mummy”: An ancient evil has been released from a long forgotten tomb. Tom Cruise stars. Will be released on DVD Sept. 12.