This week’s new DVD releases look at heroes and villains.
• “Ant-Man and the Wasp”: The Wasp, as played by Evangeline Lilly, is the most powerful female superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe. On her own, she keeps the sequel to “Ant-Man” from being the kind of bland and mediocre offering that made the original film in 2015 such a small movie in the comic book-inspired movie world.
The massive problem with the franchise that Lilly has had to counter is Paul Rudd. If “Ant-Man” were a silly comedy or a light romantic tale, Rudd would be a fine selection as the star. When it comes to making him the leading man in an action movie, it would be like hiring Thanos to operate a daycare.
Director Peyton Reed has staged some interesting action sequences, including a car chase through the streets of San Francisco. There’s nothing wrong with those scenes, but once they stop, the problems with the casting and script become gigantic.
• “Reprisal”: Bruce Willis is stuck in a movie rut. The man who once ruled the box office with a “Die Hard” approach to films has fallen into a funk with his starring roles. You have to be a fan of B-grade action offerings or a Willis maniac to recall such recent projects as “First Kill,” “Marauders,” “Vice” and “The Prince.”
The slog down dreary acting lane continues with “Reprisal,” an action movie that features a sleepwalking effort by Willis. To be fair, the script and execution by director Brian A. Miller (who also was responsible for “Vice” and “The Prince”) is so amateurish, the only place to go was down.
Through it all, Willis looks like he’s late to cash his check. He mumbles a few lines during the big brainstorming session to track down the thief, but the rest of the film is spent sitting at a kitchen table, in an ambulance or in a car. He gets up just enough energy to be in on the finale. And, his bullying of the local and federal cops goes beyond ludicrous to just embarrassing for all parties.
Also on DVD
• “Anna Karenina”: Award-winning TV adaptation of Leo Tolstoy romantic saga.
• “The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Limited Edition”: Along with the film, the set includes a bowling ball pencil holder, polishing cloth and sweater packaging.
• “Boundaries”: Vera Farmiga stars in this story of a single whose efforts to help her father go wrong.
• “Down a Dark Hall”: Students discover Blackwood Manor hides an age-old secret rooted in the paranormal. Uma Thurman stars.
• “Arizona”: Real estate agent (Rosemarie DeWitt) and single mom is kidnapped by a disgruntled client.
• “Black Sails: The Complete Collection”: Series tells the classic story of feared pirate Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his many foes.
• “Whitney”: Filmmaker Kevin Macdonald offers a look at the life of the singer.
• “City Slickers: Collector’s Edition”: New Yorker (Billy Crystal) convinces his friends to go on a cattle drive. Originally released in 1991.
• “My Little Pony: 35th Anniversary Edition Collection”: Included are the original 1986 “My Little Pony: The Movie” and the 2017 movie adventure.
• “BuyBust”: Anti-narcotics special operative (Anne Curtis) is eager to go head-to-head with the drug cartels that hold a bloody grip on Manila.
• “Valley Girl”: To mark the film’s 35th anniversary, it is being released for the first time on Blu-ray.
• “Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance”: Film based on the fairy tale relationship between England’s Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle.
• “Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete Collection”: Bruce Campbell stars in this series that follows up Sam Raimi’s cult-classic horror film “The Evil Dead.”
• “The Affair: Season Four”: Series explores the emotional and psychological effects of an affair that destroyed two marriages.
• “When Calls the Heart: Year Five (The Television Movie Collection)”: The 6-disc DVD set includes all six movies from the show’s fifth season.
• “Generation Wealth”: Director Lauren Greenfield offers an inside look at the heights of narcissism and greed within the global boom-bust economy.
• “Masterpiece: The Durrells in Corfu: Season 3”: Beautiful island of Corfu continues to work its magic on the eccentric Durrell family.
• “The Spy Who Dumped Me”: Two best friends are pulled unexpectedly into an international conspiracy. Mila Kunis stars. Being released on DVD and Blu-ray Oct. 30.
