Home Entertainment You should get Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-Ray even if you’ve already seen it

You should get Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-Ray even if you’ve already seen it

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Star wars

I don’t generally get to see movies in the cinema. Lately, I’m blaming that on the tiny human that I spawned, but even before then I rarely went because my other half simply doesn’t enjoy it. He’d much rather watch a movie at home – we have an awesome TV, can make our own popcorn, and we can watch on the couch without needing to go out in public or wear pants. Of course, it was really hard to miss out on the cinema experience for a film like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but for me, the Blu-Ray more than made up for it.

SWFA

I won’t even try to give you my opinion of the movie – I really enjoyed it, but if you want a proper critique, you can read our review of it over here. Back in the early days of home entertainment releases of movies, it was just about being able to watch the film at home. Now, though, that’s just a part of what’s on offer. Sure, it’s great to be able to watch the movie (or just those scenes you have to watch again) whenever you want, but there’s so much more that they manage to put on that Blu-Ray disc.

Of course, there’s the vibrant – yet still natural – 1080p transfer that brings Jakku to life, with the rest of the film looking crisp and clear. There’s also DTS-HD Master audio 7.1 sound mix, which is lovely if you have the right equipment, but the lack of a Dolby Atmos track seems an odd omission. But even if you’re not an AV nut, there’s plenty worthwhile in the BD.

First up, there are the deleted scenes. I don’t know if you’re like me, but after watching a movie, the first thing I check out is the deleted scenes. It’s a testament to the editing of the film that the deleted scenes don’t really add anything necessary – the movie still worked so well without them – but it’s still cool to see the extra moments with Finn.

Chewie

Then there is a host of behind the scenes videos. There’s a detailed look at building the BB-8 and crafting the various creatures, as well as an insightful look at the secrets of The Force Awakens that shows a ton of details about the making of the film. I found it most intriguing to realize how Star Wars was treated almost like a period piece. By bringing on people who worked on the original trilogy, and striving to make these movies look as much like those but in a modern way, the team nailed the look and feel of the Star Wars universe. There’s also a feature on the music of the movie, and even a how the climactic battle between Rey and Kylo was put together.

star-wars-kylo.jpg

So, whether you’re only into Star Wars for the cool battles or the interesting tech, or because of the mythological lore of it all, there’s something on the Blu-Ray for everyone. If I’m totally honest, I probably will only watch the movie again; I can’t imagine going through the making of features on a regular basis, but I’m definitely glad to have the Blu-Ray as part of my collection. At least it makes waiting for the next episode a little more manageable.

Here’s what you get on the Blu-Ray in addition, obviously, to the film itself:

  • Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey
  • The Story Awakens: The Table Read
  • Crafting Creatures
  • Building BB-8
  • Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight
  • ILM: The Vosual Magic of the Force
  • John Williams: The Seventh Symphony
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Force for Change

None of this stuff, however, is available on the DVD version of the film, so if you want more than just the movie, you may want to skip that version. As a nice addition for the hard of hearing though, this release – unlike far too many in South Africa – does have full subtitles and full closed captions.

Last Updated: April 22, 2016

20 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief in New York

    April 22, 2016 at 13:39

    Closed captions FTW

    Reply

  2. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 22, 2016 at 13:39

    I wish Batman was in Star Wars.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in New York

      April 22, 2016 at 13:43

      He’s slap Kylo back to the light side

      Reply

      • JWT-80

        April 22, 2016 at 13:47

        LOL

        Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 22, 2016 at 13:48

      Isn’t he Luke’s dad?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        April 22, 2016 at 13:52

        No, that’s Darthman

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          April 22, 2016 at 13:56

          They look & sound so similar I get confused.

          Reply

        • mcsey

          April 22, 2016 at 17:39

          Obviously you mistyped Darkman, who as we all know is the same person as Qui Gon Jinn. This makes it obvious that Maggie Grace is Luke’s sister, and that HalfLife3 will be released soon.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 25, 2016 at 08:03

            GG, How’d I miss that?

      • RinceThis

        April 22, 2016 at 14:48

        You shut up! SPOILER!

        Reply

      • Chewbacca2000

        April 23, 2016 at 05:42

        No, Hermione Gandolf is. Used the 7 infinity stones to throw mjolnir through a solid wall of admmantium after stopping Collosus with a spear made of krptonite. Totally boss.

        Reply

  3. Aries

    April 22, 2016 at 13:49

    Got mine on Monday already, bought it mainly for behind the scenes and what not

    Reply

  4. HvR

    April 22, 2016 at 13:58

    On Bluray moveis, the LOTR super extended editions are the best, by the time the credit roll wakes you up it is morning already and you can just get up and have a shower.

    Reply

  5. RinceThis

    April 22, 2016 at 14:47

    Yup. Getting.

    Reply

  6. BL

    April 22, 2016 at 15:45

    No commentary, I was disappointed in that.

    Reply

  7. Raptor Rants

    April 22, 2016 at 18:37

    I need a Bluray player first

    Reply

  8. Nikki Smallwood

    April 22, 2016 at 19:07

    This movie is not worth the money I spent in the theater, much less the deluxe Blu-ray edition. That’s not a slam on the actors, either, with whom I identify, but merely the lame regurgitation of prior plots plus CGI explosions that are JJ Abram’s trademark. Stop supporting mediocre cinema, people. It’s the only way we’ll get something better for the next sequel.

    Reply

    • Ricktron3000

      April 22, 2016 at 23:49

      I mean you’re close but I think you tried borrowing some of that JJ hate and got it confused. His trademark is DEFINITELY the overuse of lens flares. Not to mention aside from the battles in air, all the ground explosions were practical effects, not CG.

      With you on the plot though…

      Reply

  9. Tobin Drake

    April 23, 2016 at 00:38

    The movie was complete and utter garbage. Jar Jar Abrams is a corporate lackey that churns out cinematic mush for the simple-minded and undiscerning. The saddest part is how many people were taken in not once by this moronic slop, but twice.

    Reply

    • Sageville

      April 24, 2016 at 11:13

      Gawd, you do know it is possible to hate something without insulting those who don’t, you should try it, it’s soo easy.

      Reply

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