STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Blu-ray Review

It’s time to awaken your Blu-ray player because Star Wars is back in full-force.  No longer having to wait years to watch Star Wars at home, THE FORCE AWAKENS is available now on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere.  Don’t rent this one!  If you’re a Star Wars fan you will want to buy this version for your home collection, the only question is, which cover variant will you get?  Grab a glass of blue milk and settle in with your portion of bread (click here for Rey’s Portion recipe), and continue reading for our STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Blu-ray review.

Star Wars The Force Awakens Blu Ray Cover

We previously reviewed STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, so if you’re looking for a movie review click here.  While there’s no director’s commentary for the film, the Blu-ray makes up for that with a full-length feature documentary Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey.  The feature reminded me of watching the Star Wars “making of…” television specials as a child in the 70’s and 80’s.  Where I gobbled up all the information I could about my favorite film.  “Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” clocks in at 80 minutes, and is full of interviews with Kathleen Kennedy (President, Lucasfilm Ltd.), J.J. Abrams (Director), Lawrence Kasdan (Writer), and the makers of the film.

STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS

©2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

There’s also plenty of footage from the actors including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher on what it was like to reprise their iconic roles after 30+ years.  “Why didn’t they do this 10 years ago?  I looked better then,” quipped Carrie Fisher.  As well as thoughts from the new stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver on their role in the saga.  Watch the clip of Daisy Ridley’s audition and you will instantly know why she earned the part of Rey.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

©2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

In addition to “Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey,” there’s plenty of shorter bonus features including: The Story Awakens: The Table Read, Building BB-8, Crafting Creatures, Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight, John Williams: The Seventh Symphony, ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force, Force For Change, and Deleted Scenes.  There were plenty of secrets revealed and inside looks in these bonus features such as what Mark Hamill actually was did at the script table read (since he actually had no speaking parts for the film).  However, two things jumped out during my first run through the disc.

  1. John Williams has as much musical creativity and energy at 83 as he did at 43 when the first Star Wars film came out.  I hope he’s able to continue to compose the score for Episodes VIII and IX.
  2. Seeing how the filmmakers created “The Snow Fight” scene, takes nothing away from the magic of that epic lightsaber battle.  In fact, the amount of training, elaborate set that was built, and special effects that went into it, only enhanced my appreciation for the climatic encounter between Kylo Ren and Rey.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

©2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

Finally, Disney might say O’hana means family, but throughout THE FORCE AWAKENS bonus features, it’s clear that Star Wars also means family.  Carrie Fisher proclaims Star Wars is now a “verb” for a shared experience among families handed down between generations.  Mark Hamill thanks the fans repeatedly as there would not be another Star Wars series if not for them.  Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy says, “Star Wars fans are some of the most generous, thoughtful, and sympathetic people I have ever met,” and raised over $10,000,000 in the Star Wars: Force for Change initiative.

The Star Wars: Force for Change continues with a new month-long campaign leading up to “Star Wars Day” on May the 4th.  Star Wars: Force for Change match donations of Star Wars fans up to $1,000,000 to four select charities including: the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish.  Learn more in the video below, and go to CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange to support these worthy charities.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS home edition is available now.  Still looking for more?  Our friends Sarah and Richard of Skywalking Through Neverland share their thoughts on the Blu-ray and bonus features in Episode #116 of their show.  Plus, you can click on the images below for coloring pages, games, crafts, and more.

For even more images, trailers, and printable activity sheets for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, click here.  For more family movie news, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.