Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Star Wars, J.J. Abrams Style

The final installment (or is it a Jedi mind trick?) in Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker brings back Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Super 8) for one last outing before the ship sails (off into space). Picking up after the turbulent events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the film brings back Jedi heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) to fight for the resistance as she works alongside Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) to take down the threat of the first order. Or will Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) succeed where Darth Vader failed?

Grab your lightsaber and get ready to rumble!

To read more on the film and release please refer to the review published by my fellow Blu-ray.com colleague, Martin Liebman. Please note my rating on the film itself is my own opinion on the film.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a complete evaluation of the video quality on the 4K release please click here to view the published review on the standard edition.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a complete evaluation of the audio quality on the 4K release please click here to view the published review on the standard edition.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm, and Target have collaborated to present fans with a special collectors edition release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The store exclusive set includes a 4K UltraHD disc, a feature-film Blu-ray disc, a bonus features Blu-ray disc, and an exclusive bonus disc (on a standard DVD). The set is packaged in an attractive DigiPack style case with extensive artwork. Included inside of the set is a 34 page booklet featuring an introduction by visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett.

The gallery book delves into the production with an emphasis on the spectacular visual effects work. The booklet also explores the costumes and other production elements. Each segment featured in the booklet explores a different element or character with notes, photographs, and illustrations, including: Rey, Kylo Ren, Finn, Poe Dameron, General Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, D-O, Zorii Bliss, Jannah, Ajan Kloss, Pasaana, Kijimi, Kef Bir, and Exegol. The last few pages of the booklet also highlight the behind the scenes of the film.

The Target exclusive DVD bonus disc contains an extra supplemental behind-the-scenes featurette (SD, 25:34) which delves into more aspects of the film's production with director J.J. Abrams and company discussing the final chapter in the Skywalker saga. Exploring various components of the laborious production (from the complex models built to the visualizations of special effects for Star Wars fighter ships), the piece breaks down more aspects of the filmmaking for die-hard Star Wars fans to delve into and cherish.

Co-screenwriter Chris Terrio discusses the process of developing the action packed screenplay with J.J. Abrams and which elements were essential foundations to the overarching story. The supplement is an entertaining and breezy piece which shows director J.J. Abrams enthusiastically working with the crew while exploring the ongoing process of development at Lucasfilm during the production of the final episode in the saga.

While the Target exclusive bonus disc may not be as essential as the extensive bonus disc included on the standard retail release, the store exclusive edition is nonetheless a nice addition to any Star Wars collection. For a complete break-down of the on-disc supplements please click here to view the published review on the standard edition.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Arriving on 4K UHD at light-speed, director J.J. Abrams' Star "Trek" Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is another action-packed adventure that is sure to offer some thrilling moments of elation for fans of the beloved film series. While the film may not be a total home run it is still a moderately satisfactory conclusion to this chapter in the Star Wars saga. The Target exclusive release adds a few extra items for collectors and has a special bonus disc with an extra behind-the-scenes featurette. While there was no way that J.J. Abrams and company would ever be able to satisfy everyone with the final installment in the series, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a decent adventure and one that has moments of awe-inspiring spectacle. Use the force and pick up the last installment in the Skywalker saga.