Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released 2015's 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of supplements are included on a dedicated Blu-ray disc.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. There is no video presentation change between the bundled Blu-ray and that originally released in 2016.

Perfection. While Disney's batting average is low with the original trilogy and only respectable with the prequel trilogy, the studio has chosen to leave well enough alone with The Force Awakens and present the film on UHD with a beautifully filmic presentation that accentuates, rather than destroys, its film-based roots. Grain is fine and flattering, filling the screen with a beautiful, naturally accentuating layer that serves as the foundation for the rest of the picture. Details are incredible. The world textures are amazing, from glossy First Order ship interiors to the sandy Jakku terrains. Sharpness abounds, clarity never falters, intimacy never retreats. Close-ups are particularly resplendent. Wear and tear and grime on FN-2187's stormtrooper suit couldn't be more precise, ditto the edge wear and caked-on dirt seen on BB-8's spherical body; both practically beg the viewer to reach into the screen with a cleaning cloth. Facial textures are as intimately precise as can be, whether considering pores, wrinkles, beads of sweat, or blood. Digital and practical elements blend with seamless clarity and detail flow. This is how Star Wars should look.

The HDR color spectrum compliments the movie well. The opening sequence when Ren and some stormtroopers arrive on the planet and confront and capture Poe Dameron is certainly darker on the UHD, but to the image's benefit. It's more intense, the villain's black mask and surrounding fabrics find a new gear for depth, fiery backgrounds and bright red laser blasts present with more intensity and punch, and white stormtrooper uniforms are deeper and more reflective of the lighting and environment. Poe's X-wing blows up in spectacular fashion, a light show that is many times more intense and visually satisfying compared to the Blu-ray. When Rey first meets BB-8 in chapter 10, the scene has a much more pronounced dusk feel to it. Deeper and warmer tones define the scene, and the added depth to the droid's orange accents serve as one of the picture's highlights, not just in this scene but throughout the film. Takodana greenery also enjoys impoved color depth, variation, stability, and accuracy. Lightsaber intensity only rises in brilliance and color saturation, ditto laser blasts. Black level depth is superior in space and in various low light shots; the beginning of chapter 11 -- a star destroyer exterior followed by a low light interrogation interior -- is a good example. Skin tones never miss a beat. This is a very good improvement to an already first-rate Bu-ray; fans are going to be beyond pleased.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

With its volume cranked up from reference, this workhorse Dolby Atmos soundtrack literally elevates the listening landscape with a handful of exciting discrete overhead effects. One of the most prominent examples comes in chapter 17 when a TIE Fighter zooms directly overhead as it attacks Rey and Finn. It's a fantastic one-off moment within a wonderful assault of sonic goodness that fills the listening area with expert movement not just above, but around the listener as well. Ships fly around the stage with seamless presence and movement with chapter 32 also offering several more examples of discrete overhead engagement during the battle on Takodana. Battle scenes on the ground explode with prominent surround integration and fully immersive action delight as well, whether fought with laser blasts or lightsabers. Swooshes, swirls, crashes, and crunches present with perfectly attuned clarity. Music engages with might, full stage stretch and depth, and faultless clarity. If there's a foul it's that the track feels just a mite thin in a couple of places, when one could imagine a tiny bit more heft to laser blasts (whether from X-Wings, TIE Fighters, or blasters) but this is a minor detail that doesn't get in the way of an otherwise world-class Atmos listen.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Force Awakens' UHD contains no supplemental content, but the set includes a Blu-ray disc dedicated to extras in addition to a movie-only 1080p presentation with audio commentary. This set essentially repurposes the supplements from the 3-D release which included content not available in the original 2-D presentation. See below for a list of what's included; please click here and here for full coverage; the former link points to the 2-D disc and the latter the 3-D disc. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Audio Commentary
• 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 Visual Magic of the Force
• John Williams: The Seventh Symphony
• Deleted Scenes
• Force for Change
• Foley: A Sonic Tale
• Sounds of the Resistance
• Dressing the Galaxy
• The Scavenger & The Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega
• Inside the Armory

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Force Awakens' UHD looks and sounds about as good as one could want. Enough Said. Highest recommendation.