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

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

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

Wal-Mart Exclusive

We normally don't review store exclusive titles that are also being widely distributed by way of a standard edition sold at all outlets, but with the immense popularity of the 'Star Wars' franchise and Episode VII in particular, we've decided to offer a real-world glimpse at the four store exclusives available to buy beyond the standard wide release, which has been reviewed here. Skip below to the "Supplements" section on this page for a review of the Wal-Mart exclusive.

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

For a full video quality review, please click here.

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

For a full audio quality review, please click here.

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

Slip cover fans and collectors, this one's for you. Wal-Mart's exclusive is the only store exclusive to come with a non-standard slipcover, replacing the basic release's slip with a fold-open featuring BB-8, the popular new droid introduced in the movie. The droid is affixed to the spine on one side and cut out to sit above the slipcover. It holds in place with a velcro-ish button. Opening reveals images of five characters -- Finn, BB-8, Rey, Han Solo, and Poe Dameron, from left to right -- standing in a desert setting, presumably Jakku. It's a very clean slip, attractive in its simplicity, and more worthy of display in a place of prominence rather than tucked spine-out on the bookshelf. However, the presentation does shin with BB-8 extended at a 90-degree angle from the spine and situated with the spine facing front and the droid extended to its right (see image three). Note that a sticker announcing Wal-Mart exclusivity is adhered to the slip; remove it with care. The back side, unfortunately, is identical to the standard release's slipcover. Inside the slip is the almost-standard The Force Awakens Blu-ray release, which comes housed in a unique black case and includes the film and special features on Blu-ray, the film on DVD, and a Disney digital copy voucher. The Blu-ray discs come stacked on the right side of the case and the DVD on the left rather than the wide release's "internal flap" configuration that gives every disc its own hub. There's also an extra surprise in the case: a Star Wars Galactic Connexions character disc (I received Ben Quadinaros) from Topps and a fold-open, eight-panel, front-and-back booklet that introduces the game and pieces, offers instructions on how to play, and contains a checklist. Very cool, but potentially addicting and costly for those that want to fork over the money for more game pieces. For more information on the game, please click here.

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

Wal-Mart's store exclusive will be most prominently purchased for its slipcover. Everything else inside, and the back of the slip, for that matter, is identical to the standard release, save for how the discs are housed in the case and the inclusion of the bonus Galactic Connexions game play token. For serious collectors and slipcover aficionados, this is easily the edition to own.