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

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

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

Target 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 Target 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 

In terms of honest-to-goodnes "extras," Target's exclusive is the most substantial, but also the most frustrating. First, a note on the packaging. Rather than a full-fledged "DigiBook" with essays, notes, and photos, this is only a rather thin, but heavy-stock fold-open package. Six main characters are featured prominently on the front. The back is simply a reproduction of the standard backside found on all of these The Force Awakens releases. The package opens up to two photos, the one on the left featuring Finn, BB-8, Rey, Han Solo, and Poe Dameron -- the same image found on the Wal-Mart exclusive -- and Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, and General Hux on the right. Inside, with all four panels revealed, are close-up portraits of Princess Leia, Han Solo, Rey, and Finn. The three discs -- the Blu-ray film and bonus disc and the DVD -- are tightly housed inside pockets. They're all but impossible to remove without touching the bottom of the disc, and there's no way to tell which disc is in which pocket; only the very furthest edge of each disc protrudes from the pocket.

The Target release also contains two additional honest-to-goodness bonus features, but they're not on either Blu-ray disc; they're only available digitally by redeeming the digital copy code included in the case. Here's what's available on the digital movie page, which appear along with all of the standard release bonus features:

• Inside the Armory (8:17): Property Master Jamie Wilkinson, Richard Cheal and Toby Wagner from Chargehand Dressing Props, Director JJ Abrams, and Actors Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and Mark Hamill discuss weapon design and evolution and the importance of weapon simplicity. They also look at key weapons seen throughout the film, including blasters and light sabers, and how modern technological advancements allowed for refinements of the weapon crafting process.
• The Scavenger & the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (11:45): The fresh young stars from The Force Awakens sit down for a fireside chat during which they discuss their history with and love for the franchise; their relationship off the screen and they pleasure they found in working together; sharing the experience of working on a huge franchise; story evolution from the time of their casting; working with Simon Pegg, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Adam Driver, and Peter Mayhew; working with practical effects; experiencing the larger filmmaking process; story themes; physical training; and emotions after the shoot. The piece ends with a little song and dance.

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

Target's exclusive release of The Force Awakens is in some ways the best and in some ways the most frustrating. Its potential for cooler and better packaging is evident but the final product comes up short; a full-fledged DigiBook and easier disc access would have been preferable. The extra content is good -- both pieces are informative and entertaining -- but the digital-only option is a bummer. Still, this might make for a good compromise release, particularly for fans who love extra content and don't mind going digital.