STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D [2015 / 2016] [Limited Collector's Edition] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + Bonus Disc] [UK Release] The STAR WARS Magic is Back!
Visionary director J.J. Abrams brings to life the motion picture event of a generation. As Kylo Ren [Adam Driver] and the sinister FIRST ORDER rise from the ashes of the Empire, Luke Skywalker [Mark Hamill] is missing when the galaxy needs him most. It’s up to Kylo Ren, a desert scavenger, and Finn [John Boyega], a defecting Stormtrooper, to join forces with Han Solo [Harrison Ford] and Chewbacca [Peter Mayhew] in a desperate search for the one hope of restoring peace to the galaxy.
FILM FACT: Awards and Nominations: 2015 International Film Music Critics Award: Win: Film Score of the Year for John Williams. Win: Film Music Composition of the Year John Williams [for the composition track "The Jedi Steps and Finale"]. Win: Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film for John Williams. 2016 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Achievement in Film Editing for Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey. Nominated: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score for John Williams. Nominated: Best Achievement in Sound Mixing for Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson. Nominated: Best Achievement in Sound Editing for Matthew Wood and David Acord. Nominated: Best Achievement in Visual Effects for Roger Guyett, Pat Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Chris Corbould. 2016 BAFTA® Awards: Win: Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects for Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh and Neal Scanlan. Nominated: Best Production Design for Rick Carter, Darren Gilford and Lee Sandales. Nominated: Best Original Music for John Williams. Nominated: Best Sound for David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Matthew Wood and Stuart Wilson. 2016 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Win: Best Science Fiction Film. Win: Best Writing for Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt. Win: Best Actor for Harrison Ford. Win: Best Supporting Actor for Adam Driver. Win: Best Music for John Williams. Win: Best Editing for Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey. Win: Best Make-Up for Neal Scanlan. Win: Best Special Effects for Roger Guyett, Pat Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Chris Corbould. Nominated: Best Director for J.J. Abrams. Nominated: Best Actor for John Boyega. Nominated: Best Actress for Daisy Ridley. Nominated: Best Supporting Actress for Carrie Fisher. Nominated: Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong'o. Nominated: Best Production Design for Rick Carter and Darren Gilford. Nominated: Best Costume Design and Michael Kaplan. 2016 AFI Awards: Win: Movie of the Year for J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk and Kathleen Kennedy. 2016 American Cinema Editors: Nominated: Best Edited Feature Film [Dramatic] for Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey. 2016 BMI Film Music & TV Awards: Win: Film Music for John Williams. 2016 Hugo Awards: Nominated: Best Dramatic Presentation [Long Form] for Lawrence Kasdan (Screenwriter), J.J. Abrams (Screenwriter/Director) and Michael Arndt (Screenwriter). 2016 Jupiter Award: Win: Best International Film for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN. 2016 Society of Camera Operators: Nominated: Feature Film for Colin Anderson [Camera Operator of the Year Award].
Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Gwendoline Christie, Joonas Suotamo, Pip Andersen, Simon Pegg, Kiran Shah, Sasha Frost, Pip Torrens, Andrew Jack, Rocky Marshall, Greg Grunberg, Emun Elliott, Brian Vernel, Yayan Ruhian, Sebastian Armesto, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Warwick Davis, Cailey Fleming, Mark Stanley, Ken Leung, Iko Uwais, Anna Brewster, Harriet Walter, Tim Rose, Erik Bauersfeld, Mike Quinn, Kipsang Rotich, Michael Giacchino, Nigel Godrich, Judah Friedlander, Victor McGuire, Miltos Yerolemou, Francesca Longrigg, D.C. Barns, Matt Johnson, Billie Lourd, Leanne Best, Crystal Clarke, Jeffery Kissoon, Claudia Sermbezis, Gerald W. Abrams, Jim McGrath, Philicia Saunders, Morgan Dameron, Jessica Henwick, Tosin Cole, James McArdle, Stefan Grube, Dixie Arnold, Hannah John-Kamen, Tom Edden, Kate Fleetwood, Richard Riddell, Jefferson Hall, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Jack Laskey, Brian Herring, Dave Chapman, Bill Hader, Ben Schwartz, Arti Shah, Mike Massa (Han Solo Double), Charlie Akin (uncredited), Samantha Alleyne (uncredited), Paul Biddiss (uncredited), Dante Briggins (uncredited), Stuart Budd (uncredited), Jamie B. Chambers (uncredited), Alan Chimes (uncredited), Jamie Clay (uncredited), Daniel Craig (uncredited), Rimmel Daniel (uncredited), Jesse Michael Fullington (uncredited), Steven Griffiths (uncredited), Sir Alec Guinness (voice/archive footage), Phil Hodges (uncredited), Leigh Holland (uncredited), Phoenix James Lukas Landau (uncredited), Billy James Machin (uncredited), Raymond Mamrak (uncredited), Ewan McGregor (voice) (uncredited), Sandeep Mohan (uncredited), Jason Nicholls (uncredited), Frank Oz (Yoda voice) Alexsandria Rothschild (uncredited), Mark Flynn Rutter (uncredited), David M. Santana (uncredited), Lane Smith Jr. (uncredited), Clem So (uncredited), Frank Stone (uncredited), Andy Sweet (uncredited), Nick Walters (uncredited) and Kelsey White (uncredited)
Director: J.J. Abrams
Producers: Ben Rosenblatt, Bryan Burk, J.J. Abrams, Jason D. McGatlin, John Swartz, Kathleen Kennedy, Lawrence Kasdan (uncredited), Michael Arndt, Michelle Rejwan, Pippa Anderson, Susan Towner, Tommy Gormley and Tommy Harper
Screenplay: J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt and George Lucas (based on characters created)
Composer: John Williams
Cinematography: Dan Mindel, A.S.C., B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Descriptive Audio
French: 5.1 DTS-HD High Resolution
Czech: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Hindi: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, Arabic, Czech, Nederland, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Português, Russian, Spanish, Romania, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish
Running Time: 138 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 3
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment / Lucasfilm Ltd.
Andrew’s 3D Blu-ray Review: ‘ESPISODE VII: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ 3D [2015] is a spectacular homecoming and J.J. Abrams banishes memories of George Lucas’s prequels with this outrageously exciting and romantic return to a world you had not realised you’d missed so much and can be revealed! From the first few minutes, or even the first few frames, director J.J. Abrams’s exciting spectacular and seductively innocent ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ shows itself to be a Sci-Fi film in the true spirit of the original trilogy, which ended with ‘STAR WARS: Return of the Jedi’ in 1983 and this 2015 film takes up the story 30 years later on. J.J. Abrams' hugely anticipated blockbuster brings welcome jolts of energy, warmth and excitement back to the biggest franchise in Sci-Fi film history.
The ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film re-awoke my love of the first Sci-Fi film. There are very few films which leave me facially exhausted after grinning for 138 minutes, but this one is up there with the best. And when Han Solo and Chewbacca come on, I had a feeling watching this Sci-Fi film, not knowing whether to burst into tears or into applause.
J.J. Abrams and veteran co-writer Lawrence Kasdan have created a super Sci-Fi film which is both a narrative of progression from the earlier three Sci-Fi films and a shrewdly affectionate next-generation reboot of the original STAR WARS in 1977 and rather in the style of his tremendous re-imagining of the Captain Kirk and Spock in the original STAR TREK Sci-Fi franchise. With the ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film you get familiar personae, situations and weapons will appear profusely, and meshed in with new storylines and material already in the public domain scenario.
With the ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film, you get fun, fresh-faced leads; a terrifying three-dimensional villains; a lightsabre battle for the ages. Fear not, STAR WARS fans, J.J. Abrams has made the sequel of your dreams. “This will begin to make things right,” mutters Max von Sydow gravely as he cast his evil shadow in the first earthbound scene of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film. But of course the burning question is that we finally get revealed and the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker [Mark Hamill], during the events of the last 30 or so years that have past us by and his presence has been sorely missed.
That is certainly true in the world of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film. This Sci-Fi film’s familiar opening crawl of golden text reveals that Luke Skywalker vanished shortly after the events of ‘STAR WARS: Return of the Jedi,’ while the power vacuum left by the vanquished Empire was filled by the fascistic FIRST ORDER, with their fancy new TIE fighters and Stormtrooper armour, and startlingly no-nonsense approach to interplanetary ethnic cleansing.
From the off, J.J. Abrams’s film sets out to shake up STAR WARS profusely from its slumber, and reconnect the series with its much-pined-for past. That it achieves these both immediately and joyously is perhaps the single greatest relief of the movie-going year. In the film’s first shot, the silhouette of a Star Destroyer slices across a pale planet as cleanly and evilly as the cloud does across the moon in the opening sequence of Buñuel’s Un Chien Andalou, and it’s a forearm-prickling sight – not only because the image is beautiful, but also because it very deliberately recalls the first, cinema-shaking appearance that same spacecraft made in the prologue of George Lucas’s original STAR WARS Sci-Fi film in 1977. Also in his terrific 2009 reboot of STAR TREK, he got together a range of well-worn action scenes and plot manoeuvres and from the STAR WARS and giving a new generation something to really bounce back with the force.
There are moments of drama and excitement here that are pure late-Seventies vintage, although ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film has new lead characters, like a young woman and a young black man, neither one an obvious heir to the Luke Skywalker Aryan farm-boy mantle and shows that stories set a long time ago in faraway galaxies can still move with the times when it counts. The new heroes of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film are brightly drawn, occasionally surprising, and an endless pleasure to spend time with. Rey [Daisy Ridley] is a scavenger from a far-flung junk-pile of a planet called Jakku, while Finn [John Boyega] aka Stormtrooper FN-2187 and is a FIRST ORDER conscript who goes AWOL after his squad puts a village to death in the search for the Luke Skywalker star-map. Both are brave, charming and funny, but in very different, complementary ways: Rey is testy, decisive and independently minded; while Finn only wants to be thought of as the daring freedom-fighter he is not quite sure if he is cut out to be a freedom-fighter. The only thing that made me very frustrated and very annoyed at times with the character Rey and her reluctance and weakness to get her act together and always running away from the action because of her agenda to get back to her planet, made me want to shake some sense into her and make up and smell the coffee and fight against the evil empire.
While Luke Skywalker [Mark Hamill] and General Leia Organa [Carrie Fisher], who is still very regal, but of course no longer a Princess, are present mainly in their torch-passing capacity, Han Solo [Harrison Ford] and Chewbacca [Peter Mayhew] play central roles, and also where Harrison Ford giving his Han Solo a sardonic, rough-chinned world-weariness that is perhaps not entirely down to acting, but brilliantly cuts across a very funny John Boyega’s half-brave, half-anxious, would-be-heroic shtick!
‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film is the sequel you have been looking for and gives you great excitement of the ongoing adventure and it just feels like the original STAR WARS Sci-Fi franchise we have come to expect. ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film is unquestionably one of the best STAR WARS Sci-Fi film franchise we have seen in the 30 years Sci-Fi franchise, and an undeniably entertaining ride of the best kind. Fans surely want ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film to be the greatest thing they are ever likely to view what they are viewing via the cinema screen. It is a fun and thrilling return for one of the all-time great science-fiction franchises, and I know you will definitely and likely have a brilliant lightsabre blast. ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ film is definitely a critical turnaround and this sequel delivers great performances, action all STAR WARS fans are seeking in this Sci-Fi film and J.J. Abrams takes us back to the galaxy far, far away with exciting new heroes we can relate to and of course the good news is that which harks back to the most famous trilogy in Hollywood movie history. But overall, hallelujah, because we finally have the worthy successor of the Sci-Fi film franchise that we saw way back in 1983; and George Lucas’s empire, via the brilliant director J.J. Abrams, has struck back and of course “May The Force Be With You” as always and long may it reign in a far off galaxy we would love to visit.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS MUSIC TRACK LIST
DOBRA DOOMPA (Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and J.J. Abrams) (Produced by Shag Kava) [Performed by Shag Kava]
3D Blu-ray Image Quality – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and with the help of Lucasfilm Ltd presents you with a stunning 3D reference and gorgeous clarity contrast 1080p image, which is enhanced with the equally impressive 2.40:1 aspect ratio, that really makes you feel you are there in the thick of the action. The colours are totally vibrant and very accurate, image detail is 100% crisp and nuanced without appearing edgy, and the subtle textures of the Jakku desert and the forests of Takodana and Starkiller Base are truly impressive looking, especially as it was shot on 70mm film, gives it that edge of a beautiful filmic experience, so also retains a fine grain structure that gives an added textural awareness to the experience. Black levels are positive and deep, hinting very lightly to crush in an early night-time scene but otherwise holding accurate. Flesh tones are very neutral looking. This is a totally awesome and marvellous presentation from the Disney organisation and Lucasfilm and the best any STAR WARS Sci-Fi film franchise has ever looked on this brilliant Blu-ray format.
3D Blu-ray Audio Quality – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and with the help of Lucasfilm Ltd gives us the perfect 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio experience, and also gives us clarity and staging are excellent, and the dynamics are very well presented, but the surround channels give us a more atmospheric ambience sound experience. That said, the audio sound mix is certainly true to the theatrical experience and John Williams’s film music score is well presented and totally dynamic like his previous composed music for the Sci-Fi franchise. What is also an audio experience is the TIE fighters and X-Wing fighters zip, sweep, and swoop around the listening area. Sounds of battle chaos erupt through every speaker with tangible placement and precision accentuation of on- and off-screen mayhem. Laser blasts fire from all sides, and debris, ricochets, and impacts are heard in every speaker, while the TIE fighter swirls around the stage as the camera pans around its cramped interior. Dialogue reverberates with exceptional spacing in Snoke's chambers and the stage expands significantly to carry all the deep, reverberating sounds when Rey climbs through a derelict vessel early on in the Sci-Fi film. Dialogue is always clean, precise and natural with the centre speaker. So overall, this is a totally brilliant sound experience and makes full use of the entire sound stage, and especially gives you a very natural sound experience, more so than what I heard in the cinema.
2D Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Audio Commentary with J.J. Abrams: Enter the mind of visionary director J.J. Abrams as he reveals the creative and complex choices made while developing the first film in the new ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ Sci-Fi franchise. As soon as the Lucasfilm logo appears, J.J. Abrams introduces himself, and explains that when he was 10 years old in 1997, the coolest thing for him and what affected him in a big way was seeing the blue wording at the start of the original ‘STAR WARS’ film, and especially when the dramatic film music score started up that was composed by John Williams., really blew his mind and is now thrilled to talk about this film he directed. J.J. Abrams really praises George Lucas, especially how he influenced him to make films in homage to him. One thing J.J. Abrams wants to apologise and come clean to us, that he really hates doing these audio commentaries, because there are hundreds of stories he wants to inform us, but of course he is limited to the length of the film, but instead he wants to concentrate on all the technical aspects of the film, but he does go into great detail about why he wanted the compassionate Stormtrooper Finn to act like he did in fighting against the sinister FIRST ORDER. J.J. Abrams talks about the different desert locations used, which was filmed in Rub' al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi and when you see Rey in the Numa Outpost to sell what she had scavenged, was all real and not CGI. J.J. Abrams talks about the BB-8 Droid and wanted it to have some comedy moments that was suggested by John Lassiter, as par example with some of his PIXAR animated films, and the BB-8 Droid is a firm favourite with me and especially with this new STAR WARS film franchise. When we see the scene with the Supreme Leader Snoke, and J.J. Abrams gives great praise towards Andy Serkis in his amazing performance in this film. J.J. Abrams talks about the scene where Rey is trapped in the chair and Kylo Ren is trying to enter her mind to extract the map of where Luke Skywalker is, well you see one Stormtrooper is guarding her and then Rey uses to Force against the Stormtrooper to release her, well that Stormtrooper is Daniel Craig, yes 007 himself and happen to be at Pinewood at the time while filming ‘SKYFALL’ and informs J.J. Abrams that he is a massive fan of STAR WARS and wondered if he could have a small part in the film and of course Daniel Craig got his wish. When Rey finally meets Luke Skywalker in the final scene on Skellig Michael, County Kerry, Ireland, it was the scene that J.J. Abrams had been longing to film. As the End Credits appear at the end of the film, J.J. Abrams wanted to thank everyone who was involved with the film, and especially Kathleen Kennedy in allowing him to direct the film, and finally wants to thank us for staying the course to the end of his audio commentary, and most of all he hopes you enjoyed viewing ‘EPISODE VII: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.’ Finally, J.J. Abrams throughout the audio commentary talks endlessly about lots of technical information of different scenes we are viewing and to me I found this very boring and not at all that interested and that is the trouble with being very involved with the film.
Special Feature: The Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1] [69:14] For the first time, discover the amazing complete story behind the making of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN,’ revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this feature documentary. We also get to view rare clips of behind-the-scenes from the original STAR WARSA film, but also a substantial in-depth look a behind-the-scene filming from the latest Episode VII STAR WARS film. Here we get to view four small features and they are as follows: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three and Chapter Four. As usual you can view each feature separately or Play All. As a bonus, you can view this in 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Contributors include: Mark Hamill [Luke Skywalker], Carrie Fisher [General Leia Organa], Harrison Ford [Hans Solo], George Lucas [Star Wars Creator] Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President/Lucasfilm], Robert A. Iger [Chairman/Chief Executive Officer/The Walt Disney Company], J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Rick Carter [Production Designer], Roger Guyett [VFX Supervisor/2nd Unit Director], Doug Chiang [Lucasfilm Head of Design], Ralph McQuarrie [Concept Artist/Original Trilogy], Dennis Muren [Visual Effects Creative Consultant], Lawrence Kasden [Screenwriter], Michael Arndt [Screenwriter], John Williams [Composer], Matthew Wood [Supervising Sound Editor], Michelle Rejwan [Co-Producer], Bryan Burk [Producer], Darren Gilford [Production Designer], Gary Tomkins [Original Art Director of Vehicles], Alan Tomkins [Original Art Director for ‘The Empire Strikes Back’], Neal Scanlan [Creative/Droid FX Creative Supervisor], Daniel Pearson [CGI Supervisor], Patrick "Pat" Tubach [ILM Visual Effects Supervisor], Daisy Ridley [Rey], John Boyega [Finn], Dan Mindel, A.S.C., B.S.C. [Director of Photography], Ben Rosenblatt [Co-Producer], Simon Pegg [Unkar Plutt], Tommy Harper [Executice producer/Unit Production Manager], Oscar Isaac [Poe Dameron], Chloe Chesterton [2nd Assistant Director], Gwendoline Christie [Captain Phasma], Michael Kaplan [Costume Designer], Adam Driver [Kylon Ren], Paul Hayes [Construction Manager], Lee Sandales [Set Decorator], Phil Tippet [Animation Sequence Supervisor], Peter Mayhew [Chewbaca], Joonas Suotamo [Chewbaca Double], Lupita Nyong’o [Maz Kanata], [Performer of “Supreme Leader Snoke”],Joonas Suotamo [Chewbaca Double], Lupita Nyong’o [Maz Kanata], Christian Alzmann [ILM Concept Artist], Andy Serkis [Supreme Leader Snoke], Oliver Steeples [Model Maker], Lee Towersey [Model Maker] and Anthony Daniels [C-3PO].
Special Feature: The Story Awakens: The Table Read [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1] [4:01] Here we get to view a short glimpse on viewing some of the original cast members and also the new cast members, who reflect on the memorable first day they all came together to read the film’s script for ‘ESPISODE VII: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN,’ especially Mark Hamill personally reading the script out loud, which everyone applauded at the end of the read. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Lawrence Kasean [Screenwriter], Mark Hamill [Luke Skywalker], Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President of Lucasfilm], Oscar Isaac [Poe Dameron], Adam Driver [Kylo Ren], Daisy Ridley [Rey], John Boyega [Finn], Carrie Fisher [General leia Organa] and Harrison Ford [Hans Solo].
Special Feature: Crafting Creatures [2016] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [9:34] Watch true movie magic as we witness craftsmen bring new creatures to life. Here we take a closer look at constructing many of the creatures that appear in the film, including Chewbacca, and the human endeavour and professional work that brings them to life and the amount of creatures that were created for this Episode VII STAR WARS film was around the 105 mark. Contributors include: Neal Scanlan [Creature/Droid FX Creative Supervisor], Damian Farrell [Creature/Droid Performer for “Munduri”], Olly Taylor [Creature/Droid Performer for “Sonsigo”], Chris Clarke [Key Animatronic Designer for “First Mate Quiggold”], Paul Kasey [Performer for “Ello Asty” and Creature Movement Choreographer], Arti Shah [Creature/Droid Performer for “Gonk Droid”], Mike Quinn [Performer for “Nien Nunb”], Maria Cork [Supervising Animatronics Designer for Hair/Fur], Warwick Davis [Performer for “Wollivan”], Vanessa Bastyan [Supervising Animatronics Designer/Fabrication], Simon Pegg [Performer for “Unkar Plutt”], Patrick Tubach [ILM Visual Effects Supervisor], Kay Freeborn [Make-up Artist for ‘STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE’] and Peter Mayhew [Original Chewbaca].
Special Feature: Building BB-8 [2016] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [6:03] See how the filmmakers brought the newest droid to the silver screen, creating an instant fan favourite in the STAR WARS universe franchise. We also take a look behind-the-scene at the droid characters evolution, design and the final finished droid, and we see the droid's place in this Episode VII Sci-Fi film, as well as crafting the other practical models, and the different iterations that are utilized in different situations in the film. Contributors included: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Neal Scanlan [Creature/Droid FX Creative Supervisor], Christian Alzmann [ILM Concept Artist], Matthew Denton [Electronic Design and Development Supervisor], Josh Lee [Senior Animatronic Designer], Brian Herring [“BB-8” Puppeteer], Dave Chapman [“BB-8” Puppeteer], Daisy Ridley [Rey], Oscar Isaac [Poe Dameron] and Anthony Daniels [C-3PO].
Special Feature: Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:02] Go even deeper and especially behind-the-scenes into the epic climactic lightsabre battle between Daisy Ridley [Rey] and Kylo Ren [Adam Driver]. We also get a look at the amazing set construction at Pinewood Studios and the very physical preparations for the scene. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Rick Carter [Production Designer], Al Bullock [Senior Art Director], Darren Gilford [Production Designer], Adam Driver [Kylo Ren], Daisy Ridley [Rey], Chloé Bruce [Stunt Performer], Liang Yang [Stunt Performer] and John Boyega [Finn].
Special Feature: ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force [2016] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [7:55] A quick run-through of how digital effects support the entire film's practical visuals, with emphasis on some of the iconic spacecraft that appear in the Sci-Fi film and a behind-the-scene insider’s look into the remarkable digital artistry of the film’s visual effects with the famous Industrial Light & Magic. We also get lots of clips from the film. We are also informed that the Industrial Light & Magic has now offices in Vancouver, Singapore, London and also in San Francisco. As a bonus we get to view rare footage of behind-the-scenes from the ‘STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK’ film. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Lynwen Brennan [EVP/GM of Lucasfim], Roger Guyett [VFX Supervisor/2nd Unit Director], Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President of Lucasfilm], Ben Morris [Visual Effects Supervisor], Kevin Jenkins [Art Director], Lupita Nyong'o [Maz Kanata], Andy Serkis [Performer of “Supreme Leader Snoke”], Matt Rank [ Digital Artist Supervisor], Patrick Tubach [ILM Visual Effects Supervisor], Paul Kavanagh [Animation Supervisor], Dave Fogler [Asset/Environment Supervisor], Oscar Isaac [Poe Dameron], James Clyne [Art Director] and Susumu Yukuhiro [Environment Supervisor].
Special Feature: John Williams: The Seventh Symphony [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1/2.40:1] [6:51] Here we get to view the legendary composer at work in the recording studio with the full orchestra and we also get to hear John Williams sharing his personal insights into his work of composing the music and especially on the original STAR WARS film and this latest ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film, as well as viewing some rare footage of the recording session for the original STAR WARS film. We also get to hear an in-depth discussion of John Williams's iconic work and the newest composed material for this particular Sci-Fi film. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Lawrence Kasdan [Screenwritier], John Williams [Composer], Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President of Lucasfilm] and Maryann Brandon [Editor].
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes [2016] [1080p] [2.40:1] [6:39] View never-before-shared scenes that did not quite make it into the film’s final cut. You get to view nine different deleted scenes and they are as follows: Fin and the Villager; Jakku Message; X-Wing Prepare For Lightspeed; Kylo Searches The Falcon; Snow Speeder Chase; Finn Will Be Fine; Leia & The Resistance; Unkar Plutt At Maz’s Castle and Tunnel Standoff. As usual you can either watch each deleted scene separately or Play All.
Special Feature: Force For Change [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1/1.33:1] [3:22] During filming of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN,’ fans were offered all kinds of cool incentives to donate monies, they also set up an auction, with an incentive to have a cameo role in the film, and all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael along the Wild Atlantic Way, the location of the dramatic final scene from ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film. Over 125 countries participated as part of the charitable “STAR WARS: FORCE FOR CHANGE” campaign benefiting UNICEF in Uganda, Lebanon, Kosovo and Zambia. It was a massively successful and the campaign raised over $10 million. We get to view some rare film of the Premier of the original ‘STAR WARS’ at the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Contributors include: Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President of Lucasfilm], J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], D.C. Barns [Force For Change Charity Sweepstake Winner], Harrison Ford [Hans Solo] and Mark Hamill [Luke Skywalker].
Special Feature: Foley: A Sonic Tale [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1] [4:02] Here we get witness the unsung Foley Artists, consisting of old professionals and new talent, that unite to bring the world of ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ alive through the matching of sound to action and also discuss the unique process of making some of the key sound effects for the film and you are totally amazed what different odd objects they use to create the unique different sound effects we take for granted. Contributors include: Dennie Thorpe [Foley Artist], Jana Vance [Foley Artist], Ronni Brown [Foley Artist], Andrea Gard [Foley Artist] and Kimberly Patrick [Foley Artist].
Special Feature: Sounds Of The Resistance [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1/2.40:1/1.33:1] [7:15] Here visit the famous Skywalker Sound Ranch set in the beautiful California countryside, where we hear how the epic sound design for the ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film and how they have carried on the STAR WARS legacy. We also hear from this team of professional sound designers discuss the iconic sounds of STAR WARS, in creating new sounds for the film, and blending them with the visuals and music. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Kathleen Kennedy [Producer/President of Lucasfilm], Ben Burtt [Sound Design], Gary Rydstrom [Sound Design], Matthew Wood [Supervising Sound Editor], David Acord [Supervising Sound Editor], Christopher Scarabosio [Re-Recording Mixer], Ben Schwaertz [“BB-8” Voice Consultant] and Bill Hader [“BB-8” Voice Consultant].
Special Feature: Dressing the Galaxy [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1/2.40:1] [6:27] Costume designer Michael Kaplan reveals how the costumes of the original STAR WARS films were re-envisioned for a new generation. We also get to view behind-the-scene of seeing everyone getting fitted up with their designated costumes and especially for the New Worlds in ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film. Contributors include: J.J. Abrams [Writer/Ditrector/producer], Michael Kaplin [Costume Designer], Adam Driver [Kylo Ren], Pierre Bohanna [Costume FX Supervising Modeller], Daisy Ridley [Rey], Timothy Shanahan [Chief Textile Artist] and Harrison Ford [Hans Solo].
Special Feature: The Scavenger and the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega [2016] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [11:45] The two new fresh young stars from ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film sit down for a fireside chat during which they discuss their history with the thrill of working together on the adventure of a lifetime and the fun they had working with this Sci-Fi franchise; their relationship off the screen and the pleasure they found in working together; sharing the experience of working on a huge STAR WARS franchise; story evolution from the time of their casting; working with all the other cast and crew, as well as becoming part of the STAR WARS legacy. The piece ends with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega doing a little rap song and all the other cast and crew dancing to it. Contributors include: Daisy Ridley [Rey], John Boyega [Finn] and Simon Pegg [Unkar Plutt].
Special Feature: Inside the Armory [2016] [1080p] [1.78:1/2.40:1] [8:17] Take a fascinating in-depth tour through the design and creation of the weaponry used in the ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ film. We also hear people discuss weapon design and evolution and the importance of weapon simplicity. They also look at key weapons seen throughout the film, including blasters, light sabers, and how modern technological advancements allowed for refinements of the weapon crafting process. We get to view some very rare behind-the-scene footage of two crew members practicing with the original light saber design for the original STAR WARS film. The company that makes these weapons have the largest bang up-to-date VX1000 universal 3D printer. Contributors include: Jamie Wilkinson [Property Master], Richard Cheal [Chargehand Dressing Props], Toby Wagner [Chargehand Dressing Props], J.J. Abrams [Writer/Director/Producer], Daisy Ridley [Rey], Mark Hamill [Luke Skywalker] and James Enright [H.O.D Props & Digital Manufacturing].
BONUS: Beautiful Designed 3D DigiPack Slipcover.
Finally, ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ 3D is a totally heroic storytelling of the best kind, that is addictively bold and wildly exciting, which sends ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN’ 3D film surging through your capillaries and straight to your heart, even more so than the beautifully styled planets and I really loved the moss-draped, sylvan idyll of Takodana, the rubbery monsters, the measured pacing of the characters actually talk to each other, and the heavy dusting of nostalgia and I have to confess to crying three times during the duration of the Sci-Fi film. That is what sci-fi cinema is all about. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
