Blu-ray Movie Reviews

I’ve seen some bad Star Wars movies and, well, The Force Awakens sure ain’t one of them. Yes, the plot is full of wild coincidences, implausible developments, and groan-inducing character moments. Worst of all, the events and even specific locations sometimes follow well-worn aspects of the classic canon a bit too closely. But these sins perhaps we can and should forgive. Filmmaker J.J. Abrams is a professed Star Wars fanatic, and his love and respect for the material have clearly guided this first new film since creator George Lucas divested himself of the fabled fantasy franchise.

Quite smartly, Abrams has positioned beloved heroes at the center of the action: Luke Skywalker, last of the Jedi, is a threat to The First Order, heir to the Empire we know and loathe from Episodes IV–VI, and is currently missing. Efforts to determine his whereabouts and to defend against a recently completed doomsday weapon introduce courageous new protagonists, while also coaxing some veterans out of retirement. Fearsome new villains further their own agenda as well, and before long, we are swept away by a spirit of adventure absent since 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

The Force Awakens was shot in different media, but primarily on 35mm film, capturing much of the look of the original trilogy. For Blu-ray, all of the extras are on a separate platter, enabling a high video bitrate for the movie, and the results are so clean and at the same time so organic that the image is neither overtly filmic nor digital, just lovely to watch. A new color scheme has been established, and the magnificent visuals—with and without the use of awe-inspiring special-effects technology—routinely dazzle the eye. Every wrinkle and gray hair on the vintage Star Warriors is plain to see, in addition to the infinite nuances of the elaborate practical sets. Shadowy areas of the frame are stable and natural, surrendering subtle details, especially for goth baddie Kylo Ren. A pivotal sequence was shot in IMAX, but this presentation has a consistent 2.4:1 aspect ratio.

Although the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack lacks the latest in object-based surround sound, it thrillingly enhances the Star Wars experience. The different sonic personality of John Williams’ newly orchestrated score is evident, and noticeably brighter. The palpable bass rumble of The Force has also awakened, while the generous action beats come alive with the sharp pew-pew of blasters and the crack and thud of more primal violence. Iconic spacecrafts swoop and slice distinctly across the soundstage. There’s an enjoyable low-key surround engagement, down to small stuff like echoes or delicate room dynamics in the various otherworldly environments, and offscreen cues impart a sense of scale to this cinematic universe. Explosions extend all around us, and occasional discrete effects further enliven the proceedings.

Despite the magnitude of the subject, the “Secrets of The Force Awakens” documentary goes on a bit too long, built as it is upon seemingly endless scenes of people hugging. The six deleted scenes (each under a minute) and the glimpse of the legendary full table read of the script are similarly disappointing, but a few of the featurettes are worth watching.

The Force Awakens is a marvelous new beginning, shrewdly balanced with profound nostalgia to satisfy generations of fans as no movie before it.

Blu-ray
Studio: Disney, 2015
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio Format: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Length: 138 mins.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega