It wowed us. It floored us. It comforted and excited us — simultaneously.
Yes, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was a juggernaut in movie theaters this past holiday season and beyond. Now it’s the home entertainment world’s turn to be blown away by screen delight.
Rest assured, “The Force Awakens” looks and sounds fantastic on Blu-ray Disc (Walt Disney Studios). Viewers won’t be disappointed as they relive all the excitement brought forth by Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and company.
The J.J. Abrams film — co-written by Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt — really moves and never has a stale moment. It rings familiar (think “A New Hope”), and that’s a good thing. Not many movies can please old-time fans and new audiences, and this film did both. It’s a must-see production.
The Blu-ray combo pack contains the Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet. The bonus features are sublime, led by the full-length documentary “Secrets of the Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey.” Fans may discover the making of the film via interviews with the actors and filmmakers, as well as through in-depth footage.
But there’s more. Another extra reflects on how the cast members familiar and new met up for the first time. One bonus feature is devoted to the building of droid BB-8. Yet another focuses on legendary composer John Williams. There are four other bonus features plus deleted scenes.
Now, that’s wow-worthy.
More Releases
Oscar Isaac, who played Resistance pilot Poe Dameron in “Star Wars” The Force Awakens,” is part of another new release: “Mojave” (Lionsgate). This time, though, he’s not so nice, as Isaac plays a homicidal drifter. However, much to his surprise, he encounters an equally dangerous opponent in the middle of a desert.
“Stealing Cars” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) features an all-star supporting cast that goes all-out to accentuate Emory Cohen, who stars as a young man with much promise but a troubled past. The rebellious teenager faces harsh injustices in juvenile detention but learns life lessons. Mike Epps, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo and William H. Macy absolutely shine in their supporting roles. The R-rated movie is available on DVD, which contains an UltraViolet disc.
“Point Break” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is a rush-a-minute film, available on a 3D Blu-ray combo pack or 2D Blu-ray combo pack. A young FBI agent infiltrates a team of thrill-seeking elite athletes who are suspected of carrying out crimes in unusual ways. Elite athletes performed the adventurous feats, and it should be no surprise that the Blu-ray’s bonus features center on separate featurettes on rock climbing, wingsuit flying, snowboarding and motocross.
“Banshee: The Complete Third Season” (HBO Home Entertainment) is an action-drama worth watching. One would never guess that the rural, Amish-area town of Banshee, Pa., would have its sheriff secretly be an ex-convict. A dozen tantalizing bonus features grace the choice of Blu-ray or DVD.
“Episodes: The Fourth Season” (Paramount Home Entertainment) is appreciated for its wittiness. Former “Friends” star Matthew LeBlanc finally has hit it big as a star of a show that the creators and writers would rather dump.
“NYPD Blue: Season Nine” (Shout! Factory) is a five-DVD set that contains all 23 episodes. And, yes, Dennis Franz still delivers in a big way.
“Children of the Stars” (MVD Visual) is wacky, to say the least. It’s a strange but true story of a UFO contactee group, whose members relive their past lives on other planets by making their own science fiction films. This is pure delight. Go for it.
“Coming Home” (Sony) is a Mandarin-language film about a political prisoner who, upon his release, finds his wife has amnesia. Not recognizing him, she waits for her “husband’s” return. He tries mightily to awaken his wife’s memory through gentle displays of unconditional love.