News: Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 3D Collector's Edition

The Force Awakens gets a 3D Collector's Edition this October!

At the beginning of last April, blu ray collectors saw multiple releases of J.J. Abrams recent reboot of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on home video.  Available in numerous collector’s editions through Best Buy, Target and Buena Vista’s online website, buyers had several options to choose from based on which unique collectible edition they wanted, if not all for the die-hards.  While the transfer of the film itself is hard matted in the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 with superb 7.1 DTS-HD surround sound, two things remained bereft of the home video release: no IMAX shifting and no 3D blu ray release.  While the 70mm IMAX presentation of the film only included one sequence that opened up to 1.44:1 while the rest of the film was matted at 2.20:1 per 15/70 IMAX film, that sequence as shot remains excluded from the blu ray which would have opened to approximately 1.90:1.  Further still, the IMAX 3D digital presentations of the film, while not sanctioned by J.J. Abrams, seemed to be a one-time only method of presenting the film to the public.  From the looks of things, 2D was all fans and home theater aficionados were going to get.

In the neverending age of double dipping with home video releases, that will change for fans on October 31^st, 2016 with the release of a 3D collector’s edition blu-ray.  Housed in a four disc collectible set with a 3D blu-ray, standard blu-ray and DVD, the set will also include exclusive new bonus features including a never before released audio commentary with J.J. Abrams, additional behind-the-scenes materials and even more deleted scenes than previously.  While obviously a double dip, this edition tacks on so much additional content not previously available on the first editions of The Force Awakens that staunch collectors will likely find themselves trading in their copies of the film to make way for this far more comprehensive edition.  Retailing at approximately $26, this ornate special edition reissue of the film should provide Star Wars fanatics, as of current, the ultimate home video release edition of the film.  While this still doesn’t include the IMAX footage as shot and presented theatrically, having the 3D and additional bonus content is a step up from what people got the first time around.  So start saving your money and prepare for the Collector’s Edition blu-ray of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

        

- Andrew Kotwicki