Here’s how to own Star Wars: The Force Awakens and all its extra goodies now

Judging by the box-office numbers, most of Planet Earth saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters — but if you want to watch it again and again, you’ll need to get your hands on the home video version. The film won’t be available on Blu-ray/DVD until April 5, but if you just can’t wait until that date, we’ve got you covered.

Customers who purchase Star Wars: The Force Awakens in digital HD will be able to view the movie on Friday April 1, otherwise known as today. While we’ve been known to engage in a bit of April Foolin’ in the past, this is as real as it gets.

Four days before the release of the SD digital version and the physical Blu-ray/DVD, you can stream Star Wars right to your TV or other compatible device from Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and several other platforms.

The download will run you $18 on Amazon, compatible with these devices, and $20 from most other sites. The digital version also includes plenty of extra goodies. Here’s the full list: The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey (documentary), The Story Awakens: The Table Read, Crafting Creatures, Building BB-8, Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight, ILM: The Visual Magic of the Force, John Williams: The Seventh Symphony, Force for Change (profile of a charitable initiative), and a group of deleted scenes headlined by a digital exclusive called Tunnel Standoff.

All in all, the download checks in at 4 hours and 17 minutes, and the movie itself is just 2 hours and 17 minutes.

For those prefer physical copies for the better resolution quality they offer, the Blu-ray ($20) and DVD ($18) versions will soon be available at retailers everywhere and are currently available for pre-order. If discs are dead to you, the early digital download is probably the best option, but the Blu-ray version of the film also includes a DVD and a digital download voucher. That said, waiting a few more days will pay off if you want the flexibility of having the movie in multiple formats.

Either way, the force is awakening on the small screen and no sales record is safe.

from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1RRAuUY
Adam Poltrack