Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD (Jason’s 1st Impressions)
The first Star Wars standalone film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is now on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD. This release contains the film, a package of bonus features called “The Stories” and a short featurette on some of the Easter eggs in the film. For more details on the release, tech specs, etc.. here is the original press release.
Rogue One, for those who somehow missed it in theaters, is set before the original Star Wars Film (Episode IV) and is the story of how the rebels embark on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star.
The bonus features for this release have their own Blu-ray disc and clock in at over an hour. Instead of the traditional array of bonus features, almost all of the material is packaged as a piece called “The Stories”. This is divided into ten chapters. Each one explorers a topic more in depth and they range from 4 minutes to 9 minutes in length. Topics discussed involve each of the lead characters as well as a look at the origins of the story:
- A Rogue Idea – Hear how ILM’s John Knoll came up with the movie’s concept – and why it’s the right film to launch the Star Wars stand-alone films.
- Jyn: The Rebel – Get to know Rogue One’s defiant, resourceful survivor, and hear what it was like for Felicity Jones to bring her to life onscreen.
- Cassian: The Spy – Diego Luna shares insights into his complex, driven character, who becomes a hero through selflessness, perseverance and passion.
- K-2SO: The Droid – Explore the development of this reprogrammed Imperial droid, from initial pitch and character design through Alan Tudyk’s performance.
- Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills – Go deeper into the relationship between these two very different characters, with Chinese superstars Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen.
- Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary – Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed reflect on Saw Gerrera, the broken Rebel leader, and Bodhi Rook, the Imperial pilot who defects.
- The Empire – Meet a dangerous new Imperial adversary…and cross paths once more with the most iconic villain of all time.
- Visions of Hope: The Look of “Rogue One” – The filmmakers describe the challenges and thrills of developing a bold new look for the movie that can fit within the world of the original trilogy.
- The Princess & The Governor – See what it took to bring the vibrant young princess of “Star Wars: A New Hope” – as well as one of her most memorable foes – back to the screen.
- Epilogue: The Story Continues – Filmmakers and cast celebrate Rogue One’s premiere and look forward into the future, to the Star Wars stories yet to be told.
“The Stories” are basically a documentary and on the disc plays as such with a play all option. Unfortunately if you are watching through Disney Movies Anywhere you do not have this ability and have to click through each one. Also noteworthy on the digital version they are not in the same sequence. I thought the way it is presented on the physical disc was easier to watch, more logical but still maintained the flexibility if you want to go back and find something. I found it refreshing that the bonus material did not rely on deleted scenes or out takes, but instead explored the characters and story more. I do enjoy the making of pieces that you find in traditional offerings and there is a little of this scattered throughout the stories looking at some of the sets and digital effects.. but me being the tech geek that I am I would have really liked to have seen more on this aspect of the film too.
Here are a series of clips from the K-2SO Story –
The Rogue Connections featurette is a brief four and a half minute look at some of the connections and Easter Eggs within Rogue One. This is an interesting piece as it points out some of the references the more casual fan may miss, I am sure all you Star Wars enthusiasts found these and many more already.
Rogue One will make a good addition to your Star Wars Library. “The Stories” provides a good background and is an interesting piece to watch.
For more on Rogue One here is a listing of all related posts on the geek’s blog @ disneygeek.com
