The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray in the US on March 7th, and the question we're hearing more than ANY other question is: "Which version should I buy?!" Well, tributes, we're here to help. Lionsgate Home Entertainment was generous enough to give us one of each version so we could compare the features and benefits and help make your shopping a little easier.
Target 3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pak
I'll tell you right off the bat that I'm a complete collector (hoarder?) and want ALL POSSIBLE Hunger Games footage in my possession. If it's a Special Feature, I. Must. Have. It. So, MY personal fave is the Target 3-disc collector’s set.
The three discs come in a very cool book-bound case with a photo on each page: Katniss, Peeta, Finnick and Gale. This version has the MOST special features.
Disc 1: the film on Blu-Ray, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, Blu-ray exclusive 9-part making-of documentary: “Surviving The Game”, deleted scenes, Divergent sneak peek
Disc 2: the film on DVD, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, deleted scenes, Divergent sneak peek
Disc 3: DVD Bonus disc - 3 featurettes:
• One Vision (A Faithful Adaptation)--translating Suzanne Collin's source material to the big screen
• The Alliance (Returning Cast)--an inside look at the close-knit relationships of the returning actors
• Friend or For (New Cast)--finding the perfect embodiments of the new characters
Plus the digital HD Ultraviolet copy
$24.99 at Target
Best Buy Steelbook Front & Back
Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook Blu-Ray
This version comes with the movie on Blu-Ray only, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, Blu-ray exclusive 9-part making-of documentary: “Surviving The Game”, deleted scenes, Divergent sneak peek + $8.00 Fandango cash (a redeemable code). Plus the digital HD Ultraviolet copy.
Inside the SteelBook packagingThis version is great if you ONLY want the Blu-Ray. It does not have the 45 minutes of extra content (3 featurettes) included on the Target bonus disc but it DOES have the awesome making-of documentary and deleted scenes.
$29.99 at Best Buy (but on sale for $22.99 at press time)
Amazon Blu-Ray+DVD+Digital Copy
Amazon Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital HD Ultraviolet Copy
This version comes with the movie on Blu-Ray and DVD, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, Blu-ray exclusive 9-part making-of documentary: “Surviving The Game”, deleted scenes and Divergent sneak peek. Basic DVD packaging.
$19.99 at Amazon
Note: Amazon also has a DVD + Digital Ultraviolet copy version that comes with audio commentary by Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, deleted scenes and Divergent sneak peek for $15.99. It has NO 9-part making-of documentary: “Surviving The Game” - That's a Blu-Ray ONLY exclusive feature.
Walmart Exclusive 2 Movie SetWalmart 2-Movie Set
Walmart has a 2 movie set on DVD in their exclusive lenticular packaging (which is just a sticker on the cover of a basic dvd package, fyi).This version contains The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD plus the digital ultraviolet versions of both movies. No special features at all, only the feature films are included. It's definitely for more of a casual fan who doesn't care to see all the behind the scenes stuff. I'm a "more is more" type of fan so this is NOT for me. Sorry, Walmart.
Bottom line: My opinion is, if you want EVERYTHING, get the Target version. Even if you don't have a Blu-Ray player, you'll have the bonus disc (Disc 3, which is a DVD) with 45 minutes of behind the scenes content, and you'll get the audio commentary, the deleted scenes and the Divergent sneak peek on the dvd disc (Disc 2). Take the Blu-Ray to your Blu-Ray owning friend's house and have a slumber party to watch the 9-part making-of documentary!
See them all at CatchingFireMovie.com
Follow up note: I watched/listened to the audio commentary with Francis & Nina. It is absolute GOLD. They basically talk over the ENTIRE FILM. So, don't watch it your first time because you hear almost no diagogue. But what you DO hear is Francis talking about every choice he made in filming/cutting and why. And both of them talking about the adaptation and why choices were made cinematically. They also give out some tiny but awesome nuggets about Mockingjay. They both speak with such a passion for the books and the film. It's a MUST for the fangirl/fanboy.
Enter our GIVEAWAY for the Target The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 3-disc combo pack HERE. Open to international fans. Ends Sunday, March 16th at midnight.
