We got an early look at X-Men: Days of Future Past digital release last week, through iTunes, and it was quite a cool experience. The DVD/Blu-Ray release is on October 14th, so getting a few weeks early is pretty awesome. Currently, it is available on iTunes, as well as Google Play, Amazon, and a slew of other places, for the price of $14.99, and while getting it early is pretty great, since the movie is pretty great (see our review here), there are a few drawbacks. Let's just breakdown some of the good and the bad of the digital release, starting with a few super-frustrating moments.
Arg Moments
I can't access the special features
Going through the film and checking it out on iTunes, I keep seeing that there are some extra features like deleted scenes and a look into a scene or two. These are things I'd love to see. Alas, I cannot. Checking through the reviews, I think I'm the only person with this problem, but it's insanely frustrating nonetheless because I buy Blu-Rays of movies I love, like this one, to watch the special features or for the commentary. Knowing they exist, but not being able to get to them is so aggravating. Before we get some snappy answers, yes my iTunes is updated and so is my computer. This is really the one thing iTunes has over the other places you can get it as well.
Dealing with iTunes in general
I'm not an Apple hater, but I do hate their limitations. Aside from only being able to watch it on a small screen, since most of my technology is Android-based, the program is incredibly unresponsive on my computer and laptop. It's slow and needs an update every week. Opening up iTunes just boils my blood sometimes, even though it's a pretty dang good program and marketplace. I wish their video app worked on other platforms.
You may be wondering why I'm talking so much about how iTunes fails on this and saying to yourself "You don't mention your Blu-ray player every time you review a DVD." And that's totally fair to say, except for the fact that not everyone has the same Blu-Ray player. To play this copy of X-Men: First Class, everyone has to have iTunes. However, not everything is bad. There's also a few awesome moments here as well. Let's check out some of the better things about this.
Awesome Moments
Watch it early
I love the fact that the industry is pushing digital releases by releasing digital copies earlier than physical ones, much like in the way DVDs were released months before VHS tapes, way back when. You feel pretty special getting to catch one of the biggest films of the summer a few weeks early.
Watch it on my time!
For me, I suck at watching films. I rarely go to the theater anymore, and when I watch movies at home, it's usually over the course of a few days because I'm super-busy. I actually prefer to watch movies at home over the theater, so having a copy of this at my disposal is pretty nice. I can hang out in my pajama pants, holding a Wolverine action figure, and not have to worry about teenagers judging me.
The special features (that I can't watch) look cool
I know I can't watch the special features, but I really want to. Included in the special features are deleted scenes, which you can watch with or without audio commentary, a gag reel, and a sequence that took a lot of takes, apparently. There's also a section called "Gallery: Trask Industries" so there's a decent amount of extras to watch. It does seem there's a decent amount of stuff offered for the price.
Take it on the go
This is pretty self-explanatory. I love the fact I can take this wherever I go. Any time I fly to a convention, I can watch this film. How many times am I going to watch this film? Probably a lot. For sure, I'll watch it, again, on the way to New York Comic Con next week.
Cheaper than a physical copy
Here's the numbers. An HD, digital copy of this movie costs $14.99. So aside from getting it a few weeks early, you're also probably paying $5 less for the film. Aside from that, a physical copy isn't taking up room on your shelves. However, if you really love the film, $5 probably won't sway you one way or the other. Also, a few of the other places you can buy it have it available for less, but without special features.
Should you pick up a digital copy of X-Men Days of Future Past?
There is no easy answer to this. My experience with this film was rough because none of the special features could be accessed, and I love special features. However, having the film early and being able to watch it on the plane or wherever I go is a HUGE plus to me. It all boils down to your viewing habits and whether or not you want a physical copy. If X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of your favorite movies this year, then go ahead and grab this movie, weeks before a physical release. It's a good deal, but if you're like me, you're probably also getting a physical copy as well.
Check it out on the Fox Digital page to find out where you want to buy it from.
What do you guys think? Will you pick up a digital copy of this film?