DVD News

Fast & Furious Blu-ray has enhanced features for iPhone and iPod - Vin Diesel’s Los Bandoleros clip added!

By Patrick Luce Jul 22, 2009, 16:36 GMT

Fast & Furious fans can get ready to see the movie like never before when the Blu-ray arrives with enhanced features for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced a plan to deliver an extensive array of iPhone and iPod touch-enabled features on its upcoming Blu-ray releases that can be accessed via companion applications from the App Store.

 
This industry-leading functionality will launch on Apple's APP Store on July 28th, coinciding with the 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray release of Fast & Furious.

For the first time ever, iPhone and iPod touch users will have the ability to control interactive content on their Internet and Wi-Fi connected Blu-ray players for a more enhanced and unique experience.

Later this year on select Universal releases, consumers will also be able to access bonus content found on their Blu-ray disc and download it into their iPhone or iPod touch to watch features on-the-go; use the devices as a virtual remote to control their Blu-ray disc features; and/or access additional detailed information about the film, its cast and more while watching the movie.

Releases will also integrate with social network applications or sites such as Facebook and Twitter to allow users to update their friends about movie-related activities.
 
In a press release, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Craig Kornblau stated: "By harnessing Blu-ray technology and combining it with Apple's highly acclaimed iPod touch and iPhone, we continue to raise the bar in delivering an array of unprecedented, user-friendly home entertainment experiences. Bridging these platforms further broadens the scope of the digital landscape by paving the way for innovative new applications and interactive contentenhancements that continue to uniquely engage consumers." 

 
 
Powered by BD-Live, the 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray release of Fast & Furious will utilize this interactive technology tied to its "Virtual Car Garage" bonus feature. With iPhone or iPod touch in-hand, Blu-ray viewers can use their devices' touch screens to control 360-degree views of the movie's supercharged street-racers and instantly punch up exclusive technical specs for the film's high-tech cars.
 
The "Virtual Car Garage" is just one of many exciting features included in the fully-loaded release of the Fast & Furious 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray, which hits the streets July 28, 2009. Packed with more fast cars, hot bodies and breath-taking stunts than ever, this built-for-speed action thriller reunites the original cast for an all-new, high-octane adventure.

The 2-disc Special Edition Blu-ray comes packed with bonus materials, plus a digital copy of the film that can be enjoyed on an array of electronic devices.
 
In this global hit, Vin Diesel (The Chronicles of Riddick) and Paul Walker (2 Fast 2 Furious) re-team with Michelle Rodriguez ("Lost") and Jordana Brewster (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) for the ultimate experience in unfettered speed. Director Justin Lin (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) also returns to create another edgy fast-paced crowd-pleaser.

The app will be available for free from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
 
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is also giving fans the chance to win the ultimate Fast & Furious experience with the Fast & Furious Ultimate Escape Sweepstakes – which gives fans a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes including a trip to NYC to meet Vin Diesel, a trip to Universal Studios Orlando or over 175 other prizes! 
 
To win, register at www.FFsweeps.com and follow, fan or friend Fast & Furious on Twitter, Facebook and Myspace. Daily codes will be sent via tweets, status updates and SMS messages starting July 21 until July 28th, when the contest ends.

Enter these codes at www.FFsweeps.com for chances to instantly win big prizes! Also, visit partner sites to get special one-time use codes. The more codes entered equals more chances to win!

Synopsis: Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the blockbuster street racing franchise: Fast & Furious. Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, blasting through Los Angeles and into the Mexican desert in muscle, tuner and exotic cars. When tragedy returns fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) to Los Angeles, his long dormant feud with FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Walker) threatens to reignite - until they discover a common enemy.

Dom and Brian declare a precarious truce as they try to outmaneuver their adversary and exact revenge. From convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, the two men push the limits of what is possible behind the wheel as they live for speed, drive for the rush and break all the rules!

Exclusive-to-Blu-ray Bonus Features include:
 
U-Control – Universal’s exclusive feature that lets you access bonus materials without leaving the movie:

Take Control – Paul Walker and Justin Lin take control of the viewing experience in this unique feature, offering a personal visual commentary by engaging with select scenes of the film to reveal details of the filmmaking process.
Virtual Car Garage and Tech Specs – Viewers will be able to view specs on a particular car from the film, go to the garage where they can browse the vehicles up close, and even build their own custom made car to share with the BD-Live™  community.
BD-LIVE – Viewers can connect to the Internet for a unique behind-the-scenes look at memorable scenes and access new and exciting exclusive online and interactive features, including Fast & Furious Video Mash-Up, My Scenes Sharing, My Chat and My Fast & Furious Commentary.

 
Other Bonus Features include:

Los Bandoleros – This original short film provides an exciting back-story of characters and the need for fuel that sets up the explosive land train heist in Fast and Furious. Featuring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriquez, Sung Kang, Don Omar and Tego Calderon.
Under the Hood-Muscle Cars – A look at some of the muscle cars in the film including the return of Vin Diesel’s iconic Charger.
Under the Hood-Imports – A look at some of the hot import rides featured in the film
Getting the Gang Back Together – The return of cast and crew, to make another chapter in the Fast and the Furious saga.
Driving School with Vin Diesel – Vin Diesel hits the track to brush up on his stunt driving.
Shooting the Big Rig Heist – Breaking down the film’s complex , adrenaline-fueled opening sequence.
Races and Chases – Putting together some of the car sequences in the film, mainly the big LA street race and the chase through the smugglers’ tunnels.
High Octane Action: The Stunts – Looking at some of the stunts in the film, notably the Chevelle explosion, the death of Fenix and the amazing “three car roll out” in the desert.
South of the Border: Filming in Mexico with a look at Vin interacting with his passionate fans.
Trailers from all four “Fast and Furious” films
“Blanco” Music Video by Pitbull featuring Pharrell
Gag Reel – Outtakes from the making of the film
Filmmaker Commentary
Fast & Furious Digital Copy: Transfer the included digital copy to your iPod, Mac or PC and experience Fast & Furious anywhere, anytime! 

Fast & Furious [Blu-ray] is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.

Premiere clip from Vin Diesel’s short film Los Bandoleros added: