Avatar – 3D Blu-ray Review

The Film:

A year after its release, what’s left to say about James Cameron’s second billion dollar box office hit? Like any movie as popular as Avatar, the film has its detractors, but well, I guess this review isn’t for them. Since there’s nothing new to say on the film, below are some quotes about the movie, and its various incarnations, from the previous reviewed editions from Killer Film:

[On the theatrical cut, which is what the 3D Blu-ray offers]: “The scale of this film is huge, something you won’t know until you see it. It’s hard not to use big ideas when describing the impact of seeing Avatar on the IMAX in 3D (the only preferable way to have seen it theatrically), but for a 1933 movie-going public seeing King Kong for the first time is that type of impact and event that Avatar has for us today. The near 150 minute film draws you in to the world, and by the end, you’re not only wowed, but have been fully engrossed into the characters and their culture. This world Cameron has created feels strangely like Earth, but with an exotic twist. There’s a good reason for that. Cameron wants you to feel comfortable in the world, so he can engage us with the Nu’vi (those blue alien creatures) and their world. It is then, Cameron can use this to give us his themes and subtext. It’s not hard to see what he is saying. Man’s folly is to conquer. Greed, rather corporation greed, and capitalism is the root of man’s evil, and whatever we want, we take. Man in this film, is seeking this highly profitable rock and the Nu’vi are in our way. Such images of what the early colonial Americans did to the Native Americans are an easy connection, but subtle jabs at our current climate in Iraq and our Recession are also made. But it’s never a lecture, nor a preach. Avatar is a mirror for us.” Click here to read more on this cut.

[Matt Keith's take on the Extended Cut, as seen on the Collector's Edition]: “The added scenes certainly are a treat for die-hard fans of the film, but they really don’t add much to the film. The new opening that we’ve been hearing about is a delight to watch, and does give a bit more insight into the character of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington). There’s also a bit more development into why Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) is bitter towards humanity. Some scenes mention what happened with Dr. Grace Augustine’s (Sigourney Weaver) school for the Omaticaya and that adds a bit more emotion to her character. There’s also a scene that involve Sully hunting a herd of animals that shows how he’s growing as a hunter. There was a great scene that explained the affects Unobtainium had on the environment of Pandora, which showed how unique the world James Cameron has created really is. Another scene set-up Sully’s role in the sequels, but many could have already guessed what would be.

Overall, most of the new scenes don’t add much to the film, and the movie can stand on it’s own without them. However, the fans are sure to love them, but the average moviegoer may not even notice what’s new and what’s old.” Click here to read more on this version.

The 3D Blu-ray:

First and foremost, this release is an exclusive to Panasonic, so in order to get this version of Avatar, one must buy the Panasonic 3D TV (here, for example) and the Panasonic glasses (here). No word on when the exclusive license will end, so until then, this is the only way to get Avatar in 3D.

Audio/Video: For the original barebones release back in April 2010 in HD and the Collector’s Edition release in November 2010, both offered some of the best visuals in HD that Blu-ray has offered. Would you expect this 3D release – a highly anticipated release – to be any different? Colors, black levels, and details are equally as high and bright. But we knew this already, so how is the 3D?

Seeing Avatar once at the IMAX in 3D, this is just as good. Avatar had a superb level of depth in the 3D image that’s perfectly replicated here on Blu-ray. Any of the jungle scenes wow in 3D, and obviously, the action sequences, especially at the end of the film, will blow you away in 3D. While nothing can touch the IMAX 3D presentation, mostly due to the size of the screen, this 3D Blu-ray release is everything that experience was, but in your home. Minor little ghosting that should only irritate the nitpickers. All in all, Avatar was the best live-action 3D experience I had then, and a year later, it still is from Fox’s 3D Blu-ray.

The DTS audio is not changed from prior additions, which is great, because it’s a sonic assault, from deep bass, highly active sound design, and clear dialogue. Great stuff.

No extras on this release, which is okay, since you already have the other additions and it’s an exclusive meaning not too many will care, since its the 3D they want.

Conclusion: Despite its long engagement as an exclusive to Panasonic, Avatar‘s 3D Blu-ray is as great as you’d hope the 3D would be.

The Film: Rating:

The 3D Blu-ray: Rating: