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Amazon.co.uk Review
After 12 years of thinking about it (and waiting for movie technology to catch up with his visions), James Cameron followed up his unsinkable Titanic with Avatar, a sci-fi epic meant to trump all previous sci-fi epics. Set in the future on a distant planet, Avatar spins a simple little parable about greedy colonisers (that would be mankind) messing up the lush tribal world of Pandora. A paraplegic Marine named Jake (Sam Worthington) acts through a 9-foot-tall avatar that allows him to roam the planet and pass as one of the Na'vi, the blue-skinned, large-eyed native people who would very much like to live their peaceful lives without the interference of the visitors. Although he's supposed to be gathering intel for the badass general (Stephen Lang) who'd like to lay waste to the planet and its inhabitants, Jake naturally begins to take a liking to the Na'vi, especially the feisty Neytiri (Zoë Saldana, whose entire performance, recorded by Cameron's complicated motion-capture system, exists as a digitally rendered Na'vi). The movie uses state-of-the-art 3D technology to plunge the viewer deep into Cameron's crazy toy box of planetary ecosystems and high-tech machinery. Maybe it's the fact that Cameron seems torn between his two loves--awesome destructive gizmos and flower-power message mongering--that makes Avatar's pursuit of its point ultimately uncertain. That, and the fact that Cameron's dialogue continues to clunk badly. If you're won over by the movie's trippy new world, the characters will be forgivable as broad, useful archetypes rather than standard-issue stereotypes, and you might be able to overlook the unsurprising central plot. (The overextended "take that, Michael Bay" final battle sequences could tax even Cameron enthusiasts, however.) It doesn't measure up to the hype (what could?) yet Avatar frequently hits a giddy delirium all its own. The film itself is our Pandora, a sensation-saturated universe only the movies could create. --Robert Horton
DVD Description
Avatar is the story of ex-Marine Jake, a paraplegic war veteran, who finds himself thrust into hostilities on a distant planet filled with exotic life forms, Pandora. As an Avatar, a human consciousness in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Excellent Blu-ray for techincally-awesome, narratively so-so Avatar (Extended Collector's Edn)
27 Dec 2010
Format:Blu-ray
It puzzles me why Amazon groups together irrelevant reviews - here from the DVD version and from the earlier Blu-ray edition - with reviews actually about this product. Well, never mind.
This is a review of the Blu-ray of Avatar, Extended Collector's Edition. First up, it must be said that the film is technically outstanding. The Blu-ray resolution, sound, and general immersion are practically second-to-none. Never mind Transformers 2 IMAX edition. Never mind other recent BD stunners. This is incredible stuff. Crisp. Colourful. Awesome fine detail. Etc. Etc. Absolutely 5-stars for picture and sound, without a doubt.
I've seen both the normal and two extended versions of the film. There are two separate versions here. One adds 8 minutes; the other 16 minutes. The additional material is great - and really adds to the story. Highly recommended if you've held back on getting Avatar so far. For an upgrade/double-dip though, it's probably the extra footage PLUS the extras that are of interest.
There's more material, really, than I have time to watch. I've watched about a quarter of what's on disc 2, and about the same of disc 3. I'm not going to run out of extra material any time soon, that's for sure! Most of what's there is great - although it does have a bit of a self-congratulatory tone to most of it. That's not really a problem, but just be forewarned. Everything is 'technical marvel'-this, 'breakthrough'-that, 'revolutionary'-do-da, and so on. Admittedly, what Cameron did with Avatar is breathtaking - from a purely technical standpoint. You also get an acute understanding of why the film cost so much - and took so long - to make after going through a sample of the extras, no doubt...
For the film and its story, well, I guess you've probably already made up your mind. I personally prefer 'New World' (with Christian Bale et al.). Still, it's OK. (Minor spoiler) It ends well. But an Ozu film it ain't. It's not subtle. It's not transcendental (except from an immersion point of view, as I say). It's not that clever. It's not that well-scripted. It doesn't really get under your skin - or make you think about conservation, botany, climate change, human nature etc. - much as Cameron and the crew might think that it does.
Still, if you go in with the right kind of expectations, it's a pretty stunning, quite unique kind of experience. Really special, in its own way.
So, for me, 5/5, very highly recommended. An excellent technical quality, good value Blu-ray!
This is a review of the Blu-ray of Avatar, Extended Collector's Edition. First up, it must be said that the film is technically outstanding. The Blu-ray resolution, sound, and general immersion are practically second-to-none. Never mind Transformers 2 IMAX edition. Never mind other recent BD stunners. This is incredible stuff. Crisp. Colourful. Awesome fine detail. Etc. Etc. Absolutely 5-stars for picture and sound, without a doubt.
I've seen both the normal and two extended versions of the film. There are two separate versions here. One adds 8 minutes; the other 16 minutes. The additional material is great - and really adds to the story. Highly recommended if you've held back on getting Avatar so far. For an upgrade/double-dip though, it's probably the extra footage PLUS the extras that are of interest.
There's more material, really, than I have time to watch. I've watched about a quarter of what's on disc 2, and about the same of disc 3. I'm not going to run out of extra material any time soon, that's for sure! Most of what's there is great - although it does have a bit of a self-congratulatory tone to most of it. That's not really a problem, but just be forewarned. Everything is 'technical marvel'-this, 'breakthrough'-that, 'revolutionary'-do-da, and so on. Admittedly, what Cameron did with Avatar is breathtaking - from a purely technical standpoint. You also get an acute understanding of why the film cost so much - and took so long - to make after going through a sample of the extras, no doubt...
For the film and its story, well, I guess you've probably already made up your mind. I personally prefer 'New World' (with Christian Bale et al.). Still, it's OK. (Minor spoiler) It ends well. But an Ozu film it ain't. It's not subtle. It's not transcendental (except from an immersion point of view, as I say). It's not that clever. It's not that well-scripted. It doesn't really get under your skin - or make you think about conservation, botany, climate change, human nature etc. - much as Cameron and the crew might think that it does.
Still, if you go in with the right kind of expectations, it's a pretty stunning, quite unique kind of experience. Really special, in its own way.
So, for me, 5/5, very highly recommended. An excellent technical quality, good value Blu-ray!
84 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Forget all of the negative reviews - Avatar Extended Collector Edition is a must see film.
Having seen Avatar several times at an IMAX, I wasn't prepared for how brilliant this would look on blu ray at home. The clarity and colours are amazing, and yes it's not in 3D, but this version is amazingly detailed and allows you to look around the screen and see much more (even I spotted new things, and I've seen Avatar many times).
This collectors extended version of the film is long - even longer than the re-release in August. So the big question is, is it worth watching? My opinion is yes, this version with extended battle and hunting scenes adds so much more depth to the movie. Grace's character is given more time and we find out about what happened to her school, which adds depth to her and Neytiri's characters. It shows us how Jake lives before coming to Pandora, and makes his joy at walking again and ultimately becoming one of the people so much more poignant. Tsu'tey's final scene is very moving, and throughout the film there are many moments that will bring tears to the eyes. It's such a pity these scenes ended up on the cutting room floor in the original version, since they add so much to the overall experience.
This is an amazing and beautiful film, which is so emersive and hugely enjoyable. It will be a long time before we receive another visual treat like this one(probably in 2014 when Avatar 2 is released). So I'd advise any waverers to not miss out - purchase the blu ray, and then sit back and enjoy!
Having seen Avatar several times at an IMAX, I wasn't prepared for how brilliant this would look on blu ray at home. The clarity and colours are amazing, and yes it's not in 3D, but this version is amazingly detailed and allows you to look around the screen and see much more (even I spotted new things, and I've seen Avatar many times).
This collectors extended version of the film is long - even longer than the re-release in August. So the big question is, is it worth watching? My opinion is yes, this version with extended battle and hunting scenes adds so much more depth to the movie. Grace's character is given more time and we find out about what happened to her school, which adds depth to her and Neytiri's characters. It shows us how Jake lives before coming to Pandora, and makes his joy at walking again and ultimately becoming one of the people so much more poignant. Tsu'tey's final scene is very moving, and throughout the film there are many moments that will bring tears to the eyes. It's such a pity these scenes ended up on the cutting room floor in the original version, since they add so much to the overall experience.
This is an amazing and beautiful film, which is so emersive and hugely enjoyable. It will be a long time before we receive another visual treat like this one(probably in 2014 when Avatar 2 is released). So I'd advise any waverers to not miss out - purchase the blu ray, and then sit back and enjoy!
56 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
At the time of review this isnt for sale,i own a copy as i bought a 3dtv and player from panasonic who were giving the 3d film away for a limited time.
I own a few 3d films 4 of which came free with the tv and a christmas carol,resident evil afterlife and Imax grand canyon adventure.Avatar and Christmas carol are the best film.
the quality of the film itself and the 3d are both brilliant,the 3d effect has real depth,where the imax film seems to be flat images just a few inches above other flat images.
Once this is released for sale,anyone who owns the right equipment cant go wrong having this film in their collection.Im not gonna review the film itself as most people have seen it,and either love it or hate it.
I own a few 3d films 4 of which came free with the tv and a christmas carol,resident evil afterlife and Imax grand canyon adventure.Avatar and Christmas carol are the best film.
the quality of the film itself and the 3d are both brilliant,the 3d effect has real depth,where the imax film seems to be flat images just a few inches above other flat images.
Once this is released for sale,anyone who owns the right equipment cant go wrong having this film in their collection.Im not gonna review the film itself as most people have seen it,and either love it or hate it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Blue Meanies
Get a transparent sheet of blue film and put it infront of your TV screen,now everything you watch will be in 'avatar' vision. Read more
Published 4 days ago by C. G. Avery
It's ok, not impressed by video quality
I only have blu-rays in my collection. The reason i bought this movie (which i have to say i'm not fan) is all the reviews about incredible video quality. It's not. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Taz
Fantastic CGI fest!
This was the first bluray disc I bought with my player and new tv, Wow! Talk about being dragged at warp factor 10 into the present! Read more
Published 12 days ago by K. MOONEY
AVATAR = AWESOME SAUCE
Got this in HMV this morning for only 8.99 I could not believe the price being so reasonable for the 3 disc extended collectors edition :) happy out.
Published 12 days ago by G. Kennedy
This is how Avatar should be watched
The picture and sound quality of the Bluray is really good. This is a demo worthy disk. Highly recommended, the additions to the story add some more meaningful bits and makes this... Read more
Published 13 days ago by T. Ali Al Raisi
Avatar is not tar
The film is nice. I like the film a lot and the only complain is the lack of dinosaurs. I also like the way avatar is spelled as it is correct.
Published 18 days ago by tristan95
Price remained too high ..
I waited for the price on this item to be reasonable .. eventually it came on TV and I cant be bothered waiting anymore.
Published 19 days ago by Reviewer X
one of the best movies ever!
in my opinion Avatar is one of the best movies ever! the movie is although a benchmark in 3D. There are not 100 of pop outs, but a real good 3D effect who fit well to the story and... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Forced Film Freak
avatar
a great film with the most amazing special effects i've seen in recent films, a riveting film for the 2hours plus play time. a must to watch for all the family. brilliant.
Published 21 days ago by loumatt
Pleasure to watch
I really enjoyed this film very good quality a real pleasure to watch.King Kong [DVD]Another film I thougherly enjoyedSeasons Of My SoulMy kind of music, think shes brilliant.
Published 25 days ago by Suz
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