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- Ronald Epstein
What can I say? I love 3D! From the moment I began watching 3D content in my home I quickly discovered that I needed more content. I suspect that those of you just purchasing your first 3D hardware will acquire the same ferocious appetite. That's why I became the HTF 3D ADDICT. I personally love images that pop off the screen and come inches away from your face without becoming overly gimmicky. However, I certainly appreciate the nature documentaries that offer beautiful depth and separation. These are not necessarily reviews of the film themselves. I am not going to concentrate on story or supplements -- you can find the 2D reviews elsewhere on this forum. My job is to let you know exactly what kind of 3D experience to expect from the titles that are being released. As I will be receiving a handful of new product from the studios expect to see more title coverage.
Avatar 3D
Studio: Fox
Product Release: December 1, 2010
Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1, English, French, Portugese & Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Running Time: 162 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 5
3D Separation: 5
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 1
Utter 3D Perfection that will be difficult to surpass
It's certainly not news to everyone that Avatar has become the
highest-grossing domestic box office film to date, earning well
over $760 million.
It has always been my opinion that when you strip Avatar down
to its basics, it never breaks any new ground with its all-too-familiar
story and uninspired dialogue. However, when considering the
film's groundbreaking effects work enhanced in glorious 3D,
nobody can argue that Avatar is a technological achievement --
and that's enough to credit its director, James Cameron, on
a job well done.
After all, one of James Cameron's goals was to change
the face of cinema forever by selling audiences on new
3D technology that promised more realistic image quality
than they have ever experienced before. That gamble
turned into a huge success as theaters raced to embrace
the new technology. Long gone are the red and green
cardboard glasses which have been replaced with more
elaborate polarising eyewear. Studios are rolling out
more 3D fare than ever before and consumers are now
able to bring that experience to the home with enhanced
displays that effectively recreate the theatrical 3D experience.
One can't help but wonder how successful 3D would be right
now if not for Avatar leading the resurgence.
With Avatar, Cameron has created a world unlike anything
we have seen before thanks to the advances of motion
capture technology and CGI animation. The technology
disappears within itself to the point that the viewer easily
accepts everything they are watching as real. I was
instantly reminded of all this upon my viewing this evening.
Let me stop for a moment and remind everyone that the
3D Blu-ray of Avatar is only available with the purchase
of a 3D Panasonic television. In fact, James Cameron
worked closely with the manufacturer to incorporate his
personal picture settings into the display. I have always
been a fan of Panasonic displays since in my opinion,
they exhibit the best 3D with less crosstalk than any of the
other brands currently available.
That being said, I ended up winning a 3D LG display this
year in a raffle. My dreams of owning a Panasonic are
on hold for a bit longer. I was actually a little worried that
I would get less than stellar picture quality viewing Avatar
on my LG. Those worries were immediately put to rest.
Back in November I had the opportunity to hear Avatar
Producer John Landau talk about his expectations of
watching his film in the home vs. the theater. He
predicted that the home experience would be superior
thanks to displays being better tuned for 3D than theaters,
allowing better brightness levels when using polarised
glasses that dim the picture.
Mr. Landau was absolutely correct. Watching Avatar
in the home exceeds the theatrical experience. And let
me tell you, I sat in in Mann's Chinese Theater at the
Hollywood Premier of this film on December 16, 2009
and it pales in comparison to the viewing I just had in
my home theater.
Even when wearing 3D eyewear not a detail within
this 1080p transfer has been lost. The image is razor
sharp with no indication of compression or noise reduction
to be found. Skin tones are lifelike and colors within
the human world look very natural and "spot on." With
the enhancement of 3D, you become engrossed in
Pandora's colorful surroundings bursting in vivid purple,
deep blues and lush greens. Most spectacular here are
the night forrest scenes with its piercing neon colored
florals and bioluminescence within the Tree of Voices.
Shot and choreographed specifically for 3D there is
a wondrous sense of depth that never loses its focus
when the camera pans back to add more landscape.
Easily, with all the camera movement that goes on
there's great potential for blurring but I'll be darned if
I saw any. Cameron was careful not to use any
gimmicky 3D shots, but one would be surprised how
effective the process works within the confines of
the screen itself. Most to all of the forest area was
computer generated and within its vastness it's
amazing to find that you focus on the smallest of
objects such as fireflies and and various insects
that entice the viewer's eyes to follow. Things like
dirt kicking back from the feet of a running Na'vi or
fire embers falling to the forrest floor really take
advantage of the 3D process. Of course, one of
And have you seen the outrageous sums the 3D Avatar is going for on Ebay? I understand Fox wants to wait for more 3D sets to make their ways into homes, but this film in 3D would surely be a prime draw for people to invest in the format. A continuing shame about these exclusivity deals.
In the off the record conversations I have had with people I was told general release won't be until 4th Quarter 2013. Good news is it will most likely be the extended cut.Most of you reading this review, who don't own Panasonic displays, will not have the opportunity to actually watch this disc in your homes until 2012.
AlexS2
Stunt Coordinator
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Looks like they will be using the 3D blu general release to kick start the lead up to Avatar 2 then.
Hank
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I have to admit, as a 2D movie I find it difficult to
watch this film. It just doesn't have the same
impact for me as it does in 3D.
Absolutely love this disc. It really makes the
viewer feel that the investment they made into
upgrading their display was a sound one.
I admit I don't have a 3D TV, but I watched Avatar multiple times in 3D Imax and I was surprised and happy about how much I enjoyed watching Avatar at home in 2D. Yes I would love to have the panny and Avatar3D, but I still plan on enjoying it in 2D multiple times this year. The movie does not fall flat for me.Originally Posted by Hank
Great review Ron. Go back now and watch some of those scenes in 2D. The movie just falls flat, the Na'vi look very unrealistic and cartoonish.
TheBat
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Jacob
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/AvatarMail-InForm_BDT100._V175015680_.pdf
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That is incredible news. Very affordable for everyone
to obtain their own copy of AVATAR without buying a
$2-4k display.
Hope Panasonic makes this offering with the purchase
of their new upcoming 2011 Blu-ray models.
TheBat
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its great news that people can buy the panasonic player to get a free copy of avatar.
Jacob
GregK
Screenwriter
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No phasing artifacts. Double the brightness. Less ghosting.
AlexS2
Stunt Coordinator
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that said, 2D Avatar still offers a magnificent experience imo, especially at home on a nice HD setup. The 2D picture still offers a tremendous sense of depth, and there is much more opportunity to take in all the details than there is in the 3D version of the film.
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