Avatar: Collector’s Edition UHD Review

James Cameron’s Avatar gets a Collector’s Edition disc release just six months after making its 4K disc debut.

The Production: 4/5

James Cameron is a man who is not afraid to take risks. His movies are some of the most expensive ever made, and his only financial disappointment was The Abyss, and even that has evolved into something of a classic. He is also something of a perfectionist, often taking years to bring his vision to the screen. From his breakthrough hit The Terminator in 1984 thru to 1997’s Titanic, Cameron was averaging a new movie every three years. It would then take him twelve years to bring his next blockbuster to the big screen, Avatar, waiting for technology to catch up to his creative mind.

Upon its release, Avatar was one of the most expensive movies ever produced at a budget of a then-unheard-of $237 million. It would go on to earn over $2.923 billion at the worldwide box office. The film was released on a barebones Blu-ray in April, 2010 (a 3D version was also released exclusively to those who purchased Panasonic 3D capable displays). In August 2010, the film would get a 3D theatrical re-release with an additional nine minutes of new footage, followed by an Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release in November, which included three different cuts of the film (the theatrical 162 minute  cut, special edition 171 minute cut, and a new “extended” 178 minute cut), all in 2D, plus for the first time special features that included a feature-length documentary, Capturing Avatar. Prior to the release of the long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, Disney released a “new” 161 minute cut of the film, now remastered for 4K and high dynamic range with some scenes now presented in high frame rate (48fps), which also included a new version of the sky people being escorted off the moon of Pandora, with Giovanni Ribisi’s Parker Selfridge warning Sully and the scientists that “This isn’t over,” thus setting up the planned sequels (it has been rumored that Selfridge will play a larger role in upcoming sequels). It is this latest cut of the film that is included on Disney’s new 4K UHD Blu-ray release, that also replaces the opening studio logo with the newer 20^th Century Studios logo.

The following was taken from Matt Hough’s review of the 2010 barebones Blu-ray release:

It’s a funny thing about the strange and undoubtedly fabulous new world director James Cameron has created for his sci-fi fantasy Avatar: though the planet we see is sensationally phantasmagorical, its underlying story of corporate greed and brutish militarism at its most jingoistic is depressingly familiar. Stunning to look at and alternately engrossing and even moving, it’s also at its core pretty basic stuff we’ve seen in war movies and westerns for decades. Only the approach with amazingly creative sci-fi elements that continually startle and astound lifts this tale of environmental assimilation and pride of country combined with love of traditions into stellar status.

Due to dwindling reserves amid the dying planet Earth, the U.S. government has sent an expeditionary force to the planet Pandora to try to establish a relationship with the civilizations there so they can excavate the mineral unobtanium vital to reestablishing life back on Earth. The Na’vi clan is deeply mistrustful of the strangers even though enormous efforts have been made to reach out to the inhabitants of Pandora using avatars, psychically-linked hybrid creations which allow humans to move among the indigenous people in forms that the Na’vi might more readily accept. One of the important scientists for the mission has been killed, but his twin brother Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a marine paraplegic, has been recruited to stand in for his brother. The U.S. military force led by hardnosed Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is ready to storm the planet and take what they want by force, but he’s willing to wait to see if Jake, lead avatar expedition scientist Grace (Sigourney Weaver) and her associate Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) can’t convince the Na’vi to cooperate without the use of brute force. With his avatar fully functional giving Jake the first use of his legs in a long while, he’s more than willing to tow the company line until he begins to understand and appreciate the new world in which he’s living. A conflict of interest seems imminent.

With the story of Jake’s assimilation into the Na’vi culture echoing such prior films as A Man Called Horse and Dances with Wolves and the military bombardment to take what is wanted by force resembling nothing short of war footage from Apocalypse, Now, Avatar reeks of influences and borrowings. Where writer-director James Cameron has triumphed, however, is in his invention of this mythical place with its many different tribes and astounding flora and fauna. It is a complete world, filled with thrills and chills, many of them captured in superbly directed and acted scenes from the evocative first night Jake spends on Pandora complete with its coyote-like monsters to flying sequences and, naturally, the film’s final half hour which, no matter how splendidly it’s designed and directed, can’t help but recall so many war films where early victories and an overconfident manner lead to the underdogs regrouping for a surprise assault on multiple fronts, the fact that the underdogs are rendered mostly with special effects impacting not at all the scenario’s over familiarity. Make no mistake, even with its 162-minute running time, Cameron keeps his sequences moving never allowing momentum to bog down, and there will be just enough romance and some tragic deaths to touch the heart and engage one’s appreciation for the massive creativity at work throughout this epic tale.

Sam Worthington certainly casts the longest shadow of appreciation for his work in both human and avatar forms. His steady transformation from impetuous newbie to a fully committed individual with his own precepts of justice and honor make him clearly the star of the picture. Zoe Saldana as the Na’vi princess who’s assigned as his mentor shows a steely and stately demeanor that’s captivating, a warrior princess in the best Cameron tradition. Stephen Lang as the gung-ho marine colonel and Giovanni Ribisi as the corporate honcho calling the shots are commanding but a trifle one-dimensional in their single-eyed commitment to take what they want by any means necessary. Better is Sigourney Weaver as the head scientist who wants to use empathy and reason in dealing with the aliens. Michelle Rodriguez gets some assertive kick ass moments as the marine pilot determined to do the right thing.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

Just six months after making its 4K debut, Disney brings the additional Special Edition and Extended Collector’s Edition cuts to 4K. All three versions are available on one 4K disc, and this time in both Dolby Vision and HDR10!

Back in 2009, Avatar was rendered out as a 2K digital intermediate. The movie was upscaled and remastered in 4K by Park Road Post Production in New Zealand under the supervision of James Cameron, and the results are simply breathtaking. Each frame is rich in detail, revealing intricate facial and fabric textures that would make one to think this was a native 4K transfer. Disney’s 2160p HEVC-encoded transfer with both Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range retains Cameron’s preferred 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and the studio has placed all three versions of the film on one BD100 disc using seamless branching to maximize bitrates. Colors are wonderfully bold and vivid, never appearing overly saturated. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and strong shadow detail as well as bright highlights that never appear clipped. This is most certainly, like the original Blu-ray release was in its time, a demo-worthy disc to show off the capabilities of your UHD display. A newly remastered Blu-ray also including all three versions is included.

Audio: 4.5/5

The default Dolby Atmos track is one of Disney’s better efforts, with a nice sense of immersion and a definite improvement over the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, but is only available on the theatrical version (the other two cuts are offered in DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio). Surrounds are very active, with sounds moving seamlessly around the room as well as above you. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout. LFE is very good, although it seems dialed down a notch or two, yet still adds emphasis to the many explosions and crashes. A stereo option is provided in DTS-HD MA 2.0, and a “Family Friendly” mix in Dolby Digital 5.1. The included Blu-ray offers audio options in DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0, plus the “Family Friendly” Dolby Digital 5.1 track.

Special Features: 4/5

UHD and Blu-ray Feature Disc
Direct Access to New/Additional Scenes (Special Edition) (2160p/1080p; 16:48)

Direct Access to New/Additional Scenes (Extended Cut) (2160p1080p; 32:48)

Collector’s Edition Bonus Disc 3
**NEW** Behind the Scenes Presentation by Jon Landau (1080p; 18:08): Producer Jon Landau takes the viewer on a quick look at the highlights of how Avatar got made.

**NEW** Colonel Miles Quaritch RDA Promos (1080p; 7:16): Producer Jon Landau introduces a series of promotional clips shot back in 2009 of Colonel Quaritch telling viewers of RDA’s technology.

A Message from Pandora (1080i; 20:12): An environmental pitch from the filmmakers.

Deleted Scenes: Never Before Seen (1080p; 71:03)

Scene Deconstruction (1080p; 3 Hrs 17 Mins): Offers seventeen scenes from the movie which can be viewed in one of three ways: motion capture full screen, in-between template animation, or the final result.

Archives: Includes Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 3:32), Teaser Trailer (1080p; 2:05), Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana Special Shoot Photo Gallery, Avatar: The Original Scriptment Still Gallery, Avatar: Screenplay Written by James Cameron Still Gallery, The Art of Avatar Still Gallery, Avatar: The Songs Still Gallery, and Pandorapedia Still Gallery.

Collector’s Edition Bonus Disc 4
Memories From Avatar (1080p; 21:20): Producer Jon Landau sits down with cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Scott Lang as they share memories of making this iconic blockbuster.

Avatar: A Look Back (1080p; 10:03): James Cameron, along with members of the cast and crew, reflect on their experiences making the film.

Capturing Avatar (1080i; 98:25): An in-depth look at the making of Avatar, from concept all the way through to release.

Featurettes (1080i; 91:51): A total of seventeen are included, viewable individually or as one long string with a Play All option, that cover everything from sculpting figures, designing creatures, stunts, performance capture, different camera technologies, editing, scoring, and sound design.

Production Materials (1080i; 84:55): Includes The 2006 Art Reel, Brother Termite Test, and The ILM Prototype (playable with or without motion capture reference), Screen Test – Sam Worthington (Raw Footage), Screen Test – Zoe Saldana (Raw Footage), Zoe’s Life Cast (Raw Footage), James Cameron Speech: Beginning of Live-Action Filming (Raw Footage).

Digital Copy: A Movies Anywhere 4K code is included, however, at the time of this review, only the theatrical cut is included in 4K. The additional cuts of the film features are included only in HD and 5.1 audio. This may be subject to change.

Overall: 4.5/5

Avatar and the two additional versions have finally arrived on 4K, and they look and sounds sensational. The set is also loaded up with additional interesting special features that fans will certainly enjoy, especially if they did not purchase the previous 4K release from earlier this year. My only real complaint with this release is the packaging, a four page fold out with very tight sleeves holding each disc.

Avatar [4K UHD]

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Todd Erwin

Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.