AVATAR (James Cameron) [todas sus ediciones]

[gonzalo MX]

Blu-ray review
Movie 3.5
Video 5.0
3D 5.0
Audio 5.0
Extras 0.0
Overall 4.0

Avatar 3D Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

When dissecting Avatar and granting it that overly-important numerical "score" that's ultimately going to carry more weight than a commentators' words, one must determine just how much of an impact on that number the special effects and the overall scope and grandeur of the film will have up against the decent but recycled and clichéd storyline that leaves audiences emotionally frigid and wanting something better to fill the void and make this into an all-time great movie. Certainly, one can see that Avatar is an important and destined-to-be prominent film through the rest of the history of the medium not only as a clear-cut fan-favorite but also as a hallmark visual effects movie that will be remembered alongside the likes of Star Wars, The Last Starfighter, Jurassic Park, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Toy Story. Where those pictures succeed, however, is where Avatar lags behind. Each of those films are carried not by their effects but by their stories and all of the emotion and power they bring to the table. Their special effects are undeniably impressive and serve as milestones in cinema history, but for all the dazzle they're but supportive elements to a greater whole. Avatar overwhelms audiences with spectacle but underwhelms through its lack of novelty, absence of thematic import, and shortage of raw emotion, even considering that Cameron's film tries to incorporate the latter two but to lackluster results. The film runs cold despite a strongly-beating heart and plenty of blood and energy flowing through its blue veins, and the result is a dazzling achievement of special effects that should have been so much more.

It remains to be seen whether a title of even this astronomically high profile can push 3D hardware sales so long after its general release and after the initial hype behind 3D TV has died down a bit. While Avatar remains a favorite, Blu-ray fans have perhaps moved on to fresher releases like The Avengers and the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises and may see this Avatar release as another money grab on the way to the "Ultimate, ultimate, we really mean it this time! No, really, this is the one to buy! (fingers crossed behind our backs)" edition. It really boils down to this: Avatar fans now have a 3D version to watch that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to acquire, and folks who already have the Panasonic branded release don't need to buy again, unless new artwork, the slipcover, the DVD, and/or an obsessive-compulsive need to catch 'em all (James Cameron thanks you, with a special shout out to the Pokémon universe) makes this worthy of a double dip. Who knows what future editions will hold, other than that there will be future editions and that there probably will be new material in them. As it is, this is currently the best way to watch Avatar in 3D in the home and the price doesn't really hurt. Recommended to fans who either need a fix or don't care about having everything bundled together in one tidy box.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Avatar-3D-...54/#Review