Avatar 4K
Collector's Edition
review by Bobby Blakey
In 2009 director James Cameron destroyed the box office with the release of Avatar that to this day is still the highest grossing film of all time. There have been talks of him bringing new chapters to the story since its original success and groundbreaking effects. In 2022 the first of 4 sequels, Avatar: The Way of Water finally hit theaters with much success. Now both films are getting an all-new Collector’s Eition release along with other James Cameron films The Abyss, True Lies and Aliens.
Avatar follows paraplegic Marine Jake Sully who decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora after his brother is killed in a robbery. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers knowledge, of the Indigenous Race and their Culture, for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake
begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.
I must admit I have never been that big of a fan of this film. I remember seeing it in theaters when it came out and blown away visually, but that was about it. It’s far from a bad film so I honestly don’t know why I just never have been able to connect with it. All these years later and revisiting I do have a newfound respect for the film and still love the visuals and action, but still can’t get myself fully immersed like I really want to.
It is still nice to revisit this film that is such an iconic thing now due to its world building, impressive technology and of course the massive box office. Seeing it with new eyes I did enjoy it on some level a lot more than I used to, and I think it is also made all the better by the second entry which I did love quite a bit more. As an ongoing story it does enhance everything about this one and gave me a new perspective.
Despite my own disconnection with the film, it is a good story that is not only a sci-fi epic but underscored dealing with the dangers to the environment and indigenous people of the world. This is a powerful message cleverly wrapped into this sci-fi spectacle and works as the heavy story it is and a mindless popcorn film at the same time.
People have reviewed every element of this film for years, but it’s worth mentioning this new release just further enhances the already impressive visuals of this classic. This new release not only looks great but offers up both new and classic bonus content including new/additional scenes, deleted scenes, tons of featurettes, and so much more. As if that wasn’t enough it also brings fans the theatrical, special edition and extended editions of the film.
Grab your copy of the original Avatar now on 4K Collector’s Edition digital and then on 4K special edition Blu-ray on December 19th from 20th Century Studios.
