Avatar (Extended Collector's Edition)

The first thing I notice is the extreme packaging - a slip-off sleeve, then a box cover containing a book with three really fancy pages with a pull-out disc holder - all with very nice depiction of AVATAR scenes over every visible inch of the packaging. All this hints that something special lies inside. And you won't be disappointed - at least I wasn't - and it was well worth the price. DISC 1 - AVATAR Disc Menu: PLAY / SETUP / SOUND / SEARCH / EXTRAS This disc contains three versions of AVATER: 1) original movie release 2) Special Edition DVD Re-release (with 8 additional minutes), and 3) Collector's Extended Cut (with 16 additional minutes) If you saw the movie, then you've seen version 1. If you bought the DVD, then you've seen version 2. What you want to see now is version 3, the Collector's Extended Cut, with 16 additional minutes. If you just click on the PLAY menu choice, you'll get version 1. To play version 2 or 3, click first on SETUP - FILM SELECTION, then choose the Special Addition Re-release, or the Collector's Extended Cut. The Collector's Extended Cut contains all the scenes in versions 1 and 2, plus the additional scenes, so no need to view versions 1 or 2, even if you haven't seen the movie yet. Under the SOUND menu is an option to have all the swear words deleted from the sound track, but it doesn't work for version 3, Collector's Extended Cut, which is the version you want to watch, and the swearing is very light, no "f" words. Under EXTRAS menu are all the added scenes, which is handy of you fall asleep watching the Extended Cut movie (as I did) and want to see if you missed anything new. DISC 2 - FILMAKER'S JOURNEY Disc Menu: DELETED SCENES / CAPTURING AVATAR / A MESSAGE FROM PANDORA / PRODUCTION MATERIAL The best thing about Disc 2 are the more than 45 minutes of "Deleted Scenes." There are many of them, all in various stages of completion, and all but two add considerably to understanding the story line, especially "Dream Hunt" and "Challenge." The two deleted scenes that should stay deleted are : "Norm is a God," and "Norm's attitude Improves." The Deleted Scenes are the next place to go after viewing the "Extended Collector's Cut" on Disc 1. "Capturing Avatar" is about how the film married real human facial expression and human movement to the animated AVATAR scenes. It is very interesting to see. "A Message form Pandora" is about James Cameron going down to the Amazon Basin in Brazil and joining the jungle tribes fighting against the construction of a dam. If there was any doubt that Cameron was anything other than a dedicated tree-hugging environmentalist, this will dispel all doubts. DISC 3 - PANDORA'S BOX This disc primarily has items a filmmaker might be interested in, The BD-Live portal is also on disc 3, which allows you to download additional material. I tried this but found nothing new that wasn't already on one of the three discs, and also the download was very slow. MY TAKE ON THIS EDITION OF AVATAR I am a civil engineer who thinks bulldozers and mining equipment are righteous and good. I suppose in an environmentalist's eyes I have done my share of raping the environment, although the way I see it, natural resources are there to be utilized. I do believe, however, that the resources need to be used wisely and efficiently and that renewable resources should be harvested by sustainable methods, and the earth returned to a green state after opening it and harvesting whatever is there. I present the above, because it is very clear that AVATAR is permeated with tree-hugging, environmentalist propaganda. And Cameron so much as admits it in "A Message from Pandora" on Disc 2. Nevertheless, Cameron made a really terrific movie promoting environmentalist concerns, though probably his message is totally lost on sinners like myself. Still, I very much like this movie and especially the Collector's Cut, because 1) it is so realistically done, 2) because it is an exciting adventure story with lots of very dangerous creatures, 3)because it is also a love story, and 4) because it is a hero story - the little guy fighting the faceless bureaucracy of a large corporation or government. As someone who has thrice married into different cultures in different countries, and experienced the somewhat difficult task of adjusting to and accommodating a foreign culture, I think Cameron has done a good job presenting the difficulty and opposition that naturally occurs against inter-cultural romance, and much more so for inter-specie romance, even if it is through a remotely controlled avatar body. Much of this opposition was deleted in the original movie, but is evident in the added scenes, and especially the Deleted Scenes. SUMMARY The extra scenes in the Collector's Extended Cut (Disc 1), and the Deleted Scenes (Disc 2) by themselves make this set well worth the price, and a story worth watching over and over, all the while hoping for a sequel. If you are also into how movies are made, there are plenty of ground-breaking techniques presented on Disc's 2 and 3. THE SEQUEL My idea of what would be an interesting sequel - Jake and Neytiri have a baby or two. Jake leads the Navi to develop some technology to prepare for the return of the Earthers but find the Navi uninterested. Jake remembers how European settlers arrived in America in such overwhelming numbers that the natives were completed subjugated and near annihilated. He fears that unless the Navi modernize to some degree, at least the military, the same will happen to the Navi when the Earthers eventually return for revenge. Jake goes to the Tree of Souls and discovers Grace has merged with Eywa and can communicate with Jake. Jake and Grace discover they can reach each other telepathically. Grace-Eywa has some ability to sense events beyond the planet-moon's surface. Grace and Jake begin to develop their telepathic powers, and discover thay also have some telekinetic powers By the time the Earthers return, Jake and Grace can affect the control mechanisms on the Earthers ships. [Take it from there, Cameron ...]

Let me start off by saying that I am one of the people that saw Avatar multiple times in theaters and loved it. The CGI , as well as the 3D technology infused, were by far the best I have ever seen. James Cameron and all of the people who participated in the making of this movie did a tremendous job. Weta workshop is taking its place at the top of the mountain, as far as visual effects companies go. Watching this movie was like being transported to a different universe. I was completely immersed throughout the almost three hours I was in the theater. As for the story and acting for the film, I am probably in the minority on most of these reviews. The story for me, while predictable and reminiscent of other movies I'd seen previously (What movie isn't nowadays?), was extremely enjoyable. Watching this made me feel young again. It made me forget about all the worries that an adult life brings, and just enjoy myself in the moment. Many people argue that the acting in this movie was subpar. These people say that the portrayals of the characters were downright cartoonish. I would argue strongly against that. For the type of movie that this is, the good versus evil portrayals given by the actors works in the movie's favor. Sam Worthington especially does well. If you haven't seen him in Terminator: Salvation, do so. He made the movie worth watching. Now, to get to the actual product at hand. I ordered the Blu Ray / DVD combo pack from Amazon. From the moment the menu came onto my screen, I knew this was going to be something special. When I pressed play, there was no turning back. Over the next three hours, my senses were completely assaulted and my mind was dumbstruck. Simply put, James Cameron's Avatar on the Blu Ray format is the best picture and audio we have seen or heard to date. I have a feeling it will be years before anything better is brought to the table. Watching the visuals was more stimulating than looking at a real life forest. Every detail could be seen from far and away. The walls of my house shook, and I just hope the neighbors did hear. I would tell them to buy the movie themselves and experience it. With this release comes certain issues. While I don't have any of them myself, I will still talk about them as it would be uninformative of me to not. This release of Avatar is not in 3D. Many people complain about this, and a large percentage of those people do not even have the right equipment to properly experience 3D yet. The technology for home theater 3D is very new and very pricey. Next year, after all the quirks have been worked out, is when we will likely see Avatar in a home release 3D format. Another gripe is the complete lack of special features. This again has a good reason. In the Special Edition coming later this year, there will be scenes incorporated into the movie not even visually completed yet. Documentaries in high definition have to be put together. A commentary track needs to be recorded. No one is being forced to buy this "stripped" edition, however. I am one of the people who will knowingly double or triple dip on this. The reason for that is because I love it so much. Now to the biggest complaint. During the initial release, many people were complaining that Avatar would not play in their Blu Ray players. The reason for that seems to be some new copy protection put on the disc. While I was not one of the people with this problem, I can certainly sympathize with those who did. A new firmware update is all it will take to fix the issue. My PS3, which serves as my Blu Ray player, had a firmware update ready for me before I watched the movie. So if you are one of the millions who loved Avatar when you saw it in theaters, or one of the people who didn't get around to seeing it, now is your time. Pick this movie up right away without hesitation. Keep an open mind, and let yourself become immersed. You do not want to miss what many people believe is one of the top movies of all time.

This is about the original movie and DVD only, not the 3-disc version being released tomorrow. I'm biased because I loved Avatar and saw it five times in the theaters. The 3D was excellent and enjoyable. By far the #1 complaint was that the special effects were incredible but the plot was boring and unoriginal. The FX are of course amazing but I liked the story as well - "Romeo and Juliet" set in outer space. Also, Mr. Cameron deserves a little more credit here than what he's been getting. This is an incomplete list and it'd take someone better informed than me to complete it, but here are some of the influences that I spotted: Sir James Frazier, Joseph Campbell, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Frank Frazetta, the Bible (love those Christ-figures), the aforementioned Shakespeare, Joseph Conrad, the Ramayana, Plains Indians, Amazon rain forest Indians, Gaia, T.H. Lawrence, the Masai, Vietnam, the Middle East and that's all I can think of right now. My point is that more thought went into the script than people seem to realize. It is of course very derivative, but there aren't too many totally unique plots out there (show me a few, please). At least Mr. Cameron used high-quality sources for his concept. Another complaint was Mr. Cameron's politics. I'm not a liberal or a leftist and I wasn't inconvenienced by any attempts to brainwash me into anti-American, anti-military, anti-consumerism, anti-business, anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism or anti-anything viewpoints. I just appreciated the movie and enjoyed the ride. I figured that Mr. Cameron needed despicable villains and henchmen as well as noble heroes and heroines, which is what any epic requires. Because the main evil-doer and his mercenaries and the corporate execs were American, some people got very offended. I just looked at them as handy, all-purpose scoundrels; not as representatives of something I was supposed to hate forevermore. Don't forget, the hero (and Christ-figure) was an ex-Marine. Didn't that balance things out for you? I don't know or care about James Cameron's personal philosophies, I just believe he intended to create an entertaining, enjoyable, enthralling movie and that he succeeded admirably. Anybody who only sees art produced by people who share the same outlook is missing out on a lot of what the world has to offer. You don't have to be converted in order to appreciate someone else's vision. There has to be a final note about the incredible FX. The visuals were undeniably spectacular and even people who hated the movie itself all agreed on that. A lot of diligence and work and thought and effort went into Avatar and it clearly shows. Mr. Cameron and his actors and crew and staff were obviously deeply committed to their vision and it showed in every scene. My only complaint was the soundtrack. A flick like this deserved a score on the same level as "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" or "Once Upon a Time in the West" or "The Last of the Mohicans" or "The Magnificent Seven" (it was, after all, an exciting cowboy movie placed in outer space). It richly deserved a stirring and emotional soundtrack but instead there was mostly innocuous elevator music throughout. I love Leona Lewis but putting her song over the end credits wasted it, IMHO. It would've fit in better during the movie itself, also IMHO. Anyway, I highly recommend Avatar. Hard to imagine a more enjoyable film.

I liked the movie, so I'm giving it 5 stars. It has some of the best animation I've ever seen. It's even superior to FF7: Advent Children, which I own on BD. That movie is phenomenal, but seeing Avatar in 3d showed me that computer animation has vastly improved in the past few years. I think this is a movie worth owning if only for the technological aspect of it. Some people find the plot boring, a rip off, too predictable, etc. I agree. However, I don't watch movies for complicated plot devices and intricate character development. You cannot get that in 90 or even 120 minutes. (The only movies I've seen that even come close is the Sci-Fi channel's miniseries adaptation of Dune and Children of Dune. Both of which I own in the director's cut version; they're over 5 hours long each.) If you want detailed plots and characters, read 19th century novels. If you want some entertainment and decent plot and character development done in a limited amount of time, movies are much better for that. Avatar is entertaining, beautiful to look at, and has a positive message about not destroying the place where we live. Is it shallow? No more than anything else coming out of Hollywood. I'd say it's better than most of the movies I've seen in theaters lately. This version doesn't have special features. I don't like them because I never look at them anyway. I wish more BD were done without trailers, previews, forced ads and other junk. I hate having to watch ads on a product I buy. I can watch trailers on youtube. All of these things take up space on discs, often to the detriment of the AV quality of the movie. This version will make use of the large disc size to have the best picture and audio quality available. Is this a possible marketing ploy? Maybe. If they make use of the entire 50gb available on a BD-50 disc, then it will be literally the highest quality picture and sound ever offered on BD. I've never seen another BD devote the entire 50gb to just the movie. We will see in a few days whether or not it's a marketing ploy. If they make full use of the disc like they claim they're doing, I will be completely satisfied with my purchase. This movie comes bundled with a coupon to buy the Ultimate version coming out later, so I could sell this one in several months and buy that one at a discounted price. If you only want the BD and not the DVD, you can sell that too. You're getting a BD AND DVD copy for $20 along with a coupon to get the extended version. How this isn't a good deal is beyond me. I don't see why people are complaining about the lack of extras. Amazon should remove the one star reviews that only talk about how this is "fake" or inferior because it doesn't have special features. I don't want special features, and my 5 stars are for the movie itself. If you want special features, wait until they're done. They haven't finished making them yet, so they'll be out in November, a mere 7 months away. You can buy the movie now or the movie and special features later. This is not double or triple dipping. I'm glad the studios have announced their intentions. In my mind this makes them honest for telling the truth about what they're doing. We are all now informed consumers, so buy whatever version you want. For those that complain people won't know this doesn't have special features, I imagine people like to read the movie's info online or on the back cover at the store before they purchase it. If people don't read and, consequently, buy the wrong version, they are at fault for not taking the time to inspect a product before purchasing it. If you want only the movie, like me, then buy this version. Edit: After watching the movie numerous times on my HDTV, I'm still blown away by how good the picture looks. It really is stunning.

Wonderful film, dvd works well. Also, great Delivery service by Amazon Drivers. We just want to express.. Special Gratitude to Amazon: During Covid, Family was on hospice & if not for Amazon, their life expectancy would have been cut short, as well as the lovely decor we were able to fill their room with, in order to make it more colorful, cozier, and overall a happier environment for our Loved one during the times of Covid challenges.

First the problems: Stripped DVD - the movie that was ALL there was. Not one single extra. There was no reason for a menu. The movie and whether you wanted it subtitled or not. That was IT. I had pre-ordered this DVD and therefore had no idea it wasn't going to have anything on it at all other than the movie, and that is why I am displease extras was still pending - and for that reason, the fifth star is lacking. I will return this and re-purchase it when the release with the extra 40 minutes comes out; an entire sub-plot was cut to make the movie shorter and in my experience, anything cut from a James Cameron movie should not be cut - look at The Abyss; the part cut explained so much, without it, the alien's motivation didn't make sense, there was no reason without that missing few minutes. The fifth star will appear when I obtain the release with more than just the movie - and I had no advance warning that this was just the movie - the movie is 5+ stars, the packaging of it, without the omitted material, particularly the missing 20-40 minutes of the movie, will be 5 stars. And now the positives, which are self-evident, but I'll talk about them a bit: As far as content is concerned; It is a brilliant movie. James Cameron's gift is to take the important messages and put them in a package that the masses who don't CARE about issues will go and see - and nonetheless without being aware that it is happening, will they, nil they (i.e. "willynilly") pick up the message. Abyss has the same issues; Our inability to take care of the planet, our violence, how we are destroying the planet, our lack of evolution; how backward we are and insist on remaining, mired in violence, racism, ethnocentricity and stupidity - unable to value the important things, unable to value our planet. Hiyao Miyazaki does the same thing and his work is all wonderful as well, message movies - dressed in stunning anime, drawing in audiences who otherwise wouldn't watch a "message movie." The same gift, and many of the same issues. Unfortunately very few want to hear a genuine analysis. I've tried to talk about the real content of things; on Amazon? It's an invitation to get trolled. With respect to this movie, all anyone wants to talk about is tech and the special effects; and yes they were stunning and Cameron had to wait 11 years until the technology was sufficiently advanced such that he could make his vision possible. And so, yes - a lushly stunning visual experience. But... for me, the face that he melds the important issues with the admittedly stunning "eye candy" that everyone wants to see is his genius. Most go for the visual experience and the effects, but can't help absorbing at least some of the message; and in that he does a great service to and for all of us. Of course it was done this way in order to release a later edition with extras; but I find this practice reprehensible, as it's all about getting more money out of the consumer. I wanted those extras, and I am sending this copy back - and I'll wait until I can get one with the extras I wanted to see; with a movie as brilliant as this one (and yes, I do mean the plot also, Cameron's gift is in taking important messages and packaging them in effects such that the masses - everyone who wouldn't go to a "message" movie, do come to his movies. In that sense it was like Abyss, and many of the same (almost all of the same) messages. I love Avatar, but I truly wanted more, not just the movie, but with an event such as this one, there are so many "extras" - I wanted all of that, and got nothing.

As always Cameron is right on target

SKIP THE 2Disc THEATRICAL EDITION -- BUY THE SPECIAL EDITION OR 3D VERSION INSTEAD 1. A special edition including 20 minutes of additional footage was released just months after Theatrical Edition. (But fans weren't told until it was too late) 2. No special features in 2 disc Theatrical Edition. If you are a fan, of all the discs in your collection this is the one you really want the extra stuff. 3. 3D version also now available, though not in the extended version yet. This movie is considered a reference disc in 3D and the extensive CGI use makes it a great story to be seen in that medium, as are most animated movies. Hopefully a 3D Extended Version will be released soon. Regarding the multiple releases while holding back on the whole package: The studios are becoming so brazen. Offering bare bones Blu Rays shortly before re-releasing the movie with additional footage was a classless act that kicks dirt in the face of fans. I completely understand the business side of the equation. However, I think we would all like to see them release multiple versions and let fans decide how much they need verses how much to spend. At least release a complete package a year or so on. There still isn't an extended 3D version US general release at the time of my update Dec 2014. The first 3D release was just the theatrical edition, even though the extended footage was already available. It's like pulling teeth to get these studios to release everything fans want in a single package, even down the road. After all the releases we have had, they really owe it to fans to do something for us, rather than themselves. We all understand the business side and multiple releases are no surprise. But seriously, this is somewhat an old movie now! Avatar is a particularly egregious example of this practice. If 3D doesn't interest you regardless, then you are set with the Avatar Special Edition. That is the one I recommend until the 3D Extended Edition comes out. I originally wrote this article as a one star protest review, but there are so many versions of the movie out now and reviews to all of the versions are linked on Amazon to each release so it's better just to explain what to look for. Other worthy reviews cover both the general plot and the content differences between the standard and extended content. I will leave those aspects to them rather than duplicate it.

** DER FILM ** Wir schreiben das Jahr 2154: Ex-Marine Jake Sully ist gelähmt und weiß nichts mit seinem Leben anzufangen, als er eines Tages vom Tod seines Bruders erfährt. An dessen Stelle nimmt er am AVATAR-Experiment auf dem fernen Mond Pandora teil, bei dem sein Bewusstsein in das eines genetisch manipulierten Körpers übertragen wird, der aus der DNS der Ureinwohner Pandoras erschaffen wurde. Im Körper des 4 Meter großen Aliens kommt Jack bald in Kontakt zu den Ureinwohnern, den Na'vi, die er im Auftrag eines großen Konzerns ausspionieren soll. Denn die Na`vi leben über großen Vorkommen des wertvollen Minerals Unobtainium, weshalb sie umgesiedelt werden sollen. Doch die Ureinwohner fühlen sich mit ihrem Land verbunden und wehren sich gegen die Umsiedlung. In seinem Umgang mit den Na'vi begreift Jack bald, dass deren Leben eng mit der Vegetation auf Pandora verbunden ist. Eine Umsiedlung würde das Ende ihrer Kultur und ihres Volkes bedeuten. Der Rest der Handlung sollte allgemein bekannt sein. Camerons romantisch-verklärte Ethno-Fabel hat es schon in unzähligen anderen Varianten gegeben, angefangen bei POCAHONTAS über DER MIT DEM WOLF TANZT bis hin zu DER LETZTE SAMURAI. Und dabei weicht Cameron auch nicht vom Lehrpfad des Drehbuch-Schreibens ab. Die Charaktere sind flach, die Handlung hält keine Überraschungen bereit, die Botschaft wird den Zuschauern mit einem riesigen Zaunpfahl ins Gehirn gehämmert. Soweit so gut. Wodurch dieser Film wirklich besticht ist seine Optik!! AVATAR ist pure visuelle Magie, spätestens wenn Jack durch den nächtlichen Wald auf Pandora streift, der in das Licht der fluoreszierenden Pflanzen getaucht wird, bekommt man diesen angenehmen Zuckerschock. Kaum zu erfassen ist, wie viel Kreativität in die Designs von Pflanzen, Tieren, Maschinen, Na'Vi-Kultur und anderes gesteckt wurde. ** Versionen ** Auf der AVATAR EXTENDED COLLECTOR`S EDITION gibt es drei Fassungen des Films, die Kino-Fassung (162 Min.), die Extended-Kino-Fassung (171 Min.) und den Extended-Collectors-Cut (178 Min.), wobei letztere vermutlich von Fans bevorzugt wird. ** Specials ** Neben den Filmen und jede Menge Kleinkram (das Original-Drehbuch zum Nachlesen, Designs, Trailern, etc...) warten auf den Zuschauer über 8 Std Making-Ofs, mit beeindruckend tiefgehenden Einblicken hinter die Kulissen, in denen wirklich ernsthaft versucht wird, den Zuschauern die technischen und logistische Herausforderung bei diesem Projekt zu vermitteln. Und diese Specials sind für alle Film-Nerds fast so spannend wie der Film selbst. Erst nach dem Anschauen wird klar, warum die Filmemacher ihre Oscars wirklich verdient haben! So müssen Making-Ofs sei! Einziges Manko: Die Making-Ofs überschneiden sich inhaltlich manchmal, wodurch es zu doppelten Inhalten kommt. Dafür warten aber außerdem auch einige witzige Clips auf die Zuschauer, wie ein lustiger Film der MoCap-Crew und diverse Testaufnahmen. ** Bild-Qualität ** WOW! Mit AVATAR wurde ein neuer Standard für Blu-Ray-Bildqualität geschaffen. ENDLICH kann man das Wort Referenzqualität mal würdig gebrauchen. Und erstmals trifft der Slogan 'Schärfer als die Realität' wirklich zu! Die Kamerafahrten vor allem durch die Wälder Pandoras sind so atemberaubend klar, dass kein Blatt, keine Spinnwebe, kein Staubkorn übersehen wird. Und egal an welcher Stelle im Film man Standbild wählt, jeder Screenshot ist wie ein Gemälde! Die gesamte Speicherkapazität der Blu-Ray wurde voll ausgenutzt, ebenso der neuste Stand der Technik! Daher ist es wichtig bei allen Blu-Ray-Player die aktuellste Firmware Version runter zu laden, sonst könnte es Probleme bei der Darstellung geben. Zusammengefasst lässt sich sagen, dass es sich um eine grandiose Referenz-Qualität handelt, die höchstes High-def Feeling bietet! Kontrast und Schwarzwert sind perfekt. Und es gibt durchgehend gestochen scharfe Bilder mit hervorragender Detailwiedergabe. ** Soundqualität ** Auch wenn in der deutschen Ton-Spur keine DTS-HD Qualität geboten wird, auch der DTS 5.1 Sound ist herausragend! Egal ob bei den lebhaften, brachialen Sounds (Tier-Stampede, Turbinen), die dem Subwoofers einiges abverlangen oder den ruhigen Passagen (Waldstimmung), der Sound ist immer perfekt gemischt! Wer einmal die nächtliche Waldstimmung Pandoras mit all dem Zwitschern, Plätschern, Tropfen, Tiergeräuschen im DTS 5.1 gehört hat, will nie mehr etwas anderes! Der Surround-Effekt ist perfekt gelungen! Und für Soundfanatiker gibt's natürlich das englisch DTS HD Master. ** Fazit ** Eine Blu-Ray der Superlative, die selbst gestandene Film-Fans wie kleine Kinder staunen lässt. Eine perfektere Demo-Disc um die Qualität des eigenen Heimkinos zu demonstrieren gibt es nicht!!

Très bien conforme bonne qualité

Picture and sound really impressive enjoy the whole movie from start to end for collector must have it.

Excelente producto, el diseño del arte es muy bonito, la forma del libro y dónde vienen los discos ayuda a no maltratarlos, la imagen es excelente mucho mejor que en dvd, ya no se tiene que cambiar de disco para ver la segunda parte, no la dejo de ver, no me canso de verla y no me arrepiento de pedirla, vale totalmente la pena.

très bien je recommande ce produit pour ceux qui veules avoir avatar (1ier film) en Blu-ray 4k