4K Digital Review of Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

The world of Pandora has returned once again in Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third film in the Avatar franchise from James Cameron. Avatar: Fire and Ash is now available on digital. It will be available on DVD, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and 4K UHD on May 16th. 

In this third film, we find Jake and Neytiri still mourning the loss of their oldest son. At the same time, there is a new threat, the Metkayina clan, also known as the Ash people. Their leader, the ruthless Varang, has moved away from the peaceful way of the Eywa, and instead has moved to the way of fire and violence. Joining the cause of the Ash people, the RDA helps them to fight the rest of the clans.  

This is a much darker story than the previous films. We see how the different clans interact and clash with one another. We also see the focus on the younger generation of Na'vi. The constant danger in the world and seen through the yes of the children gives the film real emotional heart. What will happen to the Sully family as well as the fate of the clans?  

Video:

The streaming 4K video is close to reference quality. You can see how the details such as ultra-realistic skin textures and clothing have vastly improved over the last two films. Colors are vibrant from the jungle, to the ocean and the volcanic areas. This is a new standard for CG and will be something you show off your 4K TV with.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos 5.1 audio mix is solid and compliments the amazing video. The mix makes incredible use of the surround channels to immerse you into the world of Pandora. 

Bonus Features:

English Family Audio Track (3:17:09) – All objectionable language removed.

Igniting The Flame: The Making of Avatar: Fire and Ash Play All (2:55:40)

1. Writing the Sequels (13:38)
2. Pandora Design (18:33)
3. RDA Design (18:38)
4. The Women of Pandora (11:40)
5. Varang and the Mangkwan (15:40)
6. Capturing Performance (16:44)
7. Stunts (13:04)
8. Editing and Virtual Camera (7:42)
9. WETA FX (16:45)
10. ILM (7:41)
11. Score (13:32)
12. The Art and Impact of 3D (10:04)
13. Home in New Zealand (12:01)

Jon Landau Tribue (21:40)

RDA Orientation Play All (13:39)

1. Na’vi 101: The RDA’s Official Language Orientation (5:06)
2. Pandora Intelligence Brief (8:32)

Marketing Materials & Music Video Play All (8:35)

1. “Dream As One” Music Video – Miley Cyrus (3:31)
2. Theatrical Trailer 1 (2:27)
3. Theatrical Trailer 2 (2:37)

Conclusion: 

Avatar: Fire and Ask continues the epic story of family and survival. It also continues to push the visuals and audio. With hours of bonus features to accompany an already three hour and fifteen minutes movie, this is a welcome addition to your library if you are a fan of the Avatar franchise. 

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Send Help

 

Sam Raimi is back, with a return to form, with another entry into the horror/comedy genre with Send Help. Linda (Rachel McAdams) is great at her job. So great that the CEO promised her a promotion. But after his passing, his son Bradley (Dylan O'Brien) is not interested in promoting her. Instead, he promotes his friends and they make fun of the little girl who eats lunch at her desk. As a way to prove herself, Bradley invites Linda on a business trip to Thailand. 

The plane runs into a storm and ends up crashing into the ocean. Bradley and Linda are the only ones to survive and end up on a tropical island. Fortunately for them, Linda is a huge fan of the TV show Survivor. She even sent in an audition tape which Bradley finds and shares with his buddies before the plane crash. So, in the reversal of the balance of power, Linda is in charge and we shall see what happens to them.

Here the film weaves back and forth between the two lead characters. You get the different perspectives from each one. It is thrilling, exciting and a comedic thriller from Sam Raimi who started the comedy horror genre. Rachel excels in her role and Dylan is along for the ride. He is good in his role but Rachel truly shines. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is stunning. The beginning of the film, in the office setting, the area is clean and well-defined. The textures on the materials especially clothing are exceptional. On the island is where the video truly shines. The sunsets, the beaches, the ocean water and the lush jungle all have remarkable clarity and color.  

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos track is wonderful. The dialogue is crisp and clear from the front channels. The score is immersive and surrounds you. But where the audio truly shines is in the environmental sounds. The excellent use of audio to create a sense of chaos of the plane crash is the perfect example here. Also, the ambient environmental sounds of the island keeps you grounded. You feel like you are on the island with these characters. 

Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary with director Sam Raimi and producer Zainab Azizi.
• Featurettes - a wealth of behind the scenes featurettes
• Deleted Scenes - over an hour of deleted as well as alternate scenes
• Bloopers

Conclusion:

Send Help is a return to form for Sam Raimi. Strong performances by both McAdams and O'Brien along with reference quality video and audio and a wealth of bonus material make this an easy recommendation to add to your movie library. 

“STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU” SPECIAL LOOK FAN EVENTS AT SELECT IMAX® THEATERS AROUND THE WORLD ON MAY THE 4TH

 

On May the 4^th, the Ultimate Star Wars holiday, Lucasfilm will host special look fan events for  “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” at select IMAX® theaters around the world. Each event will showcase more than 25 minutes of exclusive, never-before-seen footage, special fan giveaways, including a brand-new, exclusive poster, and other fun surprises. For ticket information in the U.S. and a list of IMAX theaters in the U.S.: http://fandan.co/Maythe4thIMAXSpecialLookEvent

 

“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” opens exclusively in theaters May 22, 2026. Advance tickets for the all-new Star Wars film directed by Jon Favreau, starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White, are currently available for purchase at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold.

 

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is written by Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni & Noah Kloor, and is produced by Jon Favreau, p.g.a., Kathleen Kennedy, p.g.a., Dave Filoni, p.g.a., and Ian Bryce, p.g.a., with Karen Gilchrist, John Bartnicki, and Carrie Beck serving as executive producers. The music is composed by Ludwig Göransson.

“THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2” ATTEND FILM’S WORLD PREMIERE AT LINCOLN CENTER’S DAVID GEFFEN HALL

 

For the first time ever, the star-studded ensemble cast from “The Devil Wears Prada 2” reunited at the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center earlier this evening for the film’s world premiere. Cast and filmmakers in attendance included Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, B.J. Novak, and Patrick Brammall, director David Frankel, screenwriter/executive producer Aline Brosh McKenna, producer Wendy Finerman, executive producers Michael Bederman and Karen Rosenfelt and costume designer Molly Rogers.

 

They were joined by global fashion icon and recording artist Lady Gaga and guests from the worlds of fashion and music, including Marc Jacobs, Law Roach, Brunello Cucinelli, Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, SIENNA SPIRO, and more. 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2” debuts exclusively in theaters May 1.

 

The event was livestreamed on Disney+, Hulu, ABC News, and TikTok (with a full replay available on Disney+ and Hulu following the event), with hosts Brad Goreski, Tefi Bessoa, Deborah Roberts, and Sophie Flay, offering subscribers around the globe an exclusive front-row seat to the glamorous, star-studded event. In anticipation of the sequel, fans can revisit the original fashion phenomenon by streaming “The Devil Wears Prada” on Disney+ and Hulu now.

 

Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation. The film is directed by David Frankel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt, and Aline Brosh McKenna.