4K Digital Review: Avatar

 

When Avatar came out in theaters in 2009, it was an evolutionary leap forward in motion-capture technology, 3D presentation and seamlessly blending live action and CGI. 

Set in the distant future, humans have set out to explore space to find resources for Earth. Strip-mining the planet Pandora, the native people called the Na'vi do not take kindly to what is happening to their planet. This is where Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) enters. He is a disabled Marine who had a twin brother who was suppose to go Pandora on a scientific mission in a Na'vi avatar designed just for him. Since Jake has the same DNA as his now deceased brother, he can link to the avatar and joins as security for Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver). Jake catches the eye of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who wants Jake to spy on the Na'vi to learn their weaknesses. But Jack falls in love with the way of life of the Na'vi and with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), daughter of the leader of the Omaticaya clan.    

Video:

Avatar is presented in 2160p 4K UHD video. This 4K presentation brings a substantial upgrade to the film's CG elements while the live action sequences seem a little to digitally processed for me. The highlights of the 4K video includes all of Pandora from the vegetation to the wildlife.  

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track is immersive and really puts you in the world of Pandora. There are various scenes where the layering of sound makes you feel like you are right there in the scene. At the base you can hear the rumbling of machinery and the sounds of soldiers marching around you. In the wilderness of Pandora is really where the ambient sounds surround you and bring the planet to life. The gorgeous score rests comfortably in the front and rear channels. Dialogue is crisp and clean.   

Bonus Features:

• Memories from Avatar (HD; 21:20) features Jon Landau, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang in conversation.


• Avatar: A Look Back (HD; 10:03) has some reminiscing by James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington.


• Capturing Avatar (HD; 1:38:25) is the same in depth four part documentary that was initially offered as a supplement on the four disc release of Avatar.


• Featurettes (HD; 1:31:51) offer the same assortment of often pretty short but still generally very informative pieces on all manner of production aspects that were originally part of the four disc release of Avatar 

Conclusion:

Avatar continues to be a breathtaking movie experience. The 4K transfer makes it even better with increased details in the visuals and a beautiful audio track. Solid bonus features also help to make this a worthy addition to your movie collection.

Avatar is available to own on digital download now. 

*The movie was sent to me to review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and the review is strictly my own opinion*