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Avatar [Blu-ray]
(James Cameron, 2009)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Video: 20th Century Fox Home Video
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:41:41.691 Disc Size: 46,175,762,127 bytes Feature Size: 44,897,476,608 bytes Video Bitrate: 28.81 Mbps Chapters: 36 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: April 22nd, 2010
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 4146 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4146 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, none
Extras: • Avatar DVD
Bitrate:
Description: "Avatar" is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people
The Film:
Watching "Avatar," I felt sort of the same as when I saw "Star Wars" in
1977. That was another movie I walked into with uncertain expectations.
James Cameron's film has been the subject of relentlessly dubious
advance buzz, just as his "Titanic" was. Once again, he has silenced the
doubters by simply delivering an extraordinary film. There is still at
least one man in Hollywood who knows how to spend $250 million, or was
it $300 million, wisely.
This is NOT the 3-D, 2.35:1, version that will undoubtedly come out later in the year but it is the 1.78: 1 (IMAX ratio version). NOTE: Bob tells us in email: "In an interview Cameron said that 1.78 was his preferred ratio and that the 2.35 was a cropped 1.78. He claimed that with the extra top and bottom strips you got a greater sense of 3D depth on the screen. So there may not be a 2:35 release." (thanks Bob!)
There isn't much to say - the Blu-ray transfer is perfect. Non-effect visuals are exceptionally strong with impressive detail and plenty of depth. The 2 3/4 hour film takes up almost 45 Gig of the disc giving full support to the progressive rendering producing quite a high bitrate (approaching 30 Mbps) sharing the disc with nothing else. The effects are fairly seamless - you can't help but swoon at some of the more dynamic aspects of the presentation - colors are brilliant and the image quality runs smoothly. Contrast is top shelf and nothing appears to have been altered in the way of boosting or DNR. It is, obviously free of damage and there are no digital artifacts visible. I had high expectations but visually this looks even better than I was anticipating. It is surely reference material as the overflowing grandeur of eye-candy leaves your jaw-dropped and eyes super-glued to the screen. I heard James Cameron in a radio interview the other day and he is well aware of the specifics of the HD transfers, bit rate and maximizing the full capacity of the 50 Gig Blu-ray. It is quite flawless producing a home theater spectacle that you will surely revisit.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :The audio is just as good with a pristine DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 at 4146 kbps. Effect noises are sprung to every corner of your system with crisp intent. It again might be considered reference for some with the plenty of strong bass and subtle high end spreading throughout the room. There are DUBs and subtitle options (see samples above) with the Na'vi language translations, to English, in a different font. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras :As previously made public - there are no supplements. Cameron is stated as saying he didn't have the time - and wanted to do them right - but with the film's enormous popularity thought it prudent to have the film itself available for consumers - also cashing-in on present marketing. Later this year a fully stacked package will undoubtedly surface with BD-LIVE and multiple production featurettes - maybe even a commentary. The case does come with an SD-DVD disc of the Avatar - likewise with no extra.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze April 24th, 2010
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be
it, but film will always be my first love and I list my
favorites on the old YMdb site now accessible
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