Relive the adventure with Avatar new to DVD and Blu-ray

Fall in love with Pandora all over again...

The last time we took a trip to the far-off, fantastical planet of Pandora it was in celebration of Avatar’s many Oscar nominations (see here). Now a few months later, we know that it was The Hurt Locker that took home all the awards on the big night, but it’s James Cameron’s blue blockbuster that we’re still talking about. Cinemas are packed with 3D adventures thanks to Avatar, TV manufacturers are stepping up their 3D technology because of Avatar, Sam Worthington (Clash of the Titans) and Zoe Saldana (soon to be seen in both Death at a Funeral and The Losers) are emerging as Hollywood’s hottest properties because… oh you get the point. And from today in the US and Monday in the UK, you can pick up Avatar on DVD and Blu-ray.

But, wait, isn’t today Earth Day, that annual celebration of the world’s environment? You betcha and with its environmental message, Avatar is a neat fit for this day of tree-hugging, a fact not lost on James Cameron. “Earth Day is exactly the right time to premiere the disks,” says the self-proclaimed King of the World. “I’m not trying to sort of sell DVDs on the back of the hardship of the planet as much as I’m hoping that continued conversation around Avatar and around the needs and the issues will actually kind of elevate consciousness and help us to get the things done that need to get done. That’s kind of my new mission.”

And he’s not done yet. “I actually almost see it as an opportunity for Avatar to be helpful as opposed to for things to help Avatar. My wife said ‘Honey, this is more than an opportunity here, this is a duty, a responsibility.’ I’ve always been an environmental activist, but I’m going to a whole other level now.”

This ‘whole new level’ has seen Jim recently support an Amazon tribe’s bid to halt a giant dam that would ruin their way of life. But while it’s commendable that the director is lending his time to such worthy causes, we’re more concerned about our home entertainment options with Avatar. So what do we get?

At this point, it’s important to mention that neither the DVD nor Blu-ray versions show the movie in all its dazzling 3D spectacle, something which Jim is looking to address – however not just yet. Instead, perhaps the most intriguing detail is the absence of any special features on either format. The movie’s producer, Jon Landau explaining why this decision was taken in an interview with the Los Angeles Times: “We wanted to do something really special and reach for the best presentation of any film in the history of the format,” he says. “Everything that is put on a disc takes up room – the menus, the extras, the trailers and studio promotions – and we got rid of all of that so we could give this movie the best picture and sound possible.”

While we’re all for quality (Avatar’s video compression took six weeks rather than the customary two) and we’re pleased that those god-awful trailers are gone, we’re a bit bemused by the absence of anything else. No commentaries, no documentaries, not even a cheesy Leona Lewis music video? Nope, but you can access plenty of bonus features and special content on the official website courtesy of a unique code found inside each Avatar DVD and Blu-ray. And if that’s still not enough, there is an “ultimate version” Blu-ray planned for November.

“There’s a return to the big presentation," says Jim on Avatar’s bold and sparse approach, “and they can have that experience now in their home.” Blue aliens and toilet stops whenever you need them? Sounds good to us!

Watch Jim talk about the Blu-ray aspect ratio below.