And so, practically a year after it's initial seismic release, AVATAR comes to home video in it's extended form, with the running time now standing at an epic 3 hours.
James Cameron extended editions fall into 2 categories; those that are better with the extra material (The Abyss, Aliens)...and those where nothing is gained from it (T2, Titanic). AVATAR falls into the former camp.
The main cause for celebration is the short sequence at the beginning of the movie where we see wheelchair bound hero Jake Sully on Earth. There's still a voice over and it still thematically and visually bookends the film perfectly with the final shot...but it puts the entire movie into context that little more sharply. It helps the audience see the dismal, dirty, overpopulated Earth of the future, allowing us to better comprehend what's at stake if the N'avi lose. And it also shed more light onto Jake's character...why he's such a pent up, angry grunt, that it's in his character to fight for the underdog, it foreshadows his destiny and helps us explain why Jake took the job on Pandora. It's amazing the scene wasn't included in the original cut.
The remaining additional scenes either add more of a story arc to the supporting characters Tsu'tey, Grace, Trudi and Norm. They also make the film flow better rather than let Worthington's subdued voice over stitch the plot together. A prime example is the new hunting sequence which gives further weight to Jake's dream/premonition about flying.
While the additional sequences actually strengthen the film, they can't eliminate it's faults. Having further insight into Jake's background does make his moody portrayal a touch more sympathetic, but he's still no leading man. The Jake/Neytiri love story still seems a little forced and the plot is still lacking originality and the dialogue a little clunky. But watching it again does reinforce what a incredible visual spectacle AVATAR is and what an imaginative world-builder and action director Cameron is.
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