One of the most technically impressive films is coming to 4K Blu-ray – but there’s a catch

If you are a fan of James Cameron's Avatar franchise and have been itching to hold the latest entry in your hands, then you are in luck. The third instalment of the series, Avatar: Fire And Ash, is finally getting a physical release.

For those of you who missed this blockbuster at the cinema the first time around, let us fill you in. Set on the moon of Pandora, Jake Sully and his partner Neytiri are dealing with the death of their eldest son. But when an aggressive new fire tribe gains unprecedented power, they must rally to protect their family.

You will be able to get the film on 4K and standard Blu-ray from the start of June. And, in true Cameron fashion, the film is being released on 3D Blu-ray in standard and steelbook formats.

That is quite a rarity these days, mainly because most manufacturers seem to have deemed the technology defunct. Some projector owners may be rubbing their hands gleefully, though, as some models being sold still offer 3D capabilities, such as the Xgimi Horizon Pro and the BenQ W2720i. There might even be a hardy soul in possession of a TV that can support 3D content.

Also on the cards with the physical release are a 4K Blu-ray and steelbook, with the latter featuring artwork of Pandora’s lush rainforests, and aerial attacks. There are a bunch of bonus features available, including a series of making-of featurettes.

There's Dolby Atmos support, too, which should help to immerse you in the world of Pandora with the right sound system.

And, if you are a hardcore Avatar fanatic, you can get the three-movie collection 4K Blu-ray, which throws in Avatar and Avatar: The Way Of Water, too.

It's great to see the movie set to hit the small screen, but all of these physical releases are lacking a key feature.

The film uses two different frame rates, employing 48 frames per second (fps) for fast-paced action while slower scenes revert to 24fps. This helps the film feel almost hyper-real, with a smoothness of motion not often seen in filmmaking. While some people love the realistic sense of movement, others find it jarring as the film shifts between frame rates.

Blu-ray discs typically cannot handle this varying frame rate, so they can't deliver the film in the way you saw it in the cinema. That's a shame if you're a fan of the high frame rate, but it depends on your preference.

There's no word yet on which retailers will be selling the discs, but we will keep you updated. If you truly can't wait, the film is now available to watch on Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

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