It’s been 13 years since Avatar 2 was released, and it looks like half the world is anxious to see it. But first, decide if you want to see it in a theater with the giant screen in the world.
Avatar is showing up in dozens of formats for various theaters and screen sizes, but for most people, there are only a few decisions that you need to make: Do you want to watch the movie in 3D or not? If you decide to go to a theater to enjoy the film in high frame rate (HFR) format, you’ll see more scenes than usual at 48 frames per second, which can help you enjoy some of the more spectacular CGI effects that come with Avatar 2.
We’ve broken down the most popular versions of Avatar: The Way of Water, so you can learn their differences and how much they differ.
SHOULD I WANT TO WATCH AVATAR: THE WAY WINTER SHAKES IMAX?
It’s a great way to experience the fantastic story of Avatar: The Way of Water. There’s nothing like being taken to the beautiful worlds represented on massive screens. But it’ll be better to wait to see Avatar in IMAX than to see other movies on this list.
SHOULD I WANT TO WATCH AVATAR 2 IN 3D?
It would help if you watched the movie in 3D. Because the 3D in The Way of Water is so good, you’ll think it is feasible, and people will believe it is very cool for others to use. It isn’t possible, and anyone who wants to watch it in 3D should research before going to a theater.
SHOULD I WATCH THE WAY OF WATER IN 3D WITH HFR?
This one is hard to answer: If you have any concerns about motion smoothing, you can always cancel your tickets. When HFR sequences work well, the movie looks fantastic. Most of the film looks excellent, especially in the water and scenes where people fly (a bit less of the movie). Some people think the rest of the movie will be just as good. Some people may not like that and think they are just staring at a vast video game screen. If you find motion-smoother scenes annoying, you should avoid going to HFR movies. If people don’t notice that when people start complaining about the movie’s HFR effect, you’ll be fine.
The problem with this is that the movie’s frame rate is dynamic — it changes from 48 to 60 frames per second visually. When the film switches back to the standard 24 frames per second, which it does when only humans are on screen, it’s going to double each frame you see — as if the movie is replaying at twice its previous frame rate. It’s still playing at a very high frame rate, but it’s playing slower than 24 fps, which some people find annoying.
Fortunately, many beautiful action scenes in the High Frame Rate version show you more of Pandora and many cute kids running around, playing, and acting naturally. However, some people might find high frame rates annoying.
SHOULD I WATCH AVATAR 2 IN 2D?
This option is for people unable or unwilling to watch a 3D movie because of some physical limitations. And many people don’t want to watch a movie because they can’t or won’t watch 3D movies for some reason. No worries! It will look great, and you’ll be able to enjoy watching Avatar from the comfort of your couch.
SEE IT IN 2D WITH HFR?
I wonder if this movie ever existed. No movie theaters in my town show things in 3D, so if someone asks for it, they probably say no. If you go into the theater to see the movie the way it is or goes into a 3D theater to watch it in 3D.
SHOULD I WATCH AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER IN 4DX?
It is the most 4DX movie ever made. But watching the film in its fully immersive state is only sometimes the best way to watch it; it is just as exciting, and the special effects are phenomenal. What’s more, the cinematics in this version of Avatar: The Way of Water is thrilling enough to have you shaken to the core by all the moving parts. You may even worry about falling from your seat positively.
But what makes the movie so exciting are the water effects. The film is incredibly wet, so it makes sense that 4DX could splash people in the face or even give them a rain effect — or possibly both — simultaneously. Watching a character dive underwater while a sudden burst of mist hits you or when the theater’s wind blows very strongly is always thrilling; it happens a lot.
Some people are afraid that watching a movie for the first time will make them forget everything that they learned, but if that happens, you’ll have a completely different experience of what is happening on the planet. If there are better options to watch this movie in 4D the first time out, you might lose a plot detail due to the rain already in your glasses. But on the second viewing, it just adds to the movie’s theme-park excitement.
HOW CAN I CONFIRM I AM VIEWING THE RIGHT VERSION OF AVATAR 2?
It must be the most complex question on our list but answered quickly. Some theaters let you know whether they have three-dimensional movies on screen, while others do not. Regal Cinema’s website lists every detail for every movie showing, even if that movie is in a high frame rate. In case you don’t see that listed in the information about the movie that you’re buying, trust that it is showing at the standard frame rate. AMC Theatre does not list movies showing at a high frame rate (HFR). You only have one option if you must watch a movie at AMC. Try calling them. They may not know what the film is about, but they should be able to tell you what it is. Try asking the theater when you’re buying tickets.
Trying to find someone who can help you at a national chain like AMC could be more enjoyable. They will send you a highly long phone list to try and find someone who can help you. Who knows what they’ll say, but they will probably not see the answer. If ASC gets a lot of calls asking people like this, it will likely start to list the details of its showings. If a theater is local, you will get that kind of information quickly, and if the person you call knows which version of the movie they are showing, they will know what you’re going to see. It’s a good idea for the film to be listed with a 3D option on every ticket because that should be one of the many things moviegoers want to see.
Avatar: The Way of Water is in cinemas now.
