I just went to see James Cameron's new film Avatar, produced in 3D and IMAX format (but also showing at normal cinemas).
![avatar.jpg](/uploads/imported_attachments/T6nB_avatar.jpg)
I had rather high expectations, with all the news and rumors about it being something completely new. I just couldn't help joining in with the hype. that probably is why I sat on a monday morning at 0:20 in front of Britains biggest screen - expecting to be impressed...
but I was blown away! literally swept off my feet. the images were so fantastic, the world of pandora so incredibly detailed and beautiful, that I instantly forgot I was watching a film, where half of the images are computer generated.
I had always thought of 3D films as a fancy little gimmic for 20 min IMAX shows, where the audience "whooo"s once for the effect, when someone throws a ball towards your eyes. but here on pandora, with the insects buzzing all around you and the characters right in front of you, so that you want to grasp out and help them up, when they fall... that was a completely new, immersive experience.
but even more than the 3D experience and the fantastic landscapes, designed with loving detail into the last leaf and pebble, was I impressed with the character animation. imagine seeing gollum - but twice as realistic. and hundreds of them. these blue creatures, that in the trailer seemed a bit... well, blue and too alien somehow, are of such grace and beauty, that after only a moment you admire them, can't take your eyes off them (well, partly because the screen is too vast to look anywhere else...
).
but even the story (which I won't reveal here of course) on its own as well as the actor's great performances would make a thrilling movie of it's own.
what James Cameron did with Avatar is truly leading the way into a new era of cinema.
of course there are minor things, like the fact that the camera dictates the depth of field and you have no choice but to focus on the object you are supposed to (although you are constantly tempted to have a look at the detail of the background). but you'll get used to that quickly and be rewarded with a film experience, as intense and gripping as never before.
I left the cinema, lost for words. and before I went to bed to get some three hours of sleep, I went to the IMAX website to book new tickets for Avatar (unfortunately shows are almost sold out, until the end of january).
I might be biased, because I am just fond of special effects and like sci fi. but if you have the chance to see avatar - ideally in 3D and on an IMAX screen - do it! you won't be disappointed. I will definitely try to get my hands on another set of IMAX tickets. but in the meantime I will most certainly watch it in a normal cinema too; for it is a great movie.
thank you James Cameron! thank you for making such a great masterpiece of cinematography - in every respect!