Reviewed-Movies.blogspot: Avatar IMAX 3D - Reviewed-Movies.blogspot

I believe Avatar, the IMAX 3D Experience, will change the tastes of moviegoers.

Let's begin at the beginning.

The Story

In Avatar, a mining corporation hires researchers and military personnel to move an indigenous people from their home in order to gather a rare element from the ground. Using a biological remotely controlled "avatar", the military gains intelligence, and researchers attempt to learn about and communicate with the indigenous people known as the Na'vi.

While using his avatar, a former soldier, Jake Sully, is invited by the Na'vi to learn their ways, and Jake faces his moral dilemmas as he begins to appreciate the life of the Na'vi, yet continues to supply intelligence to the military officer-in-charge. The military decides to stay on mission to continue with the forced relocation of the Na'vi, and Jake must then choose his side.

The IMAX 3D Experience:

I don't know if this movie was specifically designed to be displayed in 3D. I know there is a non-3D version that is viewable in theaters.

Having said that, the IMAX 3D version of Avatar is amazing. Movie affecianados sometimes talk about the "suspension of disbelief". Basically, you suspend your disbelief that a maniac in a hockey mask exists, or that vampires that melt the hearts of 'tweens everywhere are running through the forest.

The 3D in this movie had me believe I was in the rooms with the actors - often.

Sometimes I was in a forest, sometimes on a mountain, and sometimes in a lab listening to Sigourney Weaver talk about her research. It's an experience that I find difficult to describe.

Tip: The moviemakers often use depth of field tricks to draw your eye, so don't try and control your focus too much. Somethings are intentionally fuzzy so that the clear elements pop.

In any event, the experience was akin to a visual symphony.

Thoughts:

Avatar did well this weekend. Sold out shows were everywhere. My show was sold out, too, on a Tuesday.

Clearly, people wanted to see this movie. And they paid for it, anywhere from $15-$20 per IMAX 3D ticket, so the demand is there (there is also a Digital 3D version and a non-3D version). And the experience leaves me thinking .."Are 3D video games, 3D GUIs, 3D travel brochures possibilities for mainstream in the future?"

Honestly....I hope to see it happen, and I am excited for it.

I would not be surprised if 3D movies became more and more prevalent. They've

been around, I've seen Chicken Little and Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D,

but both experiences combined were nothing like Avatar. Avatar doesn't use 3D effects as a gimmick. It is a full 3D feature.

Moviemakers should be excited. Lots of new terrain to explore, so to speak.

Moviewatchers will be left with an experience and awe for the visual effects.

Grade: A - for technique; B - for story.