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Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: Barry on December 21, 2022, 02:37:28 PM

Title: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: Barry on December 21, 2022, 02:37:28 PM
When I give a “non-spoiler” review it is generally on a movie just released in the theaters and I don’t want to give away much of  anything.  David tends to review movies released on disc, generally a movie that has been out for a while so he reveals more. Just let me say that Rosebud was his sled!!!!

I did see the movie “Avatar” years ago.  I was very impressed with the visuals during the first half hour, but then the movie became cowboys and Indians to me, with a bit of Jay Ward thrown it.

On Tuesday I saw “Avatar: The Way of Water,” in 3D at the local Dolby theatre.  It was only $9!!!!!  I give it a “good” rating, based on the average of combining all movie elements.

The opening was beautiful and perhaps too beautiful. The director, James Cameron was too self-indulgent. That is, scenes went on too long because the looked good and scenes were added because they could do great CGI. But as the story goes, I found it a bit boring at times during the first two hours of this three-hour movie.

I did enjoy the action and adventure of the final hour, I just wish they’d get to it quicker.  As the first movie was cowboys and Indians, the last hour was Vietnamization. Since that war in south east Asia many movies have shown that natives, or “primitives” could cleverly outfight and defeat the most technologically advanced army.  Like the Ewoks did in “Return of the Jedi.” That’s what I saw during the last hour.

It was beautiful to watch and I suggest if you can see it on a big screen. In 3D.  Because this is a three hour movie, it can only be shown ONCE a night at a theatre.  It therefore will take a bit longer to rack up a huge amount of money, but I think it will.


Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: Paul Heroy on December 21, 2022, 04:18:17 PM
Saw this in 3D Sunday, sitting fairly close - because when I have a projection setup at home, what's the point especially for a movie like this in reducing it to something I already have? ;D

100% agree, as pretty much everyone has and will, that it must be seen on as big a screen as you have available and can comfortably watch. You see where the $ went, it's on the screen, breathtaking. 

I wasn't expecting the most interesting or compelling story, so I wasn't too disappointed there, but it's got a bit more heart and interest than the first one. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: David Vaughn on December 21, 2022, 04:25:17 PM
My wife wanted to venture out to the theaters to see this, but I haven't felt any desire to do so. Maybe I'm just jaded, but the idea of sitting for 3 hours without a pause button is too much for my 53 year-old bladder to take. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: Barry on December 21, 2022, 05:09:28 PM
My wife wanted to venture out to the theaters to see this, but I haven't felt any desire to do so. Maybe I'm just jaded, but the idea of sitting for 3 hours without a pause button is too much for my 53 year-old bladder to take.
It is not 3 hours. It’s 3.5 when you count the coming attractions and commercials. We need an intermission. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: David Vaughn on December 21, 2022, 06:37:00 PM
It is not 3 hours. It’s 3.5 when you count the coming attractions and commercials. We need an intermission.
I'd need to bring along a Trucker's Buddy. 


https://www.biorelief.com/blog/truckers-urinal-solution
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: TRainH2O on December 21, 2022, 08:57:20 PM
Thanks for the review, Barry. As much as I want to see it, I'm waiting until it hits Blu-ray. The length, as you mentioned, makes it a must for viewing at home for me.

Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: Paul Heroy on December 21, 2022, 11:37:20 PM
It is not 3 hours. It’s 3.5 when you count the coming attractions and commercials. We need an intermission.
Ha - I attended a "4:15" showing, and checked my phone when the lights went down for the actual feature - 4:40. I was expecting at least 20 minutes but I think 25 is the longest yet. 

Glad we got there "late" at 4:30 and avoided a lot of commercials etc.
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: bmoney on December 22, 2022, 07:09:22 AM
In almost never go to the theater. Def not for a 3+ hour movie. I have heard all bad things about too
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: randman on January 04, 2023, 10:24:24 PM
3 hours without a pause button, ugh! Still tempted to see it since it's 3D. I recall the first Avatar was very good in 3D (one of the few movies that I thought was worth watching in 3D). I've never even bothered to setup 3D with my JVC projector. I never bothered buying the JVC 3D emitter and 3D glasses. The last time i had a 3D setup was with my previous Sony projector, and I watched less than half a dozen 3D movies with it, so I never bothered setting up 3D when I replaced my Sony projector with my JVC projector. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: Paul Heroy on January 04, 2023, 10:29:51 PM
I found that despite the 3+ hour length, I only once or twice felt a bit disengaged. The visual thrills are pretty engaging when you see it in 3D on a really large screen. 

It's been years now since I bothered to watch a 3D movie at home, though. Of course the transition to 4K without a 3D feature being included kind of killed it off for many including me, which is too bad b/c the tech to do it is quite good now. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: tripplej on January 05, 2023, 07:06:26 AM
We saw this movie in 2D and enjoyed it. While it is long, it did go fast due to the fast action. Incredible CGI for sure. Worth seeing at least once.
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: bmoney on January 05, 2023, 07:13:46 AM
Eh I’ll wait for it to be in the HT
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: AVSCraig on January 06, 2023, 12:35:32 AM
Eh I’ll wait for it to be in the HT
So I can watch the original ( on 4K Blu-ray ) the night before. 
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: bmoney on January 06, 2023, 06:50:02 AM
So I can watch the original ( on 4K Blu-ray ) the night before.
Bingo!
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: bmoney on January 06, 2023, 06:50:17 AM
A 4K release for the original will
Be nice
Title: Re: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” a non-spoiler review
Post by: tripplej on January 06, 2023, 07:48:56 AM
The movie is making it's money!

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