The Avatar Experience

Jan 18

Posted by Andrew

I tried to see Avatar in Imax 3D this morning with my girlfriend, and was disappointed that the entire day’s worth of showings were sold out. Apparently many other folks thought like we did and thought they’d try to catch the movie on a free day off.

Some thoughts about this:

1) If you’re going to make a spectacular movie, you should reduce the limits to those who want to see it. Make it widespread, make it easy to see. I know Avatar is showing in non-Imax and non 3D locations, but that wasn’t the intention of the movie. The intention was to spend a lot of money on CGI special effects and post production, and that would be essentially wasted in a non-Imax setting.

2) There is the eternal debate between effects vs. storytelling. Should a movie focus on the appearance and the visual aspect? Or should they focus on the emotional story? From what I’ve heard, Avatar is in the former, making it all the more important that it be available in its intended format. This is especially true since it’s unlikely that the movie’s story would be able to hold it on its own in a traditional theater. At least, that’s what I think of it now.

3) An even more personal gripe. My girlfriend and I went to abnormal lengths (for us anyway) to try and see Avatar today. To be unable to is so frustrating, that I am unwilling to give them a chance again. I told her, “I’ll probably just forget about seeing it now. It’s too much of a hassle and I don’t want to waste my time again.” Is this the reaction you want your customers to have? I know moviemakers may not have full control over the availability of Imax theaters, but then why make a movie that is only at its best in Imax? Either spend your effort making the graphics good looking in a regular theater, or focus on the story and make a movie memorable that way.