“Avatar” is still one of the best experiences you’ll ever have in a theater

At this point, it’s highly unlikely that you aren’t at least aware of “Avatar.” As the highest grossing film of all time, it has been nearly impossible to avoid. 13 years, four theatrical re-releases and four announced sequels later, “Avatar” is still somehow dominating the film industry, especially now that its long-awaited sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” is hitting theaters this December. 

In the lead up to “Way of the Water,” a wide theatrical re-release started on September 23, and will only run for two weeks. This release boasts a fully remastered version of the film, with 4K visuals and High Dynamic Range color grading. The release is also exclusively in 3D, allowing audiences to re-experience, or experience for the first time, the wonders of the technology that the film pioneered all those years ago. It was also released in premium large formats such as IMAX 3D and Dolby Cinemas.

Although the excitement is rising for many filmgoers as we near the 13-years-in-development sequel, the film has seen its fair share of skepticism. In the years since “Avatar” was originally released, it has become widely dismissed as being dated, overrated and overhyped. Younger audiences especially have lost respect for the film and simply do not understand why it was such a phenomenon. 

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In an interview with the New York Times, director James Cameron said many young movie viewers have never seen it in a theater.

 “Even though they think they may have seen the film, they really haven’t seen it,” he said. 

This is very likely a reaction from Cameron to the criticism of the original film. 

The purpose of the re-release is to allow audiences to see the film in the way it was intended to be seen, as well as refresh the memory of those who have seen it already. I was part of the camp of not loving the film and not understanding its wide appeal, feeling it was lackluster in my memory, as I had only seen it once at home when it was initially released on DVD. 

But I can confidently attest to the sheer power the film continues to have in its intended format. I saw the film in IMAX 3D, and I struggle to recall any theatrical experience that quite rivals “Avatar” even this many years later. By way of the revolutionary 3D cinematography, as well as the massive IMAX screen, I found myself completely transported into the world of Pandora. 

During its first 20 minutes or so, I was fearful that the film may just have lost its power all these years later, as the early lab sequences are exposition heavy and messy as well as being largely visually uninteresting. 

But Cameron breezes past these moments to get to where the film truly shines, once our main character Jake Sully, enters his Avatar. The worldbuilding, set design and overall atmosphere of the world is still unrivaled and is completely unique. As every tree, plant and creature floats around the auditorium before your eyes, it’s impossible to deny the sheer craft of Cameron’s vision.

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CGI is an aspect of filmmaking notorious for its inability to age well and very quickly transforming from revolutionary to embarrassing. This is not the case for “Avatar.” Every detail and painstakingly crafted environment is just as visually impressive and tactile as it was in 2009, which emphasizes the difference between CGI that is developed and polished over a long period. Today, most films that feature heavy CGI, such as the Marvel films, are typically very rushed and are done under severe crunch very close to the films release date. This removes a certain level of artistry and care that is present in every single frame of Avatar’s visual effects. 

While the film’s story can, at times, feel a bit rudimentary, surface level and cliched, one thing it cannot be called is ineffective. Similar to films like the original “Star Wars,” “Avatar” breaks its storytelling down to its most simple, classical form. It cuts out anything that fills unnecessary space or is too overly complicated. This simplicity is an aspect that turns a lot of modern filmgoers off, me included prior to this rewatch. But when you see it deployed with such efficiency now, it’s impossible to deny. 

Despite these criticisms of the film’s plot, by the end of the first hour (out of three), I was entirely emotionally invested in all these characters. “Avatar” has a completely universal theme and story that anyone can understand and connect with. Coupled with its excellent action sequences and a world that fully captures your imagination, you have a completely lean and economic blockbuster. 

With this viewing of the film, my opinion of it has completely changed, proving Cameron’s point. I now find it abundantly clear as to why this film is as successful as it was, as it’s easily one of the most crowd-pleasing theatrical experiences of all time. James Cameron has proved himself (again) to be a filmmaker not to be underestimated. 

His aptitude for audiences is unmatched, which has been proven with “Titanic” and “Avatar,” both of which are in the top five highest grossing films of all time. Although it has been easy to forget about his sheer mastery of the craft in the long 13 years since “Avatar” was originally released, we likely will see him take the world over once again this December with “Avatar: The Way of the Water.”

Rating: 9/10

Staff reporter Zaden Dennis can be reached at [email protected] and you can find his other reviews at letterboxd.com/Zadenator.To stay up to date with all your Southern Illinois news follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

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