Avatar in 2D - better I think!

[JakeFanGirl]

Ok - so it's been about six weeks since my last viewing of Avatar. I finally was starting to get the itch to see it again one more time, as it is moving out of theaters here. So I went with two friends, one who was seeing it for the second time, and the other for the thrid time.

We got to the theater and thought we were going to see it in 3D. Instead, we find out this big mega-theater place has pulled Avatar in 3D and was only showing it in 2D. Surprise, as it didn't indicate anything like this on their web site. Anyway, we got the tickets and I had some trepidation, because I have only seen Avatar in 3D. Not Imax. Not 2D. Just 3D. So I was wondering - would I love it as much? Would it have the same effect on me?

Well, I need not have worried. It was wonderful! What I really noticed was that the color in 2D is so vibrant. It just seemed more colorful than when I saw it in 3D. I don't know if that was because of the glasses or what. But the colors were georgous! The forest of Pandora looked just as beautiful as before, everything was as it should have been - this film is still the most beautiful work or art in ANY format.


Not only that, the emotions of the characters seemed so much more intense and real for me in 2D. It was a more emotional film for some reason in this format. For the very first time, I noticed the emotion of Jake as he was gathering up the clans - when he stands there in his full battle costume - the look of determination on his face - it was subtle, yet so moving. And when Neytiri cradles human Jake in her arms, for the first time I saw the initial emotion on Jake's face - something between pain and pleasure.

I never really missed the 3D at all, except in a couple of places, one of them being the opening shot when we see Pandora for the first time. I think Avatar would have been just as sucessful even if it had only been released in 2D. It probably would not have made as much money, due to the fact that Imax and 3D tickets are more expensive. But it's popularity would have been the same.

I also noticed that in this particular theater the sound was SO good. I could hear things I had never heard before - animal noises in the forest, Neytiri's hair brades moving back and forth and she turned her head..everything. And the theater was full of people. I guess the sound system in my original theater was not up to par. It it goes to show you that you need to see a film in a varity of locations. I kept going to the same theater the first 5 times and thought I was getting the best show. You also need to see a film like Avatar in a varity of FORMATS - 2D, 3D, Imax (which was not available to me). In each format I think it is different somehow.

I am also glad I waited six weeks between my 5th and 6th showing. I was really ready to see the film again through new eyes, and it was a unique experience me. My two favorite parts of the film are the first meeting of Neytiri and Jake in the forest and when she takes him back to the clan; and when Jake unites the clans as Toruk Makto - he is SO beautiful then.

I also noticed new details of the fall of hometree, and when Neytiri leaves Jake and Grace tied up. I forgot there was a part where she sees Jake tied up there, he calls to her, and she hesitates, and then walks away. It hurts to watch that. Jake must really have loved her and understood where she was coming from. He never held her actions against her.

I love this film very much, and I understand why it is so addictive. Thank you James Cameron and all the folks at Weta Digital for giving us this beautiful story and this wonderful univerise.