Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

[hanshotfirst1138]

I don’t have a vested interest in these-I’ll probably go see them, but they’re not something I’m hugely excited about. But maybe, just maybe, if Cameron finishes with them, he’ll finally supervise the transfers of his own movies. I can dream.

[Schwartzy]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Doctor Strange is playing in 3D in my area, but only for opening weekend. Hopefully for this movie they'll have 3D showings for at least a week or two.

Well avatar films will be proper 3D, not post conversion crap so im sure camerons first choise would be 3D viewing.

[levcore]

Post conversions have looked amazing for many years now.

[Schwartzy]

^^ how does it compare to native 3D?

But still cameron went trough the efforts of shooting it in 3D so i think its the prefferred version for him.

[levcore]

I have no doubt that Cameron prefers native 3D to converted 3D as he has literally said that in the past.

Some of my favourite 3D movies are conversions. Native looks great, but hardly anybody bothered to shoot it that way. All the MCU movies from GOTG onwards look incredible in terms of converted 3D. Converting actually allows the film maker for much more freedom to push 3D in different ways from shot to shot.

I'll take the converted Amazing Spiderman 2 3D over the native Amazing Spiderman 1 3D. The former is far stronger.

[Creed]

Avatar: The Way of Water | Official Teaser Trailer - YouTube

[Zivouhr]

As noted by Cameron's team, there were shots that were converted in the original Avatar back in 2009. The technology has advanced a lot since then with programs like Nuke, and other conversion software, so I can imagine there could be some converted shots in Avatar sequels too.

Much of the 3D can be rendered natively within the computer using a computer 3D camera rig with two cameras connected to each other in virtual space. Then render out each camera's view, combine the two for the stereo 3D effect. Then for live action shots, just film those with real life 3D camera rigs.

Originally Posted by Schwartzy

Well avatar films will be proper 3D, not post conversion crap so im sure camerons first choise would be 3D viewing.

As Levcore mentioned, the advancement in conversion software has advanced to the point that most cannot tell if something was converted or filmed in 3D, because there are no longer seams that give it away like in the past with awful conversions with warping, hard edges for blurry focus shots, etc. Tracking shots of tons of foliage seems to be the biggest challenge, like when the camera is slowly panning left or right through a jungle or complex vegetation scene with millions of individual stalks, but more often now, they are getting it.

But yes, the stronger the 3D, the more work required for the conversion to fill in all the blank spaces from the offsetting of the other camera angle for stereo 3D.

Originally Posted by levcore

Post conversions have looked amazing for many years now.

Originally Posted by levcore

I have no doubt that Cameron prefers native 3D to converted 3D as he has literally said that in the past.

Some of my favourite 3D movies are conversions. Native looks great, but hardly anybody bothered to shoot it that way. All the MCU movies from GOTG onwards look incredible in terms of converted 3D. Converting actually allows the film maker for much more freedom to push 3D in different ways from shot to shot.

I'll take the converted Amazing Spiderman 2 3D over the native Amazing Spiderman 1 3D. The former is far stronger.

Good points, Levcore. Avengers Infinity War, End Game, Dr. Strange 1 and 2 3D, even Captain Marvel, have been strong 3D conversions.

[Creed]

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

My immediate reaction to this trailer in full UHD quality is that it looks absolutely stunning. Jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

And what's crazy is we all know too well this is just the tip of the ice burg, and Cameron is showing the absolute bare minimum with this footage.

Things I'm curious about are the RDA operators now being in Na'vi Avatars. I also got a chuckle out of the one soldier rocking a pair of sunglasses. So rad.

The underwater performance-capture looks utterly insane! This is the next-level CGI effects I've been wanting to see from blockbuster films since we've seen 'Avatar' in 2009, 'Prometheus' in 2012, and 'Elysium' in 2013. Not to drag Marvel Studios into this discussion, but I'm going to -- when I've complained about how boring and lifeless the visuals of their films look, this is what I mean. They're under this same umbrella, and have all the resources they need -- and then some -- to make their films look just as good as this. They need to take more time and spread their films and shows out more, so they can be more progressive in their visual sensibilities. But I digress.

Moving on, the next thing that stands out to me is something I had already noticed in the low-res bootleg trailer when it first leaked -- and that's how utterly amazing and gorgeous the color grading is for this film. It also reminded me of how angry I still am over the T2 UHD. Because I loved the new color restoration Cameron did for that new scan, but obviously hate the DNR.

All in all, I can't wait to see more from this film. It's gonna be a massive hit.

I haven't looked at the 4K trailer but watched the 2K one and damn, it seems like I'm watching a video game at times. I know that that's one of the hoariest old complaints about CG, but crucially I never got that feel from the first Avadah. There's a bit more of dat uncanny valley going on here and I'm not sure I likes it, precious.

[TheSweetieMan]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I haven't looked at the 4K trailer but watched the 2K one and damn, it seems like I'm watching a video game at times. I know that that's one of the hoariest old complaints about CG, but crucially I never got that feel from the first Avadah. There's a bit more of dat uncanny valley going on here and I'm not sure I likes it, precious.

By no means am I trying to convert you or anyone else, but I see the opposite. There's more detail than ever on the pores and skin imperfections than ever before. The underwater performance-capture looks so realistic to the point I feel like I'm watching an actual alien species swim underwater.

But also, even if you're not converted, this was the first Avatar trailer if people recall -- and it was not very good at all:

Avatar Teaser Trailer HD - YouTube

[Cremildo]

That choice of music was perfect... Beautiful teaser. I'm optimistic.

[ImBlu_DaBaDee]

Looks deliciously pretty and I still love the first Avatar so I’m in!

[TheSweetieMan]

4K trailer:

Avatar: The Way Of The Water 4K Trailer - YouTube

[chad_1138]

Saw the trailer in IMAX over the weekend. Felt like riding Flight of Passage

[darthtoon]

the trailer looks cool, but it feels like a movie that should of came out a couple of years ago

[DanTheMan]

Never sleep on James Cameron’s abilities. If this teaser is anything to go by, the long-awaited sequel has a great shot of living up to the hype of the original Avatar. Be excited.

[TheBondFan]

I've not seen the first movie but this looks beautiful. Is it a direct sequel or is there in the story a gap of several years ?

[levcore]

Originally Posted by darthtoon

the trailer looks cool, but it feels like a movie that should of came out a couple of years ago

Yeah 2020 would have been a perfect year to release this lol

[Atomic Salad]

Originally Posted by TheBondFan

I've not seen the first movie but this looks beautiful. Is it a direct sequel or is there in the story a gap of several years ?

The gap is real-time.

[DanTheMan]