Because I know a lot of people won't be rushing out to see it on day 1 like me, I went ahead and started a spoiler thread. We can keep non-spoiler, general thoughts and reviews here.

BES trying to carry that Avatar hype on his shoulders alone

My efforts of single-handedly hauling this thread across the EB for five years will be appreciated in a few weeks when it's another massive hit.

Don't y'all forget who brought you the updates when nobody else cared.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Thanks. It's been a crappy week with an unexpected death in the family, so I could really use the pick-me-up.

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That sucks, sorry to hear. My condolences.

Appreciate it.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Thank you.

The irony in the title The Way of Water is I have to avoid all liquids after like 2 pm if I plan to make it...

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I tried that for Revenge of the Sith in 2005 for midnight. Finally had to go get some water about 10 minutes before the movie when I felt like I was going to pass out.

Rave reviews rolling in. I'm really excited for this one.

Congratulations to Avatar: The Way of Water on 6 Critics’ Choice Awards nominations, including Best Picture and James Cameron for Best Director. pic.twitter.com/vRtZUNCU7o

— Avatar (@officialavatar) December 14, 2022

Seeing it tomorrow morning at 10:30. Been looking forward to this one. New baby has kept us out of the theater since Love & Thunder, what a way to return.

Fixed.

https://instagr.am/p/CmM1rMzPk90

Wow. What an overwhelming experience. (And I mean that in the best possible way.)

As all the reviews have already said, this is so visually spectacular that you are basically on Pandora for 3 hours. You never doubt that a single thing in front of you is really there. And the level of detail in the Na'vi in particular is just insane. The water dripping from their faces, the pores in their skin. It's hard to believe it's all made in a computer.

And yet with all that spectacle, I was impressed with how intimate the story felt. It's a story of a single family, and it never wavers from that. You get to know each and every kid really well. And the movie really clips along for a 3 hour movie. Outside of maybe 15 minutes in the middle, you never really feel the length. And the entire final act is so good. And it's not just the exact same thing from the first movie done again.

This is every bit the spectacle the first movie was and more. I heard several groups of people saying this was better than the first on my way out the theater.

Do yourself a favor and watch this on the biggest screen with the loudest speakers you can find, and 3D is a must.

Also, boy am I glad I was wearing 3D glasses. Teared up twice.

When you go back, please take a stop watch to settle the Kate Winslet matter.

Seriously blows my mind it's even a discussion topic.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. I remain lukewarm on the first film. This? This is the motherfucking goods. Hail to the king, baby.

— Jeremy Smith (@mrbeaks) December 16, 2022

94% audience score on RT.

Sole box office numbers wonk.the TLDR version is that it isn't going to drop much from week 1 to week 2 and early numbers are good.

https://deadline.com/2022/12/avatar-the-way-of-water-box-office-1235200714/

Will copy my post from the BO thread...

The lack of frontloading is an early sign that is is going to leg out just like Cameron always does. Deadline says only 53% of ticket presales have been for opening day (Thurs/Fri), vs the usual superhero fare which is 70%+. And 23% are for after opening weekend.

This movie is more about seeing it in a premium format than being among the first to see it.

WW opening weekend is projected around $500M, but this thing is just getting started.

It's going to do amazing over Christmas. Possibly even beat it's opening weekend domestically?

I was just thinking, I wonder if there's a website that lets you bet money on the Oscar winners. I don't care what odds they give this movie for Best VFX, but whatever it is, it's free money.

https://www.vegasinsider.com/awards/odds/oscars/

Only the big four categories listed here.

Avatar is +5000 for Best Picture
James Cameron is +1600 for Best Director

james cameron seeing the final cut of avatar the way of water pic.twitter.com/WduDQIYqAX

— clarissa (@clarissalerman) December 17, 2022

Any more non-spoiler reviews out there? I don't want to go in the spoiler thread yet. Sort of liked the first as a movie, loved the 3D. Is this better?

Got tickets for Christmas day.

James Cameron spent 13 years doubling down on all the bad things about Avatar (2009). https://t.co/fsSV82SUaY

— David Jenkins (@daveyjenkins) December 13, 2022

Might be the most pretentious review I've ever read.

agdoc2001 said:

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James Cameron spent 13 years doubling down on all the bad things about Avatar (2009). https://t.co/fsSV82SUaY

— David Jenkins (@daveyjenkins) December 13, 2022

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SJEAg said:

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Any more non-spoiler reviews out there? I don't want to go in the spoiler thread yet. Sort of liked the first as a movie, loved the 3D. Is this better?

Got tickets for Christmas day.

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I still like the original slightly better, but it's an incredible sequel. The kid/family dynamic works way better than I ever thought it would, and it's a more emotional experience for sure, for that very reason. I have a few minor issues with certain aspects (which I elaborate on in the spoiler thread), but overall it's absolutely worth the time/money to see in in the theater.

So is the general consensus to watch this on an IMAX screen with 3D? The whole XD vs 3D vs IMAX vs Liemax is confusing. Moved to San Antonio this summer and honestly haven't had a chance to check out the IMAX at the Rivercenter but I'm guessing that's the best option?

I'm definitely in the minority here, but personally, I was not a fan of the 3D, and disliked the 48 FPS (frames per second) even more, which adds a motion smoothing/soap opera effect. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie again, but absolutely in 2D this time.

IMAX 3D is the way to go. It is actually in IMAX format throughout the whole runtime and the 3D is incredible.

We watched about 10 minutes of the original tonight while flipping back and forth between Endgame and the Sound of Music. It's hilarious how weirded out my kids are by the Navi.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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IMAX 3D is the way to go. It is actually in IMAX format throughout the whole runtime and the 3D is incredible.

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Dolby 1:85 is the premier way to see it. And all Dolby theaters are in 4k HFR like Cameron wants