With “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022), James Cameron wanted to give viewers gigantic images. In some Japanese cinemas, this led to the opposite effect: according to “engadget” some film houses had serious technical problems and could not finish the performances as planned.
Most recently, the sequel was criticized for using too many stereotypes alongside the inadequate portrayal of indigenous people on screen. Cameron already provided the basis for the second part in 2009 with “Avatar – Departure for Pandora”. Three more are to follow.
“Avatar: The Way of Water”: Double the frame rate, double the problems
According to various statements, the complications could be attributed to the fact that the production was not broadcast with the usual 24, but with twice the rate of 48 pictures. Actually, the “high frame rate” should lead to a smoother flow of images with a consistent cinematic look. Overwhelmed by the modern technology, some Japanese cinemas are said to have throttled the frame rate to the usual 24 frames in order to be able to end the film presentation.
Here is the trailer for the second part:
Despite technical problems, the box office results are promising
Cameron told GQ magazine, that the production, with a budget of around $350 million, was “very fucking” expensive. The reported symptoms of overload seem all the more symbolic, which will hardly affect the single-player success. The second part came five days later according to Variety already grossed $555.9 million globally. According to the magazine, “Avatar: The Way of Water” will not be able to match the financial success of the first part due to the ongoing pandemic. “Avatar – Aufbruch nach Pandora” brought in around 3.4 billion dollars in 2009 and is thus considered the most successful film to date. According to Cameron, the successor should break the two-billion mark in order to be profitable for everyone involved.
You can listen to the soundtrack for the sequel, composed by Simon Franglen, here: