My wife has agreed to go with me to see Avatar today. There is not an IMAX within 100 miles from here - so that is out. The thing I am pondering is should I opt for the regular 3D version over no 3D. My oldest daughter has seen it both ways (reg 3D vs no 3D) and said the regular was not that impressive. Anyone have any thoughts on the topic?

My oldest boy saw it in non-3D format and thought it was great - but he has issues with a 3D format; his eyes constantly water during the show and he gets headaches.

I took my youngest boy to see it Thursday night in 3D and it was amazing. Just to get an idea of what the standard format might have been, I closed one eye and the graphics and effects were still pretty good, but not as good as 3D.

If you can, sit deal center in the theater with your head level and eyes square to the screen. Sitting off center might create some image mismatch.

I'd vote for the 3D version, personally.

Scott

I agree with Scott on trying to sit as close to center as possible. Go early and stake out a good seat. I saw the movie twice over the holidays and the first time I sat in the middle of the theater and the 3D effects were really good. The second time, we sat off to the side a bit and some of the images and effects just didn't look right.

Loved it in "regular" 3D. Sit in the middle like others are saying and it will be great.

I see Alan has made a comment in the shout box regarding glasses over glasses; not a factor for me - yet - but something you may want to consider... Ahhh,let me consult the 12yr old (not the aforementioned rum, but my son who wears glasses).... .............................

OK the boy wore his glasses the other night and said his eyes watered a bit at first then it was all good.

You could always start with the 3D version and if it doesn't work out, get a refund for the difference and go see the 2D (make a big enough scene in the foyer and they'll probably just give you the tickets.)

Scott

not sure if 3d glasses over my eyeglasses would work right... maybe just wait for the bluray

My wife wore her glasses and had no trouble with the 3D glasses. She is not a fan of Sci Fi but she liked the movie. I thought it was excellent - not just for 3D but for the gut impact of the movie. The audience was mesmerized. No talking - no going to the concession - and when it was over we applauded. I go to movies to have reality suspended. This fit the bill and then some. I agree that it could become a reference standard the home theater crowd.

I wore my eyeglasses under the 3D glasses and had no problem. They were oversized enough to fit over the glasses without being too bulky.

It took my eyes and mind about 20 minutes to relax enough to just enjoy the 3D show. I wore the 3D glasses over my eyeglasses too. For the first 5 minutes I kept wanting to push them up further on my nose but my own glasses were in the way. I would recommend to everyone to watch it in 3D and would not hesitate to watch in 3D again myself.

-Dave

I was very skeptical of the 3D before watching this. Saw it last night. Wow. Probably some of the best visuals I've ever seen in a movie. The 3D effect was amazing. I don't know if I'd ever want to have that full time in my house but for movies, VERY nice.

When I saw the movie (yup, I wear glasses too), I was told that it may take a little bit to get used to the 3D, but it worked great right off the bat for me. They played a few previews in 3D which helped to get your eyes already used to the 3D world for about 10 minutes before the movie started. I had no issues with the 3D glasses fitting fine over my regular glasses.

It is GREAT in 'regular 3D' unless you are spoiled by regular IMAX visits in 3d then you will not be disappointed.

The advice to go early for good seating is important. If it's like here, the theater is full all but the very back and front 30 minutes before the show. In my second viewing, I got stuck at the back and found the 3D still works great but there was the illusion that things are leaving your field of vision too quickly because you are further back and the screen is relatively smaller. Your eyes want to follow things further to the side but they are already gone. I say illusion because timing wise, it's really the same thing, it just seems like stuff is lost from sight quicker.

Yeah - we got there about 30 minutes early and were able to get 2 seats about 1/3 the way up and just slightly off center. All Center seats were gone. I don't go to a lot of movies and almost underestimated. We went straight from the door into the theater. 5 minutes after walking in all center and slightly off center seats were gone. The people that bought tix right in front of us stopped by the concession stand. They ended up on the front row - which I am guessing is not optimal either as you are looking almost straight up.

In line to see it in IMAX 3d now!

Hurry up! get in there for the best seat!

Will you provide play-by-play posts of the movie?

Apparently not. Maybe the aliens got him?

No play by play. I liked it though. I was only slightly off center. Pretty good seat. I thought they did a good job with the 3D. It doesn't jump out at you a lot, but is used more to help immerse you into the Avatar world.

My only complaint was I had to pee almost the whole time I was sitting there. It distracted me a bit. That's what I get for having a coke with dinner and then also having a beer before going into the movie!

Yes, how silly. A beer with dinner as well, would have been much better.

I just watched Matrix on Mars. Oops, I mean Avatar 3D. This is a really good movie. Just don't stare at the 3d naked chics in leotards too long. It does funny things to the eyes.

That was the experience when I went as well.....no one talked, no one peed.

I saw it. . .again. . .last night with one of my coworkers. After work everyone went bowling (it was fun) and then my coworker wanted to go watch a movie. We ended up seeing it in regular 3D and our seating was horrible. We actually had to sit in the handicap seats because the theater was stuffed. The 3D effect was nearly as good off to the side like we were. Some images looked very ghosty and doubled up on the edge of the screen.

The Imax 3D is a great experience, not only in terms of a superb and immersive image, but also excellent sound. I noticed a difference between the two. Maybe that was partly due to a rattling wall sconce in last night's theater.

I saw it twice in 3D, and both times were amazing. Go see it in 3D.