‘Avatar’ re-release whets appetite for coming sequel

Above : James Cameron’s 2009 film “Avatar” will be re-released on Friday. (Photo/Twentieth Century Fox)

Movies screened in 3-D technology didn’t work for me as a young movie fan. Those cardboard glasses with the two different-colored plastic lenses just didn’t convey what they were supposed to.

The first time 3-D did work for me was when I saw James Cameron’s 2009 film “Avatar.” The technology had progressed to the point then where it really felt like the characters were coming off the screen and into the theater.

So, yes, “Avatar” was a great movie-going experience. And it’s one that movie fans will get to enjoy again on Friday when the film will get a new release.

But if the preview publicity is correct, it won’t be the same experience because the film has been remastered. And neither will be its sequel, “Avatar 2: The Way of Water,” which is set for a Dec. 16th opening.

The sequel features all-new technology , required because much of the film was shot underwater. And as it’s been 13 years since the first film, seeing the original again – or for the first time – is probably a good thing just to get us into the story.

Whether it’s been too long for this new film to capture audiences the way the original did is open to question. Be interesting to see what kind of story that Cameron and co-screenwriter Josh Friedman have come up with.

Let’s just hope the plot matches the visuals, which no doubt will be impressive.