What is the best Avatar: The Way of Water format: 3D, HFR or Standard?

After 13 years of waiting Avatar: The Way of Water is finally here, and it seems like half the world is getting ready to see it. But before you head to the cinema for the blockbuster extravaganza of the year, make sure you’re watching the film in the format that works best for you.

avatar 2 is shown in dozens of different formats for different cinemas and screen sizes around the world, but for most purposes you only have to make a few decisions: do you want to see the film in 3D or not? Would you like to see it in High Frame Rate (HFR) format, which doubles the frames to 48 frames per second in some sequences to make some of the CGI action smoother?

To help you make that decision, we’ve broken down the most common versions of Avatar: The Way of Water to let you know the difference and effectiveness of each format:

Should I see Avatar 2 at IMAX?

The massive format is a great way to see the film. The size of the screen absolutely enhances the experience of being transported into the beautiful waters of Pandora. But it’s not strictly necessary, and holding out for IMAX won’t spoil your experience as much as anything else on this list.

Should I see Avatar 2 in 3D?

You absolutely should. Just like the first avatar, the 3D on this movie is so good you’ll believe the technology is feasible and should be used by people other than James Cameron. (In reality it’s not viable, and its use outside of Cameron films should be illegal.) Whether you want to see the film in HFR or not, you should do your best to see it in 3D if that’s possible for you is .

Should I watch Avatar 2 in 3D with HFR?

This one is tough. When The way of the waterThe HFR sequences from work, they really work. Most notably, anything water-related (much of the movie) and anything related to flying (a little less so in the movie) looks superb, and for some people the rest of the scenes will work just as well. However, others will feel that HFR scenes make the movie look like they’re watching a TV with the motion smoothing setting turned on, or that it looks too much like a video game cutscene. If motion smoothing bothers you, refuse HFR screenings. If you don’t even notice when other people complain about it, you’re fine.

The problem is that the film’s frame rate is dynamic – it alternates between standard and high frame rates using a visual trick. When it switches back to the standard 24fps, which it does when there’s only people on the screen, it’s actually just doubling every frame you see. In other words, it still plays at the higher 48fps rate, but mimics 24fps in a way that some people may find uncomfortable or sluggish.

The HFR version of the film makes many of the lovely action shots of Pandora and Na’vi kids running around and exploring much better for people who don’t find the format distracting. But it has some downsides that might make it significantly more annoying for certain people.

Should I see Avatar 2 in 2D?

This is an option mostly reserved for people who, for one reason or another, can’t or don’t want to watch a 3D movie. And if that’s the case, don’t worry! Pandora will still look great, and you’ll still have a good time delving back into the world of Avatar.

Should I watch Avatar 2 in 2D with HFR?

I’m not sure if that exists. I can’t find any local cinemas playing the film this way, but if anyone comes across it, they probably just don’t go. View it either in full default or in a 3D version.

Should I watch Avatar 2 in 4DX?

Update will follow once we’ve tried a 4DX screening.

How do I make sure I’m viewing the correct version of Avatar 2?

This is perhaps the most complicated and least complicated question on the list. The answer is that some theaters list whether they’re showing the film in HFR, while others don’t. The Regal theater chain, for example, lists every detail of their showings online, including HFR. So if you don’t see this in the extra features of the show you’re buying tickets for, assume it’s the default frame rate. AMC, on the other hand, does not list whether a screening is for HFR. So if AMC is your only option I guess…try calling the theater to ask?

That sounds like a miserable experience at a national chain like AMC — you’ll likely be pushed through an exhausting phone tree to find a human worker who may or may not have the answers. At least if AMC gets enough calls with that question, they could put more effort into listing the details of their showings. At least if you want that info from a local off-chain cinema, you’re more likely to quickly find someone on the other end of the line, and hopefully they’ll know which version they’re showing. The good news is that 3D should be featured for every performance in almost every theater and that’s the number one feature to make sure you get it.

Avatar: The Way of Water is now in cinemas.