'Avatar' promises edge-of-seat special effects

But before you grab a seat in that multiplex, be warned: Cameron, raring to go with this Rs 1,200 crore ($240 million) sci-fi epic, wants to blow you away with his astounding special effects. Trust him when he declares, “I like to show ’em stuff they’ve probably seen in a dream but they’ve never seen in a movie. It will be a visual journey, a physical journey, in the sense you will feel you’ve actually climbed that mountain. It will also be an emotional journey.”

The movie took 14 years in the making. But Cameron fans in Bangalore might just pack the multiplexes to see his “Avatar” both in 2D and 3D formats. Shot entirely with the Fusion Digital 3D camera technology, the film will be released simultaneously in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Since the film requires to be screened in 3D for an enhanced viewing experience, City’s theatres, including Fame, PVR, Fun, Urvashi, Mukunda and the likes have geared up for the challenge willingly.

But the exercise will not be cheap either. Any film to be shown in 3D requires pearl- and silver-based screens rather than the poly nylon screens, which are used for non-3D films. But installing a single such screen costs more than Rs 10 lakh.  
The Inox multiplexes will show the film on the silver screen using the 3D projectors. And viewers will be provided the treat of high-tech goggles. But this fantasy will make a hole in the viewer’s pocket.

Most of City’s theatres showing the film will provide Active 3D filters to the viewers. Each such goggle, embedded with a battery and an infrared chip, costs Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000. But this facility will be provided on payment of a refundable security deposit.
“We have fixed up screens both at Garuda Mall and Jayanagar. Every viewer will have to fork out Rs 200 for the goggles as security deposit which would be refunded at the end of the show,” said Manish Nibani, unit manager of Inox at Garuda Mall.
So, gear up for the unique 3D experiences. Prices of tickets range from Rs 150 to Rs 350.

Starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana, the movie depicts the story of a wounded ex-marine thrust unwillingly into an effort to exploit an exotic moon rich in bio-diversity.