James Cameron, the director of Avatar: The Way of Water, has addressed criticism regarding the use of high frame rates (HFR) in the film. During a fan screening, Cameron responded to a complaint that the HFR made the movie look like a video game. He acknowledged that some people may be bothered by it more than others but said that their goal is to keep making it better. Cameron also stated that the audience complained more about the land scenes than the underwater scenes and that he is aware that HFR works perfectly underwater and that the majority of complaints are for scenes on land. He explained that the HFR is mainly used to enhance the 3D experience, but that it can work against them in scenes that are more ordinary or normal. Because theatres cannot transition between 24fps and 48fps, Cameron has chosen to keep the HFR at 48fps throughout the whole movie.
Someone just said they weren't a big fan of the HFR. Said it looks too much like a video game. James Cameron's response: "I think they are some people who are more bothered by it than others... our goal is to keep making it better."#AvatarTheWayOfWater
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) February 17, 2023
James Cameron has previously addressed the use of high frame rates in Avatar: The Way of Water during the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. In an interview with Variety, Cameron explained that the HFR is being used to enhance the 3D experience in certain scenes where a heightened sense of presence is desired, such as underwater or flying scenes. However, he acknowledged that in scenes where people are just standing around and talking, the HFR can create a hyper-realistic effect that works against them, as it is more suited to creating a sense of presence in more action-packed scenes. Cameron also noted that sometimes they need the cinematic feeling of 24fps, particularly in more ordinary or normal scenes.
Recently, James Cameron announced plans to direct a new film, The Last Train From Hiroshima, before beginning work on the fourth film of his globally successful Avatar franchise. The film will be based on the book The Last Train From Hiroshima: The Survivors Look Back by Charles R Pellegrino.
