Avatar: The Way of Water at VUE Printworks

Tom Grieve, Contributing Writer

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Avatar: The Way of the Water

16 December 2022-12 January 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

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If history has taught us anything, it’s that we should never doubt James Cameron. Not even for a second. The film director behind The Terminator, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Titanic knows how to make a blockbuster. In 2009 he released Avatar, breaking his own box office records, and ushering in an era of 3D cinema which couldn’t live up to the lush, fantastical world he conjured for his Na’vi.

Commentators and critics have noted Avatar’s narrative deficiencies; it’s cribbing from the tales of Pocahontas and other stories. They questioned its staying power, mocked “Unobtanium”, and even the film’s use of ‘Papyrus’ for its title font.. But, there can be no doubt that thirteen years – and countless, repetitive Marvel movies – on, Avatar remains a sumptuous sensory experience, a personal, idiosyncratic vision direct from the id of one of cinema’s premier technicians.

So, we’re genuinely thrilled to see that Cameron is back, with Avatar: The Way of Water set to hit big screens across the world this December. The film reunites us with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), now living as a family, as they prepare to defend the planet of Pandora against a familiar foe.

Promising spectacular underwater action, otherworldly colour and white-knuckle aerial combat sequences, there is every chance that this is one of the big screen events of the year. With Vue Printworks boasting the biggest screen in the city, we recommend putting your trust in Jim and booking yourself an IMAX ticket.

Where to go near Avatar: The Way of Water at VUE Printworks

Balance Taproom
Manchester
Restaurant
Balance Taproom

Manchester has a glut of taprooms, and Balance Brewing’s is far and away the best. Drinks, decor, service – all a cut above.

Richard Hards ‘Strangeways’
Manchester
Gallery
Moon Grove

A Georgian front room in Rusholme houses Moon Grove, an independent gallery with an unusually ambitious international programme.

In Focus: Chinese Contemporary Art.
Manchester
Gallery
New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery

New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery opened in 2016, providing a permanent space to showcase the University of Salford Art Collection within the New Adelphi School of Arts and Media.

Cumbria
Restaurant
1863 Restaurant

1863 offers a seven-course Lake District tasting menu that overdelivers at every turn. Cumbrian ingredients, clever ideas and classical cooking techniques.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
Schofield’s Bar

Schofield’s could be Manchester’s most grown-up bar. Very precise drinks in an upmarket city centre venue. It’s not cheap, hey, but true class costs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Sampa’s underground space is the perfect place to learn about both her new mind-expanding dishes and vintage sherries, reimagined for the late 2020s.

Northern Quarter
Restaurant
Sicilian NQ

Busy backstreet Sicilian restaurant in the Northern Quarter, serving up traditional dishes with well-executed vegan versions that more than match up.

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

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