If the hype surrounding James Cameron's imminent release of the 'Avatar' in 3D is to be believed, the film will mark a watershed in Cinema going history.

Preview footage of the new sci-fi blockbuster was released at the Comic-con International Convention in San Diego last month with various directors describing what they had witnessed as "the future" of film. Movie goers were equally enthralled, some going so far as to say that the film was like an "addictive drug" and that they couldn't stop dreaming about it.

The film follows the central character "Jake" to the distant planet of Pandora where he hopes to join the 'Avatar' programme and replace his disabled body.

The Oscar winning director, "James Cameron" helped to develop ground breaking technology for the film in the shape of the advanced 3D "Fusion Camera System". Specially developed motion capturing techniques sit alongside High Definition 3D cameras to capture an unprecedented level of detail.

Although a number of 3D technologies promise an extra dimension without the need for special glasses, viewers at IMAX cinemas will still have to wear special "polarized" versions to watch 3D releases.

Although 3D films have been around since the 1950's, they have experienced a resurgence of late with many of the big Hollywood studios backing the new technology as the film industry's potential saviour. 3D is hard to copy, a life line for an industry ravaged by illegal copying. Alongside the huge investment, around 10 cinemas a week in the UK are implementing the digital projection systems required to display 3D films.

Whether the "Avatar" is just another helping of Hollywood hype or a genuine cinematic breakthrough, is hard to tell. What is not in doubt is that there is a lot riding on this film for Twentieth Century Fox who have reportedly invested £123m in the project.

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