James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

[nick007]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Hoping to see it at Imax in 3D this week

[Highsteppa]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

It's a pretty impressive film as far as technique and special effects, and does raise the game for movies that come out after this, in the aspect of 3D presentation and special effects. It manages to elevate the computer generated characters that Lord of the Rings and King Kong pulled off and brought it further, seeing that you can recognize the avatars from their faces (Sigourney Weaver's avatar looks like she would as a Na'vi) and for the motion capture work they managed to pull off as well.

Story wise, it borrows a bit from Cameron's older films - the human compound looks like an updated set of Aliens, the environmental/life is precious message comes from the Abyss, and some of the more romantic elements seem straight out of Titanic. That's not really a criticism, it's more an observation, as James Cameron makes it work, and it doesn't feel clunky, just a bit familiar.

The film is getting a bit of flack for an unremarkable set of characters, but I felt it wasn't a fair critique - Cameron manages to demonstrate three very strong female central characters that have more to do in the story than any other female character in another big budget film would. They aren't the fretting wife/love interest that disappears in the third act when the finale action starts - they actually are servicing the story quite well, and are more fleshed out than most other female roles presented this year in the sci fi genre.

It's a great film for the visual aspect, but the story is serviceable and a bit underwhelming. I guess that a film that was four years in the making was going to have too much hype to live up to in some aspects - while succeeding and exceeding expectations in the visual departments.

[floridaorange]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

^What do you think it will gross by this time next year, total?

[feather]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Finally booked my tickets for VMAX 3D tomorrow night.

[floridaorange]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

^just an fyi, the theater I was in was completely sold out, get there a bit early and sit in the middle.

[chadmc]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Great movie...made me wish I still ate LSD. Good story and acting all the way thru...might even go see it again.

[feather]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

^just an fyi, the theater I was in was completely sold out, get there a bit early and sit in the middle.

Selected the seats online

[Corven]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Great movie...made me wish I still ate LSD.

lol ... throughout the movie i was wondering how much acid did James Cameron take to come up with visuals like that

[Michael^Heaven]

Re:

It's a pretty impressive film as far as technique and special effects, and does raise the game for movies that come out after this, in the aspect of 3D presentation and special effects. It manages to elevate the computer generated characters that Lord of the Rings and King Kong pulled off and brought it further, seeing that you can recognize the avatars from their faces (Sigourney Weaver's avatar looks like she would as a Na'vi) and for the motion capture work they managed to pull off as well.

Story wise, it borrows a bit from Cameron's older films - the human compound looks like an updated set of Aliens, the environmental/life is precious message comes from the Abyss, and some of the more romantic elements seem straight out of Titanic. That's not really a criticism, it's more an observation, as James Cameron makes it work, and it doesn't feel clunky, just a bit familiar.

The film is getting a bit of flack for an unremarkable set of characters, but I felt it wasn't a fair critique - Cameron manages to demonstrate three very strong female central characters that have more to do in the story than any other female character in another big budget film would. They aren't the fretting wife/love interest that disappears in the third act when the finale action starts - they actually are servicing the story quite well, and are more fleshed out than most other female roles presented this year in the sci fi genre.

It's a great film for the visual aspect, but the story is serviceable and a bit underwhelming. I guess that a film that was four years in the making was going to have too much hype to live up to in some aspects - while succeeding and exceeding expectations in the visual departments.

Sick review mate! You should write for a living.

[feather]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Wouldn't be surprised if he does? He seems to review quite a lot of movies.

[res0nat0r]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

^no kidding...his reviews are very good and there are alot of them, pretty nice work

[Highsteppa]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

I used to write film reviews for Tribe. Nearly 8 years doing so. I still get the odd advance screening pass or screener copy thrown my way.

Thank you for the kind words everyone.

[nsite]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

havn't been entertained like this in YEARS. honestly didnt really care about the story because i was too stunned at the visual beauty in this film. down right fucking ridiculous CGI. ive never seen a film twice in the theater and i will be going back again to see this. shit maybe even 3 times.

[feather]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Visually stunning, 3D isn't perfect, simple story, cliched dialogue. I'd probably try to watch again stoned, the dialogue was seriously bugging me and making me drift. Throughout the movie the 'style over substance' mantra kept on repeating in my head.

[floridaorange]

Re: James Cameron's Avatar (2009)

Personally I was expecting the story to be a lot worse based on all that I heard...

I'd go see this a 2nd time too, I was really surprised how quickly the 162 mins went by.