Avatar {2009}

[ScottotD]

What does an X-Box have to do with it?  Are you saying it looks like a game?

[RobtheBarbarian]

Like a blitzed bottle blonde bimbo at a bar, banal booty begging for attention. 

"That's totally what I would write in my blog if anyone read it."

[bar1scorpio]

What does an X-Box have to do with it?  Are you saying it looks like a game?

And that's exactly what hurts it.  Sure, they're not in that horrid Robert Zemeckis Uncanny Valley (I still haven't watched any of his CGI films for that exact reason), but it's another movie where in the big action sequence, you find yourself thinking "can I press start and begin the actual level yet?".  You'll see CGI just as good in any video game.  So the actual visual razzle-dazzle is long gone.  You have to have a story to back a non-particapatory medium like film up.  And he doesn't have it. 

You can't even remember the characters names on your way out of the theater.  Except that Michelle Rodriguez plays Vasquez from Aliens, and Sigourney Weaver plays Diane Fossey from Gorillas in the Mist (hey, at least it isn't machetes this time!).  And some guy with grey hair is Colonel Kurtz, and then there's Princess Twilek Lily, and chief Black Kettle...  everyone is that cliche or forgettable.  Or just a racist stereotype.

[FBX]

I saw the movie in IMAX 3D and was a little disappointed with the whole set-up itself. Apparently, the IMAX screen isn't that big, and the 3d film didn't even make full use of it. Worse yet, the action sequences at the beginning of the movie were unwatchably blurry, yet it somehow improved later on. Anyone else notice this?

Also, the Colonel is the Jar Jar Binks of the film. Wow what a terrible character.

[ScottotD]

What does an X-Box have to do with it?  Are you saying it looks like a game?

And that's exactly what hurts it.  Sure, they're not in that horrid Robert Zemeckis Uncanny Valley (I still haven't watched any of his CGI films for that exact reason), but it's another movie where in the big action sequence, you find yourself thinking "can I press start and begin the actual level yet?".  You'll see CGI just as good in any video game.  So the actual visual razzle-dazzle is long gone.  You have to have a story to back a non-particapatory medium like film up.  And he doesn't have it. 

You can't even remember the characters names on your way out of the theater.  Except that Michelle Rodriguez plays Vasquez from Aliens, and Sigourney Weaver plays Diane Fossey from Gorillas in the Mist (hey, at least it isn't machetes this time!).  And some guy with grey hair is Colonel Kurtz, and then there's Princess Twilek Lily, and chief Black Kettle...  everyone is that cliche or forgettable.  Or just a racist stereotype.

I disagree, I think in the cinema and in 3D it's an amazing experience but I don't think it'll have a lot of re-watch value at home.


I think everyone who complains about cliches or clunky writing has way higher expectations of James Cameron than I do.  I was actually impressed at how subtle it was compared to his usual stuff.

[TeamRAD]

I saw the movie in IMAX 3D and was a little disappointed with the whole set-up itself. Apparently, the IMAX screen isn't that big, and the 3d film didn't even make full use of it. Worse yet, the action sequences at the beginning of the movie were unwatchably blurry, yet it somehow improved later on. Anyone else notice this?

Yikes, I'm sorry to hear about that, FBX. I was gonna hit up the IMAX for my next showing, but not any longer. I wonder if the above had any barring on why the Marcus Ultra Screens have it playing in 2D?

Noting the 3D at the beginning, it was crystal clear for me throughout.

What does an X-Box have to do with it?  Are you saying it looks like a game?

And that's exactly what hurts it.  Sure, they're not in that horrid Robert Zemeckis Uncanny Valley (I still haven't watched any of his CGI films for that exact reason), but it's another movie where in the big action sequence, you find yourself thinking "can I press start and begin the actual level yet?".  You'll see CGI just as good in any video game.  So the actual visual razzle-dazzle is long gone.  You have to have a story to back a non-particapatory medium like film up.  And he doesn't have it. 

You can't even remember the characters names on your way out of the theater.  Except that Michelle Rodriguez plays Vasquez from Aliens, and Sigourney Weaver plays Diane Fossey from Gorillas in the Mist (hey, at least it isn't machetes this time!).  And some guy with grey hair is Colonel Kurtz, and then there's Princess Twilek Lily, and chief Black Kettle...  everyone is that cliche or forgettable.  Or just a racist stereotype.

I disagree, I think in the cinema and in 3D it's an amazing experience but I don't think it'll have a lot of re-watch value at home.

I think everyone who complains about cliches or clunky writing has way higher expectations of James Cameron than I do.  I was actually impressed at how subtle it was compared to his usual stuff.

I definitely agree w/ you on the former, Scott. I know this won't have much revalue once it hits home for me. As for the latter, I've always accepted the cliches/dialogue as a part of the Cameron cannon. So in that regards, I didn't think it was anything detrimental to the overall experience.

[ScottotD]

I saw the movie in IMAX 3D and was a little disappointed with the whole set-up itself. Apparently, the IMAX screen isn't that big, and the 3d film didn't even make full use of it. Worse yet, the action sequences at the beginning of the movie were unwatchably blurry, yet it somehow improved later on. Anyone else notice this?

Yikes, I'm sorry to hear about that, FBX. I was gonna hit up the IMAX for my next showing, but not any longer. I wonder if the above had any barring on why the Marcus Ultra Screens have it playing in 2D?

Noting the 3D at the beginning, it was crystal clear for me throughout.

What does an X-Box have to do with it?  Are you saying it looks like a game?

And that's exactly what hurts it.  Sure, they're not in that horrid Robert Zemeckis Uncanny Valley (I still haven't watched any of his CGI films for that exact reason), but it's another movie where in the big action sequence, you find yourself thinking "can I press start and begin the actual level yet?".  You'll see CGI just as good in any video game.  So the actual visual razzle-dazzle is long gone.  You have to have a story to back a non-particapatory medium like film up.  And he doesn't have it. 

You can't even remember the characters names on your way out of the theater.  Except that Michelle Rodriguez plays Vasquez from Aliens, and Sigourney Weaver plays Diane Fossey from Gorillas in the Mist (hey, at least it isn't machetes this time!).  And some guy with grey hair is Colonel Kurtz, and then there's Princess Twilek Lily, and chief Black Kettle...  everyone is that cliche or forgettable.  Or just a racist stereotype.

I disagree, I think in the cinema and in 3D it's an amazing experience but I don't think it'll have a lot of re-watch value at home.

I think everyone who complains about cliches or clunky writing has way higher expectations of James Cameron than I do.  I was actually impressed at how subtle it was compared to his usual stuff.

I definitely agree w/ you on the former, Scott. I know this won't have much revalue once it hits home for me. As for the latter, I've always accepted the cliches/dialogue as a part of the Cameron cannon. So in that regards, I didn't think it was anything detrimental to the overall experience.

Yeah I didn't see them as negatives either because I expected them.  He's a classic b-grade film maker.

[bar1scorpio]

I saw the movie in IMAX 3D and was a little disappointed with the whole set-up itself. Apparently, the IMAX screen isn't that big, and the 3d film didn't even make full use of it. Worse yet, the action sequences at the beginning of the movie were unwatchably blurry, yet it somehow improved later on. Anyone else notice this?

Also, the Colonel is the Jar Jar Binks of the film. Wow what a terrible character.

I disagree.  The Colonel was the only person worth rooting for.  He was so damned Batman, he didn't even need a gas mask to breath in space!  He was like, Chuck Norris and Ted Nugent all in one.  I'll miss Colonel McBadass

[lassieface]

Here is my take...

What I did Like:

Sigourney Weaver - She's awesome!

3D (sort of) - The whole 3D thing is a tricky topic. I'm not going to deny that it does indeed look 3D, but in the end it comes down to how it's used. One of the trailers shown was "Alice in Wonderland" which tried to rape your eyes with absurd 3D effects. Avatar was different...it wasn't in your face; it was subtle. So subtle that you actually forgot you were watching 3D. But it did add something too the experience and I'm sure when I buy it on Blu Ray it won't feel as special as it did in 3D.

Sam Worthington

Zoey Saldana as a Na'vi - Hotttt

Attention to Detail - James Cameron didn't just come up with a name for a planet and some random stuff on it. He put so much care into the details that it feels real. Not only that, but while you are watching it you want to know more about the plants and creatures you are seeing.

Michelle Rodriguez - I know, I hated Anna Lucia in Lost too, but she actually was good in this movie.

Almost every thing you see - This is, make no mistake, the most unbelievable special effects that have ever been seen. It really is photo realistic. This is a game changer in movies.

The Na'vi - I thought they would be roll-your-eyes cheesy, but they weren't. They had a whole culture that made you root for them. It's pretty obvious that they represent the Indians, with there beliefs, loin-clothes, etc.

What I Didn't Like:

Sigourney Weaver Dying - Do Not Want!

Unubtanium - Seriously? That is what you're calling the metal that the humans are trying to harvest.

Review

There are parts in Avatar that are little off, and the plot isn't original by any means. But the immersive experience that this stunning movie provides makes you forget all about that. It's hard not to fall in love with this movie, or want to go to Pandora.

9/10

[iv3rdawG]

Yeah, Michelle Rodriguez surprised me. She was very tolerable in this. The depth that the 3D created was just fantastic. From the first shot with Jake and the scientists to Pandora, it just makes the whole movie pop. Actually really great acting from Worthington and he worked well as a leading character, and he had a lot to carry. I think it'll work fine in 2D but catch it in 3D if you can. The scenes that involved any water, like the first chase scene and the scene where Worthington rides the Banshee for the first time are really exhilarating. There are impostors who try and direct big Hollywood movies and fail, and then there are directors like James Cameron who really know how to take control of an audience and transport you to another world for 2 1/2 hours. That's what big time movie making is about.

[Plastic Self-Cleaning Duck]

Could people use the "Spoiler" button, please?   

[a pretty girl is like]

Here is my take...

Unubtanium - Seriously? That is what you're calling the metal that the humans are trying to harvest.

[

Unobtanium has long been used by scientists and science fiction writers alike.  Cameron is just following a long held tradition.

[iv3rdawG]

Could people use the "Spoiler" button, please?   

Not me, right?

[Vent]

Am I the only person at least slightly disgusted by the movie's jingoistic, imperialist, genocidal portrayal of the American military?  I know it's nothing new in terms of Hollywood cliche's, but this is a PG-13 flick marketed to kids.  With phrases like "The only way to counter terrorism is with preemptive terrorism (Um...huh?!)"   and "shock and awe" a big percentage of the American population, who dedicate their lives and well-being to protecting Cameron's right to shit on them, is being painted as comic book bad guys.  

Don't tell me "Relax, it's fiction", yes, I know. It's all the more reason why some made-up corporate interest or pretend inter-galactic space force could have just as easily been substituted in their place.

My prediction after some scientifically untested number-crunching, is that Avatar will only pull in a fraction of the profit Titanic snagged, and will end up losing money.  A part of me is hoping it tanks.

[Relaxing Dragon]

I saw the movie in IMAX 3D and was a little disappointed with the whole set-up itself. Apparently, the IMAX screen isn't that big, and the 3d film didn't even make full use of it. Worse yet, the action sequences at the beginning of the movie were unwatchably blurry, yet it somehow improved later on. Anyone else notice this?

Also, the Colonel is the Jar Jar Binks of the film. Wow what a terrible character.

I disagree.  The Colonel was the only person worth rooting for.  He was so damned Batman, he didn't even need a gas mask to breath in space!  He was like, Chuck Norris and Ted Nugent all in one.  I'll miss Colonel McBadass

Ditto, I loved the Colonel. He was really goddamn cool, much more so than any other character. Plus, there was a flame painted on his mech suit's gun. I gave the movie an extra half-star just for that.