Avatar {2009}

[lassieface]

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.

Yeah, it's hard to make you hate a character that is so insanely cool...you know aside from the genocide thing.

[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

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.

Yeah, it's hard to make you hate a character that is so insanely cool...you know aside from the genocide thing.

I thought the Genocide was part of his charm.  I mean, he was pretty before that planet, so he had good cause for revenge.  Those scars took away his ability to sparkle in the sunlight!

[bar1scorpio]

But yeah, let's change this up a bit.  What would you riff on in this flick?  Where are the jokes to be made?

"If you're still cold from the cryochamber, feel free to spoon the man next to you to share body heat."

"Every time I see someone with earlobe spacers, I just... wanna stick my fingers in there."

"Wildly lunging at my enemy didn't work.  I know what'll work!  Wildly lunging at my enemy again!  He'll never think I'm that stupid!"

"Wait, these trees remember everything?  So like.. they'd tell my descendants about all those times I was in Junior High School, all alone, and really bored and I'd-" "-I'd say 'yes', just to cut you off."  "Alright, let's burn these damn trees.  Each and every damn one of them.  Biggest one first"  "And then no one will know of your secret, furry shame."  "Damn right.  I mean, 'What furry shame?'"

[ScottotD]

Am I the only person at least slightly disgusted by the movie's jingoistic, imperialist, genocidal portrayal of the American military?  

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.

I'm not American so it seemed pretty accurate to me 

They are being run by the military, Sam Worthington's character explains it as he comes off the ship.  Also Ribiski's character is a Corporate head and says "corperation" about 20 times. 

[Relaxing Dragon]

Am I the only one secretly hoping that the company in charge on that planet is also the Company (i.e. Weyland-Yutani)?

[swisscheeseandbullets]

Y'know, I wrote a paragraph review, but let me sum it up:

Avatar really is like Dances with Wolves, just not as good.   Looks fucking amazing, but I was honestly bored a few times.

[Cosmic Muse]

You know, I was thinking about this as I was watching the movie, but if they ever make that live action Johnny Quest movie, I think they've found the perfect actor in Stephen Lang to portray Race Bannon.

[a pretty girl is like]

You know, I was thinking about this as I was watching the movie, but if they ever make that live action Johnny Quest movie, I think they've found the perfect actor in Stephen Lang to portray Race Bannon.

He's got experience with the two dimensional characters, that's for sure.

[bar1scorpio]

You know, I was thinking about this as I was watching the movie, but if they ever make that live action Johnny Quest movie, I think they've found the perfect actor in Stephen Lang to portray Race Bannon.

He's got experience with the two dimensional characters, that's for sure.

RIMSHOT!

You know, this is really coming together, guys.  I think we could have a record-able MP3's worth of riffs by the time the DVD is released.

"That monster's actually 8feet away from where he thinks he thinks he sees it." "What?"    "Ah, six legs, two tentacles, big black & mean, James Cameron's obviously paying homage to the Displacer Beast!"  "Which in turn was cribbing the Cuerl from Voyage of the Space Beagle." ""And also influenced Mughi from the Dirty Pair." "And currently makes me want to puke because of what huge nerds you two are."

I don't get it.  Is Cameron ripping off The Fugitive or Apocalypto with that waterfall jump?  I just hope he cast a saving throw over 14. He'll definitely have to Roll With Impact when he hits bottom. ENOUGH WITH THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, DAMMIT!

See, that's why I suggested moving out to those smaller subdivided trees out of town, but NOooo we just had to live "in the big City!"  I could have commuted to hunting and gathering.  I have a pterodactyl, you know... not even 20 minutes on the I-94....

[Nunyerbiz]

Just got back from a showing....  I really would urge everybody to see this in a 3D theater just for the visuals, it really is an experience. That said, just letting the main SFX pieces loop for 90 minutes to a techno-lite soundtrack probably would have been just as enjoyable... outside of the eye candy, there really ain't much movie here considering the bloated run time. They spend about two hours before the conclusion is even in sight... where somebody without a blank check in their hand probably could have made a much more concise opening two acts come in at around half that time. This story just isn't that complicated to tell. Hundreds of millions were spent producing the most gorgeous looking filler, padding and movie script byproducts ever shown in a theater. But even the padding scenes are beautiful enough to where you won't feel cheated for paying to see them on the big screen in 3D glory. Buy this on blu-ray and you're a dolt... but seeing this in the theater? a more worthy visual spectacle has never been produced.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

But even the padding scenes are beautiful enough to where you won't feel cheated for paying to see them on the big screen in 3D glory. Buy this on blu-ray and you're a dolt... but seeing this in the theater? a more worthy visual spectacle has never been produced.

Coincidentally, the Blu-Ray association just finalized their 3D format specs, plan to start releasing 3D Blu-Rays next year, rumors are Avatar will be one of the first....  So, there will be a reason to get it on BD, if you have all the new equipment needed to see it in 3D at home.

[Nunyerbiz]

Hmmm... I guess I'd have to see the "blu ray 3D" to see how it compares to the theatrical version... but for now I suppose I can amend my original statement:

Buy this on blu-ray and you're a dolt... (unless perhaps you have the necessary equipment to enjoy 3D blu-rays at home and the experience can be remotely compared to the theater) but seeing this in the theater? a more worthy visual spectacle has never been produced.

[Moleman]

I made a long post over at Spoonyexperiement.com and thought I'd re-post here


Warning: contains F-bombs and spoilers.
I just saw this movie and to keep this post form taking up an entire page of comments I'll just shorten it by saying I'm in total agreement with all Spoony's negative points on this film. The difference though is I don't give these same negative points as much weight with most films.

The one point I will give a lot of weight to is...yeah, this was Ferngully. No doubt. Just swap out the evil pollutant villain and insert a stereotypical drill sergeant marine and you've got it. The entire movie was about making sure you get the message that the white colored red blooded Americans are evil and out to kill anybody that gets in the way of their agenda. Just like real life, right? *play clip of project supervisor fake nodding then laughing

For that reason, I can not possible consider this movie "good" at all. HOWEVER, I was fully prepared to say this was an OK movie considering the incredible CGI effects and, in my opinion, excellent action scenes until one fucking line!:

Segourny Weaver saying, "She's real".

FUCK YOU MOVIE! I was going to be nice. I was going to put aside my political beliefs and try to be fair and say that this was an OK movie that might be worth watching but then I finally realized what's going on here.

This isn't an environmental film, this is a religious film. "Mother Nature" isn't just a loose term to describe the natural order and life on our planet, "Mother Nature" is God to them. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we shouldn't just respect nature, be wise about how we use our resources, and think about the effects of our actions. NO. We should bow down and worship the Earth for it is the Lord. Be mindless and do as the environmental prophets tell you. Always take the side of the environmentalist for their's is the divine path. No I'm not talking about the Na'va people, I'm talking about all those responsible for that message getting into the film. THAT is what they hope everyone watching will take from this. You think that's all insane? Go google "Gaia worship". Its quite big in Hollywood.

Man this just pisses me right the fuck off I can't even begin to tell you. They use a fake people on a fake planet with a fake LITERAL biological connection to nature in order to make you feel bad as if the "connection" to nature people claim is real in the literal biological sense as well. There's a term for that....oh whats it called.....damn its used on the internet all the time....uh....oh yeah STRAW MAN!!!! Yeah let's set up a fake culture on a fake planet with a type of connection that you couldn't argue against in that setting and try to say it exists in reality. To those of you who think its a great thing that stuff like this is made to promote environmental issues.....do you really want your ideas being promoted in such a way? Is that really what you want your side to look like to others? Because to me they seem like cultists fear and guilt to bring in converts. Wouldn't you rather convince people through honest and rational means?

Fuck if I keep going this post will never end. I'll just end with this.....

If you have any issue with "preachyness" at all, I mean at all, don't watch this movie. You might want to see it for the, admittedly, incredible CGI but I'm warning you....their "message" is consistent throughout the film and only gets worse towards the end.

-(2nd post)-

Dammit I'm not done.

For a movie that's supposed to be pushing tolerance and understanding of other cultures, there is one culture that was completely misunderstood. Is this really how they view military types? I don't think I have ever seen a feature film that was so blatantly hateful and stereotypical towards the military in my life.

Bravo movie. Let's all hold hands and get along, as long as we all hate this one group here. If we can all agree on which group to hate, we'll truly have peace and end violence forever.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal then others" -George Orwell

Damn you movie, I wanted to like you so bad. There were actually interesting moments. I tried to let myself get sucked in but just as I was about to......"she's real" and then you fucking ruin it.

[Cosmic Muse]

I made a long post over at Spoonyexperiement.com and thought I'd re-post here


Warning: contains F-bombs and spoilers.
I just saw this movie and to keep this post form taking up an entire page of comments I'll just shorten it by saying I'm in total agreement with all Spoony's negative points on this film. The difference though is I don't give these same negative points as much weight with most films.

The one point I will give a lot of weight to is...yeah, this was Ferngully. No doubt. Just swap out the evil pollutant villain and insert a stereotypical drill sergeant marine and you've got it. The entire movie was about making sure you get the message that the white colored red blooded Americans are evil and out to kill anybody that gets in the way of their agenda. Just like real life, right? *play clip of project supervisor fake nodding then laughing

For that reason, I can not possible consider this movie "good" at all. HOWEVER, I was fully prepared to say this was an OK movie considering the incredible CGI effects and, in my opinion, excellent action scenes until one fucking line!:

Segourny Weaver saying, "She's real".

FUCK YOU MOVIE! I was going to be nice. I was going to put aside my political beliefs and try to be fair and say that this was an OK movie that might be worth watching but then I finally realized what's going on here.

This isn't an environmental film, this is a religious film. "Mother Nature" isn't just a loose term to describe the natural order and life on our planet, "Mother Nature" is God to them. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we shouldn't just respect nature, be wise about how we use our resources, and think about the effects of our actions. NO. We should bow down and worship the Earth for it is the Lord. Be mindless and do as the environmental prophets tell you. Always take the side of the environmentalist for their's is the divine path. No I'm not talking about the Na'va people, I'm talking about all those responsible for that message getting into the film. THAT is what they hope everyone watching will take from this. You think that's all insane? Go google "Gaia worship". Its quite big in Hollywood.

Man this just pisses me right the fuck off I can't even begin to tell you. They use a fake people on a fake planet with a fake LITERAL biological connection to nature in order to make you feel bad as if the "connection" to nature people claim is real in the literal biological sense as well. There's a term for that....oh whats it called.....damn its used on the internet all the time....uh....oh yeah STRAW MAN!!!! Yeah let's set up a fake culture on a fake planet with a type of connection that you couldn't argue against in that setting and try to say it exists in reality. To those of you who think its a great thing that stuff like this is made to promote environmental issues.....do you really want your ideas being promoted in such a way? Is that really what you want your side to look like to others? Because to me they seem like cultists fear and guilt to bring in converts. Wouldn't you rather convince people through honest and rational means?

Fuck if I keep going this post will never end. I'll just end with this.....

If you have any issue with "preachyness" at all, I mean at all, don't watch this movie. You might want to see it for the, admittedly, incredible CGI but I'm warning you....their "message" is consistent throughout the film and only gets worse towards the end.

-(2nd post)-

Dammit I'm not done.

For a movie that's supposed to be pushing tolerance and understanding of other cultures, there is one culture that was completely misunderstood. Is this really how they view military types? I don't think I have ever seen a feature film that was so blatantly hateful and stereotypical towards the military in my life.

Bravo movie. Let's all hold hands and get along, as long as we all hate this one group here. If we can all agree on which group to hate, we'll truly have peace and end violence forever.

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal then others" -George Orwell

Damn you movie, I wanted to like you so bad. There were actually interesting moments. I tried to let myself get sucked in but just as I was about to......"she's real" and then you fucking ruin it.

I can't agree with anything that you said there. Avatar was a very good movie compared to crap like Transformers 2 or Twilight, New Moon. I know this'll sound corny, but there were alot of moments in this movie that made me cry. And that corporation with it's hired mercenary militia got exactly what they deserved.

[Moleman]

That's what pisses me off though...with the reality we're presented in the movie.  You'd have to be outright insane not to take the side of the heroes and the Na'va people.  Since they have a real literal biological connection to their planet, destroying it is certainly wrong since you're destroying life that really is aware and intelligent.  Not only that but like Sigourney Weaver's character mentioned, think of what we could learn from this kind of life.

That's the thing, you can't NOT take the side of the indigenous people.  But the whole purpose of this movie is to raise cultural and environmental awareness, its even admitted so by the filmmakers.  So what are we supposed to take from that?  It seems like their trying to say that since it would be wrong in this reality they have created for us then it is wrong in our reality as well, even what's going on is WAY different.  There is no real proven biological connection to nature.  There is no indigenous life being wiped out.  Yes I'm aware of the tribes still in the Amazon rainforest, but nobody is being threatened or killed and they're so careful nowadays that the rainforest is actually growing as opposed to being all chopped down.  The main theme of this movie has no bearing on reality unless we're supposed to pretend that what is happening in that movie is the same thing.  And I tend to define that sort of thing as madness.

Despite my ranting, I only said not to watch this movie if the preachyness bothers you in any way.  If it doesn't then this is an OK movie.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this a 4 or 5.  But if any of this stuff bothers you then the movie is barely a 1.  I swear that Sigourney Weaver line just totally blew it for me because I started realizing a whole slew of subtle hints of Gaia worship after that.

Compared to Transformers 2...........give this movie the Oscar.