‘Avatar’: A world apart
There are visionary filmmakers – and then there’s James Cameron, who pushes the envelope of what is possible on the screen every time he makes a film. He doesn’t do it nearly often enough.
But now here comes “Avatar,” the most dazzling film experience you’ll have this year. Written, directed, produced and, for that matter, pulled whole from Cameron’s brain, “Avatar” is 160 minutes of thrilling entertainment. It’s as heartfelt as it is exciting, as emotionally powerful as it is suspenseful and as brain-bending a fantasy as you’ve seen since “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
It would be easy to dismiss “Avatar” as “Dances with Wolves” in outer space, except for two things: First of all, that denigrates “Dances,” still an outstanding film (based on a recent viewing). Second, it implies a lack of originality on Cameron’s part that is baseless on the face of it.
Set 150 years in the future, “Avatar” is about a mission by an Earth corporation to secure the distant planet Pandora, which is rich in valuable minerals. The humans, in essence, want to strip-mine Pandora – a mission that doesn’t sit particularly well with the Na’vi, the planet’s native inhabitants.
One of the new arrivals to Pandora, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is there by accident. His twin brother – recently murdered – was a scientist who had been training for the mission to Pandora. Jake, a Marine who is wheelchair-bound after being wounded in combat, has been recruited because he shares his late brother’s genome.
His brother has been learning the ropes for the Avatar project: In essence, a Na’vi body has been test-tube grown, combining Na’vi and human DNA. Jake will go into an isolation capsule, where he will electronically mind-meld with the avatar. His consciousness will enter the avatar, allowing him to roam Pandora without the otherwise necessary breathing apparatus.
More important, he hopefully will be able to infiltrate the Na’vi clan. The plan calls for him to convince the Na’vi to move away from Hometree, the 1,000-foot-tall tree that is their base. There’s a particularly rich vein of the valuable mineral Unobtainium beneath the tree – and the Earth corporation in charge of the operation is willing to do things the rough way, if diplomacy fails.
For Sully, the experience of being in the avatar body is total liberation, after being confined to his paralyzed form for too long. He can run, jump, climb – he’s ambulatory again. But he’s also a Marine – so even as he makes contact with the Na’vi and works with chief scientist Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), he’s also reporting to the hard-shell security chief, Col. Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who is only interested in pinpointing the Na’vi weaknesses for the inevitable attack.
Sully, however, goes native, seduced and enlightened by the Na’vi’s attunement to the planet itself. As Grace explains, the connection between the Na’vi and the planet is more sophisticated than the connections between the synapses in the human brain. Humans can’t begin to understand the depth of that intertwinement – and the company’s only interest is eliminating the aboriginals so they can get at the riches below the planet surface.
That’s a familiar message – that humans are short-sightedly lining their pockets at the expense of the planet. And the dynamic that Cameron sets up here – the heedless, ignorant humans invading a native populace whose customs and values they neither know nor understand – has resonance with the American invasion of Iraq, or Vietnam, or colonialism in general.
But spending too much time on politics will distract you from what Cameron has achieved onscreen. Sit back, adjust your 3D glasses and let yourself get lost in the fascinating world that Cameron has created.
Make no mistake: He has created it all, from the smallest blade of grass to the largest rampaging beast – and everything in between. Cameron has erased the line between reality and fantasy in “Avatar”: While the bulk of it has been created by computers, all of it looks absolutely real.
That’s most notably true of the inhabitants of Pandora. The Na’vi, the flora, the fauna – it all exists only as 0s and 1s in a computer somewhere, having been transplanted there from Cameron’s imagination. But you simply can’t tell: Even the Na’vi look and feel real, with a tactile quality to their physical beings that’s eerily real.
And the action? Hey, you’re talking about James Cameron, who redefined the modern action film with “The Terminator,” “Terminator 2,” “True Lies” and “Aliens.” And you’re talking about the director who created perhaps the most epic love story of all time in “Titanic,” his last film, 10 years ago.
The key to Cameron’s work is the heart he puts into it. He understands that action is just action until the audience has an emotional investment in the characters. He manages the nifty trick here of imbuing computer-generated characters with flesh-and-blood feelings, whether it’s Jake in his avatar body or Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), the Na’vi who finds and falls for him.
One of the indicators I use in judging a film while I’m watching it is the point at which I sneak a peek at my watch. In some films, it’s a “how much longer do I have to endure this” peek. With “Avatar,” that first look came after two hours – and it was because I didn’t want the movie to end.
I’ll offer one more highly personal indicator. The night I saw “Avatar,” I entered the theater in an exceptionally bad mood because of a run-in with theater security (and studio publicists) over the ridiculous order to surrender my (camera-free) cell phone before I would be admitted. Within a very few minutes of the film’s start, I had forgotten my snit and lost myself in the Cameron-created world of Pandora. I didn’t think about it again until the film was over.
I will say that the 3D imagery is spectacular. Cameron himself has said that it’s the only way to see this film, though I’ll try to see it in 2D to judge the difference. The 3D is exceptionally immersive and unobtrusive at the same time.
Is “Avatar” Oscar-worthy? At a minimum, Cameron deserves recognition for inventing the technology that allowed him to make the film. The film itself is certainly one of the year’s most exciting and entertaining, a visionary piece of filmmaking you can enjoy on any number of levels.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Good review, i’m looking forward to seeing it in the cinema, I hope James Cameron makes another Terminator flick, since T2 the whole series has been pretty much screwed over, T3 and Salvation were utter crap, comparing to T2, such a shame.
Peace
December 14th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I am looking forward to this film but certainly not to a hollywood lecture on Vietnam, Iraq or colonialism since the modern liberal read of bad invaders and noble, innocent, victims tells only one part of a story that is a bit more complicated.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
What an awesome review. I am incredible psyched for Avatar as it is. With all of this positive press, it’s hard to keep from going crazy. I’ve got to wait and all of you lucky reviewers got to experience it early.
Anyway, I’ve got my fingers crossed that Avatar can at least compete for Best Picture.
Also, from the few scenes of Avatar I’ve seen through the internet, I have to say, the 2D presentation is pretty compelling as it is. And, that has to do with Cameron’s brilliant storytelling devices, which he always applies, with or without 3D.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
nice review,AVATAR will draw a new horizon in cinema and visual effects world,specially in 3D.
GOOD JOB JAMES CAMERON
December 15th, 2009 at 1:47 am
This is how a movie review should be, well-written without being flashy, high-sounding, or overly witty, personal yet self-aware. I’ll be back. Wait, that’s a different James Cameron movie.
December 15th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Ive read a few reviews and most of them talk about getting lost in the movie, or how the time flies. Good enough for me. There are quibbles, but has there ever been a movie that didn’t have some drawbacks, or a movie that pleased everyone? From what ive read, the people knocking this movie are those overthinking it - not the one’s who just want to get lost in it and go for a ride. Thats what action/fantacy movies are all about!
December 15th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I have to say that I agree with the comments above -thanks for an intelligent and thoughtful review. With teenaged kids I have to see this movie, of course. I’m glad, however, that it will be an exciting experience!!!
December 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Nope. Not gonna’ do it. Ain’t gonna’ see it. When is Hollywood gonna’ get it? “GI Joe” failed because they turned it into a UN movie. Forget the ‘Great American Hero’ part. This movie will bring in the money for those that hate corporate America and especially the military and from those that just want to see the special effects. And as the French did twice, the Progressives (or Regressives) whine when we have to do what we have to do in Iraq and Afghanistan, but will be the first ones asking for our help when some extremist is shooting up their gated community. Somewhere down the line, a lot of people in this country forgot that we are the greatest country in the world. That people from other parts of the globe want to live here. That we are there when help is needed without question and without demands. And because of that, there are those in this world that want to destroy us. I hope Cameron’s anti-american, greed infused, tree hugging movie does just like the Titanic. The ship that is, not the movie.
Semper Fi
December 15th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Don’t let the bright, shiny pictures fool you…this is liberal propaganda at it’s best (or worst). Sure there’s great action and amazing special effects…but the message is the same as we’ve heard before: military bad, corporations bad, communion with the planet good.
How about a good, old-fashioned humans versus evil aliens or robots movie. Cameron USED to make those …
December 15th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Steve Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Dick Cheney? Is that you?
December 15th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I am looking forward to see this film. I hope it’s good in 2D because with only one eye the 3D thing doesn’t work for me.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I want to see this movie, but I will not contribute to something which is anti-American or paints our military forces in a bad light. Perhaps it is time to teach these directors a lesson: make movies that entertain. Overly didactic movies should be forced to fail!!!
December 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
\American invasion of … Vietnam…\? When did the US invade Vietnam? I’ve read several books on the Vietnam conflict and there was no \American invasion.\ We were there to help the nation of South Vietnam resist a communist insurgency and an invasion for the nation of North Vietnam. I hope the reviewer knows more about film then he does about history.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
@Tecrat and Steve
As far as I can tell - unchecked corporate greed IS bad…
Corporate greed is what has sent thousands of jobs overseas, while the companies involved report ever higher “profit”. I understand companies need to make a profit - but when did the pursuit of profit start to outweigh corporate responsibility towards their employees and consumers?
BTW - If you have ever had to wear protective gear at a hazardous work site - thank a liberal. And/or read a history of 18 and 19th century working conditions…
December 15th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Wow! The jingoists are already panning the movie.
Anything that isn’t waving the flag (snif) or humming the Star Spangled Banner insults their fragile sensibilities? Give me a break, man. It’s just a movie.
I am so looking forward to this film because it is going to be a fantastic (literally), engrossing joy-ride.
Way to go Cameron. Now pass the popcorn.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Oh brother…another rag on the miners and evil mining companies. Gees, they’re such awful people. They only provide us with the raw material we need to read this review and respond to it. Oh, and they provide the raw material that goes into the equipment to make the movie. And, Oh, I forgot…they also provide the raw materials that go into the cars etc. that are needed to go to the theater. And that reminds me, they also provide material that goes into building the theater that is showing the movie.
I could go on, but will reframe from doing so.
It’s too bad that such a brilliant movie has to throw the whole, worn-out anti mining, anti company shpill. How tiring. Such a waste.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I love our Marines far more than some lefty flick NO MATTER HOW “well done.”"
December 15th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Outstanding special effects but the story is the same Politically Correct Liberal drivel. Too bad…
December 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
steve says:
Nope. Not gonna’ do it. Ain’t gonna’ see it
I love sci-fi.i am soreley dissapointed that this needs to have a anti human or humans or evil theme I’m with you 100 percent Steve. I’m tired of being preached to by the godless in hollywood
December 15th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
When “sending” a message on imperialism, no one seems to address: Who owns the land anyway?
Does occupying land make a people the owners?
How long does a people have to occupy the land to be considered the owners?
If a government is set up and titles to land handed out, does that make the ownership official?
Or are many of the world’s countries in existence today only because they used forced at some point? And now provide peace for their citizens?
December 15th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Phil… I’m with you. You and I suffer from the same problem
December 16th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Well, I was going to see it until I learned that humans, and especially Americans, are the bad guys. So it becomes just another sorry liberal movie. It will be interesting to see if enough “progressives” go see the film to allow it to break even.
December 16th, 2009 at 3:23 am
I have to laugh at the idiots who won’t see this movie because it is liberal propaganda. Please go fuck yourselves morons and stick your semper fidelis up your ignorant ass.
December 16th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Typical Hollywood crap with new technology. Hollywood is just another propaganda whore that hates America, but the likes of Cameron love the capitalist dollars thats for sure.
Fuck Hollywood and all the liberal maggots in it.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Oh brother, who cares about the dang politics, it’s JUST A MOVIE! Enjoy it for what its worth, and leave the Dempublicanism out of a really good
film.
December 16th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Oh blechhhh… Combination Fern Gully/Captain Planet in digital 3D. Yeah, nice guys, I wonder how much greenhouse gas was generated powering the computers that made this tripe.
I think those who think this is so fantastic never saw an Imax 3d at Cape Canaveral. If you want to see real space stuff and real heros, try that instead.
And no fuzzy little digital creatures were harmed in the filming…
December 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Great review, ruined with your usual Leftist twist on war, government, corporation greed, etc, etc. I like the part were you were almost tossed out because of your recalcitrant actions against reasonable authority asking you not to bring in your camera cell phone to the viewing. Of course you threw a hissy fit. Liberals are always right, especially when they are wrong.
I don’t think I will read any more of your reviews.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Thank you very much for this review as it will save me the price of a couple of tickets. I was really looking forward to seeing this before finding out about the politics involved. I find it interesting that the reviewer commented on our ‘invasion’ of Viet Nam but not our ‘invasion’ of NAZI occupied Europe. I do not recall Germany attacking our interests before we declared war on them. I guess if you approve of the war then you approve of our tactics. History is the record of countries forcing their will on others. Without this we would all be living (and dying at the ripe old age of 35) in little hide-covered lean-tos in grassy enclaves gathered around a river eating nuts and berries. For those of you reading this who think this is a good idea here is what you need to do. Get up from your computer, strip naked, and hike to the nearest river and enjoy the rest of your life (remember not to take any metal fabricated tools/instruments or anything else that was made in a factory). You can provide for yourself with whatever you may find there (try not to kill any plants or animals while you are there as they have an equal right to exist also). Coming from a family where all the males, who were able, had military and/or law enforcement careers, I am always amused that who have never served find it easy to deride those who do while at the same time benefitting from the security provided by these fine servants. As far as the eco-nazis are concerned: go ahead and find a more efficient or greener way to manufacture stuff but stop whining about the way it was done in the past or elsewhere. You think colonialism was bad but you want to force all your ‘green’ standards on everyone else. How is that any better. I am holding out for a CGI version of a Colonial Marines movie. Something like Starship Troopers would be nice.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
All you peeps praising our military and angry that our military is being painted in a bad light need to understand that our military will declare martial law on us soon and rule with an iron fist. Our military is already conducting checkpoints and doing things that would cause our founding fathers to roll in their graves.
I mean are we a constitutional free republic, or a dictatorship? Say what you want about Vietnam, but can anyone on Earth tell me what we are really doing in Afghanistan? If we are there only to hunt terrorists, then why would I be in Afghantistan if I was a terrorist? What we are doing there is akin to me announcing that I am going to hunt down criminals in only one city. If I was a criminal, why would I be in that one city?
I know that in the military, disobeying or questioning orders is a sin of the worst kind, but there are orders comming to our fine men and women that need to be qusetioned lest we become another nazi germany.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
And if anyone doubts that we aren’t headed for a police state, check out footage at the last G20 in Pittsburg back in October. Also, check out Copenhagen, where anyone who dares question Al “God” Gore gets immediately arrested by the thought police.
George Orwell should have renamed his “1984″ book as “2009″.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I respect those who sacrifice themselves so that you can have the freedom to express your opinions. I do not belive the military has ever declared martial law in this country. Every time I have encountered martial law it was by act of our representative government. I love my country but fear my government. Our government would be well served to not forget that they exist to serve us, not the other way around.
Ne Desit Virtus!
December 16th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
My, my, my. Was gonna see it. I absolutly hate being preached at, and then having the director CONFRIM that’s exactly what it is, a anti-anything American film. Oh well, this country made him a multi-millionaire, so the hypocrosy is SOOOOOOO thick…
lol
December 18th, 2009 at 3:20 am
Cameron has a history of hating western power. He has frequently talked about movies like “Aliens” and such and how he liked the aspect of the colonial marines getting beat by “lower life forms” and he likened it to the US getting beat in Vietnam by sandal wearing freedom fighters…pffft. Thats all this movie is, his screen play on how he views the U.S. and how he would love to see us get our butts handed to us by some medevil, paleolithic era villagers. In the movie “Aliens” in the uncut version, PVT Hudson talks about all their weapons and nukes and how they are gonna kick butt only to get killed himself. He intentionaly made the colonial marines in that movie look pathetic and thats his intent in this film.
Although I plan to see this movie for the fantasy content, I know where he is coming from and I am not impressed with his politics at all.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:07 am
The movie has been criticized for having an unoriginal story, catoon like villians and poor dialog. I look at it like a roller coaster. When you buy your ticket you know you are going to go up and down, left and right and maybe spin around. They are all basically the same, whether the little kids version or the huge ones. You buy the ticket for the ride. This movie is a ride. I lasts over two hours and it seems like 2 minutes. You become so involved that you foget about the dialog, you ignore the obligatory social references to man desytroying the earth and the plight of the American indians. You go for the ride, and for myself, love every minute of it.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Excellent review - spot-on as I watched Avatar in 3D on December 18th. I never once checked my watch as I do in lesser films. And thank you for not parroting the mis-conception that the bad guys are Earth’s MILITARY - they are not. Instead they are a mercenary security force employed by a company. I read one review that claims the hero “throws grenades at and shoots fellow marines”. No he doesn’t; he is fighting security forces engaged in attrocities. And thanks for not trying to make this a “America Invades Again” commentary. People need to remember that the fields and rivers of the rest of the world have received the blood and bodies of Americans who went there to fight oppressors. We spent and are spending billions to rebuild even enemy nations. We have not TAKEN even a thimble of oil from Iraq.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 am
The question is, do I really want to see “Ferngully” in 3D? The technology will be used again. I can wait for a 3D film with a better plot device.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:28 am
Avatar is a visually stunning, eco-friendly, anti-military, pantheistic fantasy. The plot is strictly freshman 101, but the graphics are beyond fantastic.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 am
Fantastic Review - I have seen Avatar twice now, and am still in awe about it.
As many people have said, and I will agree with them there, the plot is not an original one. It plays on the plots of Dances of Wolves and Battle For Terra. However, that is where the similarities end. The movie, as promised, is visually stunning. The world that James Cameron put together is magnificent. Furthermore, the acting is great, and the CGI is almost not even noticed by how seemlessly it has been put together.
However, what takes this movie over the top (and this is duifficult to put into words without giving anything away), is the fact that this movie is essentially the true visualization of a good Science Fiction novel.
That may seem trivial, but it’s not. To those, like me, who are hard-core Science Fiction readers, that is very rare. I can count maybe a half dozen movies that have given me this same feeling (5th Element, Return of the King, Aliens, Star Wars (New Hope)). Yes, technology helped this along, and kudos to James Cameron.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 am
This is what’s wrong with the world? Everything has to have a reason…How ’bout Avatar was an amazing movie, with an amazing story, and as for the theme (well let’s just say that Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan were the last things on my mind) the theme was to love what we have and to appreciate the world that we live in. Personally, I was thinking more on the lines of English settlers coming to America and taking over the Native American lands…(I’m part Cherokee..Trail of Tears ring a bell with anyone in this room) Look, I do not know what Cameron’s intentions were for making this movie besides just wanting to make money but the idea behind Avatar was conceived in way before The War on Terror and the Iraqi War so that rules that theory out. The movie is absolutely amazing….Political propaganda theories should not stop anyone from seeing this amazing piece of cinematic art. I was completely enthralled into the world of Pandora…so much that I saw the movie again last night. A Wonderful Review!!!!! Cameron should be commended for his wonderful imagination and bringing it to life. Movies are places that people go to for escaping the world outside. Forget all this political nonsense…Just go, enjoy the movie and prepare to be amazed!
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
What the heck is wrong with out military!? A few good A bombs would have wiped them out and cleared the land for mining. I guess that wouldn’t be much of a plot though.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Since this is a movie made by an “evil corporation” for the express purpose of turning as large a profit as it can in as short a span of time as possible, I really have to chuckle at the silly political comments made by the reviewer. Better yet, it will be a *gasp* “American company” making all of this loot from people reading rave reviews about this movie–reviews just like this one. Wow, seems like “evil corporations” are capable of giving us all kinds of great stuff–like this movie, for instance, doesn’t it? There’s so much latent, misplaced guilt in Hollywood that it’s laughable–and sad, too.
I love James Cameron and will see the movie at some point–probably not in “3d.”
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Great movie - visually stunning. Superb acting. Worth seeing in a theater.
Uncomplicated plot. Clearly paints America and Humanity as fundamentally evil. The US Marines are the ultimate bad guys. The Na’vi are the good guys: a combination of various cultures (native American, African) that are victimized by the evil humans. The ‘good’ humans are scientists who respect the environment and native culture.
Cameron’s next film will likely be a love story about two young victems separated by evil US Marines unjustly detaining one of them in Gitmo.
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I’m still waiting for a war movie that depicts a heroic American soldier against a fiendish insurgent. You know, like reality. They could use any of the hundreds of heroic acts that have been documented in award citations - anyone know how many Silver Stars have been awarded since 2001?
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I’ll download it illegally before it comes out on DVD and send Cameron a photo of me watching it in my living room and flipping him off.
December 24th, 2009 at 2:18 am
What is disturbing in this review is the statement: “…has resonance with the American invasion of Iraq, or Vietnam, or colonialism in general.”
These type of statements are turning people away from seeing this film.
If you search through history colonialism has always been done by countries such as England, France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, not America.
America was created by people fleeing these types of countries, that controlled religion, freedom of speech, etc.. Read your history.
I am of American Indian decent, i was not happy with what went on but, look at the times, look at where people were, in my opinion American Indians should have help but help to help them grow and become innovative, creative, not to suppress by government entitlements. My family refuses to accept any of this.
America has always wanted to help other countries achieve their rights to freedom, if you do not believe that, read about how the people of Iraq, Afghanistan (which we abandoned back in the 80’s.) have had to live under dictatorship, women not being allowed to be educated, and etc..
So many lives lost because of the previous tyranny going on like is going on in North Korea, Iran, and other countries, good God, people think for yourselves.
People need to think on their own, read the facts and then draw your conclusion. You will then see why mainstream media is loosing listeners, they do not state the facts or the truth.
December 24th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Yea, Dances with wolves was a good movie, so perhaps Dances with Smurfs is better, comparison.
December 26th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I came. I saw. I was totally entertained, A ten .
December 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
The theme of the movie is stated by Jake in a couple of sentences: “The Sky People think that because they are powerful, they can take anything they want. But we will show them, ‘This is OUR land.’”
For all the steaming patriots: Doesn’t that sound a bit like Patrick Henry to the British generals? Or Davy Crockett to the Mexican army? Or — dare I say it? — Crazy Horse to George Crook (whom he whipped without killing)? Come on, measure your patriotism against theirs; you’ll spend a month squatting to pee.
December 31st, 2009 at 5:24 am
I’ve watched this film and found it visually stunning, building a planet based on flouresence and phosphorous life forms is what sets it apart. The plot is old hat but effective none the less, I agree to the “mercenary” comment as to which they were. THey didn’t represent the military in any form except for popping caps and splitting wigs (when the military needed too, mercs needed only a flimsy excuse too). Greed and primal fear were represented as humanities bad side of life, however, humanity does have its pure moments and I will not taint it with any party affiliations or any idealog, it goes beyond the mindlessness of the aforementioned to breaking through fear and know what is Love is. 1 Cor13
January 20th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I’m coming late to this review.
Beautiful or not, I object to the enormous amount of resources committed to what most people agree is a geat ride. I enjoy fun at the movies but not at such great cost. Have we become so simplistic? Why aren’t other fabulous pieces of filmmaking receiving the critical support, promotion, and devotion of fans?
I dunno, I don’t really want the line between fantasy and reality to dissolve. We are distracted enough from what’s important….let’s allow viewers some imagination, and stop spending hundresds of millions to do all the work for audiences.
Creating an emotional investment in characters and imbuing fantasy creatures with flesh-and-blood attributes is as old–and as simple–as “Bambi”…”ET”….
February 7th, 2010 at 6:31 am
I was highly disappointed with Avatar. I really wanted to like this film, as Cameron is one of my favorite directors. He broke new ground with Aliens in 1986 and it still ranks up there as one of my all time favorite films. He later captivated me with The Abyss in 1989 and of course, T2 in 1991. Titanic had some flaws but was an interesting film from start to finish.
But “Avatar” was a huge disappointment. While the effects were stunning, the story was riddled with cliches, diabolical villans and a story that we’ve seen so many times before. How many MORE movies do we need to see that broadcast “Man destroys natural environments for greed”? This is a theme that is not under-represented in cinema. And it’s a real let down that James Cameron used such a tired theme in Avatar. He normally sets trends but in this case, he followed one.
I enjoyed this film when I saw for the first time in 1990 under the title “Dances With Wolves”. And despite the lack of effects, I liked DWW better.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Great Review! Lefty plot seems clear,but I love SY FI. Comment on Vietnam,think we were trying to prevent an invasion from the North,”to free an oppresed people”Good motive,but you can’t help and force it on a people that just want to live like they have.Been there 67-68 196th INF. and 132nd avn bn.Figured that out in first 2weeks.Just enjoy a great film and think for yourself!