Avatar – big, blue, and cabon fiber bones

I see you

This film can really only be described as a master piece of film making that it seems only a few directors are able to pull off.

Lets not mince words here, Avatar is a brilliant film! There, it is said! This is an epic film in every way, from the grand story to the amazing vistas, right through to the stunning technology they have used to create this marvel. The majority of this film is computer generated but in such a life like and detailed way it is hard to see where the computer generation ends and the real people begin. I was very impressed with the similarity between the real actors and their avatars. It just leant a little more to the life like quality of the animation work.

This is a long film (3 hours) but not only does it not feel that long, there isn’t really any fluff that can be trimmed away. Every scene has something it needs to get across to you and where there was a chance to remove a scene it was taken. As a result the film is long but moves at a good pace all the way through. In fact there were a number of scenes where I wanted it to slow a little so I could take in the stunning backgrounds and the details of the world. This will be a very rewarding film to watch at home, not only will you get to hear James Cameron’s take on it, but you will get to really take in the details. I get the feeling the directors cut (if there is one) will be longer.

A lot has been made about this films eco ethics, to be honest I did not feel it. I can see why people would say it has an eco message to tell you, but I never felt it was rammed down my throat. It was more realistic than that. A planet has a mineral people want, they turn up and want to destroy the planet and its people because they don’t give a toss. Any corporation would do that, especially if that planet is six years into deep space.

Confession

I did not see this film in 3D, I wish I had. Even though it has been out for two weeks the 3D showing was completely full (I have never seen that before). There is a very good chance I will be going back just so I can see it in 3D. There are various parts of the film that will really reward you for it, and there was only one moment where I thought it was gratuitously used but you have to forgive every 3D film at least one cheap shot.

Conclusion

Go and see this film, it is as amazing as you have been lead to believe!

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  • Bones

    I’m going to play devils advocate here. The storyline was pants. I mean big granny pants. It’s basically a revisiting of Pocahontas and Ferngully mashed together. There’s some staggeringly ignorant directorship in there as well. The script (which unfortunately Cameron wrote himself) has ended up as a childish, and at times cringeworthy, storytelling experience. Filled with cliche and.. well more cliche. And I’m sorry, in this day and age you CANNOT get away with calling a mineral Unobtanium and be taken seriously. Why not call it, Veryhardtogettium, or Whereisitium. It would have about the same credibility. And I physically winced when our main hero said ‘Maybe I got tired of doctors telling me what I couldnt do’. I’m pretty sure this isn’t some motivational straight to TV 80′s movie here…

    There are other things as well that I found dissapointing. It’s a low gravity world, as seen by super tall indigenous polulation, plants, animals etc. Yet when the humans are walking around in their base it seems to be Earth standard 1.0G. And the flying mountains… i’m sorry. Flying mountains?

    Every single indigenous animal we see has 6 arms/legs… yet the humanoids don’t? It would seem they are not from this planet at all.

    Anyway, I could nitpick for hours. Essentially it’s all irrelevant. It was a stunning movie extravaganza. I can’t believe you didn’t see it in 3D! GO BACK AND SEE IT IN 3D! At times I truly felt lost in the world Cameron has created (ie pinched from every major sci fi film in the last 15 years). If District 9 hadn’t come out it would definately be sci fi film of the year.

  • binny

    I can’t argue with any of that, the plot is well travelled and very clichéd. There are massive inconsistencies and flat out puerile plot mechanics… but I am so glad you rounded that off with “it is still an amazing film”.

    I would have loved to have seen a cleverer film, something that was unexpected and not so touchy-feely. But this film can join that special bunch of films you watch on a bank holiday Monday. Things like “The Goonies” or “Superman 3″. Films you can grow up on and feel happy about. Not the best films in the world but still great.

    I know, its a travesty not to have seen it in 3D.. I have already apologised.

  • Bones

    Just because I can and will pick holes in lots of moves doesn’t mean i don’t absolutely adore them :)

  • nikobe

    Have you seen this hehe

    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/244186/original.jpg

    It works

  • binny

    LOL

    There is no way Avatar is original in anyway, but maybe that familiarity with an old story is part of its appeal.

  • http://johncamen.vox.com/ Olene Fithian

    I like the Avatar 3D movie, especially the story line, not only it brings a totally new feelings however inspiring thoughts of humanity. I heard the New Avatar 2 is comming soon, can’t wait to watch it again…!