Easily one of the most hyped movies of the decade, James Cameron’s Avatar is supposed to be a benchmark of innovation and special effects. It’s supposed to be the movie that changes film forever, so the big question on everyone’s mind is, is Avatar the heralded “game changer” that will set the bar for future effects-driven fare? Does it meet all those lofty expectations? Yes…to a point. Avatar is visually the most stunning film seen for quite some time and possibly ever. Thinking back to past films with groundbreaking effects, I find a fistful of James Cameron films like The Terminator, The Abyss and Terminator II: Judgment Day, along with sporadic George Lucas features, which were all equally filmed in Real 3D (the cameras used on this production were specially designed). Cameron’s Avatar mostly avoids 3D tricks like rolling logs towards audiences, spears thrown at you and lots of pointing for no apparent reason. The CGI technology and heavy use of green-screen is barely noticeable after the first 15 minutes as Cameron’s animated characters take on a real persona of their own. Simply put, this movie is an event, an amazement of action and should definitely be seen on the big screen.
Yet for all of the superior visuals, the dialogue and story are marginal. Avatar takes place on the alien world of Pandora where the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a quasi non-governmental corporation, has drilling efforts underway to mine for unobtainium, a highly sought-after mineral found only on the planet. To Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), the head of operations on the planet, the natives, called the Nav’vi, are interfering more and more with the highly lucrative mining efforts. Because of the hostilities, mercenaries have been brought in to help quell the violence. Except they are not merely there to keep the peace, the armed forces stationed on Pandora are there to uproot the natives so that a large mineral deposit, located under the home of the Nav’vi, can be extracted.
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic Marine wounded in a battle on Earth, arrives on Pandora to replace his scientist brother who had been killed before he finished his avatar project on the planet. Avatars are basically test-tube Nav’vi fused with human DNA used for gathering specimens from the planet. The program is run by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver). The avatars are mindless and are controlled via telekinesis from human operators at the RDA base camp. Jake was hired to control his brother’s avatar since they have similar DNA. However, thanks to Jake’s background as a butt-kicking Marine, he is quickly recruited by the head of security, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) to relay information to him and his squad so they can exploit the tribe’s weaknesses if a war is engaged. Jake is on board.
Yet when Jake’s avatar is separated from the group during a routine science expedition, he is saved from a quick death by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), the daughter of the tribes’ rulers. After some initial skepticism, Jake is invited to learn the ways of the tribe. His increasing closeness and eventual love for Neytiri makes Jake second guess, not only his personal intentions, but that of the corporation.
Lots will be made of the Dances With Wolves in space storyline. Though just because it’s a narrative viewers have seen before, does not make it a poor story, nor one that should be ridiculed based on its freshness. Yet, still, it is disappointing the story isn’t as innovative as the effects. Wrought with politics, some will call the film a leftist fantasy and there may be some credence to that. Written by Cameron in 1994, Avatar focuses on boiler-plate liberal issues such as environmentalism, abuses by large corporations and anti-militarism. American conservatives will have no problem picking apart the story just as liberals may lavish it with an over-abundance of praise. A debate of Avatar’s themes and placement in cinema history will wage for quite some time. Be prepared.
Rating:
[starreview tpl=16]
I loved this movie. Will be catching it again before it leaves theaters.
Great movie. The political stuff was a bit over the top though.
Visually stunning, if this movie even with its story line doesn't wow yu, then you better check you still have a heart and a mind.
One of my favorite movies. I agree the storyline wasnt that special, but it was complete. It's certainly in my top 3 movies now. Amazing movie.
Unbelievably amazing. I can see why it took ten years to make. I will watch this probably two more times before it leaves theatres.
The best movie ever created, absolutely perfect!
Loved it.
Best movie I've seen in a long time.
I agree, it is a great movie despite of the ordinary plot.
I saw it nearly two weeks ago and I'm still on a little "high" from it. Who needs a complex story line when you have been literally dipped into another world and culture. Even a "day in the life of the Nav'Vi" without any significant plot would still be amazing with the reality and wonder of that 3D virtual realism. I would not consider myself a leftist (ex-military, hate taxes & excessive government) but if lack of stewardship, corporate excess, and slaughter natives for the sake of progress is the right side of the slate—sign me up to the left.
James Cammeron spent a fortune on it, roughly around $ 350 mn including marketing.
>when did money alone equal quality? If someone could spend millions of dollars on marketing alone I wouldn't be surprised if some of that money went in to “buying” some or all the critics to put out ”great” reviews. Think about it. If you really want to read a “true” review try googling around blogs and forums or simple just google “Avatar sucks” and see the results.
A breakthrough in film technology especially 3D technology
>nobody gives a shit about technology, period. What do 6-12 years kids know about 3D technology. It's only the hype that is being generated by the “media” that is putting out sentences like: “a ground-breaking technology”, “it's going to pave way for a whole new genre of movies just like Titanic”, “James Cameron has raised the bar”, “A must watch” etc
The movie has the cheesiest plot I have ever come across. When I watch a movie I expect some intelligent dialog and some interesting plot, not to mention creativity and originality. I don't want to sit in the theater thinking a 13 year old could have come up with a better plot and screenplay. What will all the money, James Cameron couldn't hire a decent writer? Or he thought he could just pull the wool over the multitude of fools, I think he has succeeded. All the people who are just amazed at the imagery with no poetic touch, why don't you guys sit it front of Nat Geo and look at “Amazing Places” or “Wonders of the world”, I think they provide more stunning visuals than Avatar. Why get awed by the some stupid CGI generated images with no creativity and places that are nor even real.
Did you even read this review?
[SPOILERS FOLLOW]
Avatar draws heavily from the following movies:
Dances with Wolves:
During the American Civil war Lieutenant John Dunbar is sent to a remote outpost in the wilderness of the Dakota territory and is accepted by the local Sioux tribe. He is enchanted by the beautiful "Stands With a Fist". Not soon after, the frontier becomes the frontier no more, and as the army advances on the plains, John must make a decision that will not only affect him, but also the lives of the natives he now calls his people.
Pocahontas: the plot is strikingly similar.
The Matrix: the concept of transportation of the mind,body and soul into a surreal world.
The Lord of the Rings: The so-called great 3D technology is inspired by the character Gollum from LOTR. In fact I read somewhere that James Cameron thought it was impossible to create such CGI until he saw LOTR and went ahead with previously dismissed Avatar movie. Also the similarity to the network of energy, interaction with the nature, merging of the clans to fight the “evil” one all from LOTR.
Not only is the pacing of the movie slow but insanely boring and what with the predictable plot.
How lucky the scientist for whom the avatar was built had a twin brother.
Jake Sully lands at that site with no training whatsoever and is suddenly running around in his avatar.
There is explanation of how Pandora was discovered.
There is explanation of how the avatar technology works. We know that the DNA has to match to get into the avatar, but how is transportation of nervous system and mechanical functions transferred from the human to the Navi. A switch is pushed so many times to “wake up” the human, but what does the switch power.
Why are the avatar machines kept on a mobile van?
There is no explanation why only a handful of Navi speak English.
When Jake goes in the forest for the first time is it any wonder that he'll be lost and he'll be left behind by the team.
The first time Neytiri meets Jake she repents killing the creatures that attack Jake. But later Jake kills an animal showing off his shooting skills, shes is like “That's a clean kill”. What happened to all the compassion towards animal kingdom previously shown?
Why do the Omaticaya accept an outsider for no specific reason and why must he learn the ways of the Omaticaya? James you lost me here completely.
What the hell is unabotinum or whatever the shit that precious stone was called. What a coincide it happens to located right under the Omaticaya home.
Only Jake sully the might “warrior” who is a “cripple” and has no avatar training previously is able to tame the big creature, whatever the fuck it was called.
There is no mention of other clans until the final moments when all of them suddenly united thanks to Jake Sully and that big creature he tames, whatever the fuck it was called.
The mating scene between Jake and Neytiri is gross. Navis are aliens but they just fuck like humans, wow so creative, they know how to“french kiss” so viewers can feel comfortable and at home, also shed a tear or two and realize that they are in “love”. Fucking nonsense
What's with the cheesy dialogs like “This is not Kansas but Pandora. Every living creature out there is going to get you blah blah,”, “Shock and Awe”, the company, mercenaries etc. Plain bullshit.
The final battle scene is just mindless and total BS.
The creature that attacks Jake in the beginning suddenly come to their rescue just when the shit hits the fan. James care for an explanation?
Finally thanks to Jake! The natives defeat the American military force armed precision bombs and superior AI shit and human robots with flying creatures and arrows!!!!!
My fingers are hurting typing the loop holes in the movie. Maybe someone will write a book. Trust me that will be more entraining.
The final verdict is that there are plenty of fools out there who will shell out their money for this piece of garbage. U can sell anything if you have enough money.
u will get all the answers to ur 'loop holes' only if u CARE to relax n watch…try to watch and understand more the dialogues and even tiny scenes, the answers are all there…
i see that u already have a mind set that full of skepticism before watching the movie, and that is holding u from enjoying the story like other people who love it do..
Jesus, you need to calm down. I'm guessing you watched the movie, since you asked all these specific details. But did you REALLY watch it? Were you paying attention? I think not. I'd gladly type the answers to every single one of them, except I don't have to the time to humor you. You're obviously one of "those" people who feel the need to go against the grain for some sake of looking smart, perhaps.
Well sir, what you've pointed out, EVERYONE who's watched Avatar already know. Duh, it's like Pocahontas; sure, it borrows some futuristic themes from here and there. But unlike you, millions of other people know how to sit back and enjoy a good movie for what it is. They appreciate the genius that goes into creating original characters like the Na'vi. It took a lot of time, effort, and creativity (yes, I think it is rather creative; you try creating a whole new world that people will go crazy for) to make this movie and therefore I want to immerse myself in it.
Save your rants for your other friends.
Best film ever made – incredible.
breathtaking. those who say it sucks, which i have yet to meet one, are blind. i loved every bit of the movie. It made me wish it was real. A new fantasy world based on another culture of "people" who have heart and soul. Nothing short of spectacular! My new favorite film. will see it again no doubt about it!
"..leftist fantasy.." ? …man this reviewer needs to take a chill pill and 3.5 stars? & jmymn….hmmm,what Avatar did was execute entertainment like no other film in a long time. It lived up to expectations and then took them to another level. I remember thinking since the 70's LOTR should be made into a movie but always beleived with such high expectations from fanatical followers of the books anyone who did it was commiting career suicide in the movie industry. That is all history now, it changed the game and anyone attempting to make a movie in that genre now has a real challenge on their hands…Eragorn anyone? . What Avatar has done is Changed the game like LOTR. It has done what Star Wars did to space movies, Jaws did for thrillers, Alien did for thrillers in space etc etc. Avatar has changed the game for 3d movies. What has gone before has been pitiful in comparison. The numbers speak for themselves. Lets see Batman the dark on video? Batman the dark on DVD? Batman the dark on Blu Ray? Batman the dark on Blu Ray 3D? 3D how James Cameron saw it is now the new benchmark and now although a hater of the old 3D style do beleive it is all blockbusters will be presented in future. Anyone beleive Avatr would have been better in 2D?
As for the plot, plot's have been reused infinatum in movies think Shane Star Wars however it is in the communication of that plot that is critical. We all know of people in our lives who can talk about something that would normaly be quite interesting but put us to sleep. Then others that could talk about the grass growing and make it exciting. What James Cameron did was tell the story with such freshness and depth that although the plot has been used it was insignificant (Think Gladiator, now think Alexander) . There are plentyof movies out there with interesting plots but are they going to get my sorry ass into the movies and blow my 5yr old daughters as well as my mind away. Highly unlikely. Those people worried about politics and plots…get a life you're not at a rally or university, This movie was fresh, this movie was exciting, this movie was groundbreaking (the opening scenes wow) and this movie did what movies are supposed to do in the tradition of all gamechanging blockbusters it delivered entertainment in bucketloads.
5 Stars well done James Cameron!!!