Avatar?

Totally agree. The trailers dont do it justice...this is a word of mouth movie.

I cant speak for the home market but as far as theatrical 3D is a savior. It is a reason for people to go see movies instead of downloading or renting.

Ive seen most of the recent 3D movies and Avatar's 3D is much better. I got a headache in Harry Potter but none in Avatar.

 

That's plot related...

 

Now I'm *really* going to avoid seeing it: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/hmg-avatar-hidden-messages.html

Two thumbs down for stupid liberal political messages.

 

FInally saw it last night and it was in some ways better and in some ways failed my expectations. Overall the alien world was completely engrossing and the story was better than most sci-fi movies. The female character was very well done.

One gripe I have is with the horrible acting of the pilot girl. Terrible, terrible, terrible. James Cameron must be tappin dat to cast someone of such limited skills in a three hundred million dollar gamble.

 

It's amazing how much I completely disagree with this entire post (except the final climax bit). But that's alright, different opinions are what makes the world go around.

 

I agree with you, I thought this movie was amazing. Everything about it was first rate. The plot, characters, graphics, everything was unbelievable. Definitely one of the best movies I have ever seen.

 

What he said.

I'm a huge Terminator fan, but this one touched me even more.

The whole avatar plot/idea was a bit like the Matrix (another all time favorite of mine), but more logical, more realistic, more believable.

 

Not sure why there are only two camps on this.... but I'm going with the minority and giving this post a big +1

Really people? None of you looked beyond the CGI and noticed that the plot was a rehash of so many movies in the past? Talk about a "formula flick"! I thought making the aliens American Indian-like showed little creativity, too.
I also didn't get how this CGI is really THAT MUCH better than many other movies out there.

I mean it was ok; decent entertainment but hardly earth shattering and game changing.

 

Im confused by the comments saying Avatar was unoriginal. Its a classic Fable type story. No different than Star Wars, Raiders Of The Lost Ark or Lord Of The Rings. There is nothing original in any of those stories either....all are directly lifted from other sources (mostly Greek myth). All are filled with classic archetypes of good and evil. All have the classic 'unlikely hero' who rises to the occasion.

If anyone is expecting The Usual Suspects or Memento they are barking up the wrong tree. Thats not what Avatar was supposed to be. Its a film that 'children of all ages' can enjoy. Its not intended to test your mental prowess.

Sounds like some of y'all got *old* and cant enjoy some fun entertainment with a good message anymore.

As for the CGI, being in the effects biz I know a little and it is , if not groundbreaking, pretty close to it. It is the first time in history that the *Uncanny Valley* was traversed successfully. Its not perfect but its a giant step towards perfection.

Just like some people cant see how a 599 is better than a corvette since they post similar numbers, some wont see how much of an improvement this CGI is to everything that came before it.

 

I cant debate personal opinion.

The apes in 2001 are terrible. The only reason to think they looked okay is out of nostalgia. Just like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. At the time they were 'groundbreaking' now they dont look real at all.

I would absolutely prefer CGI if 2001 were done today and remember my background. I owned a well known physical effects company from 1987-2001 so that is my first love. But the fact is if CGI does it better, which is *finally* happening, then it should be used.

I cant tell you you are *wrong* for not connecting with the Na'Vi...you've made it clear you didnt. Thats a fact i cant change. But its also a fact that myself and millions of others (the vast majority of viewers) are saying they DID connect with the Na'Vi. And I didnt think i would...Ive posted here before the movie was released that I didnt like the designs and I didnt connect with them.

I felt more emotion out of Neytiri than any character I can think of in a sci fi film in a very long time.

Avatar is the same basic story as Dances with Wolves. So is The Last Samurai. I believe the 1952 film Roses of Cimaron is as well. What about Pocahontas ? This story didnt start with any of those films and it isnt going to end with Avatar. Its a classic tale that has been told since mankind began spinning tales around a campfire. I simply cant take seriously any argument that criticizes Avatar for that. I guess we should criticize all those other movies/stories ?

What about Star Wars ? Its a beat by beat copy of Joseph Campbells 'Heroes Journey'. Does that make it any less brilliant and/or game changing ?

Avatar is a *fantasy* film. Its science fantasy not science fiction. If you want science fiction watch Blade Runner. Its flawless at what it does...however its not a good popcorn flick and certainly didnt have the impact Star Wars did.

Most people dont go to a movie like Avatar to pick apart the science and logic. We go to be entertained. We go to watch the underdog triumph against insurmountable odds. We go to see something happen that really could never happen. We go to take our minds away from the sh!thole of a society we actually do live in where good doesnt triumph over evil.

Have you ever read/studied Greek myth ? Archetypes ? The Heroes Journey ? The reason stories like Avatar work time and time again is all explained there.

You didnt dig it. All good. I hear ya. I know a few other people who didnt dig it. Im not going to try and sway your opinion or say you dont have the right to it.

Im also not a person to succumb to hype. I work in Hollywood and see it every day. I didnt like Batman Begins or District 9 or most of the other *fantasy* films that people gush over. But Avatar...it touched me in a special way. It pulled on my subconscious primal heart strings. I fell in love with Pandora and the plight of the 'Noble Savage' Na'Vi. I fell in love with Neytiri and when she cried I cried.

You can pick apart the logic and the story but really , when i catch myself getting teary-eyed over a CGI character thats all that mattered to me.

 

Also...I apologize if I sound like ******.

Im just very very passionate about fantasy film. Ive been in the film biz since I was 17 and done everything from effects to makeup to writing to editing to directing to producing. I live and breathe film making. I would rather die than never make another movie.

You know I lov ya !

 

Watched this on the worlds largest IMAX screen in 3d!!

Ok back to the movie. The end for me was the Battle of Endor, Ewoks vs the Empire.

CGI was great! Except for the horses at the start that sorta galloped weird but looked natural later on It looks nothing like a PS3/Xbox game I think you are confusing the CGI intro to games as part of the game. The 3dness was good in only a few scenes but didn't really add to the experience compared to other 3d's I have seen.

The film started really slow for me, it wasn't till the Na'Vi were introduced that I became interested. Their story was interesting. Africa 2154 wasn't.
The whole human story line was a disappointment but when he said "fight terror with terror" that was a rolleyes moment! Hello you are the ones invading! when did fighting an army to defend your country/planet become terrorism?

I don't understand how they have the technology to use avatars with the merging of DNA no less! but all the vehicles still need to be manually driven by soliders. Drones are in general use today. They dropped bombs pre computers in WW1/2 no issues, they didn't need idiots pushing a crate haha. Also why does the magnetic field play havoc to their radar missles systems etc but the avatars are not effected? She mentioned that one of the units was least glitchy yet we never see them have a glitch moment.

I didn't mind that I had seen this all before I enjoyed watching the Na'Vi but the human story didn't add anything besides Jake being in a wheelchair. I think it would of been more interesting if it was another alien race from the same planet. Anyway all said and done it was enjoyable for the most part and if they can make a Na'Vi special edition version I'd watch it again

 

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Haha this is true

 

haha pew pew!

 

Saw the imax 3d last night. HOLY ****. I can't remember ever getting goosebumps during a movie. I was blown away and i'm still in shock at how awesome it was. The movie affected me in more ways than one

 

I saw District 9, and the movie had potential, and IMO failed tremendously. I walked out of the movie with a head ache. The story wasn't the issue; it was how the story was delivered, and the horrid cameras used.

However, besides Christian Bale, I thought Batman Begins was pretty good... better in the long run than TDK; besides Heath's character.

That said... I agree that somehow, I think whats her name Na'vi Chief's daughter definitely was a believable character, that you get emotionally connected to through the film. Probably the best part of the movie character wise.

The movie had foreshadowing as subtle as a foghorn. The villain was far too cliche in his archtype. Thats why Starwars (4,5,6) were so great... you love the bad guy in the end, and feel his agony.

As long as the movie is; it seemed rushed to tell the tale it did leaving out an awful lot.

I liked it enough after seeing it in 3d locally that I went to find a piss russian capture, and see it in IMAX on Sunday.

It's unfortunate that TV tech. isn't yet "there" to bring that movie experience home yet. What is it, Super HD? "3D ready" ?

I don't know what people were looking for if they didn't like the 3d effects; I felt nothing was gimmicky or traditional. I also don't mind having fallen for the hype... but I love movies

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/ready-or-not-the-latest-3d-technology-is-coming-home/


3d home movies are already avaliable. I have a 3d blu ray about sea monsters at home

 

How is that experience compared to what you see in a cinema?

 

Based on the article; I should "Start" looking sometime next year...

 

Cameron has said a lot was left out to keep the running time down. It happens a lot. I hope they include it all on the Blu Ray release...Id like to see another half hour.