James Cameron’s Avatar finally drops amid excitement about his epic visuals
and budget and disappointment in the paper-thin plot for which they serve. Sam Worthington, via a 9-foot-tall blue Avatar, infiltrates the Na’vi tribe in order to coerce them off of the land above a rich energy mineral deposit and eventually goes native when human greed robs the Na’vi of their home and dignity. I have had Cameron?s innovative 3-D confirmed as being ‘avatacular,’ but stripped of it in a 2-D showing the experience is flat, period, and I resent the implication that I have short-changed the film because I could not make it to a 3-D screening. I am not a crank for thinking that
story and script are still the greatest and most effective special effects of all.
This article appears in Dec 24-30, 2009.
Wow, too bad you saw this movie in 2D, Hilary. What a waste! Considering it was filmed in 3D, it would be completely logical to see it in such a format. You really did miss out on a unique theater-going experience. What were they thinking even releasing it in 2D? Hmm. Not sure. I also disagree with your opinion regarding the plot; given the recent history of U.S. imperialism (especially of the past 8 years in the middle east) and the horrid state of the environment all over the world, the plot, on the contrary, is a breath of fresh air amdist the ubiquitous pile of rubbish that gets thrown at the youth of today on a weekly basis. It is the antithesis of, say, a Michael Bay movie; yes it’s a big-budget Hollywood project, yet there is a soul at its nucleus, and a pace that requires a greater attention span. I can’t imagine a more deserving film for best picture come Oscar time. Note: it’s the whole package that will leave the viewer completely satisfied. Story + special effects + acting + cinematography and so on. Must be seen in IMAX 3D to be fully appreciated.
I feel exceptional pity for anyone who goes to a hollywood action movie expecting a plot.
You may as well visit the sahara desert looking for blue-whales.
“I can’t imagine a more deserving film for best picture come Oscar time.”
Scotty-do, you’re one of those people who though The Dark Knight deserved the Oscar, aren’t you?
Well put Scotty-do, even if we do fundamentally disagree. Holiday pressures prevented me from seeing the film in 3D, but I maintain that for the film to truly be a triumph, the script and story should be the primary recommendation for the film.
You bring up an interesting point about the ideas contained within the plot. Palermo, being Palermo, also has his own interesting take on it in the podcast we made. If I do say so myself, you might enjoy listening to our debate on the film for his views. To his mind, Jake Sully’s journey is an inversion of the ‘white martyr’ trend in Hollywood. (I’ll let him elaborate.)
However, I maintain that Avatar is a one-sided achievement. Technically, yes, stupendous, or ‘avatacular’ as I quoted my executive consort in matters cinematic as saying. (That being my boyfriend, who managed to catch a 3D show when he should have been wrapping gifts.) However, Cameron’s legacy for me is one as a gifted action storyteller. The Terminators, Aliens, hell, even Titanic are all taut plots and compelling stories. As well, those films all boast finely drawn characters whose motives seemingly drive the story forward. Avatar’s characters evaporated from my memory almost instantly.
I truly don’t understand the snide “I feel pity for anyone who goes to a Hollywood action film expecting a plot” comments. Commenters made a similar argument last year when Palermo criticized Wolverine for lacking, I think it was, emotional depth. And is anyone vigorously debating Wolverine anymore or anytime soon? I feel pity for those who routinely see movies that are beneath their intelligence and labour under the mistaken belief that this is as good as it gets.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think anyone wasted their time and money on Avatar, I just don’t think it’s a great movie. It’s not one that I left the theatre with me.
That is to say that Avatar didn’t leave the theatre with me.
Just another Hollywood video-game SFX movie appealing to the gamer generation. Talk of “Best Picture” awards is ridiculous.
seeing avatar in 2d is like seeing the Wizard of Oz in only black and white. You’ve missed the point entirely.
You backed up your opinion well, Hillary. However, I still think you should see it again in 3-D IMAX before it leaves. Perhaps on a second viewing you’ll come to your senses. 😉
Yes, I just listened to the podcast you and Mark did. Really enjoyed listening to your top 10 lists. Cheers!
I actually agree with Hillary. I watched it twice, both in 3D, and I felt bad afterward because everybody seemed to have a good time, while I for the first hour and a half was bored out of my mind. The second time I actually started crashing in the middle of the movie. I love Cameron film, always have, but this was just… predictable. And maybe it is the hype that downplayed, but it wasn’t really worth it.
After all. If a movie can not make it with its script, what is a 3D gimmick going to do for it? Bells and whistles can not make a movie better. I think too many people just wanted this movie to be good. It wasn’t a movie at all, it was an event. I can honestly say my favorite part of the movie were the beasts, and the scenery… not the movie.
The movie was VERY well done, and captured all it could encompass given the shallow script. Through the movie I was thinking three things 1) Sigorney Weaver makes a hot alien, 2) Jurassic Park would make a sweet 3D experience, and 3) I could picture this movie with Caper Van Dien shooting bugs 10 years…. hey why not do that re-make of Starship Troopers now?
To Bo Gus: What’s your idea of what’s going to win it this year. I don’t expect Avatar to win myself. I’m going for Invictus, or The Hurt Locker (Though I’d love to see UP win it… and it will be nominated).
Avatar though it may be bad, certainly represents an Achievement in film making. It is the first in a planned trilogy, and I fully look forward to the latter two movies coming out. Avatar was a “Hey, look what we can do”…. a test if you will. This is the first time anything like this has been done, and it needed a pilot. Here you go, and for what it is, I accept it.
As far as another Hollywood video-game SFX movie goes… Let me guess, your one of those people who only sees certain movies, the little art-house pictures just because it makes you feel classy? Some of the pulp that Hollywood produces is good eye/mind fodder.
The video-game thing you nailed on the head though. Every one of the military aircraft look lifted from Halo (Look up Halo Hornet), especially the Scorpion. The militant characters weren’t too special either… But that was the point.
talking about awards is ridiculous
Stupid review is stupid.
You did miss out seeing the movie in 2D. Stop whinging and go to Bayers Lake or Dartmouth Crossing to see big movies like this. I don’t know why Park Lane is even bothering to show it in 2D.
The plot was simple but it was not convoluted or thin. Movies don’t have to be ‘Citizen Kane’ to be good or popular.
Now, I think the is ridiculous, I personally say the film in 2D before 3D and I loved it as much, 3D was amazing, but 2d was spectacular as well. You still receive the same movie either way. Cameron is back to SCI-FI and it’s glorious.
If you want to nit-pick, go watch Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
I actually had to grimace while reading this review. I run a well read 3D movie site (http://www.marketsaw.com) and I know what I am talking about here. You failed to see the movie in its intended format – then you pretend to write a review? Stunning. Not only have you runied your own experience of the magnificent movie, but you are influencing (albeit slightly) your readers attitudes as well – without cause!
Cameron knows what he is doing. I am taking it that you know about TITANIC and its $1.8b take? And you know AVATAR has raked in $2.55b already right? And that the next nearest filmmaker is Peter Jackson and his ROTK at $1.1b. Cameron has DOUBLED his nearest competitor. Think about that.
AVATAR has a great story contrary to many critics thoughts. The template has been used before but the story is wonderfully original unlike many of the sequels that have been sprouting up everywhere. The final scene with Neytiri and Jake is simply mind blowing for both the effects AND the relationship between them.
AVATAR is the best movie of the decade. A revolution in Hollywood and this generation’s STAR WARS. Do yourself a favor and see this thing in IMAX 3D or RealD. Before it is too late. ALICE IN WONDERLAND is coming.