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[Taco-Calamitous]

So, it's been about a week and a half since this movie came out... and no one's started a topic on it yet? I thought people were excited for this movie? Could it be that they felt let down...?

I did not feel let down. I went into the movie with fairly middling to low expectations, actually, and came out with mixed feelings. For the Positive:

-The visual effects were pretty amazing. And I didn't even see it in 3D. My brother insists that the experience is much better in 3D. I'm not sure I understand the fuss, but then again, I've never seen a movie in 3d. But yeah; pretty colors and stuff.

-Decent characters for the most part. Jake Sully (the main character) I didn't really care for through much of the movie, for similar reasons as the scientists and that girl Na'vi; he was kind of a dumb ass. The lead Na'Vi, Sigourney Weaver's character, and Stephen Lang's character (the villain) were all pretty cool, however. And the corporate guy almost felt out of place; he felt more fitting for a comedy, he was so one-dimensional. So actually, that point is kind of mixed... although...

-The story made me care about the characters. I didn't want the Na'Vi to die. I was genuinely saddened at the thought that they were all going to be slaughtered at the end.

-Also, the fact that the human world wasn't forgotten after Sully enters the Na'Vi world is a pretty big selling point for me. They could've just glossed over and forgotten about most the events that took place while Sully was not "operating" (I guess you'd say) his avatar body, and interacting with the other humans/recording his research entries/whatever. The movie could have easily just said "Oh look, shiny!" and completely left the human characters to the way side, but it did not. I found that that immersed me more into the movie, showing what Sully went through on a day to day basis. "Slice of life," almost.

-Furthermore, the climactic battle was pretty epic. It was like the humans of "Aliens" vs. friggen' the Night Elves in Warcraft 3, or something (nerdy, I know.)

Now, for the negative:

-The "humans are evil!" crap. Chester A. Bum sums it up nicely here. "There's no green there. They killed their mother, and they're going to do the same thing here!" Or whatever it was Sully said... that just made me groan. I'm all for saving the environment, but I'm not for demonizing my own friggen' race in the process. Sure, there are those among us who don't give a damn about the environment, but we also have plenty who do care to counteract that (and the fact that movies like these exist is proof of that.)

-Even beyond the "humans are evil" crap, the message is kind of heavy-handed in its delivery. "Look at the beauty of the world. Look at the wonder of these plants. And the evil corporations and the military are going to destroy it all!"

-A lot of the characters are rather one-dimensional.

-And the plot was rather reminiscent of past movies.

The pros did outweigh the cons for me, but I won't say that this is "Like, OMG, the greatest movie of the decade!" Maybe not even of the year. In actuality, I'm kind of surprised how well this movie is doing, given all the anthropomorphic cats running around; that kind of stuff usually puts people off. It's also apparently the third best reviewed movie of the year (my brother tells me; he's friggen' crazy about it.)

EDIT: And I was just thinking; I have a rather positive post about the Wolverine movie from earlier this year in this same forum... that's gotta knock my credibility a bit! (To be clear, I don't think the Wolverine movie touches this movie. it was good for what it was.) Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom

[Josh_R]

My expectations for this movie was extremely high. Now they could have been two high, but the hype for this movie was so large that I really thought it would be the best movie this year. Alas I did not feel that it was. I felt this for all the cons that you stated about this. Do not misunderstand me though, this was a good movie I just felt it didn't live up to the hype.

I believe that this movie was one of the most expensive movie's ever made. Not sure I just think I heard it somewhere. By looking at the special effects, and all the amazing visualizations it could be true...

[Alpha]

Yeah, Kisuke, Avatar is the most expensive movie ever made. And much was made in my home city. So I suppose I should be proud?

Although I thought it was a big 'meh'.

Yes, the special effects are amazing. In some regards, you should see this movie just for this.

My friend told me something beforehand, and I tried to ignore his opinion when I watched it, but I had to agree: it was written so poorly! The characters are all granted particular stereotypes, and they spend three hours fulfilling these stereotypes. As Telegraph said,

-A lot of the characters are rather one-dimensional.

Also, the theme is too heavy-handed in it's delivery, although I am personally predisposed to agreeing with it.

Visuals: Amazing
Characterisation: Poor
Plot: Been done before

See it in 3-D if you can. If you can't, maybe just wait for the Blu-ray.

[RamesesII]

I was quite amazed by it I really like it, In fact I saw it in 3d but towards the end I eventually couldn't make heads or tails of the 3d as in it all really melded together and looked 2d but that was probably because I was so hooked and wasn't worried about the graphics.

I must admit it was corny and predictable and reminded me of an adult version of fern gully but nonetheless I still thought it was brilliant maybe even tipping the scales to epic.

Definitely one of my top ten for 2009.

[Chaos_Weapon]

I loved it. It was better than I expected. But, the plot was kinda predictable. The graphics could of been better, or at least how the Avatars moved. They looked like they have that Ninja potential, but they were so stiff. I expected a better fight in the end between the main character and the chief of security. Like, an epic sword battle or something. Other than that, it was really good.

[Strong Bad]

It's worth seeing.

[RyuRoots]

Eh, it's decent. Personally, I'd advise most people to skip it over if not for the amazing CG imagery. I saw it in 3D, and I was pleasantly surprised at how depth perception really added to several scenes, and never felt like a cheap gimmick. The visuals really are fantastic, and really brought the movie to life.

But if you go see it, that's what you should go see it for. All of the characters are cookie-cutter at best, the plot is as cliche'd and predictable as they come (it's basically a current-gen Fern Gully), and I found it hard to honestly care about anyone. If you turn off your brain and enjoy the pretty scenery and fights, it's a great time. But only if, I think.

[Zargabaath]

The world looks nice, but I wasn't too impressed with the 3-D as it didn't seem to be that much in 3-D. The plot was nothing spectacular, characters were ok, but then again everything has been done before so there can be nothing purely "original".

My biggest gripe is what Camerson decides to allude to through the use of metaphors in the movie; there are certain "things" that he choses not to use a metaphor for making this movie liberal propoganda/liberal spin. The metaphors weren't hard to find and the exclusion of some, which are needed, make the movie very bias.


Overall I would give it a D.

[Chaos_Weapon]

I may see it again. When the DVD comes out, I'm definitely buying it. It would look so sweet on a HDTV. Anyone think they would make a sequel?

[Rocky]

It's aight. Obviously the plot was done many many times before (Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, etc), and it seemed like it was a veiled knock on the US's foreign policies with Afghanistan/Iraq, but the movie was beautiful. Pandora looked very purty, and all the unique flora and fauna made me want to persue a degree in biology after it was all said and done. One big complaint was that the movie was very drawn out; the movie could of probably cut out an extra 45minutes-one hour. Also, ew on the alien fornication.

[Pete]

Pocahantas with blue people instead of indians?

Just think about it.

[Lucid]

I don't see why people always have to try and read so far into a movie.
It's a movie! Just enjoy it for what it is!

I saw it in IMAX 3D and it was AMAZING!

[Zargabaath]

Pocahantas with blue people instead of indians?

Just think about it.

Pete they were still "Indians" in Avatar - blue "Indians". Or blue "Africans". Cameron uses both groups of people as a metaphor to further demonize the company/humans in the movie (i.e., America).

[Alpha]

Pete they were still "Indians" in Avatar - blue "Indians". Or blue "Africans". Cameron uses both groups of people as a metaphor to further demonize the company/humans in the movie (i.e., America).

Why not though? It's a legitimate point. Indigenous rights and all that. If you want a realistic example, look at the actions of ExxonMobil in Aceh (separatist region of Indonesia). They deliver a large stipend to the Indonesian government for access to the oil and gas fields. When Acehnese separatists started attacking the ExxonMobil operations in their region, and the Indonesian government only gave a lukewarm response, ExxonMobil withheld the stipend until the Indonesian military was further mobilised.

And then you've got mining operations in the Amazon. Or Australia. Or Africa. I mean shit, it happens in my country, and I'm not happy about it. I don't see why anyone should be so upset about this 'demonising' of the West, when it is a legitimate viewpoint held by many.

[Zargabaath]

Except Cameron decides to exclude some aspects to get a more complete picture - it is liberal bias. Cameron forgets key things so, in his movie, the company/humans are the "source of evil". Of course this makes Cameron looks bad because apparently he finds certain practices to be acceptable.

[Alpha]

...? Can you explain? What has he left out?

The only thing I can think of is the humans back on Earth. It's suggested that their planet is 'destroyed' (probably 'damaged'), but as they are sent back there, then it can't be too bad.

And he doesn't suggest that all humans are bad. Because we only see one company, and a bunch of intergalactic mercenaries. And some humans become 'good' - Jake et al.

I also find it difficult to believe that anyone would wish to be identified with the group trying to obtain wealth at the expense of an indigenous community whom they refer to as 'blue monkeys'.

[Govinda]

It was very pretty, though I did wonder why the white American man had to become the Pterodactyl King and save all the natives. And some of the characters were so 2D that they might as well have been cardboard cutouts with clichés written on them, instead of clothing.

Also:

[ekimeinna]

yeah i've watch that movie last holiday and it's really good!! and i believe what kisuke said that they made that movie so expensive...

i've watch an interview at Larry King live with the director of this movie... they said they made it like 5 years (they took a lot of time huh) because it's expensive. But look, they made millions of dollars for that!! amazing huh...