Thread: Avatar

I travelled 150km last night to see Avatar in 3D and I gotta say that it probably wasn't worth it. The film was really really ridiculously good looking, but the story was only passable as a vehical to drive you to the next pretty scene and although the 3D was really good at some points it was unnecessary or destracting the rest of the time.

I heard a lot of crap about the simplistic storyline before going into Avatar and I gotta say it wasn't as bad as I was led to believe but it wasn't that much better either. I felt the story that was presented to you was an exercise in missed opportunities. As I was leaving the theater I couldn't help but wishing they had shown more scenes with the the other researchers especially the jealousy Norm had for Jake at the beginning or more about the psychological effects jake might have gone through trying to live in two bodies (since he didn't have any training). There were many other things that could have been added to just give the viewer a more rounded picture of the situation which could have easily been put in (it was over two and a half hours long). Over all it seemed like the only purpose of the story was to move you along to the next beautiful shot and hoped you were too distracted by the pretty lights.

I had never seen a 3D movie before so I was really excited going to into avatar. At first I was pretty impressed, things were popping out at me and I thought it was a lovely distraction, but I soon found out it would quickly trasnform to annoying. There were a few scenes that looked really good in 3D, such as those cool dome holo-computers, but I soon found out that for the most part the 3D wasn't even needed and in a few scenes totally wrong. Often while being immersed in the beauty all around me a giant black blob would shoot out and throw me out of the movie or there were a few times when things were in 3D when they should not have been (like the photos on the fridge or any scene with a video log, unless the video log was had a 3D camera). 3D really did enhance my viewing experience, but it was only pleasent some of the time and I don't think I will being going out of my way to see another one anytime soon.

Now most of what I've written sounds pretty negative but, don't let that make you think I disliked the movie, in fact I really liked it. Avatar was a beautiful film, best looking film I have ever seen, and at no time was I bored with this movie, the running time was 2.7 hours and it felt half that long. Despite the simplicity of it's story at no time did it drag on (although the love scene was a bit awkward) and even though you could predict most events eons before they happened you were entertained or awed the whole way there. Although my grievances seem many, I would recommend this movie to anyone and I would also recommend they see it on a big screen, the bigger the better (I should have gone the extra 500km to an IMAX theater) as you will be awed by the splender this film has to offer.

ps. Who else thought it was super bad ass when Quaritch busted down that sealed door and started shooting without a mask on. Awesome.

Sounds pretty good.... although, of course, regarding the plot it CAN´T be that unique
I´m surely gonna watch this movie

Similarly, I thought it was a pretty OK movie despite the plot being utterly predictable and the movie being a bit too long for my taste. You can see a lot of things coming, and the whole native-colonialist sort of theme is rather obviously portrayed (and has been many many times). But still, the special effects are seamless. They blend CGI with reality so well it completely fools you. Having a CGI character stand alongside a real person without looking out of place is a real big deal, and they pulled it off. James Cameron is also pretty damn good at building worlds and everything. The setting, the people, it was all superb.

If the film had some better acting, more engaging characters and more expansion on certain aspects of the film, it could have been a real Oscar contender I think. As it is, I don't think there'll be a Best Picture award for it...maybe a Digital Effects award.

The main character's just OK...sometimes likeable, sometimes complete idiot. Sam Worthington did better in Terminator Salvation. Not many of the characters had depth...some had attitude, but in the end I felt nothing when lots of them died. Bah. Quatrich is somewhat cool but he's such a typical strict military character - we've seen it a million times.

Despite all that it's still very enjoyable...I'd say go watch it but don't think too much about it. Just sit back and blank out a little.

I just saw it on a normal screen. Film was pretty kick ass. Yeah, it's not the most original thing I've ever seen, but that didn't matter. Film is a load of fun. Cameron is pretty good at creating worlds.

This movies storyline was much much much better than Transformers 1 or Star Wars 1, 2 or 3. What I do worry about is the sequels. How much story left is there to tell to make the plot of both sequels interesting?

Actually I'm not really psyched about the possibility of a sequel. Sometimes you should leave a show as it is, don't think there's anything more they can squeeze out of this one. Anything worthwhile, anyway. Being Hollywood there are a ton of stories they can pull out of nowhere to make a sequel but somehow I don't think it'd be worth watching. If there IS a sequel it may possibly involve...another batch of humans going back to Pandora to settle the score? It sounds like a logical phase 2 but where the heck will the plot be for that?

I like this better than Transformers. Both of them. This had more plot, even if it wasn't much. But I do think Star Wars had the more interesting plot...by 1, 2, 3 you mean the more recent ones right? At the very least I thought Star Wars 3 was good. Really good. Can't say much for 1 and 2 though.

Maybe the Na'vi will become Jedi in the next movie.

My opinion: Storyline: so-so, it could have been much more complex... it's your typical happily ever after without decent ending.
Graphics/Effects: The main point of the whole movie. I don't think the story is what attracted the viewers so much, and that the effects/graphics were the only reason most of the ppl came to watch it.
Overall, the movie was pretty good. I guess anything will be good if it has a so-so story and awesome animation. -.-

It was a great movie IMO despite the cheesy plot. Unfortunately I never got to see it in the cinema (too far away, too expensive), so I never got to see it in 3D.

^It's being re-released on August 27 in the US and UK, with never before seen footage so I would go check it out this time.

I think I will, thanks for the heads up.