There’s a moment in Avatar when the film’s hero, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) finally decides that he’s on the side of the Na’vi, but is spurned by his giant blue love interest for announcing his previous intentions. It’s one of the most cliched scenes in modern day cinema. But for the entire scene, I dared not blink, for fear that I’d miss a moment of what is undoubtedly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful films ever made.
And that’s essentially the dichotomy of Avatar. On the one hand you have a fairly generic plot (although, admittedly, not a bad plot). Someone descibed it to me as Dances With Wolves meets the Smurfs, which isn’t exactly inaccurate (although smurfs are small, while the Na’vi are large). There’s no revolutionary new storytelling techniques here. The script alternates from “fine” to “cringe” (“You’re not in Kansas anymore” – really? They’re still using that line in the 22nd century?) while the characters are exactly what you expect them to be.
Yet everything about the film is gripping. Even though the film is two hours and 40 minutes long, you don’t feel like it’s dragging on. And the reason that you don’t notice is that every second you spend on Pandora is like an ejaculation of beauty. There is so much colour, so much life packed into every frame that you can’t even begin to notice the intense level of detail. And that just keeps you captivated.
The 3D element might help, too. Despite the fact that I walked out of the cinema with a throbbing headache again, I have to admit that Avatar did seem to be a much more immersive film than many of the other Hollywood blockbusters I’ve seen of late. It is frustrating to have your eyes tricked into believe your watching three dimensions, yet not be able to focus on objects that are deliberately out of focus. And I’ll never be a fan of wearing glasses…
The CGI is also on another level altogether. If you thought what Peter Jackson did in The Return of the King was good, you’ll be blown away by Avatar. Despite the fact that the Na’vi are CGI, they’ve completely jumped the uncanny valley. Like Gollum in Lord of the Rings, you actually care about them as characters, suspending your disbelief for long enough to trust that they’re actually real beings. The same goes for all the fantastic creatures in the film, as well as the vehicles and battlemechs. There’s attention paid to every aspect of every pixel of every frame, and you believe every moment of it.
And overall, that makes it a film worth watching. Probably twice.
Sam Brady
December 17, 2009 at 11:26 AM
A man in an unwashed mcdonalds uniform yelled and spluttered at his four 3month-3yearold children for the entire movie.. I was still moistly engrossed until the closing credits.
Report PermalinkI am so incredibly glad that it lived up to the hype. I could have watched that movie over and over all night. It only plays a few times a day in my cinema as they’ve only just bought a single dual 3d projector system, however I suspect it will play four times a day for a year. Cameron did what Lucas wanted to. Create a staggeringly beautiful movie in which the stereotypical plot is made wonderful by a skillful telling of it. There was a scene where a character speaks a monologue in his head over an ashen background that made me think of highschool poetry, but apart from that I didnt flinch.
Otto
December 26, 2009 at 6:55 AM
Yep the movie looks incredible, one of my favorite movies. Although, I disagree with your critique over the film’s script. You said that the line, “You’re not in Kansas anymore” wasn’t suppose to be in because the movie takes place in the 22nd century and nobody would use that quote. Good quotes last forever and people will always use them, no matter what century. For example we still use some of Shakespeare’s quotes, believe or not.
Report Permalinkmatt
December 17, 2009 at 11:33 AM
should we see it in 2D or 3D?
Report PermalinkSam Brady
December 17, 2009 at 12:27 PM
You’ll not find it easy to find a copy thats viewable at home in 3d as the polarisation technique that allows for images to be superimposed requires a special projector or screen.
It just depends on how you react to 3d movies. I’m extremely glad i saw it in 3d. The opportunity to decide which focal plane of each scene to observe adds a whole extra dimension (lololol) of depth and immersiveness. It made a pretty film completely engrossing. If you get vertigo or dizzy or disoriented easily it mightnt be the best choice, though I say that just from opinion and no real understanding of what the effects might be.
Report Permalinkattila
December 17, 2009 at 12:13 PM
In defence of the “kansas” line – we still use lines in everyday speech which originate (for example) with Shakespeare. It isn’t ridiculous to think that one as well known as the “kansas” line will be around for many years to come.
Report PermalinkNick Broughall
December 17, 2009 at 12:31 PM
You’re right, but it’s just so damned clichéd.
Report PermalinkTravis New
December 17, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I saw this movie last night and it was so FRIGGEN AMAZING. I’ve been telling my mates that it is a must see!
Report PermalinkAnonymous
December 18, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I saw this last night in IMAX 3D. It looked amazing. I enjoyed it. I’ll recommend it to everyone. But the plot was also very thin.
Report PermalinkAnthony Tam
December 24, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Plot was expected. Execution? Almost flawless. Pity about the generic ‘villain’ character – I felt for everybody else except for him.
Report PermalinkKamath
December 27, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Maybe they cudve used
Report Permalink“You are not in Mars anymore” just to show that people had moved to Mars as well, a long time back eh!
James Clarke
December 30, 2009 at 1:12 AM
I absolutely Love this film and have seen it twice already and it still doesn’t seem like enough! the 3D is amazing and the film seemed to fly by. the only problem is that until the 3d technology at home catches up with that of the cinema I think that the dvd/blu-ray release of the film will be sorely disappointing :( . which is the main reason that I will probably go and see it again if i get a chance :)
Report PermalinkLouise
January 1, 2010 at 9:12 PM
I have never been so affected by a film in my entire 35 years, it was beautiful and the story fitted in with how we as humans are full of greed and are ruining the earth, I cried with emotion when it finished because I couldn’t believe what magnificence I had just witnessed, my husband and I haven’t stopped talking about it and we both agreed that we wanted never wanted the film to end and that we both wanted to watch the film for the rest of our lives and that it had, somehow, changed our lives forver!!! Shockingly amazing!!!!
Report PermalinkHans
January 16, 2010 at 3:17 AM
Nick,
I watched this move then read a few reviews but I think your review hit the nail right on the head. Everyone I spoke to after the movie asked my thoughts and my reply was the storyline is a common one but not completely predictable, the presentation was amazing. I think it went beyond a conventional movie and is more of a full entertainment experience.
This is definitely not one to watch at home on video or wait for cable. Cheers to Cameron for taking movie making to whole other sphere. I would definitely rate Avatar as one of the best all around movies I have ever seen and my only issue was I had to go back to reality. By mid point of the movie I was ready to live as a Na’vi as well. Let’s hope Cameron does not spoil it with his planned part 2 & 3, but regardless I will be there to watch them.
Report PermalinkGavin Powers
January 25, 2010 at 1:31 PM
I saw this on Wednesday and I’m off to see it again tomorrow. Admittedly, without the 3D, it would be somewhat mediocre as a fantasy adventure, but by no means a particularly bad movie.
Report PermalinkBut to be drawn back to it within a matter of days, at a cinema, where I’ve had to actually book, after over a month on general release? That says something. I can see this bugger running right into June!
For once, I say ‘don’t ignore the hype, it doesn’t do it justice’. If you get the chance to see this in 3D, go for it. It is genuine escapism like you’ve never experienced. Honestly.
Luke
January 26, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Avatar is the best picture of the year. That’s all I have to say.
Report PermalinkAsiandude
February 9, 2010 at 4:50 AM
This is a real eye opener… I recommend it to everyone… Also this movie shows us how greedy us humans are.
I already saw it twice, but can’t get enough of it.
I feel I am lucky to live this far, just for the sake of the movie!
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