Quoted from tonkatough . Now all I need is a National Geographic documentry on the ecology of Pandora and how it evolved into the wild life it is in the movie and what it evolved from.

This would be extremely cool...The next step is Pandora as a Eco-Tourist destination...Who wouldn't want to spend a weekend in the glow in the dark forest?

Maybe not a perfect movie, but certainly the best I've seen thus far...

A must, must, MUST see, well worth the extra 3 bucks for the 3D...It's more a depth effect and it looks fantastic...There are no arrows or squished out eyeballs that fly out towards the audience. Definitely has to be experienced on the big screen as well...

Zoe Saldana is the hottest blue monkey lemur creature...ever.

Let's be fair, what can be said that has not yet been said. The thought in mind when I left the 2D version was that Cameron is a genius, plain and simple; however, is this really one of the best movies of recent times? A stretch. The visuals and groundbreaking nature of the movie are the true selling points. The story was engaging and yet it was nowhere near the sheer power of 'Terminator', for me. The thing that most people left with was that film has moved into a new age, visually. When I finished watching 'Terminator', there was a wealth of various themes that can be applied, a real resonance, but where was this in 'Avatar'?The notion of an avatar, a vessel was fertile ground for something very meaty, but it just wasn't there for Mr. Allen.

Good film, but the suffocating hype and proclamations of it being one of the best in the last x years really misleads, IMO.

Andrew

Quoted from Andrew Let's be fair, what can be said that has not yet been said. The thought in mind when I left the 2D version was that Cameron is a genius, plain and simple; however, is this really one of the best movies of recent times? A stretch. The visuals and groundbreaking nature of the movie are the true selling points. The story was engaging and yet it was nowhere near the sheer power of 'Terminator', for me. The thing that most people left with was that film has moved into a new age, visually. When I finished watching 'Terminator', there was a wealth of various themes that can be applied, a real resonance, but where was this in 'Avatar'?The notion of an avatar, a vessel was fertile ground for something very meaty, but it just wasn't there for Mr. Allen. Good film, but the suffocating hype and proclamations of it being one of the best in the last x years really misleads, IMO. Andrew

Each to their own as always.

You had a similar reaction to District 9 as I recall.

When people throw around the term, "the best film in years", it tends to raise expectations and they can harm your viewing experience. That's why I always ignore reviews until I've seen the film myself.

The professional reviews of the film have been quite mixed. Generally favourable, but nothing like the publics reaction, which for me is the real test of a film.

Personally, when I got to the Cinema this is exactly the type of experience I crave. I want to be taken to places I've never seen before and this film did that in a way not previously seen.

For me there have been very few truly great films made by the Hollywood system over the last 10 or twenty years. Most of the films that have really moved me have been smaller style pictures.

This film was like a return to the age of Speilberg and Lucas (and of course Cameron) when they matched huge action with genuine heart, whilst it also pushed 3D technology and CGI to new heights.

As far as the resonance that you spoke of; The themes in it are as powerful and as important as they've ever been. A look at humanity and what we have lost in our never ending quest for money at the expense of our spiritual connection to our planet and each other.

Personally I don't think there is any greater, or more pertinent theme possible.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Each to their own as always. You had a similar reaction to District 9 as I recall. When people throw around the term, "the best film in years", it tends to raise expectations and they can harm your viewing experience. That's why I always ignore reviews until I've seen the film myself. The professional reviews of the film have been quite mixed. Generally favourable, but nothing like the publics reaction, which for me is the real test of a film. Personally, when I got to the Cinema this is exactly the type of experience I crave. I want to be taken to places I've never seen before and this film did that in a way not previously seen. For me there have been very few truly great films made by the Hollywood system over the last 10 or twenty years. Most of the films that have really moved me have been smaller style pictures. This film was like a return to the age of Speilberg and Lucas (and of course Cameron) when they matched huge action with genuine heart, whilst it also pushed 3D technology and CGI to new heights. As far as the resonance that you spoke of; The themes in it are as powerful and as important as they've ever been. A look at humanity and what we have lost in our never ending quest for money at the expense of our spiritual connection to our planet and each other. Personally I don't think there is any greater, or more pertinent theme possible.

Hello there, dec. Aye, 'District 9' and 'Avatar' both disappointed to a degree, yes. It's just that the hype feels disproportionate to the quality, but I do believe both are good films. 'Inglorious Basterds' is more to my taste, for example.

Nice summary of the themes explored, but I don't know, it was just too there, y'know, less subtlety and that's why it didn't resonate with me. Cameron felt far subtler with 'Terminator', but it's all personal opinion, so all good.

Hope you're well.

Andrew

Quoted from Andrew Hello there, dec. Aye, 'District 9' and 'Avatar' both disappointed to a degree, yes. It's just that the hype feels disproportionate to the quality, but I do believe both are good films. 'Inglorious Basterds' is more to my taste, for example. Nice summary of the themes explored, but I don't know, it was just too there, y'know, less subtlety and that's why it didn't resonate with me. Cameron felt far subtler with 'Terminator', but it's all personal opinion, so all good. Hope you're well. Andrew

Fair enough.

Personally I don't know how you can even compare Avatar to something like Basterds. One is a Cinematic milestone, the other is a throwaway spaghetti western. I do understand people have different tastes, but on an objective level as possible...I'm not sure they are really even in the same league.

You've mentioned the hype thing again and I think that is playing a part in your appreciation. I also think that you missed a beat by seeing it in 2D. The film was designed to immerse you in an alien world and unless you see it in the state it was intended, I don't think you are doing it justice.

I do understand what you are saying about Terminator. Star Wars, The Terminator, Aliens and Jaws were my favourite films growing up as a kid, and all these years later, they are still my favourite films now.

For me nothing has really come close to those films in a long time. T2 was all the way back in 91. That was a great film, but I preferred the dark menace of the original personally.

So, for me, it's indicative of the situation when you compare Avatar to Terminator.

The mega-blockbuster only came about with Jaws. People forget how that film changed the whole thinking of the Industry. It made the B-Movies into the A-movies.

At that time people were talking about the death of the Cinema because of television and it was films like Jaws and later ET that brought them back in their droves. We're at a similar point now and Avatar is the first film that genuinely has to be seen on the biggest 3D screen possible. It makes Cinema exciting again.

There is something special about the huge blockbusters that only the huge corporations can create and the last twenty years of them haven't been that great. LOTR was the best of a bad bunch. That was a technical marvel and shot on an epic scale, but it was based on a 100 year old story and that showed at times (the third book was poor) , plus it was a slightly underwhelming adaption in some places for me, on an emotional level. Aragorn wasn't regal or inspiring enough (that guy from Brookside was a better king), Boromir and Faramir were both critically under-developed
in the Theatre cut etc.

Still great films though.

Aside from that I'm struggling:

X-Men, Iron Man and the Dark Knight are decent examples of the Superhero films that have been popular. The Dark Knight was a good film, but nowhere near the standard that people said it was for me. Batman's voice threw me out of the film whenever he spoke, the story was disjointed and lacked tension. The love interest was annoying. The transformation of two-face was unconvincing, his death a travesty. 80% great, 20% crap film for me and it's the 20% that has stuck with me.

The Harry Potters are OK, fun films, nothing more. I, Robot was a decent flick.

The Micheal Bay films are ususally fun, but without even a semblance of human interest.

When you look at the major blockbuster type films that have been released the past 20 years, you can see why District 9 and Avatar are so highly rated.

As I said at the time, D9 was the first film that gave me hope that someone could actually better Star Wars. The demise of Spielberg and Lucas and the absence of Cameron left a void of Directors who could direct truly epic, original films.

Now Cameron is back and has shown that he hasn't lost his touch as well.

Personally, for once, I think the hype is justified.

James Cameron has re-established himself as the absolute Master and Blomkamp looks to be the first Director since the late 70's with the ability to marry imagination, vision with raw power.

Avatar has put the major studio flicks of the last 20 years in a box marked obsolete.

Now go and watch it again on 3D Imax.

just saw it tonight and id give it a B+

too much mother nature shit quite frankly. some of it seemed very hokey. plus did anybody else think sigorney weaver kinda sucked? her acting skills seemed a little out of touch...

however, awesome battle scenes and the scenery was beyond beautiful. very imaginitive and the 3D just blew me away.

the story was just okay. nothing special. plus i didnt like the ending.

I just watched it. Hmmm.

I felt all the hype was far from justified.

This Pandora place was talked up in the film as a real hell hole. And yet it's all so pretty and harmless most of the time.

Any why are all these characters telling me what's going every five bleedin' minutes?

The battle just beofre the end tied a lot of stuff up nicely though. Best bit by far.

Most of the creatures were great. But there was something definitely plasticky about those Navi and their movements.

Unobtanium? Is someone taking the piss?

It's too long, too bleeding' nice and far too stereotypical. Some of the dialogue is clunkier than some of my old cars.

Sigourney Weaver rarely disappoints but her dialogue was bad even she couldn't save it. Sam Worthington is Australian. Sadly his accent can't stop reflecting. Another take James? No, will that do?

Sadly disappointing for me. I watched 2012 afterwards. The plot is hopeless, the dialogue so cliched it hurts and the characters are cut out. However the effects and the action and the pace are amazing. Especially after Avatar.

Don't get me wrong, this has some brilliant bits and often shows flashes of genius. But the dull kids films parts kill the good stuff. It needs at least half an hour trimming and will someone please fix that dialogue? It sucks like a dog.

Ren

Quoted from rendevous I just watched it. Hmmm. I felt all the hype was far from justified. This Pandora place was talked up in the film as a real hell hole. And yet it's all so pretty and harmless most of the time. Any why are all these characters telling me what's going every five bleedin' minutes? The battle just beofre the end tied a lot of stuff up nicely though. Best bit by far. Most of the creatures were great. But there was something definitely plasticky about those Navi and their movements. Unobtanium? Is someone taking the piss? It's too long, too bleeding' nice and far too stereotypical. Some of the dialogue is clunkier than some of my old cars. Sigourney Weaver rarely disappoints but her dialogue was bad even she couldn't save it. Sam Worthington is Australian. Sadly his accent can't stop reflecting. Another take James? No, will that do? Sadly disappointing for me. I watched 2012 afterwards. The plot is hopeless, the dialogue so cliched it hurts and the characters are cut out. However the effects and the action and the pace are amazing. Especially after Avatar. Don't get me wrong, this has some brilliant bits and often shows flashes of genius. But the dull kids films parts kill the good stuff. It needs at least half an hour trimming and will someone please fix that dialogue? It sucks like a dog. Ren

Did you watch it in 2D or 3D?

Ah, just saw on another thread that you intended to see it in 2D. That explains your reaction.

Cameron has spent the last 14 years creating new Cameras just to shoot the film in the way it was intended. The 3D is critical to the film, it's not just a gimmick.

It's about experiencing the alien world as a participant, rather than as a voyeur.

I can't stress enough just how important it is that people watch Avatar in the way it was meant to be seen. The genius of the film is not in the story, it is in the completeness of the vision of the world. If you watch it in 2D, you are missing out on 70% of the experience. The CGI looks worse and all the little touches that make it such an experience will be missed out on.

AVATAR has to be watched on an IMAX screen in 3D.

Wartching it in 2D is like judging sculptures by looking at photographs.

I've seen a couple of things in 3D but I hate losing the light, and wearing glasses, and paying extra.

So Dec, it was 2D.  

Hey, I'm sure it is. But if you're saying it don't work in 2D then something else is wrong. What, I missed out cos the spears don't come at me?

For each their own. I've gotta see it again so I'll try 3D. I'm open minded. However, I don't think much is gonna change. Unless I'm completely wrong it's way too long and half of that dialogue sounds like it was knocked up by nerds high on sugar.

If the dialogue is shit, how can watching it in 3-D make any difference?

The detractors have convinced me. It sounds like it's just another soulless Hollywood event movie. I'm not seeing it. I don't really like the genre anyway.

Chris, you will regret not seeing it in 3D, at the cinema.

I beg you, for your sake, please - see - this - film.

RV, sorry you didn't like it... there will never be a film some people won't dislike. Does that make sense? I hope so.

Chris, don't say no just by a few people saying they don't like it. At least watch the trailer to get a feel for it. Sure, it doesn't have all the EMOTION, but it's a step in the right direction.

Quoted from rendevous I've seen a couple of things in 3D but I hate losing the light, and wearing glasses, and paying extra. So Dec, it was 2D.   Hey, I'm sure it is. But if you're saying it don't work in 2D then something else is wrong. What, I missed out cos the spears don't come at me? For each their own. I've gotta see it again so I'll try 3D. I'm open minded. However, I don't think much is gonna change. Unless I'm completely wrong it's way too long and half of that dialogue sounds like it was knocked up by nerds high on sugar.

3D won't fix the slightly clunky dialogue.

However if you compare the reaction of those that have seen it in 3D to those that have seen it in 2D, the difference in opinion is enormous.

Almost everyone that saw it in 3D loved it, almost everyone that saw it in 2D thought it was just OK.

In 3D you'd happily spend another hour or so just walking round the world staring at the plants, in 2D the pace seems to drag. That's just the impression I get from what people have said.

It's probably too late for you to get the buzz you would have done because the novlety will have worn off, but for those that haven't seen it, they have to see it in 3D.

It's crazy to not go and see the film that has been made with the express intention of starting a 3D revolution, in 3D.

Dec,

I see what you mean re: 'Avatar' being a shift towards the more epic, or dare I say fanboy genre again, but to me - at least from a economic stance, not artistic - the Twilight series is more akin to the longevity going forward visited with the likes of 'Star Wars', and this reflects an evolution in cinema goers. The two Twilight movies have made close to a billion bucks, and with two more in the pipeline, who knows what it will eventually pull in. Sure, artistically, 'Avatar' represents a director-led film, where imagination knows no bounds, and that's good for a certain segment of cinema goers.

I don't think 'IB' and 'Avatar' can be compared on a genre level, but both are works of art, and designed to entertain, so in that respect, they are comparable. The reason that I prefer the likes of 'IB' to 'Avatar' is because they feel more character-led to me - not necessarily the case, of course - and things like 'Avatar' or 'LOTR' feel less people-focused. It's about a fictional world, and it's hard for me to relate to that, so I search for some theme that sticks with me for real-life application, which is what I achieved with 'Terminator'. Much of my joy with film is finding something within it that hits me, and in lieu of that, it must be entertaining and 'Avatar' only partially satisfied that need.

On the 3D point, I was unable to get a seat, which was a shame - when I get to see 3D, then I will post more thoughts to ascertain whether the experience changed what I took from it.

Ren, you devil! I saw your comment on 'District 9', but am stripped for time, so yes, I am alive and shacked up in Singapore now for maybe a while - interviewing for a job with a small production company here mid-Jan, so my travel plans changed 'cos of a... girl, yes, those pesky inconveniences! Hope you're well, mate.

Andrew

AA,

Skirted up and on the arm too. Well done. Keep it up.

Me? Devil? That's one of the nicer things I've been called over the festive (aka arsed) period.

You interviewing, or being interviewed? Either way, congrats there fella. My best to you.

As for the Avatar and all that 3D business, I'm sure it does look better in 3D. But those bits in the base and on the ship aren't gonna be improved one iota by it. There's a lot of them.

I don't get why it's so long, why the dialogue is poor in parts and why they left the name Unobtanium in. That is just taking the piss. What, we not supposed to take the plot serious or what then?

$230 million dollars. 12 Years in the pipeline. The director who made Terminator, Terminator 2 and Aliens. No wonder I expected a lot.

Shame James didn't deliver. And if it don't work in 2D for someone like me then all that fancy gizmos (and that is all it is) of 3D tricks and flash and bells just ain't gonna improve it,  anywhere near enough.

Hey, I'll watch it again, in 3D if poss. I just hope it works a LOT better the second time.

R