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harpoon dodger · Post by **harpoon dodger** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:25 pm

So, I caught this flick last night..I thought it was pretty cool, it was better than I had expected. I imagine peoples opinions will be quite divided over it regardless..there were a few cheesy parts I just had to laugh at but overall a really epic, interesting film. I didn't get to see it in IMAX/3D, but I probably will sometime soon..seeing it in 3D would just make it that much more hep.

So, those that have seen it..discuss!

bluesky · Post by **Fredd-E** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:10 pm

I'll be going in about one hour. 3D baby, like it's meant to be watched!

I'll report later!

Skytree · Post by **Skytree** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:24 pm

Absolutely a game changer, for sci-fi and cinema alike. Will definitely be seeing this again.

When I first saw photos of the Na'vi at the beginning of the year, I was frustrated that they were so human. But, it made sense in the setting of the movie...Cameron was obviously going for (occasionally heavy-handed) environmental allegory. It would have been impossible to get the audience to connect with the Na'vi if they were too alien.

Loved how all the plant and animal species had a believable biological connection as well. Overall fantastically thought-out and executed.

Going to see this made me realize what it would have been like to see Star Wars back in '77. My hunch is that other movies will try to mimic this and fail miserably for several years, maybe even a decade. The bar's just been raised impossibly high for science fiction.

Joebot Kill · Post by **Joebot Kill** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:44 pm

yep this movies totally lived up to the hype for me. saw it in 3D last night. it's definitely the way it's meant to be seen. i thought the movie was absolutely stunning and a really fun ride! the writing was passable. the characters were pretty much black and white. the main character was pretty generic. but all that aside, the movie is a total blast and i am definitely going to see it again in theaters.

YOU MUST SEE THIS IN 3D. IF YOU DONT YOU ARE MISSING OUT!

jonnyjj74 · Post by **jonnyjj74** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:29 am

I watched it twice in on Friday. I even enjoyed it more the second time through because you don't feel so divided between trying to follow the dialogue and story with taking in all the visual details. The second time through you can sit back and really focus on the environments and the scope of each scene.
This was the first time I've seen a movie in 3d, and I was really blown away by the technology. This really opens a new door to the way movies can be presented, but hopefully the more they use the technology they will adapt to it in some new ways. The depth of field of the camera was a little disorienting at times. Sometimes, what my eye wanted to focus on wasn't the focal point of the camera lens, so it hurt my head trying to focus on something the director didn't want to be the center of attention, and so my eye had to actively search for the correct thing to look at for the visuals to make sense. It seems like they should keep all the characters in focus and let your eye choose which one you want to see, because the 2d way of manipulating the lens almost doesn't apply in 3d.
I'm wondering if there are any book series lined up that might go into more of the history of the Na'vi, I thought they were very well thought out and I would be interested in exploring some Avatar sci-fi novels.

harpoon dodger · Post by **harpoon dodger** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:17 am

Alright, it's official..I'm seeing it in 3D ASAP. Which probably won't be til January, sadly.

And as for book series or whatnot..I don't know. But I recall reading somewhere that Cameron has plans to do sequels if this film is successful--which it's looking like. Though, seeing as how it cost around $500 million, he's gonna need a boatload of luck to make that coin back

I also totally agree with what Skytree said about this film raising the bar..this is definitely this generation's Star Wars, effects-wise anywayz

Joebot Kill · Post by **Joebot Kill** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:23 am

i heard someone call it "the next jurassic park." i think that makes sense.

bluesky · Post by **Fredd-E** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:06 am

I've seen it in 3D last night. Visually very stunning movie. The story on the other hand is not that superb. Thirteen in a dozen, really. Very black and white characters. There is no real emotional bond with any of the characters.

Nonetheless a recommended entertaining popcorn movie!

Tenfoureightytwo · Post by **Tenfoureightytwo** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:37 pm

It was like a very pretty extended game sequence, visually amazing and design of animals plants etc was awesome; But the story stank and the acting was horrible and everthing was so generic i could see toys flooding out of stores i could see colouring in books, plush toys, novels and cartoons arghhhhhhhh what a horrible money making beast, 2 out of 5. Watch it enjoy it, dont go see it again.

Joebot Kill · Post by **Joebot Kill** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:34 pm

i wasnt expecting to see avatar for its writing though. i went in to the movie wanting to see a visual feast. and thats what i got. the plot was super predictable. and the characters were practically non-existent. the hero is the hero. and the bad guy is bad. the nerdy guy acts nerdy. the girl loves the hero. etc... there seems to be almost no motivation when it comes to any of them. all the characters play their part in the plot.

but the plot is what moves us from one gorgeous scene to the next. and i'm usually not a fan of CG. i think it has ruined movie-making for the most part. but avatar is a showcase of top of the line CG technology. the line between live-action and digital animation is totally seamless. and after a while you forget that there is a difference. so when you go to see this movie, you have to know what you're getting yourself into. it succeeds as a fun action flick. it succeeds as a special effects showcase. but as a deep, though-provoking film? not so much.

bluesky · Post by **Fredd-E** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:35 pm

Joebot Kill wrote:so when you go to see this movie, you have to know what you're getting yourself into. it succeeds as a fun action flick. it succeeds as a special effects showcase. but as a deep, though-provoking film? not so much.

couldn't have said it better myself; that's why i'm quoting it

Tekmosis · Post by **Tekmosis** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 6:51 pm

$400 Million Dollar Movie...

Joebot Kill · Post by **Joebot Kill** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:11 am

Tekmosis wrote:$400 Million Dollar Movie...

haha i know. thats the other part of it. since i knew the cost of the movie, i went into it thinking "this better be the best looking CGI ever." and you know what? it really was.

i'm not sure there is even a single real set in this entire movie.

turquoise70 · Post by **turquoise70** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:50 am

i keep hearing the phrase "alien fern gully" used to describe this film.

i haven't seen anything yet in previews or whatever that has even begun to entice me to watch it. i thought i liked sci fi but apparently i don't.

Joebot Kill · Post by **Joebot Kill** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:53 am

i can see the fern fully comparison because it does take place in a lush forest. and there are the evil humans with their giant tanks burning things and generally being awful. and there is the human dude who becomes one of them and falls in love with the girl. fern gully or pocahontas both work.

turquoise70 · Post by **turquoise70** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:44 am

well like i said

here's my conundrum... i haven't seen anything that made me think "i want to see this"

everything i've seen so far has just made me think "this is yet another pandering stupid CGI intensive fucking 2009 style movie, worthless, hell with it"

and i don't say that to be antagonistic or anything, in fact i'm distressed by it

because this seems cynical even for me, but i honestly just see previews for this movie and already feel sick

i'm like "fuck this, this isn't entertainment, it's as nurishing as the 9 dollar popcorn they sell for it in the lobby"

mechanismj · Post by **mechanismj** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:54 am

turquoise70 wrote:well like i said

here's my conundrum... i haven't seen anything that made me think "i want to see this"

everything i've seen so far has just made me think "this is yet another pandering stupid CGI intensive fucking 2009 style movie, worthless, hell with it"

and i don't say that to be antagonistic or anything, in fact i'm distressed by it

because this seems cynical even for me, but i honestly just see previews for this movie and already feel sick

i'm like "fuck this, this isn't entertainment, it's as nurishing as the 9 dollar popcorn they sell for it in the lobby"

While I've got to totally agree with you on these matters, having seen the previews on TV... and then the mutherfucking advert for the game they've ALREADY made out of it (Fucking greedy money hungry etc etc...) I think it would be really intense to go see it at the IMAX, totally ripped out of my head. Mostly I'm just bored and need something to do.

I was reading an article the other day about how these big wig hollywood execs are wondering why their totally generic movies with sub par, HORRIBLY predictable plot lines and lifeless, dull as dish water, stereotypical characters aren't returning the insanely high amount of profit that went into them... even when they forked out a couple extra million to get some famous asswipe to star in it. Then I thought to myself... my god... all the people running the show are fucking retarded. Perhaps it's the fact that you guys keep selling the same bullshit over and over and FUCKING OVER AGAIN! FORMULAS DO NOT WORK IN ART! MORONS!

It's been a long day at the office

iwishimademovies · Post by **iwishimademovies** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:00 am

This is a movie for anyone who ever wanted to be something else.

It is pure escapism in its literal form.

I saw it this afternoon, noon show, tried for the IMAX but it was sold out, settled for the 3D and was not disappointed.

This is the first time that I’ve ever seen a movie in 3D and it was awesome. It takes a little getting used to, but by the end it feels natural.

The visuals are worth the price of admission. There should be no argument about this. I don’t know what video games yall play, but this aint no cutscene. The Nav’i in the movie look and move pretty good. Sure, some things are a little wonky looking, but they’re fleeting moments for a person who pays attention to that stuff.

I wouldn’t mind going out on a limb to say that this is our generation’s Star Wars.

Do I think it’s a game changer? No, mainly because I don’t know what that means. Does it mean, like, bullet-time? I mean, wasn’t that supposed to be revolutionary? I hope it doesn’t get emulated, and I don’t know how it would be.

As for the story/writing. Are there recognizable storytelling tropes? You bet. What makes it great is that its done so well, so efficiently. Think about it. This movie was made for the world, and the shit on screen can be translated without a word, you know?

Its accessible, its beautiful.

Was District 9 better sci-fi? Maybe.

But do I want to go to Pandora and hump the shit out of some blue warrior babes? Hell yes, again and again.

Go see it. See it in 3D on the biggest screen you can…and sit in the middle (so go early).

iwishimademovies · Post by **iwishimademovies** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:02 am

turquoise70 wrote:well like i said

i'm like "fuck this, this isn't entertainment, it's as nurishing as the 9 dollar popcorn they sell for it in the lobby"

You could sneak in an apple or some carrot sticks...

Popcorn has got to be one of the biggest rip offs in the world, but its the only way theaters make money.

I just got some greeeen and I'm stoked to see it again!

ninetyoneplus · Post by **ninetyoneplus** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:19 am

I just watched this and I loved it to be honest. Visuals were amazing but that isn't really what hit home for me. I've recently been watching a lot of early 80s/late 70s action and sci-fi flicks and I really noticed some strong parelleism with Avatar.

When Star Wars first came out, people were probably like "Well the visuals were awesome, everything else, not so much." However, they enjoyed it for what it was. We (especially in this community) seem to have such a knee-jerk reaction to anything new or synthetic as "not as good as the original". I think we should just enjoy it for what it is rather than focus on the context in which it was made ($300 million!

CGI! Hasbro toys!)

Also, I like how Cameron returned to such strong mythic themes and structures. Most action movies these days tend to avoid those, while retro action movies used them constantly (http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sparks/sffilm/mmswtab.html < fascinating). With Jakes travels with the Navi you are really put into another world and follow heavy mythological themes.

Overall, suspend your disbelief/modern movie making hate and love it for what it is. On the con side; the two civilizations were far too black and white, it would have been nice to see more good humans and a few evil Na'vi. Also, the subtitles font was terrible! Papyrus? Are you kidding me?

____twoism

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