TOPIC: Avatar

The new blockbuster touted to change movie making.  Have any of you seen it?  What are your thoughts?  I did see it on a regular screen and want to see it in 3-D?  Basically I liked it with some reservations, but I would like to hear what others think.<br /><br />Widseth

I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D and it was beautiful. I dig 3D, so I'm probably not the person to ask if 3D was worth it. To me, it's always worth it. I do think that the movie played better on the IMAX screen than it would in a regular theatre.<br /><br />The story was predictable, but nicely laid out. My friend who went with me said it was a study in foreshadowing. But the animations were so incredible that it more than made up for anything lacking in the story line. The movie also moved along very well. There wasn't one dull moment. In fact, my 10 year old had a hard time keeping up with the story. Although the movie is over 2 hours long, it seemed like we were in the theatre only half that time.<br />

Cody and I saw it in IMAX 3D.  I thought the visuals were stunning, and the animation technology was amazing.  I think we're really going to see some great things done with it in the future.  The 3D was awesome.  I can't really imagine watching it without the 3D, though I've heard from people who have seen both that the 2D is just as good.<br /><br />The story was definitely the weak part.  It started out really well, but without getting into spoilers, I honestly thought the movie was going to end at a certain point and set up a sequel.  I think it would have made for a stronger storyline if they had, since they would have had time to flesh things out in the second half a little better.  As it was, it seemed a bit rushed to me.

I thought this was called "Dances with Thundercats"

My thought was Ferngully Remix<br /><br />I did thoroughly enjoy the experience, and can't wait to plunk more hard earned money on the bluray

WhiskeyJack and I went to see it last weekend on IMAX in 3-D ... as far as changing movie making, I could see it doing so as it started with people actors but as the story progressed, it moved more into the animated characters ... and it showed that animated characters could act too ... also the people actors moved very well with the animated characters ... so much that you could hardly tell where real film vs. animation was used ... I also thought it was nice for once to see a 3-D movie that did not have the "in-your-face-3-D" effects ... the 3-D effects used in Avatar were much more subtle for the space and flying scenes so to give you a sense of weightlessness and movement rather than the usual Disney effect where something "pops-out" of the screen up to your nose ... but now that I think of it, I think Beowulf was another good example of the use of animated 3-D effects altho I think Avatar has broader appeal ... <br /><br />As far as plot and story goes, it was good enough ... I didn't care for their attempt to make a science of the magic but it was probably necessary for broad appeal ... it was basically a Pocahontas story remake with a happy ending ... but that isn't and shouldn't be the focus of the movie ... I think the most important message this movie had to offer wasn't related at all to the plot and story but more a struggle for the film industry to keep cinemas in business ... now-a-days, movies go from theatre to home so fast that it's not that much more of a wait just to see it at home - especially with the internet where you can probably watch a pirated copy of the movie even easier ... but the IMAX 3-D effect isn't something which can be captured in a home theatre or pirated internet copy ... so that is where the real message lies ...

Possible Spoilers.<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts.  I did see it in 3D over the holiday weekend.  I'm sure IMAX would also add to the experience.  The sensory experience was definately worth the time and money.  There are some incredibly beautiful and touching images and sequences.  To me the characters were just ok--nothing special, and a couple were played way over the top for my taste.  I like more depth to evil characters than just hollywood stereotypes.  There were some interesting elements to the plot but all too predictable and over used.  I guess I am just tired of plot lines in which corporations are all bad and out to destroy everything, and military is all stupid and evil, and they just want to kill people and things.  And noble savages are in tune with all things natural and blend into a romantic idyllic society that is ideal.  I think most noble savages, historically, are more savage than noble.<br /><br />I love the "Dances with Thundercats" and Ferngully comments--agreed.  I think Avatar is worth seeing, but after rewatching the extended LOTR over the holidays, I'm reminded that plot and character depth are more important to me than a political statement disguised by admittedly beautiful and exciting visuals.  To me the sorrow at Helms Deep or Isengard or Osgiliath, touched me deeper than the "contrived" images of the destruction of Home Tree coming down like the Towers on 9/11.  Just my opinion.<br /><br />Widseth

<br />I also thought it was nice for once to see a 3-D movie that did not have the "in-your-face-3-D" effects ... the 3-D effects used in Avatar were much more subtle for the space and flying scenes so to give you a sense of weightlessness and movement rather than the usual Disney effect where something "pops-out" of the screen up to your nose ... <br />

<br /><br />I totally agree... the 3-D was subtle, at least to me... and it wasn't the focus of the movie for me.<br /><br />

<br />it was basically a Pocahontas story remake with a happy ending...<br />

<br /><br />I was thinking "Dances with Wolves" myself...<br /><br />

<br />...especially with the internet where you can probably watch a pirated copy of the movie even easier ... but the IMAX 3-D effect isn't something which can be captured in a home theatre or pirated internet copy ... so that is where the real message lies ... <br />

<br /><br />There's something to be said for getting out of the house and off the couch with your sweatheart; sitting holding hands as the movie starts... that you can't get from being huddled around the laptop either.<br />

<br />There's something to be said for getting out of the house and off the couch with your sweatheart; sitting holding hands as the movie starts... that you can't get from being huddled around the laptop either.<br />

<br /><br />I can't believe you're posting on this thread too! ... you remember what happened the last time we posted on the same thread together right? <br /><br />But yes, it can be nice getting out of the house and bed occasionally ...

Better late than never. <br /><br />I am forced to agree with the majority of the crowd here. the visuals and graphics of Avatar were breathtaking. I will always watch a movie like that just to enjoy the pretty pictures, but for goodness sakes I wish they could come up with a fresher story out there. The story was amazingly cliche and a facepalmer. Those meanie corporations doing it again to the helpless natives....please. I totally agree with the characterization depths and the comparison to LOTR. That was one of the best movies of all time IMO. The medieval style backdrop was superb, but watching the challenges overcome by the hobbits almost by force of will alone, and the process of maturation of the hobbits as the story unfolds, sets LOTR way way above anything else in the genre. Again, just my opinion.  Still, Avatar is worth it just to see the images and some of the scifi effects, like the neuron-like interconnections made by the biota, which were very cool too.

Saw the 3D version with the wife over the weekend. I have to agree with everyone else on the technology and visual effects are impressive and worth the time but the plotline could be mapped form outerspace. However, I suppose someone young who has not seen Dances with Wolves would be impressed with the plotline (its not a bad plotline just over used). Hopefully the sequels with have more plotline twists. (You know they're coming.)<br />David

I saw it with my family. We all liked it. My dad is a retired Marine, so he enjoyed the futuristic helicopters lol. My brother, who is couture on pop culture, only made one joke aloud towards then end (though he had plenty afterwards). During one of the montages towards the end, we whispered, almost simultaneously, "Riders of Rohan!..." But mostly we were impressed with the graphics, and the fact that the gravity-defying geography created was built from imagination first.<br /><br />The story may be a bit stale, but it works because it's a stereotype that has a bunch of truth behind it. It might be easier to suspend reality about futuristic worlds and personality transplants if the basic story is one that people understand. And James Cameron says that Pandora is one of...twelve?...moons around the larger planet, and that he might give a story to each. I foresee one being very West Side Story (love in a time of rivalry), another being a giant homage to mafia movies...and an entire moon full of crazy happenstances that lead to love...but with aliens to freshen things up.