My Movie Blog:

• 20Dec 09

  Avatar Review

  You can see the original here

  

  AVATAR

  Directed by James Cameron

  Written by James Cameron

  Starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, and Zoe Saldana

  Rated PG-13

  161 Minutes

  
  Avatarhas been almost hyped to death. Does it match the level James Cameron talked of? Nearly. Script and nature of the story aside,Avatarcreates an essentially real world. Did I pay for a movie ticket or a trip to Pandora? By combining top notch CGI, incredible motion-capture, and engrossing 3D,Avatar's world is second to none.
  Avatar's story is an age old tale, and so, it is as predictable as eating a sandwich. However, I did enjoy the plot for it's emotional power. The same story has been in different forms for a reason. This time, Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) is an ex-Marine whose legs are paralyzed. He is offered work on Pandora (a moon in the Alpha Centauri system that holds a precious fuel called Unobtainium) in his twin's place since their genetic information is identical. At Pandora, Jake is given control of an Avatar partially grown from his brother's DNA. An Avatar is a synthetic Na'vi, the Smurf-like natives on Pandora. Jake is given a mission from Colonel Quaritch to infiltrate the Na'vi clan, which happens to live on the biggest Unobtainium deposit ever found.Avatar's plot provides a solid framework for the rest of the movie to work around despite its familiarity.

  
  The technical aspects ofAvatarare by far the strongest part of the movie. The CGI is on the very tip of complete photorealism. At times, I thought that scenes were being filmed in a jungle (duly impressive since there are so many strange looking plants). Only one thing put me off from the CGI . It was how unnaturally the Direhorses (essentially six legged horses) seemed to walk. Moving on, the Na'vi also looked incredibly realistic and detailed. Performance-capture took a role in cooking up the 10 ft. tall blue "people" of Pandora. The movement of Na'vi bodies was rendered beautifully. Facial expressions were of another level. The actors' performances were channeled more realistically than ever before in the performance-capture medium. Because of this, the Na'vi are fully convincing creations. In addition to the CGI and performance-capture, 3D enhancedAvatarin such a way that I cannot imagine seeing it without the glasses. Even in scenes lacking action, the basic 3D cinematography brought me onto Pandora like no other movie could. 3D is not always as in your face as you would think. Some footage seemed to go around me as I watched. A moment I remember seeing was leaves shooting by- from my peripherals. However incredible it is, the 3D made me feel on Pandora more than it did, say, bring out the actors emotions.Avatarwas certainly made more exhilarating by using 3D and the other technological wonders involved.

  
  Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana train to fight their archery-nemesis

  
  Not all ofAvatarwas as believable as I said before. Certain moments (and most of the introduction) were hard to take seriously. From a sex scene lacking a physical human (don't shout "spoiler!" since anyone could see that one coming) to brief gimmicky 3D, and the fact that there are blue people running around, some ofAvataris, to some degree, laughable. One small plot hole contributed to this same thing as well. I've always found myself to be a sci-fi nerd, so I couldn't believe it whenAvatarwas cheesy through my own eyes. Some of the script I found off-putting as well. There was little humor throughoutAvatar, and some lines were downright awful. I couldn't help but laugh when a Marine shouted "Get some!" while mowing down some Na'vi. The same guy says this five times. This one line is among multiple sub-par exchanges, or in this case, unnecessary blabbing. James Cameron's 15-year old script (or something similar) has aged poorly.
  
  Avataris by all means an extremely entertaining movie, and never gets long or boring. In fact, I actually wish it was a little bit longer. James Cameron still knows how to stage an action scene and execute it with both precision and, somehow, a little bit of grace. He too has the ability to create some amazing sights. The banshee flight sequence and one bigass, kickass battle remains in my mind as stellar pieces of work.Avatar's sense of wonder reminds me of seeingStar Warsas a small child.
  
  Avataris destined to become something. instant cl***ic, flop, revolutionary, cult hit, Oscar winner, or Dances With Smurfs, it will be remembered. James Cameron went bold with this one (as usual) and succeeded (as usual). The technology went and brought me to places previously unreachable, and created a world that was only lacking smells and touch. In it's entirety,Avataris popcorn cinema at it's best. Time will tell if 3D does really change filmmaking the way James Cameron said it would. As of right now, Avatar was made into one hell of an experience with 3D in its arsenal. For safety reasons, wear 3D glasses when you visit Pandora and enjoy your trip. I'm dying to go back.

  95%

  • Posted Dec 20, 2009 4:14 pm PT
  • Category: Movies
  • 4 Comments
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• 12Dec 09

  I got da new Zelda

  Spirit Trax. It's pretty good so far, but not as much charm as Phantom Hourglass. I'm not very far though.

  • Posted Dec 12, 2009 6:01 pm PT
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• 18Nov 09

  One month

  AVATAR

  • Posted Nov 18, 2009 3:22 pm PT
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