I watched Avatar this weekend. I'd heard mixed reviews about. Some said that yes, the special effects were awesome, but the storyline was only so-so. Others just said the whole movie was awesome.
I'm in the latter category.
First off, the special effects and world building was breathtaking. Breathtaking! Even on my rinkydink television I was awed. But if that had been all there was to the movie, I would have been disappointed. Luckily, it wasn't.
The story played back to the Pocahontas tale. Handsome hero goes to new world to tame it, meets beautiful native and learns about her world. There's, of course, the battle for the hero between what he is used to and this new world's enticements--and which he wants/needs more. And it, surprisingly, wasn't as predictable as you would suspect. There were moments when I wasn't sure what would happen, even though I was pretty sure the movie would have a "happy" ending.
There were moments that were touching and moving. I actually cried MORE THAN ONCE during this movie. And I laughed as well. The dialogue was excellent and Sigourny Weaver was amazing as Grace. (You know it's a good movie when even the supporting actors are awesome.)
And, maybe it's the hippie in me, but I loved how the Na'vi were so attuned and even physically connected to the life around them. That was probably one of my favorite (if one of the strangest) parts of the movie.
This is a movie that I want to watch again and again. It dazzled me. Really. If you disagree, well, you can just bite me. (Yes, that's how much I loved this movie. Even my fiance said it was the best movie he'd seen in a long time... and he's picky.)
I'm hoping to watch it again sometime this week. :)
Ha! Brandi, I just watched this movie yesterday. I agree with you about the special effects-simply amazing. The story was good too, though I did find some things to be rather cliche and predictable. But overall, it was definitely something I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so funny! "You can just bite me." Ahahaha!
My favorite aspect was also how all the life on Pandora was biologically interconnected (former hippie chick here as well), and the luminescent wildlife was sweet. I did have an issue with quite a few cliche' characters and predictable story points, but, as I'd said in my review back in December, it wasn't horrible enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the piece, and Joe and I are planning on watching it again soon (we originally saw it at the theater).
ReplyDeleteI actually saw it for the first time Saturday night, and Hunter is home sick and watching it right now.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I loved it. Visually, it is a stunning treat, even without the 3-d.
I found the story more "Dances With Wolves" than "Pocahontas", and while I thought it was a good story, it was entirely predictable.
I'm a guy with hippie tendencies, and I was moved by the interconnectedness of every living thing on the planet.
I've heard that Cameron will be re-releasing the movie into theaters this summer, and I will definitely go and see it in 3-d, which I'm sure will be breath-taking.
For me, Cameron still hasn't topped his own "Terminator 2" or "The Abyss", but I really loved this one.
I just loved the whole thing. When I saw it in theatres it was amazing... I was just awestruck! But I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I enjoyed the adventure just as much on my small TV. That's when you know they've done a really good job putting it together... when even your TV screen can render it amazing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lydia. The way the world is interconnected is very cool. The rest, though...
ReplyDeleteMechs do not have knives.
They touch dreadlocks in the love scene with the same dreadlocks they used to ride the horses. Yummy.
Etc.
@ Joe Lol. Yeah, the whole "connecting" thing was a bit weird... but I liked it because it was weird. And I don't know much about military (my fiance does and he muttered at certain parts of the movie) so I didn't have that to spoil it for me.
ReplyDelete@ Star. Definitely amazing.
@ Brad. I can see the "Dances with Wolves" now that you mention it (I'm more familiar with Pocahontas). And I'll give you that the story was predictable, but I didn't really go into this movie thinking "My world shall be forever altered by this movie" so I sort of expected a predictable tale. I think I enjoyed it more for what it brought to the table that WAS original (at least, to me... but I don't read a lot of sci-fi).
@ Lydia. I think the "connection" was really the most disturbing/interesting aspect of the movie. The first time they did it, I was like "Ok, that's kind of gross... but COOL." Lol.
@ Emily I was in a bit of a mood yesterday and I was like "I don't care what you think. You must listen to ME." Lol.
I'll have to rent this at some point. The folks saw it in the theater and said it was pretty good. I tend to hold a reserved opinion when people start raving about something. The tiny bit of rebel in me, I guess. But I will watch it eventually.
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