Avatar

[thepaulo]

The best thing about the new Terminator movie is Sam Worhtington who coincidentally is in the new James Cameron movie, Avatar.
Avatar comes out at the end of the year and is Cameron's first official movie since Titanic.
I'm showing signs of getting excited.

[TooLowBrow]

why?

has any other 'make a movie with real actors in a cgi world' worked?

[WampusCrandle]

I baby sat a young cousin of mine, and they loved the show. I watched the first season with them (the show is a better baby sitter than I am). It was a really interesting show, and after coming back from living in China it kept me more interested than normally. So, i watched the entire series and thought it was fucking great: interesting mythology and characters, good action, and original story line. I will probably see the movie, though I will agree that animation doesn't translate well with real actors.

[Gerald]

why?

has any other 'make a movie with real actors in a cgi world' worked?

If anybody can pull it off it's Cameron (as long as his sabbatical didn't make him out of touch with the humanity that always balanced the technology-trailblazing spectacle of his past work).

[JerseyRich]

I'm holding out for Aquaman.

[Coach]

This is the one with the Fire Nation, Earth Nation, and Et Al? Because the show is great, just they keep replaying all the old ones on cable!!!!

[HBox]

I baby sat a young cousin of mine, and they loved the show. I watched the first season with them (the show is a better baby sitter than I am). It was a really interesting show, and after coming back from living in China it kept me more interested than normally. So, i watched the entire series and thought it was fucking great: interesting mythology and characters, good action, and original story line. I will probably see the movie, though I will agree that animation doesn't translate well with real actors.

Not that Avatar!

[thepaulo]

If anybody can pull it off it's Cameron (as long as his sabbatical didn't make him out of touch with the humanity that always balanced the technology-trailblazing spectacle of his past work).

There are moments in Titanic and The Abyss that blow me away with their emotional intensity.....and I never understand how Cameron pulls it off since he seems like such an
insensitive clod and annoying jerk.... not a perceptive artist.

[Gerald]

I'm hoping the teaser trailer for this comes out soon. I bet it will debut with Ice Age 3D since it's from the same company and will provide the opportunity for the advance footage to be seen in the format JC is trying to revolutionize.

[Furtherman]

I will probably see the movie, though I will agree that animation doesn't translate well with real actors.

Not that Avatar!

Yea, THAT Avatar is being helmed by M. Night Shamalamadingdong.

[HBox]

Yea, THAT Avatar is being helmed by M. Night Shamalamadingdong.

I'm sure that will be TERRIFIC.

[Gerald]

Cameron seems like such an
insensitive clod

He probably has to be that way to make his technically daunting productions work. Especially for Titanic, where he had to corral hundreds of extras and an army of a crew. Not exactly the type of set environment where you want to speak in a whisper and massage feelings. Ed Harris was so traumatized by working on The Abyss, where he was required to become a certified diver and spend a lot of time underwater in an astronaut suit, that to this day he still refuses to talk about his experience of making it.

[thepaulo]

He probably has to be that way to make his technically daunting productions work. Especially for Titanic, where he had to corral hundreds of extras and an army of a crew. Not exactly the type of set environment where you want to speak in a whisper and massage feelings. Ed Harris was so traumatized by working on The Abyss, where he was required to become a certified diver and spend a lot of time underwater in an astronaut suit, that to this day he still refuses to talk about his experience of making it.

The man traumantized Ed Harris, for God's sake.

[WampusCrandle]

Not that Avatar!

Yea, THAT Avatar is being helmed by M. Night Shamalamadingdong.

ooooooooooooooh .... then that movie will be awful.

[thepaulo]

A 3-D Stereoscopic Game tie-in....sounds like Cameron is really serious about this.

http://www.i4u.com/article-topic-14.html

[Gerald]

6 months til release and still no official promotional items other than these screenshots from the video game:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av5.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av1.jpg

[WampusCrandle]

the game shots look great. what system is it going to be on?

[Section 8]

Yea, THAT Avatar is being helmed by M. Night Shamalamadingdong.

I wonder what the twist will be...

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/172/5/5/What_A_Twist_by_takeru_san.jpg

[booster11373]

6 months til release and still no official promotional items other than these screenshots from the video game:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av5.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/gv9000/av1.jpg

I will bet that it Will not be released this year and pushed back to next summer, Titanic missed its original release date

[Gerald]

I will bet that it Will not be released this year and pushed back to next summer, Titanic missed its original release date

It's already been pushed back once. Its original release date was May 2009. Cameron is just being extremely coy with the marketing which might be a refreshing change of pace in this day and age of saturation where movies get crammed down your throat a year in advance.

[Gerald]

I bet the first trailer is attached to Ice Age 3.

Same studio, 3D format...makes sense.

Although I wonder if the toddler contingent of the Ice Age audience would be traumatized by imagery of indigenous creatures from the tropical planet leaping out at them.

[booster11373]

I bet the first trailer is attached to Ice Age 3.

Same studio, 3D format...makes sense.

Although I wonder if the toddler contingent of the Ice Age audience would be traumatized by imagery of indigenous creatures from the tropical planet leaping out at them.

There hasnt even been a rumor of a trailer yet, and while having the biggest grossing film of all time will buy him some leway with the studio it was also 12 years ago so the studio will be keen on getting as much info as possible out there

I also hope you are righht the less seen of this the cooler it would be to have the first time you see stuff should be when you are watching the film but I think those days are gone

[Furtherman]

Journalists See Cameron's Avatar, Lose Their Minds (http://io9.com/5302057/journalists-see-camerons-avatar-lose-their-minds)

24 minutes of James Cameron's much-anticipated 3D comeback Avatar have been screened at this year's Cinema Expo, and according to those who saw them, the movie is as good as you've been hoping, and then some.

Some reviews:

They look NOTHING like the drawing you've seen. They're living creatures with blue skin, bigger yellow eyes than humans with tails. The avatars even look like their human connectors. You will NOT believe the detail.

I]t took my breath away. I thought—just like you guys—that I've seen it all with Gollum, or The Hulk, but Cameron has done it again. These creatures seem so real, that within minutes you forget you're watching an enormous and very blue CGI character. Even the eyes are totally convincing. The characters have real personalities and a soul... The effects are in a league of their own. After some disappointing or even pointless 3-D movies, "Avatar" may be the first movie where 3-D is properly utilized.

It makes me want to create a time machine like Cartman from South Park, so that I don't have to wait till the 18th of December to watch the finished movie. If it's anything like the scenes I saw, it's going to be one of the best movies of the decade.

this technology will change moviehistory. And trust me, i'm not shitting ya. It's insane.

Footage from "Avatar" at #cinexpo was stunning, literally jawdropping. Amazing visuals unlike any before seen, with incredible detail.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/06/avatar1.jpghttp://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/06/avatar2.jpg

[Boogie in Va]

I never would have known that there was even a cartoon if it wasnt for my son talking about it. Not a big draw I guess.

[Gerald]

I want to create a fuckfuckfuck thread to express my frustration over not having a trailer yet.

What the fuckfuckfuck are you waiting for Cameron?

[TooLowBrow]

I want to create a fuckfuckfuck thread to express my frustration over not having a trailer yet.

What the fuckfuckfuck are you waiting for Cameron?

maybe it HAS to be seen with new projectors on new screens

if its so revolutionary 3d maybe the trailer wouldnt even make sense in theaters/tv/computers

maybe that would be like using screencaps of a 90's movie to show what the movie is about.

[thepaulo]

maybe it HAS to be seen with new projectors on new screens

if its so revolutionary 3d maybe the trailer wouldnt even make sense in theaters/tv/computers

maybe that would be like using screencaps of a 90's movie to show what the movie is about.

One thing is certain.
Life as we know it will never be the same.

[TheMojoPin]

Journalists See Cameron's Avatar, Lose Their Minds (http://io9.com/5302057/journalists-see-camerons-avatar-lose-their-minds)

Some reviews:

And of course the reviews are only about the FX.

I'll bet big money it ends being like the Abyss: amazing special effects, terrible movie.

[thepaulo]

And of course the reviews are only about the FX.

I'll bet big money it ends being like the Abyss: amazing special effects, terrible movie.

With one or two killer scenes.
The CPR scene from The Abyss is awesome.

[Gerald]

And of course the reviews are only about the FX.

So Cameron should've only showcased dialogue-heavy scenes and subtle character moments in his surprise preview reel? Since it's a project that's trying to push the envelope of effects technology, it's natural that the spectacle aspect was going to be the primary thing emphasized by the presenters and addressed by the presentees.

I'll bet big money it ends being like the Abyss: amazing special effects, terrible movie.

So you think a movie where the production boundaries of the time had to be stretched to the breaking point with daredevil underwater photography should be lumped next to Meet the Spartans?

[Furtherman]

I'll bet big money it ends being like the Abyss: amazing special effects, terrible movie.

Pshaw!!!!

The Abyss is a great movie. Extended version FTW!

[thepaulo]

Pshaw!!!!

The Abyss is a great movie. Extended version FTW!

I'll go along with pretty good.

[TheMojoPin]

So Cameron should've only showcased dialogue-heavy scenes and subtle character moments in his surprise preview reel? Since it's a project that's trying to push the envelope of effects technology, it's natural that the spectacle aspect was going to be the primary thing emphasized by the presenters and addressed by the presentees.

Not at all. I'm just amused by the nerdly reviews practically slobbering all over the effects that proclaim that "this movie is going to be great" as if great effects are a lock to make a great overall film.

Slow down.

The special effects might be fantastic, but as a whole the movie might be awful.

So you think a movie where the production boundaries of the time had to be stretched to the breaking point with daredevil underwater photography should be lumped next to Meet the Spartans?

I have absolutely no idea how you came up with such a conclusion. I find The Abyss to be a bad film for vastly different reasons than MtS.

[Hilge]

With one or two killer scenes.
The CPR scene from The Abyss is awesome.

The director's cut is the only way to properly judge that film. MUCH better than the theatrical version.

[Gerald]

On August 21st you can see the first 20 minutes for free at select IMAX-equipped theatres. The trailer also debuts that weekend, presumably with Inglourious Basterds. Yup.

[Gerald]

The avatarmovie.com site crashed yesterday after being flooded with traffic from people looking to secure the free tickets for A-Day. The only window of online access I had was during this downtime so I wasn't surprised to learn that I was shit out of luck upon returning home yesterday evening. I hope they decide to book another date with additional screenings out of consideration for those who got shafted.

[thepaulo]

On August 21st you can see the first 20 minutes for free at select IMAX-equipped theatres. The trailer also debuts that weekend, presumably with Inglourious Basterds. Yup.
HMMMMMMM

[fezident]

I got my tix to the preview event.

Pumped.

[thepaulo]

I got my tix to the preview event.

Pumped.
how is this done?

[fezident]

http://www.avatarmovie.com/ticketing/
I received an update that the tix would be given away on a first come/serve basis.
I went to the website yesterday at almost exactly 4pm (eastern) and filled out the online request form. It was, literally, a 5 second process. The site was crashing like Evel Knievel but... I was fortunate enough to get through.
All showings are "sold" out now.

(The tickets were free. Maximum of 2.)

[thepaulo]

sold out.

[fezident]

You're right.
I should've mentioned that.:wink:

[thepaulo]

You're right.
I should've mentioned that.:wink:
you did.

[Furtherman]

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYBRFJ9RArc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYBRFJ9RArc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

[Drunky McBetidont]

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYBRFJ9RArc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYBRFJ9RArc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

wow. that really will change movies forever.:tongue:

[Doctor Manhattan]

http://www.avatarmovie.com/ticketing/
I received an update that the tix would be given away on a first come/serve basis.
I went to the website yesterday at almost exactly 4pm (eastern) and filled out the online request form. It was, literally, a 5 second process. The site was crashing like Evel Knievel but... I was fortunate enough to get through.
All showings are "sold" out now.

(The tickets were free. Maximum of 2.)

I signed up for updates but never got one. Now I find they are sold out. Fuck!

Some are already up on eBay but they don't seem to be selling.

[thepaulo]

I signed up for updates but never got one. Now I find they are sold out. Fuck!

Some are already up on eBay but they don't seem to be selling.


this is just craziness.

[Willmore]

Fuck. I wanted to catch the preview at my local IMAX, but the showing is sold out.

Guess I'll have to wait 'til release.

[Willmore]

By the way, Free tickets? It's socialism. No wonder our country's in the crapper when previews for a film are now free!!!!!

[thepaulo]

commies

[Dell]

The best thing about the new Terminator movie is Sam Worhtington who coincidentally is in the new James Cameron movie, Avatar.
Avatar comes out at the end of the year and is Cameron's first official movie since Titanic.
I'm showing signs of getting excited.

did you like Titanic...

[thepaulo]

did you like Titanic...
Like with most Cameron films.....
there are moments of unsurpassed brilliance mixed in with lots of stuff I don't like so much.

[Furtherman]

Watch The Real Trailer For Cameron's Avatar (http://io9.com/5341649/watch-the-real-trailer-for-camerons-avatar)

here's the French version of the real teaser trailer for James Cameron's much anticipated Avatar

[TheMojoPin]

Like with most Cameron films.....
there are moments of unsurpassed brilliance mixed in with lots of stuff I don't like so much.

I by no means think Titanic is the terrible film many want to paint it as, but I'm curious as to what you saw in it that possibly qualified as "unsurpassed brilliance."

[KingGeno]

Graphics look amazing. SHould be a cool cartoon or futuristic Ferngully. ...

[hammersavage]

I by no means think Titanic is the terrible film many want to paint it as, but I'm curious as to what you saw in it that possibly qualified as "unsurpassed brilliance."

I think he was more referencing Aquaman

[TheMojoPin]

I think he was more referencing Aquaman

That's just common sense. I mean, come on...it starred the amazing Vinnie Chase.

[MobCounty]

Apparently 'highly anticipated'; The Avatar movie by James Cameron releases it's first trailer today.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/6062230/Avatar-trailer-review.html

I am up for a good sci-fi movie for sure. I am really up for a great sci-fi movie.
The trailer is full of juicy images of a garden utopia and fancy machined invaders. I really do hope it's great, and I really do hope I have to eat my hat on this.

That said, does it look like a cross between Starship Troopers, Antz, and World of Warcraft to anyone else? Dear baby jesus, make this movie better than I thought the trailer was. The mecha looks like early 90's designs right out of syd meads playbook. The Transformer and T4 designs of the last couple years make this stuff look very dated. The aliens look like Dark Elf action figures from WoW. To top it off, the action looked very similar to Luca's nerfy smooth overly animated attempts to fit everything in the screen..

I suppose, the trailer is not for me personally. It looks like it's for my nephew. It looks custom built for mattel, motion rides, and tweens. Unless the next trailer shows blue elves getting throttled by fanblades from one of those futuristic [in a derogatory sense] flying machines I'll know this is an attempt to cash in on Nemo, or Antz, and not an attempt to top BladeRunner, or Aliens.

We'll see.. If I were them, I would stop any mention of this being the 'future of movies', because when I went to check out the 'future of movies' in trailer form I left with a little more sadness in my heart.

[thepaulo]

crap....mob country started an Avatar thread.

[Furtherman]

Emerging technology!

[thepaulo]

Emerging technology!
I wish I knew about that stuff.

[Kublakhan61]

The most underwhelming trailer for the most hyped project of the decade. I'm locked into passing on this one.

[Gerald]

That trailer cured my ED.

[thepaulo]

I by no means think Titanic is the terrible film many want to paint it as, but I'm curious as to what you saw in it that possibly qualified as "unsurpassed brilliance."
That was probably hyperbole....
my favorite scene is Jack's death scene.

[TheMojoPin]

God, nerds are stupid. There's nothing in that trailer that doesn't look completely unremarkable.

[MobCounty]

Thanks for the Merge!!

bad poster is bad

[MobCounty]

God, nerds are stupid. There's nothing in that trailer that doesn't look completely unremarkable.

Yeah I agree, it looks like Star Wars envy to me.. I also looks like its about 4 years too late. I recognize a lot of the concept art, from other movies.

[Furtherman]

It's the advanced 3D technology that is supposed to make it remarkable.

Allegedly.

[MobCounty]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/plyRYrqa_4g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/plyRYrqa_4g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


..I knew I had seen Avatar elements before.

[Gerald]

God, nerds are stupid. There's nothing in that trailer that doesn't look completely unremarkable.

You're impossible to please when it comes to contemporary fx-intensive Hollywood blockbusters. I don't know why you don't just stick to shoestring budget indies that use computers only for designing the beginning and ending credits.

I take exception to being called a stupid nerd for having this high atop my anticipatory list of films to see. I hated LOTR. I thought all the fanboy franchise tentpoles from summer '09 stunk. I know the touch of a woman. I don't deserve to be splattered by the paint from the brush you're painting with so broadly here.

They created, from scratch, an entire planetary ecosystem and the indigenous lifeforms within to set the stage for a parable about the universal theme of technology clashing with nature. The project is remarkable in its conception and its ambition. Whether it's remarkable in its execution remains to be seen but I think JC warrants being the beneficiary of the doubt.

[Contra]

You're impossible to please when it comes to contemporary fx-intensive Hollywood blockbusters. I don't know why you don't just stick to shoestring budget indies that use computers only for designing the beginning and ending credits.

I take exception to being called a stupid nerd for having this high atop my anticipatory list of films to see. I hated LOTR. I thought all the fanboy franchise tentpoles from summer '09 stunk. I know the touch of a woman. I don't deserve to be splattered by the paint from the brush you're painting with so broadly here.

They created, from scratch, an entire planetary ecosystem and the indigenous lifeforms within to set the stage for a parable about the universal theme of technology clashing with nature. The project is remarkable in its conception and its ambition. Whether it's remarkable in its execution remains to be seen but I think JC warrants being the beneficiary of the doubt.

Nerds!

That's at you AND mojo

[grlNIN]

They created, from scratch, an entire planetary ecosystem and the indigenous lifeforms within to set the stage for a parable about the universal theme of technology clashing with nature. The project is remarkable in its conception and its ambition. Whether it's remarkable in its execution remains to be seen but I think JC warrants being the beneficiary of the doubt.

Fuck Yes! I have been waiting so long for Fern Gully 2!

[TheMojoPin]

You're impossible to please when it comes to contemporary fx-intensive Hollywood blockbusters. I don't know why you don't just stick to shoestring budget indies that use computers only for designing the beginning and ending credits.

I take exception to being called a stupid nerd for having this high atop my anticipatory list of films to see. I hated LOTR. I thought all the fanboy franchise tentpoles from summer '09 stunk. I know the touch of a woman. I don't deserve to be splattered by the paint from the brush you're painting with so broadly here.

They created, from scratch, an entire planetary ecosystem and the indigenous lifeforms within to set the stage for a parable about the universal theme of technology clashing with nature. The project is remarkable in its conception and its ambition. Whether it's remarkable in its execution remains to be seen but I think JC warrants being the beneficiary of the doubt.

*YAWN*

Given who made it I'm sure I'll be entertained, but all the tech porn is meaningless in that regard since the end product still basically looks like a video game cutscene.

[TripleSkeet]

I love big budget popcorn type movies, and I bet this movie BOMBS.

[TheMojoPin]

I love big budget popcorn type movies, and I bet this movie BOMBS.

Not the best bet.

It seems like with every one of Cameron's films people talk about how much they cost and how much of a risk they'll be in terms of making the money back and he always does and then some. While I'm underwhelmed by the techno-hype, I have absolutely no doubt that this movie will do huge. The guy delivers the goods in terms of films that people want to shell out for over and over again.

[thepaulo]

Nerds!

That's at you AND mojo
I hope I'm included.

[MobCounty]

I'm just amazed that they are pushing 3-d as the savior of the industry. I can remember as a kid, 3-d was going to change movies forever too.. Funny how history is repeating itself.

It just looks like Avatar is trying to be everything to everyone. Cute for kids, Romantic for women, Action for guys, techy for nerds. Hollywood/TV is still banging thier heads at how granular the consumer's taste can be nowadays. They are scared to death that there are thousands of options for the viewer now.

[fezident]

Missed the preview event tonight.
We were asked to arrive 45 mins before showtime so they could check everybody for recording devices.

Couldn't swing it.

Oh well....

[KnoxHarrington]

The pre-release buzz on this movie is getting positively toxic. Here's a comparison of stills from Avatar to stills from the animated stinkbomb "Delgo", which was one of the biggest bombs ever. An example:

http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/fddelgo2-634x678.jpg

Rest here: http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2009/08/avatar-and-delgo-sitting-in-a-tree

I gotta say, this movie is looking like a total bust to me too.

[Melk]

I gotta say, this movie is looking like a total bust to me too.
The movie doesn't really stand out to me, but I might give it a look.

I don't see how this is going to be like nothing I have seen before. I saw the Polar Express in IMAX3D, I don't think the 3D is going to be any better than that movie.

[Furtherman]

http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar1.jpg
http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar4.jpg
http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar5.jpg
http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar6.jpg
http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar8.jpg
http://img.denihilation.com/Delgotar9.jpg

...and there are others.

It's a damn fine coincidence.... if so.

[~Katja~]

I saw the trailer twice before and today watching a 3d movie they had it in 3d as well. While it makes the graphics stand out even more the trailer still does not pull me in enough to want to watch it in a theater.

[Furtherman]

Bootleg trailer of the new one that comes out next week.

<embed src="http://www.trailerspy.com/nvplayer.swf?config=http://www.trailerspy.com/nuevo/econfig.php?key=c23b20f1a10a8aa083a8" width="480" height="370" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></embed>

Looks epic, visually stunning and unfortunately, predictable.

[thepaulo]

The number one problem remains whether we can accept and believe the CGI creations.
Then we can worry how the story plays out.

[Furtherman]

The number one problem remains whether we can accept and believe the CGI creations.
Then we can worry how the story plays out.

I see it the other way. I don't have any doubt that the effects will be amazing.

But by that preview, we've seen this story before. Unless there is a crazy plot twist, but then I'd even be expecting that if it just turns out to be the typical "man has change of heart and fights for the natives" plot.

[thepaulo]

I see it the other way. I don't have any doubt that the effects will be amazing.

But by that preview, we've seen this story before. Unless there is a crazy plot twist, but then I'd even be expecting that if it just turns out to be the typical "man has change of heart and fights for the natives" plot.

The crestures look has been debated endlessly. Can we invest them with real feelings?
Spike Jonez kinda did it in Where the Wild Things Are?

[brettmojo]

Still don't get the hype.

Titanic was just a three-hour movie of a big boat heading towards an ice berg. It was like Lord Of The Rings but with ice.

[Gerald]

I've done a 180 on this film. I now admit to being in a state of complete denial a few pages back when I lashed out at TheMojoPin for doubting the probability of this film being great. I was trying to convince myself that the blue cat-people guys didn't look totally ridiculous and the obvious themes of anti-colonization weren't totally played out because I wanted so badly for Jim Cameron's return project to be a religious experience on par with the best of his filmography. The new trailer left me totally underwhelmed with its shoddy acting and dialogue and its Star Wars Prequel outtake cgi sequences. I'm sure I'll enjoy seeing the film's computer wizardry jumping out at me in 3D but I will not be expecting a revolution of storytelling that makes up for the lost time its creator spent away from narrative filmmaking.

[Furtherman]

A clear version, with foreign subtitles.

<embed src="http://www.trailerspy.com/nvplayer.swf?config=http://www.trailerspy.com/nuevo/econfig.php?key=a7ade1cc201767cf83e3" width="480" height="370" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></embed>

[IamFogHat]

A clear version, with foreign subtitles.

<embed src="http://www.trailerspy.com/nvplayer.swf?config=http://www.trailerspy.com/nuevo/econfig.php?key=a7ade1cc201767cf83e3" width="480" height="370" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></embed>

Looks fuckin terrible.

[TheMojoPin]

This movie has continued to look more and more like Ferngully: This Time It's 4 REALZ and now the horrible, horrible love song from the movie has shown up:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XMK3dxSrDos&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XMK3dxSrDos&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

What about this movie doesn't suck?

[brettmojo]

What about this movie doesn't suck?
...

[TheMojoPin]

Well?

[fezident]

Holy shhhit that was a long-ass movie.

If it was an hour shorter, it would've been more "mind blowing". There are long, extended scenes of flying through the air and walking through the jungle that are OBVIOUSLY included in this movie just to put the technology on display.

It was good. It was ambitious. But god DAMN it was long. There was zero momentum.


I give it a 7.

[Judge Smails]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Judge Smails]

Wait . . . what? Oh, I just woke up. Seriously, the most expensive movie ever made? What did they do with the money - burn it in James Cameron's fireplace on chilly nights? 98% of the screentime was ALL cgi. If thats the case then Pixar must have cash on hand equal to the GNP of a small country.

[fezident]

Judge... wouldn't you agree that the scenes that take place in "reality" are great? They are well done, and the plotlines that take place there are waaay more interesting than the scenes that take place in the Matrix (as it were).

[Judge Smails]

Judge... wouldn't you agree that the scenes that take place in "reality" are great? They are well done, and the plotlines that take place there are waaay more interesting than the scenes that take place in the Matrix (as it were).

Even what we don't at first glance think is cgi is heavily cgi'd. Like the hangar deck. Other than maybe the plane they got into, the other hundreds of planes were cgi. My point is the sets they had to build were very minimal as opposed to say the early Star Wars films. How they spent all this money in even adjusted dollars is beyond me.

As for the story - it was OK. I'd say its on a par with the original Star Wars but I stopped being impressed with that when I grew up and discovered girls. All this is is Dances With Wolves with aliens.

Is it a good movie - OK. Is it worth the hype and will it change movies forever - I don't see how.

It was impressive but not to the point that I was knocked out of my seat with awe like the first time I saw Jurassic Park.

Oh and the 3D adds absolutely nothing to the experience except making a couple of the people I was with sick.

[fezident]

I hate any and all CGI.
I don't think I've ever seen a movie and been impressed by the special FX. In fact... I always hate the effects, and it's usually a dealbreaker for me. I've never seen a CGI effect that didn't distract me.

What I liked about the military scenes and lab scenes in Avatar was; they didn't try to make it look "real". Cameron just kinda made it look "cool".
Minority Report was similar in that way.
All those scenes of Anderton (Cruise) looking at, and manipulating, the images that the PreCogs were sending him were very stylized and interesting to watch. Very futuristic.

Avatar had lots of computers, maps, screens, holograms, and whatnot that were very VISUALLY interesting. Perhaps even more interesting than the actual movie.


The fatal flaw in Avatar is the pace. It just never really gains any steam. Everything is long... drawn out.... over explained.... overly photographed....etc. LOTR was guilty of this too. Every 20 mins, there's a "tree of life" or whatever. It's fun to get immersed in a new world but, ya gotta find the balance between introducing me to this new environment and just f'ing moving the story along.

I'm really glad I saw this movie but, I can also say that I was kinda glad when the end credits finally popped up.

[Judge Smails]

SPOILER ALERT - DONT'T READ
I'm on my Blackberry and I can't do the Spoiler text thingy.




I just remembered one more thing that I came out with that bothered me. For all their years of planning the film and hundreds of millions of dollars they came down to the major plot point turning on the single biggest science fiction cliche - the technological thing-a-ma-jig that's explained away with some mumbo-jumbo science talk.
The whole final battle turns on the fact that it takes place on the one place on the whole planet where the human's instruments and missile guidance systems won't work due to the "Flux" that exists there - whatever that is.

[fezident]

I will say a few more unlikeable things about this movie, and then I'll back off until some other buddays have seen it.

SPOILERISMS:



The planet Pandora is supposedly a fucking hell-hole for soldiers. "Many of you won't survive here. Many of you will come back dead." Even the most seasoned, battle tested, war heroes get injured or killed on their FIRST DAY on Pandora.
We never see that.
Never. Not once. We see NOTHING to make us feel like Pandora is a warzone. In fact, it's beautiful! Even the big "dinosaurs" are harmless. There's glow in the dark flowers, and lightning bugs, and delicious fruit that you can eat off the vine. So.... WTF?


I don't know who decided "the american public really likes to see soldiers climb into 12ft mechanized battle suits" but, I've just about it had it with ultra clunky, heavy stepping, battle armor with guns where it's hands should be. Yeah... I'm looking at YOU, District 9! And Terminator Salvation. And Halo. And Avatar. And......

I feel like the "Unobtanium" plot line was kinda glossed over. I never really felt connected to that part of the story. It was kinda like the midicholorian plotline in TPM. Just... ya know.... fuck it.

[TripleSkeet]

I don't know who decided "the american public really likes to see soldiers climb into 12ft mechanized battle suits" but, I've just about it had it with ultra clunky, heavy stepping, battle armor with guns where it's hands should be. Yeah... I'm looking at YOU, District 9! And Terminator Salvation. And Halo. And Avatar. And.......

I blame Matrix Revolutions for that. But I give District 9 a pass because it wasnt too over the top with it.

[Judge Smails]

They're all ripping off Aliens and Sigourney Weaver in the mechanized load lifter fighting the momma alien at the end.

[Willmore]

Saw it in IMAX on Friday.

My thoughts.


It was good. It wasn't brilliant, it didn't change my understanding of cinema as I know it, it was not the earth-shattering event that has been hyped for the last year.

However, it was, in my opinion, the height of movie-making. I divide the world of cinema into films and movies. Movies are things like Transformers, Harry Potter, Twilight, 99% of comedies etc. etc. The Films are mostly art-house stuff. The definition is this: Films attempt to advance our understanding of the human condition (Fellini, Bergman etc.). There's good and bad of both. Transformers is a horrible movie. Avatar is one of the best movies.

That said, I really don't see why this had to be a 3D movie. I really don't see how Cameron spent 250 mil on this movie when Lucas spent 100 mil on Episode 3 with older more expensive technology. It was the same thing with Titanic. The guy ends up with a good product, but he's like a coke-fiend with technology, he just doesn't know how to stay on budget.

In the end - a good way to spend a Friday evening.

[fezident]

I saw it a 2nd time tonight (different circle o' friends wanted to go) and I really enjoyed it. It was much more fun.
I think... the first time you see it... you're too busy LOOKING at the movie. The 2nd time you see it, you are WATCHING the movie.

I noticed many many little things -most of which were important to the plot/themes- upon a 2nd viewing.


The groundbreaking thing about this movie how fluidly the "camera" moves through the digital environments. It's done amazingly well. So well, in fact, that people aren't being skullfucked by it. They are just ACCEPTING it.
Perhaps a good analogy would be Lt. Dan's legs. Those FX were so believable that 100% of the audience WASN'T amazed by it. We all just assumed that Zemickis hired an actor that didn't have legs.
In Avatar... there are soooo many scenes that take place completely and totally in the digital realm but... the camera moves through it seamlessly. Almost documentary-style.

I'm sure the dvd will have a commentary track and featurettes that totally deconstruct this process.

[KEITHJAY]

I watched a bit of it online, lots of middle east and USA great Satan comparisons . I guess James Cameron hates the war and republicans:unsure:

[CountryBob]

I enjoyed the 3-D experience. This movie was right up my alley and I wanted to screw the blue chick - she turned me on in a 10 foot tall, blue tail and lynx ears kind of way.

[Melk]

I just saw it in Japan with Japanese subtitles. In the US version, do they subtitle the Pandora native's language? I am just curious. In Japan, they sometimes sub things the viewer wasn't intended to understand

[PapaBear]

I noticed that a theater here has both the 3-D version AND the 2-D version. Why would you choose 2-D? Unless maybe you just can't handle three dimensions...

[KnoxHarrington]

I noticed that a theater here has both the 3-D version AND the 2-D version. Why would you choose 2-D? Unless maybe you just can't handle three dimensions...

Only reason I can think of is if you have problems with depth perception, and thus the 3-D version would just be distracting.

[Melk]

I noticed that a theater here has both the 3-D version AND the 2-D version. Why would you choose 2-D? Unless maybe you just can't handle three dimensions...
It is 200 yen more expensive to see the 3D version here. They had it on 4 screens. subbed and dubbed and in both 2D and 3D.

[PapaBear]

It is 200 yen more expensive to see the 3D version here. They had it on 4 screens. subbed and dubbed and in both 2D and 3D.
But I don't have any yen! Guess I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

[Melk]

But I don't have any yen! Guess I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD.
Is there a price difference for 3D in the states?

[PapaBear]

Is there a price difference for 3D in the states?
I have no idea. That's why I asked why they'd have both. You might be right about the price difference.

[fezident]

It cost 16.50 to see it in Manhattan ... west village/chelsea area.... for the 3D experience.
It's normally 12.50.

[foodcourtdruide]

I'm debating the 3D cause I wear glasses

[CountryBob]

Is there a price difference for 3D in the states?

Here in Tennessee I think they are charging for the glasses

[thepaulo]

But I don't have any yen! Guess I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

Is it really so important that you eat?

[realmenhatelife]

I'm debating the 3D cause I wear glasses

As long as your glasses arent gigantic you should be ok, although it pinches a little to have two things on your nose when you're used to one.


I have no complaints about the story, the world of the movie was fully realized. It wasn't shown to us but I'll bet there is all kinds of source material on Pandora and the Navi. I also think its cool that this reality could very believably be the same reality as the Alien movies.


The CG is perfect, totally seamless, and the 3-D was really well integrated into the movie.

[fezident]

The blue aliens themselves (the navi and the avatars) still look like shit. Very "floaty" and fake.
The real magic is in the scenery and the backdrops. They really nailed it there. Easily the best CGI ever done.

[Furtherman]

Wait . . . what? Oh, I just woke up. Seriously, the most expensive movie ever made? What did they do with the money - burn it in James Cameron's fireplace on chilly nights? 98% of the screentime was ALL cgi. If thats the case then Pixar must have cash on hand equal to the GNP of a small country.

60% was CGI - with much of it motion capture - big difference between the two.

I watched a bit of it online, lots of middle east and USA great Satan comparisons . I guess James Cameron hates the war and republicans:unsure:

No.



It was a great movie - visually incredible, even with a predictable story and a couple obvious plot holes (the whole movie it was made a big deal how humans can't survive the atmosphere, yet at the end, when the company is leaving - NO MASKS!?)

But it was fun... the planet was just amazing in detail and the 3D really sucked you in. The Na'vi seemed real enough to care for their story. Definitely worth the extra bucks to see in 3D.

[Sinestro]

Saw it yesterday in IMAX 3-D. Surprised with how many people showed up for the movie being Christmas Eve and all.

[hammersavage]

I thought it was ok to pretty good. I mean, its a visual experience, but the story was good enough to support that.

It took about an hour for my eyes to focus properly. it was really annoying. difficult when you wear glasses and have to put the 3D on over them. NERD ALERT!!!

[aceofspades7]

just saw it - very good - my chick said it was too long

[fezident]

just saw it - very good - my chick said it was too long
Interesting story. Compelling, and rich.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bHSVCs9rX0A/Sm68LXC8xeI/AAAAAAAAHAs/9B3qfqXfZ0I/s400/anchorman5.jpg

[realmenhatelife]

So was this an allegory for Iraq/Afghanistan or the Native Americans, what say you?


I personally took it to be about Native Americans, and feel pretty strongly as such, but I know some people on the right are criticizing the movie as Anti American. Anyone feel particularly strongly that this is about current American wars?

[Furtherman]

So was this an allegory for Iraq/Afghanistan or the Native Americans, what say you?


I personally took it to be about Native Americans, and feel pretty strongly as such, but I know some people on the right are criticizing the movie as Anti American. Anyone feel particularly strongly that this is about current American wars?

I heard that same crap about Dances With Wolves, which has basically the same plot. It's just a plot device to create a story around. It's a scifi movie, not a statement for our times.

[hammersavage]

http://web.me.com/pascalboogaert/Site/foto3_files/original.jpg

[GregPointer]

Mine is a picture of me.

My wife took it.

[Suspect Chin]

The whole final battle turns on the fact that it takes place on the one place on the whole planet where the human's instruments and missile guidance systems won't work due to the "Flux" that exists there - whatever that is.

Yeah I thought that was stupid too. Why complicate things with the flux thing? Just don't mention the lack of missile guidance systems and the average viewer would never know any better.



The planet Pandora is supposedly a fucking hell-hole for soldiers. "Many of you won't survive here. Many of you will come back dead." Even the most seasoned, battle tested, war heroes get injured or killed on their FIRST DAY on Pandora.
We never see that.
Never. Not once. We see NOTHING to make us feel like Pandora is a warzone. In fact, it's beautiful! Even the big "dinosaurs" are harmless. There's glow in the dark flowers, and lightning bugs, and delicious fruit that you can eat off the vine. So.... WTF?

What about when Jake and Grace get attacked by the rapid dog creatures the first time he goes down? The night he spends alone in the woods (before he whatever her name is saves him) was pretty treacherous as well.

I feel like the "Unobtanium" plot line was kinda glossed over. I never really felt connected to that part of the story. It was kinda like the midicholorian plotline in TPM. Just... ya know.... fuck it.

The Unobtanium was the whole reason the hard core army guy and the 30 year boss were so crazy about wiping out the Navi. It was the driving force behind the entire attack on the big tree and the end battle scene.

(the whole movie it was made a big deal how humans can't survive the atmosphere, yet at the end, when the company is leaving - NO MASKS!?)

They had masks on in that scene, they were just barely noticeable--I thought the same thing at first.

I thought it was an enjoyable, but far too long, movie. I wonder how it will look on DVD/BluRay and if those sales will amount to much if it has to be in 2D on disc.

One last thing I thought was absurd was how they had to 'dock' with all the animals and trees to share each others' energy.

[Suspect Chin]

Oh and I thought for sure the actor who played Jake was truly paralyzed by how skinny and atrophied his legs looked in the scene where he had shorts on and lifted himself into the coffin thing.

[Misteriosa]

wow... :wacko:

Audiences experience 'Avatar' blues (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html)

[Suspect Chin]

wow... :wacko:

Audiences experience 'Avatar' blues (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html)

People find new ways to be crazy every day.

[Furtherman]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/t1larg.avatar.blues.gi.jpg

Look at that asshole eating the pizza in that article. He needs to die.

[KnoxHarrington]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/t1larg.avatar.blues.gi.jpg

Look at that asshole eating the pizza in that article. He needs to die.

That's the very definition of brass balls. Most of us are sneaking Snickers bars and cans of Pepsi in under our coats like we're some drug mule. This bastard just waltzed right in with a pizza box.

And check out the camera in the shot. That's probably his damn camera too.

[fezident]

Avatar: The Making Of A Bootleg.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/thsc60UTUIE&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/thsc60UTUIE&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Furtherman]

AVATAR Sex Scene - NSFW (http://www.collider.com/2010/01/20/animated-avatar-sex-scene-nsfw/)

[opie's twisted balls]

AVATAR Sex Scene - NSFW (http://www.collider.com/2010/01/20/animated-avatar-sex-scene-nsfw/)

LOL, "soup drinker" :lol:

[Furtherman]

Phantom Menace Reviewer Takes on Avatar (http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/01/31/phantom-menace-reviewer-takes-on-avatar/)


In December, we made a post about a guy named Mike from Milwaukee, WI, who created a 70-minute video review of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The 7-part dissection tore apart George Lucas’ first installment of the prequel trilogy, and was linked by almost every website known to man. In fact, the video now has over 1.25 million views on YouTube alone. Even geek celebs like Damon Lindelof commented on the review. If you are one of the few who hasn’t seen it - click here now!

Well, Mike is back, this time with a less elaborate 18-minute video review of James Cameron’s Avatar.

Part 1 focuses on the story, the forced cultural message, comparisons to Cameron’s Titanic, the problem with the two-dimension villains, the unexplored problems of savage races without technology, how Cameron tricked audiences into falling in love with an alien race.


Edit: gods damned that guy is spot-on once again.

[hanso]

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/765/sbav1.png

[grlNIN]

My 73 year old professor has seen this and i still have not.

What a world.

[drusilla]

I haven't seen it either.

[weekapaugjz]

My 73 year old professor has seen this and i still have not.

What a world.

I haven't seen it either.

i wish i could say the same.

[biggestmexi]

Horse Shit!

[robot artist]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/t1larg.avatar.blues.gi.jpg

Look at that asshole eating the pizza in that article. He needs to die.

That's Kevin Smith.

And immediately after this picture was taken he was forced to leave the theater and his seat was given to two skinny people.

[K.C.]

Finally saw this.

The 3D is great, but I feel that now that I've seen it, I don't need to run out and see every shitty 3D action movie that comes down the pipeline, so in that respect, Hollywood got me one time to see the new presentation...they probably won't get me again unless it's a decent story.

I thought the story was weak, and I was especially annoyed by the ending. It would have been better if his Avatar died and he was stuck as a human living amongst and leading the natives. They're obviously going to make a sequel, and it would have been a good sub-plot for it...dealing with the fact that he's different, or maybe trying to find a way to create him another Avatar.

And "unobtainium" is the worst name ever.

[thepaulo]

http://www.ugo.com/movies/cameron-on-avatar-re-issue-titanic-in-3d

Avatar is going to be revamped and reissued in the fall...looking for another $200,000,000
also looking at Titanic in 3-D

[brettmojo]

http://www.ugo.com/movies/cameron-on-avatar-re-issue-titanic-in-3d

Avatar is going to be revamped and reissued in the fall...looking for another $200,000,000
also looking at Titanic in 3-D
Are Kate Winslet's tits gonna' be in 3-D?

[thepaulo]

Are Kate Winslet's tits gonna' be in 3-D?

Surely Cameron would never go that far?

[Jughead]

Im thinking about going to the movies tonight..I'm way behind the next post are my choices...How do you people find the time??? I would fit in a little bit better here if I would watched more movies....But the wrestling thing will never happen:tongue:


Edit: I will never fit in But I love you:wub:

[KnoxHarrington]

http://www.ugo.com/movies/cameron-on-avatar-re-issue-titanic-in-3d

Avatar is going to be revamped and reissued in the fall...looking for another $200,000,000
also looking at Titanic in 3-D

And the revamp of Avatar will be around the time the DVD comes out, I'm guessing, so I'm betting people see the movie again on TV, and decide they'd like to see it in 3D on a huge-ass Imax screen again.

James Cameron might have the most brilliant business mind ever for a director.

[Jughead]

Showtimes from Friday March 12 to Thursday March 18
Alice in Wonderland (PG)
Fri - Sat: 12:00 2:25 4:50 7:30 9:50
Sun: 12:00 2:25 4:50 7:30
Mon - Thu: 4:50 7:30
Cop Out (R)
Fri - Sat: 12:05 2:25 4:55 7:20 9:45
Sun: 12:05 2:25 4:55 7:20
Mon - Thu: 4:55 7:20
Green Zone (R)
Fri - Sat: 12:10 2:35 4:55 7:25 9:55
Sun: 12:10 2:35 4:55 7:25
Mon - Thu: 4:55 7:25
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (PG)
Fri - Sat: 12:00 2:30 5:00 7:35 10:00
Sun: 12:00 2:30 5:00 7:35
Mon - Thu: 5:00 7:35
She's Out of My League (R)
Fri - Sat: 12:15 2:35 4:55 7:30 9:50
Sun: 12:15 2:35 4:55 7:30
Mon - Thu: 4:55 7:30
Shutter Island (R)
Fri - Sat: 12:45 4:25 7:10 9:55
Sun: 12:45 4:25 7:10
Mon - Thu: 4:25 7:10
The Crazies (R)
Fri - Sat: 12:10 2:25 4:50 7:30 9:45
Sun: 12:10 2:25 4:50 7:30
Mon - Thu: 4:50 7:30
Map data ©2010 Google - Terms of Use
Map
Satellite
Hybrid

[thepaulo]

And the revamp of Avatar will be around the time the DVD comes out, I'm guessing, so I'm betting people see the movie again on TV, and decide they'd like to see it in 3D on a huge-ass Imax screen again.

James Cameron might have the most brilliant business mind ever for a director.

The proof is in the pudding.

[EliSnow]

I saw Avatar last weekend, and I think I had the same reaction/impression everyone else did. Visually stunning and unbelievable, but in terms of story, really, really weak.

One thing that really bothered me (that probably bothered others) was that, at the beginning of the movie, the movie (through the military commander) were saying how incredibly rough and dangerous Pandora and the Nav'ii were, to the point of saying that hell would be a vacation spot after spending time on the planet.

Yet, when they go to attack the Hometree, they easily do it, and the commander is able to enjoy a nice hot beverage while doing so.

And in fact, the only way the company army was defeated was through circumstances that rarely happen on the planet.

Obviously, there were other problems, but that was just unbelievable.

[StanUpshaw]

Finally saw it. Derivative plot, yada yada...I was expecting that.

I was not expecting to be disappointed by the visuals. The 3D itself was cool, and I'd be happy to watch a live-action 3D movie in the future, especially if the glasses situation changes. I hate wearing glasses anyway, and I really disliked what they did do the bright, brilliant picture. But that's not my major beef.

The real problem with this movie (and with so many movies in the last 15 years), is that the blending of Real and CGI still just makes for a non-immersive (and at times ridiculous) viewing experience. I don't know how I'm supposed to become engrossed in a movie -suspend my disbelief- when I'm constantly reminded, "THE PROTAGONIST IS JUST ONES AND ZEROES!!!"

Had it been entirely animated, or entirely real*, I would have been able to buy in. But as far as I'm concerned, this thing was Roger Rabbit 2. I can't regard Avatar as serious filmmaking. This is a trend that needs to reverse.



*Either real, or using special effects that are indistinguishable from reality

[RingWraith]

I finally saw Avatar on bluray. And just like most people have said, the visuals are really stunning. I could imagine how it must've looked on 3D IMAX. And as far as the plot goes, it's pretty much a storyline have seen it before in other movies. (Dances with Wolves; The Last Samurai to name a few).

Overall, I was entertained, mostly by the visuals, but the plot was pretty much "meh".

And by the lack of "special features" in the bluray, it's obvious their holding out for some special edition crap. sigh!

[zentraed]

I finally saw Avatar on bluray. And just like most people have said, the visuals are really stunning. I could imagine how it must've looked on 3D IMAX. And as far as the plot goes, it's pretty much a storyline have seen it before in other movies. (Dances with Wolves; The Last Samurai to name a few).

Overall, I was entertained, mostly by the visuals, but the plot was pretty much "meh".

And by the lack of "special features" in the bluray, it's obvious their holding out for some special edition crap. sigh!

In 2-D, it feels like there's a lot of clutter on the screen (take a screencap of the end when they're marching the humans off of Pandora for a good example). In 3D, it's just easier to follow.

The biggest difference though is that the colors are much more vibrant. The 3D glasses reduce brightness by quite a bit, so it's still worth watching even if you have seen it in 3D.

[Furtherman]

Anyone seeing it this weekend?

Even though I thought the movie was just OK, I find myself drawn to see it again because of that amazing 3D.

[sailor]

Maybe I'll check it out this time around.

[Dan G]

I saw it this morning for the first time. I wasn't really interested in seeing it when it was originally released. I only saw it based on the hype about the 3D.

Supposedly this special edition has 9 minutes of added footage, but since I never saw the original, I have no idea what was added.

[Chigworthy]

Finally watched this pile today. What a letdown. I doubt I will say anything that hasn't been said before, but how does taking the script for Dances With Wolves, mixing in a good bit of the Disney Formula for Anthropomorphic Pap©, and pasting expensive CGI over parts of it become this huge of a success?

Upshaw's point about the gradient between the CGI world and the live action world is spot on. How are you supposed to be immersed when there are cartoons walking around in a real world, and real actors walking around in a cartoon world, and it is all supposed to be the same world?

As far as the writing, Cameron really displayed passive condescending racism here, as well as the standard screenwriting recycle program. Obviously the blue cat people are Native Americans, and the predominantly white invaders are the European invaders. So here he uses the standard ploy of superficially appearing to be on the side of the exploited minority, comically portraying the Colonel as a George W. clone (they actually called their attack "Shock & Awe"?!) and showing the evil ways of the technologically-advanced culture. The evil invaders callously slaughter the native culture for profit, and the natives are shown to be spiritually-advanced beings living in tune with nature. But who saves the day? That's right, the white guy swoops in, with some limited help from brown humans, unifies all of the blue cat tribes, and leads them to victory over the oppressors. Because at the end of the day, the natives couldn't tie their own shoe without the idealistic white hero to straighten things out.

I guess if we keep rewarding this kind of film making, we can't really expect anything new.

[IamFogHat]

I doubt I will say anything that hasn't been said before,

You didn't, and yet it's one of those instances where I think it doesn't matter because who couldn't come away from something like this not thinking the same thing most people did?

[hanso]

Good flick. I don't watch movies much. This one is long. Get's a thumbs up from me though.

[TheGameHHH]

wow, that movie blew