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[CivCube]

But the problem is that reading such critiques doesn't explain why you enjoyed it, it explains how someone else thinks you might have enjoyed it.

That's why you decide for yourself...at least, I do. I can enjoy films based on my own impressions. I also like to develop my tastes and see what I'm missing. Reasoned arguments from people who have more experience and know-how of how film works can provide that needed context. Compared to the original Star Wars movies, I actually kinda liked Phantom Menace. I thought the following two sucked, but the first one still "felt like the originals" for whatever reason. And honestly, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what that was. Turns out it was mostly me filling the blanks; thanks to a recent video review, I now know what didn't click for me. And now I know why I enjoy the originals all the more, and why they are legitimately well made. I can actually enjoy the films more now than when I first saw them.

It's also why I enjoyed Avatar that much more, a film that I initially wrote off as "we must protect the crystals" plot tropes. Then I did some research on James Cameron and how he approaches his movie-making, followed by watching Terminator 2 to see what I thought. I liked his huckster attitude to 3D and pulpy earnestness, so I finally saw the blue furries in theatres. And I was blown away.

 

[PlutonianEmpire]

If I'm gonna watch Avatar, I'm gonna watch it in regular 2D. I hate having to put 3D glasses over my seeing glasses. And no, I will not get contacts. Too squeamish.

To be honest, I've been put off by the frequent reports that it's just another crappy inter-species love story, so whether or not I'll watch it is still up in the air. I may watch it when it comes out on DVD.

 

[Excelsi]

Just watch it, it isn't breaking the bank.

 

[Bill3000]

Critics should read what Susan Sonntag said about interpretation of art Basically, people who are obsessed with interpreting art are destroying it. It certainly applies to some of the more snobbish critics in this country.

We're talking about the same Susan Sontag that thinks that Whites are a cancer upon history, and that "Mozart, Pascal, Boolean algebra, Shakespeare, parliamentary government, baroque churches, Newton, the emancipation of women, Kant, Balanchine ballets", et al. doesn't redeem it?

 

[bathsheba666]

The 3D wasn't as in-your-face as Beowulf.

I enjoyed it.

 

[Winner]

Too bad, since in the subtitled version the text levitates in front of the picture. Sometimes it was in unusual place (like the center of the picture) when something occupied the space where it usually is.

I suspect they had trouble integrating the subtitles in the 3D version, so they just dubbed it. And the only place where I can see undubbed and unsubtitled version is in Prague

Just proves how pathetic a country we are. One day I'll have to emigrate to you guys in the north.

 

[Elta]

Saw it in 3D

3D took me a while to get used to, but it was okay after a half hour or so.


The film was great. 4 out of 5 stars.

On par with the other "epic" movies of our time (LOTR, Matrix, Original Star Wars) etc.

I recommend it, I will be seeing it again with my sisters in IMAX. (Since no one else will be able to take them ...... and I wanna see it in IMAX)

 

[sophie]

I'm seeing the movie in a half hour, on good recommendation from my sister and a few friends

 

[Camikaze]

I'm not sure about this, but there was a scene where somebody had photos on wall, and those photos looked like they would have been 3-dimensional. I'm not sure if that's really the case or even if they were meant to look like that, the scene went by so fast, and the pictures were so far it wasn't easy to say.

Yeah, I noticed this too. Neat little detail, IMO.

 

[Newbunkle]

I'm seeing it again on Tuesday, and I'll probably go a 3rd time. It might be a long time before we get screens that can display that kind of 3D at home. Might as well get the most out of it while I can.

 

[Graceheart the Leopard]

 

[Newbunkle]

I'm surprised it took this long for someone to post that.

 

[MobBoss]

I'm surprised it took this long for someone to post that.

Might be because there werent any tanks in the movie....

 

[Zenon_pt]

Three topics that caught my attention in this film by James Cameron (I didn't seen in 3D):

- The fact that action mix virtual and real characters (in the flesh) is worth the trip to the cinema. The director invites you to explore and be fascinated with this new alien world, Pandora.
- The issus of ecological is prominent as we approach the climax of the story, reinforcing the idea of union with Nature.
- Adding to the discovering of a new world in the eyes of those who first SAW Pandora, plus the awareness of respect for nature, we have the fact of an "alien" falling in love with a local native, reminds us a little Pocohontas, but with the initial role of peacemaker in our alien, and Dances with Wolves.

On the other hand I didn't see it in 3D, but makes you to want to go see it.

In any case it is good way to go to the movies.

 

[holy king]

3D is back?

WHAT IS THIS; THE EIGHTIES?

 

[fugazi]

So, is this really like Dancing With Wolves IN SPAAAAACE?

 

[Murky]

I went to see yesterday in 3D. Surprisingly, the theater was not crowded at the 11:20am showing.

This is definitely not one to miss in theaters, go see it in IMAX if you can. Even if you don't like the tree-hugger message you would probably still love the experience. I plan to see it again with someone in IMAX 3D.

Spoiler :

I'm putting the rest here in the spoiler, don't read if you don't want to know somethings.
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Review:

James Cameron's Avatar is in a word AWESOME. Most of the story takes place in a computer generated world called Pandora. The story's protagonist is Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a marine that is paralyzed from the waist down. Because his brother dies, Jake gets to become an Avatar driver. The Avatars are a genetic combination of human and Na’vi (natives of Pandora). His first time out in the wilds of Pandora Jake becomes separated after being chased over a cliff by some huge beast (you see it in the trailer) and soon meets Neytiri (Zoë Saldana) . He gets captured and taken to the chieftain, but is allowed to learn the ways of the "The People."

The Na’vi are much like the Native Americans were before North America was colonized. They have a tribal chieftain and a spiritual leader (much like a shaman). They are all tree-huggers, living in harmony with nature. They worship a deity that is represented by a Tree of Life.

The bad guys are Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) a corrupt administrator and Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) a military boss/thug. The evil corporation just wants to strip mine the place for valuable minerals, displacing the Na’vi when necessary. Opposing the corporate rape of Pandora is a group of scientists lead by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver). She also gets to drive an Avatar body, which seems more comfortable to her than her human one. Jake Sully initially is there to help in getting the natives to move but he falls for Neytiri and joins sides with the natives. Towards the end, there is a climatic battle between the Na’vi lead by Jake and the military-industrialist lead by Quaritch. After a long and hard fought battle, and with some help from their nature diety, the Na’vi start winning. Finally, there is a boss fight between Jake and Quaritch. Jake and Neytir defeat him and so they save their world from the invading aliens. The remaining civilian humans are sent packing, forced to go back to their "dying homeworld." Jake and a select group of humans get to stay behind. Jake gets to transfer his consciousness to the avatar body permanently.

All in all, it is a well-made film that raises the bar on movie making. It has a positive message about environmentalism, but also warns of what we may become if we're not careful.

You don't want is miss this one.

 

[Birdjaguar]

3D is back?

WHAT IS THIS; THE EIGHTIES?

I sure you meant to say "THE FIFTIES"

 

[Murky]

FYI,

It does take some time to adjust to the 3D. Initially, I couldn't focus and was getting double images. After a while, my eyes adjusted to it but still felt a bit strained by it. I do think the immersiveness of the movie makes it worth it in this case. There are scenes where things float across the screen and it makes the experience feel that much more real.

 

[jUmpSt0p]

^the new 3D is WAAAAY past the old 80s stuff.

after Avatar, you better get used to it, because MOST action movies will be 3D in the coming years..

most of the Marvel series of movies have said they are already shooting in 3D..