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Avatar: A very expensive film
ownerof1000oddsocks
Veteran
Hello, anyone else fired up about this film?
Maybe it's not going to be quite as good as Aliens, which is one of the best films ever (and if you disagree you're wrong ) but still, allegedly each second took 48 hours to make... so for a one man/woman team, It would probably take a bazzillion years to make, but my maths is bad anyway, and you get the point about the visuals taking absolutely ages.
I'm not sure if I like the idea about ancient rock triumphing over modern bombs, and also the hero cops off in about 5 minutes of being on a new world, which is pretty good for a legless marine. Apparently a village of blue people is sitting on a source of valuable mineral (a bit like gold except even more useful than that!) so that's why they (space marines) have to go and blow it all up.
On a similar, but entirely unrelated note, I often wondered if there is another species of female in the universe that is even more lovely than our own earthly ones. I think, Cameron and his cronies has done a pretty good job of creating an otherworldly lovely female, and I'm sure all the furries will agree here. I'm also quite pleased with the choice of colour (blue) and the alien people also seem to have the same emotions as we do. Well done!
Well, it should be pretty good. Hopefully no-one even wants to go see this film so I can sit in the cinema on my own, put my feet up, and throw popcorn at the screen.
Maybe it's not going to be quite as good as Aliens, which is one of the best films ever (and if you disagree you're wrong ) but still, allegedly each second took 48 hours to make... so for a one man/woman team, It would probably take a bazzillion years to make, but my maths is bad anyway, and you get the point about the visuals taking absolutely ages.
I'm not sure if I like the idea about ancient rock triumphing over modern bombs, and also the hero cops off in about 5 minutes of being on a new world, which is pretty good for a legless marine. Apparently a village of blue people is sitting on a source of valuable mineral (a bit like gold except even more useful than that!) so that's why they (space marines) have to go and blow it all up.
On a similar, but entirely unrelated note, I often wondered if there is another species of female in the universe that is even more lovely than our own earthly ones. I think, Cameron and his cronies has done a pretty good job of creating an otherworldly lovely female, and I'm sure all the furries will agree here. I'm also quite pleased with the choice of colour (blue) and the alien people also seem to have the same emotions as we do. Well done!
Well, it should be pretty good. Hopefully no-one even wants to go see this film so I can sit in the cinema on my own, put my feet up, and throw popcorn at the screen.
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Comments
PS: I'd date a blue chick!!!
I don't know anything at all about the story, it's all brand new to me. But I can't wait to see it. I love sci-fi too. It should be a hell of a romp. I just have to stop thinking about how much good all that money could have done in this world....
And yes, these aliens are truly a sight to behold. Maybe it would be like the Romans vs the Celts all over again (If my history knowledge is any good).
Hay, I just worked it out. The film is nearly 3 hours long, so that works out at 53 years to make total! I wonder if I'll need some 3d glasses like in the 80's?
Well, I'm still glad it was made. I'm sure I have enough money to pay the admission AND save the world afterwards. All the better.
I'm just dying to see it and I wish I could see it at a theater because it's exactly the kind of movie you need to see on a big screen. But there's no way I can do that because I wouldn't be able to sit that long in a theater seat and the closest cinema to me is more than an hours drive. Oh well. Too bad. I'll just have to wait until it comes out on BlueRay and I'll definitely buy it. It'll be a must have for my collection.
That's not to say the film's great — Cameron's formula is tired to say the least — but it's still pretty damn good despite its unremarkable plot. Make no mistake, the movie's a visual masterpiece. Cameron takes CG filmmaking to an entirely new level with his revolutionary VFX, which are nothing short of stunning. And believe me, the 3D helps a WHOLE lot.
But sadly, the film falls flat in almost every other area. Don't get me wrong, I love a good old-fashioned action/romance once in a while, but a film as visually groundbreaking as this deserves an equally groundbreaking script. Instead, Cameron appears to have played it safe with cliche after predictable cliche, presumably to make it appealing to as wide of an audience as possible.
And while I appreciate its centre-left politics, I feel Cameron does them a bit of a disservice by disseminating them through simplistic stereotypes that almost ridicule themselves, e.g., idealized natives with, as a my friend once quipped, "a utopic level of peace and harmony with nature and each other," over-the-top American-style imperialism, a greedy corporate exec who cares more about his company's quarterly earnings than his conscience, etc.
Nevertheless, the movie as a whole has such an incredible impact that it mostly makes up for its unoriginal storyline and one-dimensional characters, as does the solid performances by Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and the rest of the cast. As many faults as this film has, they didn't stop stop me from enjoying it, and that's what I think makes it worth seeing.
As for the story, I was disappointed in the simplicity of it for the length of the film. I have not seen Pocahantas so I can't compare, but I really thought more along the lines of strong female characters. The script was not that engaging to me. I like fantasy/scifi myself, but I expect a bit more out of James Cameron. After "Aliens" and "Terminator 2", you know he can do better. I still hope it's a hit as there are good aspects to it. I would still suggest seeing it and forming your own opinion. There are movies I find brilliant that others think are garbage. Seeing it won't be a waste of time or money!
Can't wait for Legion! Also, has anyone seen 2012 and what you thought of it?
Aliens is my all time favorite sci-fi movie. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen it. I usually now wait a few years in between but at one time I watched it every 3 months I was so obsessed with it.
Right, yes, the plot is very simple, Jerbear you are spot on! Jason is correctomundo, how on Earth was it so big without that much happening.
BUT lordy, as a 3D virgin, this film was really eye popping. This is probably more one for the youngersters. Out with all you cynics!
REally, I loved the emotional parts, the action and the lovely speckly blue aliens... But, eh say goodbye to rationality, leave all the decision making on the whim of some vague supernatural entity!
Oh well it's a mindless bimbo of a film, but who will complain when it looks so good?
Loved it!
The story line was classic epic. Good vs. Evil. the tree hugging under dogs defeat the evil empire. No surprises. And that is just fine with me.
The visuals? stunning beyond compare.
I liked this review of it though...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/opinion/21douthat1.html?_r=2&em
He's right. Nature is not something to be worshiped, and the 'native' life is brutish and short very often. I don't think it's any coincidence that the word 'Na'vi' (sp?) is Hebrew for 'prophet.'
So what if the natives have respect- what you call worship- for nature? It's very evident from the outset that this alien world is brutish, hence the spears and bows, no big surprises there, so he's gone off on a big war rant for nothing, because he's totally wrong. But why take the film so seriously? Somehow a family film offends a persons ego because it doesn't engage them intellectually or worse, it insults their proud brain.
At least the author of that article gets paid for being grumpy about stuff
...If you have no eyes. The visuals are, as diva put it: stunning beyond compare. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Growing up, there were certain family members who had to mention the end of movies before you got the chance to see it. I remember watching the first 5 minutes of the Hitchcock classic "Psycho". Two family members told me the end. Since that point, I let others watch a film and make their own opinion unless I think it's really bad. Since I like quirky films, it has to be really bad before I'll suggest someone not see it.
I do plan to watch it again when it comes to DVD as there are some parts that I would like to review without going to the theater. I hate the cost of tickets and when you add concessions, I can think of better things to do with money. I hate cold stale popcorn. I accidentally got the silly idea in my head that a 20 oz bottle of pop might be $2.00 which is still high. It was $3.75 and if I didn't need something to drink mid movie for meds, I wouldn't have gotten it. I want to start a boycott of concessions in all movie theaters so the quality will improve to what it was when I was a youngster and the price reasonable.
Sorry about my tangent, but again there were some very cool moments about the movie and I'm so glad that you got to see it and make your own opinion.
I'm talking about the movie. If you don't want divergence of opinion on a topic, don't make a thread.
Because it so so obviously and flagrantly a leftist movie. I don't care much about modern movies. Almost all of them have a liberal slant with the exception of Clint Eastwood's occasional movie, but when a movie sets itself up to be very unashamedly anti-military, anti-America, etc, it peaks my interest.
That's just it. When so-called 'family films' are so biased in one political direction, it ceases to really be a family film.
I mean just imagine a similar film about a moon called Republica. And on this moon, a small indigenous population has a very limited and decentralized form of government. They arrogantly boast about the 'best healthcare in the galaxy.' But a mean-hearted alien race led by Queen Nancy and King Harry land and try to give free healthcare for all, though at the cost of higher taxes. The population of Republica rebels as soon as lunar death panels come on the scene (which cut costs by killing all the old grandparents on the moon). The rebellion (with the battle cry of 'No Taxation without Representation') defeats the Queen's superior trained army of overpaid public employees and a more representational and limited government is gloriously restored at the end of the movie, with private healthcare intact.
While certainly a potentially entertaining parody, I would never consider it a family film.
I was surprised to see it in the New York Times.
Well I'm not all that attracted to animation or CGI or whatever this is. And yes, I will actually be smoking my pipe shortly.
I love James Cameron's movies, although this smurf-like-looking epic did not really draw my attention all that much.
Whilst the story is predictable in many ways, it's execution is great. Accompanied by great visuals & a suitable soundtrack, there's not all that much to dislike.
It may be a tad superficial in some ways, but a good love story/standing for your beliefs story is always welcome in my book.
Those looking for eye-candy are in for a treat. Well worth seeing !!
I would advise you to miss it if you are sensitive about people demonising the military but see it if you like an amazing visual experience you can sink into.:D
Well actually, I can't think of a place where race relations are better than in the military. I look around the college cafeteria and tables are generally segregated by race. The blacks tend to sit with blacks and the whites generally sit with whites. Nothing racist about it, just how it is.
In the military, nobody thinks twice about the other guy's race. We just care if you're competent.
I sat through this movie for 2.5 hours and could have easily sat through it for another 2.5 hours. I thought it was fantastic. And all the easy and thinly veiled plot turns - I didn't care. I saw them coming and still enjoyed the crap out of them.
I'm going to go see it again with a buddy of mine.
It rocked.
I loved it.
Did I mention that I loved it?
Not in a sexual-way, mind you.
Although.... no, wait. That was just my popcorn bowl.
--bf
It looks OK...
I'm writing a book! But is isn't anything like Avatar LOL
Palzang
PS I do too!
But I probably won't.
Uhhhhhh...wait...Nope. The desire's back. *sigh*
I'll keep trying...(damn Hollywood and its first rate, high quality entertainment!)
It was fantastic, and the cliché ridden plot didn't spoil the movie at all.
Love & Peace
Joe
We were all children once; there are many great fantasy films that are suitable for both children and adults. Take the Lion King, as an example or Ice Age. Personally I find it bizarre that adult is synonymous with violence. There's also the implicit assumption that children won't comprehend violence, and that something is only violent if it is graphic. It's merely candy for oversized children. That's what many of us really are, oversized children.
On another note I found this comix review today; have a look everyone...
http://comixed.com/2009/12/18/comics-comic-strip-yonkoma-avatar-summary/
LOL to the link
That's a good one, socks.
Palzang
Perhaps you should stick to milder drugs, like Disney or the Care Bears...
Palzang
Palzang
Love & Peace
Joe
It was nothing compared to the HR Pufnstuf!
I saw it and loved it, faults and all... Boo we could go together... kinda be like a date!!! Hahahaha!
What's Legion? (OK, I get that it's a movie, but you know what I mean...)
Palzang
Be careful, I'm Boo's bodyguard! Anything out of line and I will start chanting loudly! Lol!
Should I ask your permission first? Kinda like a chaperon in absentia?