Review: James Cameron’s AVATAR
Last Friday, James Cameron released his first narrative film since Titanic. That was 12 years ago. This weekend, I spent $27 seeing Avatar in 3D twice.
To be honest, when I saw the teaser trailer, I was horrified. I couldn’t believe this is what we had waited 12 years for. But then the 2nd trailer came out and it showed more of the human element and I started to have hope. By the time Friday night rolled around, I was giddy. I so hoped Cameron was back. We’ve been disappointed by our heroes so much lately. (Indy 4, Star Wars prequels – just to name a few.)
After my first viewing, I was stunned by the visuals – I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was breath-taking. So I had to go back and see it again to focus on the story. And here’s my verdict -
WOW. I love this film. I love how creative it is even though it’s basically a futuristic retelling of Pocahontas. The world that Cameron created was spectacular. I especially loved the idea of a link between the Navi and the animals they ride. So imaginative.
My only complaint with the film (if I have to come up with one) is that the characters were pretty one dimensional. But I didn’t mind so much. In a world this amazing, having a simple story about simple characters seems to work just fine. One could say the original Star Wars was a simple story set in a cool and interesting world.
Watching the movie, I felt like I was a little kid again playing with my action figures. The simple archetypal characters were in a life-or-death situation fighting against the bad guys. The action was great. The romance was great. The bad guy was fantastic even though he was one dimensional. (Colonel Quaritch was played by Stephen Lang who also played Ike Clanton in Tombstone. This guy is a major bad ass. No other way to put it. He was perfect.)
To be honest, the overriding reason I loved this movie is because it is all Cameron. He’s an auteur in every sense of the word. He’s such a passionate filmmaker and such a visionary. This film has shades of The Abyss, Terminator, and Aliens.
Not only is the movie great but Cameron broke new ground as a filmmaker. I really believe we will look back at Avatar as we do Jurassic Park. The game has changed. Check out this article about how he made the film.
And this video. It’s mind blowing.
As for 3D, I love it but not enough to pay $14 to see a movie in 3D… unless it’s a James Cameron film. It’s not a must for me. I’d rather it not take off (unless they keep the price down) but it’s too late for that now. The theater experience will just get that much more expensive. Ugh.
Josh made a good point about why this film works versus films by some of our other heroes. Lucas lost interest in telling a mature hero’s journey story. Spielberg lost interest in telling fun adventure stories. But Avatar fits in nicely with Cameron’s other films. It’s the kind of film he would have done 15 years ago. It has all the same themes that his other films deal with. He’s the same guy making this film who made Aliens and The Abyss. Steven Spielberg isn’t the same man who made Raiders. (So sad.)
So that’s my take. It’s not a perfect movie but it is still a GREAT movie. The 3D is a must see – once. I’d have to say Avatar is the film of the year based solely on the visuals and the visionary man behind the film. (District 9 is probably 2nd on my list.)
Kudos Mr. Cameron. And thank you.
What did you think of Avatar?
I cannot understand why did this movie earning so much. Too thin on plot too loud on cosmetic.
Great comments on the film! I have not seen it, but am making sure to see it in 3d now that I read your comments-
Jean, I think the reason it made so much money is what you said – a thin plot (compared to art films) and loud cosmetic. That’s what makes money nowadays. Thankfully, it’s a better popcorn movie than most – Transformers 2 comes to mind. Ugh. That’s one that boggles my mind.
Visual effects I give it a 6 out of 5 (and I saw it in 2D), story is more of a 3.5 because of it’s one-dimensional characters and simple story. But I agree it’s a landmark film for future generations in film, especially the sci-fi. And a simple story is not always a bad thing and in this case it’s not (Pocahontas meets the Matrix).
I saw it last night at IMAX 3D, and that added a lot to it. It was indeed captivating. Although about 2/3 of the way thru I was getting kind of irritated about the Evil-militaristic-and-greedy-corporation-versus-the-peaceful-tree-people plot that I’ve probably seen in.. oh… about 20 other films. “Medicine Man” was one that came to mind.
But I have to say, out of all the Evil-militaristic-and-greedy-corporation-versus-the-peaceful-tree-people movies, this one is by far the best!!!!
But as for stories, I am really looking forward to “Avatar: The Last Airbender” to fill that other blockbuster niche of “Avatar movies that have a great plot and less impressive visuals”
BTW, I love the idea of having an avatar to do stuff with while sleeping. Seems like such a waste of time to have to sleep, and I could spend my time at work in an Avatar while sleeping. Hmmm….
Good review. I mostly agree, with the caveat that @JTimothyCrouse mentions: the “evil military/corporate” versus the “natural anti-technology” people is kind of eh… dare I say, annoying? It’s interesting given the huge advances and modern technology required to make this film that it would have what I would say is almost an anti-tech message.
I loved and was lost in the visuals of this film and wholeheartedly recommend an initial viewing in 3D. It’s a must! I also really enjoyed the rather stereotypical characters. Stephen Lang brought his A-game and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story reminded me of “Dances with Wolves” or Pocahontas – no surprises; didn’t stray from the mold. It is no doubt beautiful and had no trouble grabbing and keeping my attention, but I think the story was missing many of the elements that really draw me in emotionally. This movie definitely dazzles and entertains, but it didn’t move me the way a great story does – or maybe I’m just callous…
Hi,
Movie was nice Staggering, spellbinding, a virtual trip to another world. Cameron has created the best film of the year and maybe of the decade
Impressive visuals. Unbelieveably one-dimensional characters. Unfortunately the shallowness of this movie will get lost in the spectacle of the CGI. I think they took a stab at differentiating the movie from other “technology bad, noble savage good” movies with their offhanded comment about pagan crap and trying to lay a foundation for the Gaia network with some kind of technical explanation. However, it was utterly undone by the absurd mustache-twirling of the “evil corporation” characters. The Na’vi were inconsistently portrayed as well, which is surprising, since the whole point of the movie is to take us through the hero’s journey of assimilation into their culture.
It’s a pretty picture, but I hate movies with swiss-cheese plots.
I guess I’m showing my age, but the plot more reminded me of Frank Hebert’s “Dune.” [see Dune (novel) - Wikipedia http://bit.ly/8he66E It is Earth people mining rare-on-Earth mineral and indigenous natives are in the way. But I liked this better than Dune because of the simplified plot. Dune's plot was way too complicated for a movie [but great for a 412 page, can't-put-it-down novel]. This plot is simple and good. Donald Miller’s friend, Jordan, in “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” defines a good story as “A character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.” This movie has all those elements and it tells them well. I want to see it again.
@Patrick I’ve never read Dune, but I may have to upon your recommendation.