Good evening everyone, Tazzlefrass here, writing my review for Avatar, and my very first review for the Escapist (comments welcome) at 2AM after staying out late for the 3D showing of Avatar.
The lack of sleep was completely worth it. The bulk of the film's massive budget was spent in developing new camera technology for the motion capture used so very frequently in the film. The world of Pandora is gorgeous. That's putting it simply, however. As the Jarhead protagonist takes his first steps into the world of Pandora, the audience feels an instant connection because he too is exploring the unreal terrain for the first time. He stretches his hand out and touches a large, spiral flower that reacts immediately by wrapping itself up and shrinking in an instant. Soon an entire forest of these flowers react the same way, just out of instinct, to reveal a massive, tank-like creature with a hammer on its snout that travels in packs.
Something little like the plants all reacting with each other seems little at first. Part of the lore of Pandora is that each plan is connected. The humans believe that it's an electrical impulse, like the synapses of the brain. The Na'vi say that it is the spirit of the plants that link them. That tiny reaction of all the plants furling up after a few of them are poked is just one example of this.
If you get the chance, see this movie in 3D. As much as some of us love the retro cardboard glasses with the red and blue paper, Avatar puts the kids to bed and whips out a pair of sunglasses because what else would you expect from a nearly three hundred million dollar movie? Whatever they did, it worked. The 3D is seamless. Taking off the glasses, all I saw was a slight shadowy blur at the edge of some characters and objects. Putting them on doesn't make the objects jump out, it draws the audience in. Some objects are given more depth, rooms appear more circular and yes, some things jump out but with restraint. Occasionally, the protagonist makes a video log of his experiences. I found myself looking down at the little numbers and red recording dot rather than the because of how amazing the 3D was. I'm absolutely serious here, a static, red recording dot just like you would see on a normal video camera is exciting.
Everything about the natural world is beautiful. Vibrant colors designed to draw in the audience but nothing stands out garishly because nothing in nature truly does. Not since Lord of the Rings have I been floored by a live action movie's visuals.
If you haven't noticed by now, I'm gushing about the artwork of the movie. That's because the plot is, for the most part, worn down to paper-thin. South Park hits it right on the head as Dances with Smurfs. It's the ages-old of imperialist dog learning about the native population, then sympathizing with them, then leading the fight against his former kind. It's poetic, it's epic, it's horribly cliche.
The characters that make up the story are quite well written and in the case of Michelle Rodriguez's and Stephen Lang's characters, flawlessly performed.
Normally, I cannot stand live action movies that rely on CGI like they're stranded in a paddle boat on the ocean and CGI is the only drinkable water (cough Transformers cough) but Avatar makes it work. Everything is designed to draw the audience in and truly immerse themselves in the world that is Pandora.
In closing: Avatar is a must-see in 3D. This is more than a good movie, this is proof that 3D can be done right if we're willing to float a massive budget. Point is that the tech is there. Amazing performances by the majority of the actors and Sigourney Weaver proves that she still has it. Biggest drawback is the predictable, cookie-cutter story but strong characters and great immersion come close to making the story a non-factor.
Go see this in 3D if you're not planning on seeing Sherlocke Holmes. Scratch that, see this anyway.
The lack of sleep was completely worth it. The bulk of the film's massive budget was spent in developing new camera technology for the motion capture used so very frequently in the film. The world of Pandora is gorgeous. That's putting it simply, however. As the Jarhead protagonist takes his first steps into the world of Pandora, the audience feels an instant connection because he too is exploring the unreal terrain for the first time. He stretches his hand out and touches a large, spiral flower that reacts immediately by wrapping itself up and shrinking in an instant. Soon an entire forest of these flowers react the same way, just out of instinct, to reveal a massive, tank-like creature with a hammer on its snout that travels in packs.
Something little like the plants all reacting with each other seems little at first. Part of the lore of Pandora is that each plan is connected. The humans believe that it's an electrical impulse, like the synapses of the brain. The Na'vi say that it is the spirit of the plants that link them. That tiny reaction of all the plants furling up after a few of them are poked is just one example of this.
If you get the chance, see this movie in 3D. As much as some of us love the retro cardboard glasses with the red and blue paper, Avatar puts the kids to bed and whips out a pair of sunglasses because what else would you expect from a nearly three hundred million dollar movie? Whatever they did, it worked. The 3D is seamless. Taking off the glasses, all I saw was a slight shadowy blur at the edge of some characters and objects. Putting them on doesn't make the objects jump out, it draws the audience in. Some objects are given more depth, rooms appear more circular and yes, some things jump out but with restraint. Occasionally, the protagonist makes a video log of his experiences. I found myself looking down at the little numbers and red recording dot rather than the because of how amazing the 3D was. I'm absolutely serious here, a static, red recording dot just like you would see on a normal video camera is exciting.
Everything about the natural world is beautiful. Vibrant colors designed to draw in the audience but nothing stands out garishly because nothing in nature truly does. Not since Lord of the Rings have I been floored by a live action movie's visuals.
If you haven't noticed by now, I'm gushing about the artwork of the movie. That's because the plot is, for the most part, worn down to paper-thin. South Park hits it right on the head as Dances with Smurfs. It's the ages-old of imperialist dog learning about the native population, then sympathizing with them, then leading the fight against his former kind. It's poetic, it's epic, it's horribly cliche.
The characters that make up the story are quite well written and in the case of Michelle Rodriguez's and Stephen Lang's characters, flawlessly performed.
Normally, I cannot stand live action movies that rely on CGI like they're stranded in a paddle boat on the ocean and CGI is the only drinkable water (cough Transformers cough) but Avatar makes it work. Everything is designed to draw the audience in and truly immerse themselves in the world that is Pandora.
In closing: Avatar is a must-see in 3D. This is more than a good movie, this is proof that 3D can be done right if we're willing to float a massive budget. Point is that the tech is there. Amazing performances by the majority of the actors and Sigourney Weaver proves that she still has it. Biggest drawback is the predictable, cookie-cutter story but strong characters and great immersion come close to making the story a non-factor.
Go see this in 3D if you're not planning on seeing Sherlocke Holmes. Scratch that, see this anyway.
