I saw the movie in France, and I thought I'd make a thread about what we like and don't like about this movie. Why? Because this film has been hyped as the pretty much the cinematical equivalent of the second coming of Christ, and I don't think it deserves that much praise. So, here we go.
First off, the good bits. THe visuals and atmosphere are absolutely awesome. Without a doubt, this is the most beautiful film I've ever seen, and the whole atmosphere of Pandora was very immersive.
The characters are all (in my opinion) very standard, but at least they're portrayed well and they do come across as genuine people for the most part.
Now for some moderate criticism: Many sound effects and shots were ripped off from other movies. Sound-wise I'm talking about the 'horses', who sound like the raptor call from Jurassic Park, and I believe the wolf-like creature(or the rhino, I really don't remember) sounded exactly like the T-rex from Jurassic Park. Cinematograhpically, I found that the 'descending near the waterfall' and 'watching the birds from the aircraft' were also ripped off from Jurassic Park, namely the scenes where they arrive on the island, and later when they see the pelicans after escaping. The rallying of troops reminded me of the troops mustering for the battle of Minas Tirith in Lord of the Rings more than anything, and the Colonel's speech was very reminiscent of Saruman's speech to the Uruks. Throughout the film there mwere more such moments, but these were the most prevalent.
I have to admit, however, that all these scenes definitely fit in with the movie and didn't come across as hamfisted or awkward in the least, and as such I label it under 'better to rip something off well than come up with something crappy on your own'.
On to some physics/biology. Physics-wise, it was said that Pandora has a lower gravity than Earth, which explains the length of the Na'vi. However, nowhere in the movie is it apparent that gravity doesn't work the same way as it does on Earth, because all the falling speeds etc are Earth-normal.
As for Biology, why do all the creatures have those nerve connectors? I see the spiritual puprose in them, and as plot elements they do their job, but what is the biological function of these appendages? For the Na'vi, it's clear, but for the animals? Would a predator, an animal, know to connect to its prey? Would it want to, if it intends to kill and eat? Would it connect to a tree to share memories? I understand that many scientists were involved with the film, striving to make the world accurate, but this seems a very illogical evolution for any ecosystem. If anyone can explain this, though, I'll strike it from my list, since I'm obviously no Biology professor.
Now for IMO the weakest point of this movie: the plot. It's just too standard for such a highly-touted film. Guy is sent to infiltrate, falls in love, switches allegiances, evil men attack, tribe feels betrayed by guy, guy escapes and helps them ward off evil men, final confrontation, end. I know the purpose is more spiritual and environmental and all, but face it, some scenes are as subtle as a sledgehammer. I found it to be a bit too moralizing at times.
I don't mean to say that it's boring or bad, just standard and not at all subtle. But hey, that's just my opinion.
In conclusion, I think Avatar is a decent movie, but by no means the best film of all time.
What are your opinions?
All in all I thought it was a great movie. I saw it opening weekend and found it to be worth the hype and has so far been the only movie I've seen that had good 3-D. Only thing I don't like: the fact that throughout the opening, you never see the title, in a sense, you spent 2 and a half hours watching the movie just to find out the title.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Word. "Avatar" is grossly overrated. For me, the "gee-whiz" factor with the special effects ran its course by the end of the first fifteen minutes.
The plot itself is predictable and the dialogue just as contrite. If anyone feels "enlightened" after seeing this movie they have either: a) never seen or even heard of Disney's "Pocahantas" or b) have zilch imagination.
Wow dood. First off, I think we got the message the first three times. Secondly: I have seen Pocahantas and do have imagination. Then again, I wasn't anymore enlightened by this movie then when I first went in to see it. Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with it. The plot was good, the animals well done, the foliage, beautiful, the mechs, awesome, the characters well developed and the ending was perfect. The effects were outstanding and it was well worth the extra buck to see in 3-D. I can't understand what could be so bad about it, but then again, everyone's entitled to differing opinions.
Yeah, went to see the movie. And by that, I mean I watched the first twenty minutes and then zoned out for the rest of it.
Plot - Ripped off from Pocahontas. As Russell Howard aptly put: 'Blue men live happily. Humans come and make big boom. Blue men don't like big boom. Human stops big boom. Blue man love human' I mean it was bad enough having to sit through Pocahontas about a dozen times with my little sis, I don't need to be reminded of it. Bad.
Characters- What I actually watched of them, boring. Bad.
3-D - The glasses give me a bad headache, so did not like. Not the movie's fault.
Visual - If you're into scenery porn, then you'll likey. But I'm not. Didn't care much. Apathetic.
Overall, disappointing would be an understatement. Richard Alvares over on YT puts it into context much better than I could.
Didn't help that the creatures had basically the same name as potentially the most annoying creature in the whole Zelda franchise. Which is also 'this' close to being a rip off.
Yeah, went to see the movie. And by that, I mean I watched the first twenty minutes and then zoned out for the rest of it.
Plot - Ripped off from Pocahontas. As Russell Howard aptly put: 'Blue men live happily. Humans come and make big boom. Blue men don't like big boom. Human stops big boom. Blue man love human' I mean it was bad enough having to sit through Pocahontas about a dozen times with my little sis, I don't need to be reminded of it. Bad.
Characters- What I actually watched of them, boring. Bad.
3-D - The glasses give me a bad headache, so did not like. Not the movie's fault.
Visual - If you're into scenery porn, then you'll likey. But I'm not. Didn't care much. Apathetic.
Overall, disappointing would be an understatement. Richard Alvares over on YT puts it into context much better than I could.
Didn't help that the creatures had basically the same name as potentially the most annoying creature in the whole Zelda franchise. Which is also 'this' close to being a rip off.
Double post was accidental
Double post was accidental
It was a good movie, amazing effects and I like the way they made the spiritual side seem plausible. The battles were done really well really drawing me into them.
However, the plot was predictable, and they pushed the themes way too hard. Overall, the good outweighs the bad though, and while not amazing, I liked it.
I liked it, predictable plot though. It was obvious who would die in the big fight. And I hated the ending, ugh. Still a good movie though.
Stories which feature 'white savior' characters for primitive peoples annoy my liberal side.
Stories which rip off Viet Nam imagery to get a quick kneejerk emotional response annoy the conservative in me.
That makes Avatar a no-winner.
Oh yes, I absolutely loved the stale storyline and cardboard characters. Please, give me Star Trek anyday.
I get an idea for beginning of fic, and then for end of fic. Then I simply connect Point A to Point J, running into Point B, C, D, E, F, G, and H on the way. Point I often gets removed and converted into another fic. Oneshots are often based off songs or a funny line I hear, and are often forgotten for months before being unearthed and sheepishly edited to remove its original crapiness.
For original stories, first character is invented. Then the plot. Then a few more relatively important characters are created. The rest is filled in as I go along.
It's actually a lot more erratic and time consuming than I've made it out to be
Dang, wrong thread. Bloody hate when that happens.
>>16 I think you're being a little overly critical there with 'Vietnam' and 'white man'. It's just how the story went.
In response your point on the plot, I think you need to remember that Star Wars is basically Evil Man has power and the underdogs must fight to save everyone, Evil Man sees error of ways and saves underdogs and everyone is happy. Typical Disney story.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I loved the film, but I think Cameron is being a tad cheeky by not releasing it on DVD in 3D (which technically, isn't hard) and re-releasing it with a Na'Vi sex scene. Yes, you read that right. Na'Vi sex scene.
It's a good film. I loved it, personally.
Did I hear you right? A Na'Vi sex scene....I don't know how to feel about that, aroused...or disturbed....or both?
If you're aroused by nine foot tall blue alien porn, then i'm worried for you.
good point.....maybe this film should stay cut...
>>23 I'm sure people have already written about it...
>>21 True, but Star Wars was made in the seventies and eighties. Besides, Star Wars wasn't hyped as the best movie ever, which Avatar pretty much was.
I really don't mind a standard plot all that much, but in a movie this hyped I can't help but be disappointed by it.
I think it was worth the hype...again though, it's a matter of opinion. And it's definitely on par with Star Wars. Besides, I don't konw what's wrong with the ending. How would you rather have it end?
>>27 I don't consider it on par with the original Star Wars trilogy, but I suppose that's just a matter of taste.
Anyway, I don't mind the ending, nor the standard plot that much. It's just that in this particular case the movie was hyped up so much I was expecting more. What I got was a lot of visual beauty, but pretty weak content. I don't know, I think James Cameron's desire to get his message across interfered too much with the entertainment value of the movie. But hey, that's just me.
Yeah it was a pretty bad film; it was stupid, it didn't make sense and it was pretty badly written.
But all of the above can be ignored when you're watching it in 3d and tripping out on acid*
*Which I didn't, so it sucked
OK I'm trying to understand, but I fail at it, so explain to me EXACTLY what is bad about the plot.
OK I'm trying to understand, but I fail at it, so explain to me EXACTLY what is bad about the plot.
>> 31 They're basically saying that while it's not necessarily a bad plot, it's already been done. Pocohontas, Dances with Wolves, etc.
>>31 YamiTenshi's right. Like I said, standard is not the same as bad. The issue I have with it is that Avatar was supposed to be this groundbreaking movie, and it wasn't in the least. Sure, the visuals are stunning, but visuals alone don't make a movie. For a film this hyped up, I don't consider such a relatively weak plot a point in its favor.
I don't remember ever hearing anything about this movie being groundbreaking, or some kind of super hype...In fact I went to see it opening weekend( probably 5th showing overall at my usual theater), and there wasn't even a lot of hype for it. It just happened that my brother, my friend and myself all enjoyed it with an average 9.5/10 (my brother gave it the 9, me and friend gave it 10). I remember lots of commercials just hyping the 3-D, but that was about it.
Also, I have seen Pocohantas, never heard of dancing with the wolves...in fact this is only the second story of this kind of plot that I've seen that I can recall.
Just a quick example of one of many plotholes/lazy writing
possible spoiler...
At the start of the film they talk about how pandora is soooo dangerous and everyone is getting killed then half through they decide it's not dangerous anymore and fly in (unopposed I might add) and blow the shit out of everything.
The focus was on high end visuals, which is understandable, but the writers were just plain lazy when it came to putting together something that should have been standard, generic but otherwise cohesive
They fly in because the army guy acting through the avatar, learned about all the weaknesses, how to bypass security, etc. etc. It's not lazy writing, it's just that you cared so little for the movie apparently, that you stopped paying attention to the plot probably 10 minutes into it from the sounds of it.