Another AVATAR Movie Review

The first time I heard about Avatar was in the late nineties when Cameron announced that it would be his next film following Titanic. Unfortunately/fortunately it was his next film but was not released until 12 years later. I have been waiting for this film for years and when the movie started production in 2005, I could not have been more excited. Images were released within a couple years and we finally started to see the film take shape q. Prior to seeing the movie, I had not experienced such hype and excitement for a movie since 1999 when Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was about to be released. I was fortunate enough to see Avatar as James Cameron intended which was in 3D on an IMAX screen (Even though I had to drive 120 miles to the nearest IMAX screen). Was Avatar worth the long wait (and the drive)? Absolutely. I was blown away by everything in the movie; the special effects, score, acting, set design, meticulous detail, and sheer creativity of the entire world and atmosphere. My jaw was literally open throughout most of the movie as I sat there in awe of this passionate project from the crazy genius that is James Cameron. The story is similar to the 1990 Kevin Costner film “Dances with Wolves” but one can track a film’s influences backward infinitely and that is not the point of my review. Additionally, my write-up is spoiler-free so please do not be afraid to read on.

The interesting aspect about Avatar’s story is that it is very simple for such a complex movie. Sure, Titanic was a simple story as well but that was based on a true event whereas Avatar is fictional. The story of Cameron’s last science fiction outing “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” from 1991 was much more intricate in nature. I am not saying this is necessarily a bad thing; in fact, I enjoy films that require the viewer to pay attention in order to follow along with the plot. I am simply making an observation in relation to the brilliance of a simplistic story coupled with such an epic film. Avatar is probably the most epic film (in regards to scale and grandeur) I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. I did not write a review immediately after seeing the film because there was so much information for my mind to digest. I even dreamt about Avatar the very same night I watched it. I  seen the film three times and I plan on returning to the theater soon to revisit it yet again.

Avatar starts out with the main character Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) waking up from hyper-sleep and arriving on the distant planet of Pandora. There is a military presence already established on Pandora which is mining the planet of its rich natural resources. The conflict lay within the natives of the planet, the Na’vi, who do not want the hired guns to destroy their home planet.

The film was completely engrossing and a portion of that experience had to do with the excellent 3D photography that drew me into the atmosphere and wonderful environment of Pandora. Avatar’s 3D styling was not gimmicky in regards to the other 3D films that have been released previously (The Final Destination, Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.). The 3D was rather used as a way to further connect with the characters and world in which they live. The technique proved effective since Pandora seemed to be surrounding me at nearly every frame. Beyond the 3D was the imaginative landscape of Pandora which was somewhat reminiscent of the world in the popular video game “Halo.” Lush jungle environments with creative features such as floating mountains with waterfalls that disappeared into nothingness were brilliant. Seeing these backdrops on an IMAX allowed me to see the amazing detail that went into the production of this grand feature. I felt like a little kid again with my imagination running rabid, staring at the screen wildly.

The story was fascinating in every regard. As aforementioned, the plot was simple but very enjoyable and easy to watch. Cameron has been notoriously known for not using special effects as eye candy, but rather as a means to progress and tell a story.  Cameron continued his trend and told a story within the realm of groundbreaking special effects. Over a year ago Cameron mentioned that one would not be able to tell the difference between what is real and computer generated. I have heard filmmakers make this claim before and have always been let down due to the fact that I could always spot the CG. Avatar was the first time when I could genuinely not identify the CG in any scene. I of course knew that the Na’vi were computer generated but they were fully believable in every respect. If creatures that were 9ft tall and blue existed, they would look like they did in Avatar. The performances were also believable due to the Na’vi displaying emotions that were not stilted and indistinguishable from a live actor’s performance (which they were since actual actors performed everything that was captured during production).  The acting was very professional and realistic from all of the main characters. I was pleased to see that Sigourney Weaver’s character Grace Augustine got a lot of screen time because she is always a joy to watch. The interesting supporting characters Colonel Miles Quaritch and Parker Selfridge played by Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi, respectfully, were acted wonderfully as well.

Cameron never fails to create exciting action sequences in any of his films, and Avatar is no exception. There are great high-tension sequences throughout most of the film, but the final battle is where the signature Cameron that we all know and love has his field day. The last action set-piece is one of the most exciting I have ever watched. It lasts for just over twenty minutes and balances the tension and emotion of the situation perfectly. Science Fiction and action buffs alike will not be disappointed.

Here are a few interesting facts about the production:

• Cameron wrote his first script treatment of Avatar in 1994
• Was going to be Cameron’s next film after Titanic, to be released in 1999 but the technology did not exist yet
• Last time Sigourney Weaver worked with Cameron was Aliens (1986), a 23 year gap
• The budget of the film ranges from $210 million to $310 million without marketing and advertising costs
• Regarded as the most expensive film ever made, a record that Cameron has now beat twice by his own films (first $100 million dollar movie  – Terminator 2 and the first $200 million dollar movie  - Titanic)
• Cameron was convinced that the technology to bring the Na’vi to life was good enough after seeing  the Gollum character from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• Cameron flew all of the main actors out to Hawaiian jungles in preparation for their “digital jungle” scenes of Pandora. They lived like tribesmen during the days

I highly recommend Avatar to fans of any genre; the film has a little bit of everything for everybody and I guarantee that the film will entertain. I am currently debating whether or not Avatar is my favorite film of the decade, which should tell anyone who is reading this how truly great the film is on many levels.  Anyways, I have to go run out and see Avatar again.

Have a better one

-Deckard