aKa LANCE

Of all the praise and resultant criticism that has hit the fan following Avatar's release, there is one undeniable feature that it holds in its own right. This film is the magnum opus of CGI graphics. The world of Pandora that Avatar is set in is truely beautiful, to the point that having watched the film I felt almost upset that it was merely computer trickery and not reality and if that were not enough, the 3D coating is absolutely phenomenal. Having never seen a feature film in 3D before I was sceptical as to how it would enhance the experience but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it surpasses all previous attempts and makes the already incredible aesthetics that bit more magical.

Yet for all these visual delights, there are certain issues with the film's acting and to an extent the dialogue that work against Cameron's masterpiece. The lead character, a disabled marine that goes by the name of Jake Sully, is immediately irritating in his headstrong naivety and has all the emotional depth of a spoilt child. This is however the only true gripe I myself have with the acting and though the problem is worsened by the typicality of the hollywood script, the emotion in the film and the relationships that are developed feel utterly genuine. It was questioned before the film's release whether the public could come to embrace a race of blue aliens and I at least was touched by the love interest, despite the aforementioned poor performance from Sam Worthington. The Na'vi, the indigenous population of Pandora, like their habitat are fascinating and the oddities and details behind their fanciful culture and appearance are spell-binding. They literally come to life, so exceptionally designed and realised that eventually you stop considering them as imagined graphics and more as organisms in their own right. Some ideas of course are borrowed from real life cultures yet this is not a negative aspect, it roots this incredible piece into the modern day and makes it not only a work of entertainment but one with a powerful message behind it. By the time the film has entered its final stages, James Cameron's ultimate message, that the Na'vi are more human than the humans themselves has reared its head.

The forces of good and evil have not been spared from this action adventure, with the selfish, cold human powerhouse being pitted against the innocent and morally righteous Na'vi who stand for the natural world where the mechanised and material man act to destroy it. Yet the film isn't merely a pro-environment affair, while it does call for us to respect and learn to re-embrace our natural surroundings there are also messages of racial equality and material-worthlessness which through the medium of this viseral treat have immense power behind them. Never before has a film truely made me think over my own pre-conceptions of life and humanity as this one.

In short, Avatar marks another milestone in cinematography, having set a benchmark in CGI filming but also for being one of very few high profile films that actually has something to say and a way of expressing it to the public that does not act to preach, but enlighten. Nothing short of spectacular.

10/10

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MW2 Stats
Best Kill Streak : 34
Best Score: 51-3-7

aKa LANCE

Please comment on what you think of the film and whether you agree or not

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MW2 Stats
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TheHunter360

The plot gets really stupid at times but the climax and ending has you glued to your seat period.

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JoLo

I saw it regular, not in 3D. And I couldn't imagine seeing it in 3D without making me hurl because of all the motion in the movie. I disagree with your assessment of Jake Sully. As "typical" as he was he reminded me of many Marine Grunts I have known in my life. Headstrong, mission focused and quick to adapt. I saw all of these qualities in him and loved the change that experiencing life through the Na'vi taught him. The movie was phenominal, the only other movie recently I felt I got every dime worth was District 9...CGI has become so amazing that not once did I have a moment in the movie that "looked fake". And I was also upset at the thought that there was no actual Pandora...lol.

I give it a 10/10, excellent acting...Nytiri (Zoe Saldana)...her voice, she was so emotional and raw it was some of the best voice acting I have ever heard in my life and it was hard for me to remember that she isn't a giant blue alien. The action is great, the story is predictable but it doesn't take away from the richness of everything else. It has to be seen, whether you see it in 3D or regular. It is one of the best movies in a while.

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Dante

Though it was an absolutely fantastic film and I was glued to my seat throughout I thought the script was pretty poor. I don't remember exactly what I about it I didn't like as I saw it a few weeks back but I remember coming out of the theatre astounded by the visuals but feeling let down by the plot and scripting.

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aKa LANCE

I agree that it was a good portrayal of an out of his depth and naive marine, who comes to embrace the natives culture, but I don't think that sort of character was a good choice for the film. I would still argue that he lacks any real emotional power, in contrast with Zoe Saldana who, as you mentioned, was fully immersed in the role and gave a great performance.

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Best Score: 51-3-7

BananaBomb

I absolutely loved it, but in my opinion, all of the humans that stay human the whole movie are really just stock characters

Colonel is just unreasonably tough.
The head of the organisation guy is just plain evil, with no other personality to speak of. etc

I also wonder why he chose to make every single Na'vi, except for the tribe and spiritual leaders, perfectly sculpted, and (as I am not gay I have no opinion on the men) all of the women extremely sexy. (as I am not a pedo, I also have no opinion on the children)