Avatar: A Review

[Sexy Beast]

James Cameron came and showed me a world. This world was called Pandora and all I could say was "meh".

Now I'm going to take this time to talk about film. When one makes a film, one is conveying a story. Without a story there is no film...and that is it. The entire art form is about storytelling. A bad plot can ruin a film, while a great one can raise it above all others. Avatar's story just isn't that good.

Though to be honest I knew going in the the story wasn't going to great. I've heard that it was a story that was on the same lines as Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves. Unfortunately Avatar is closer to $300 million version of FernGully: The Last Rainforest than anything else...which is a bad thing. Especially when it doesn't have Tim Curry singing or Robin Williams, being Robin Williams.

So despite the story, does James Cameron manage to reinvent the way we look at film? Sort of. I'm not a big fan of 3D and Avatar did not change this in any capacity. Though ecology of Pandora and the way things go boom is beautifully rendered. Also, you do connect with the CGI characters, which is an achievement in itself

Is it a terrible film? No, not by any means. Cameron has made a film that can be very enjoyable. It is just that the film could have been a lot better if Cameron spent more time on the script and the story.

[6.5/10]

 

[blackhawksniper]

About to see it in 3d in an hour, hopefully its better than a 6.5

 

[Sexy Beast]

About to see it in 3d in an hour, hopefully its better than a 6.5

Yeah, 3D is really the only way to see it.

 

[Ice hearted killer]

going to see it in January in 3D thanks for the review

 

[The Yeti]

Honestly, I haven't seen the film, and that's kind of what I predicted. Not a bad movie, just not a really good one either. I'll wait to rent it.

 

[babyJam]

too bad some of us cant see 3D .. when you only see outa one eye the glasses dont work

 

[Sexy Beast]

Honestly, I haven't seen the film, and that's kind of what I predicted. Not a bad movie, just not a really good one either. I'll wait to rent it.

Unfortunately you either see this one in theaters in 3D or not at all. The film is a spectacle and a massive exercise in style over substance. Renting it and watching it on a standard TV only would butcher what ever redeeming qualities the film has.

 

[Ducttape]

Though ecology of Pandora and the way things go boom is beautifully rendered. Also, you do connect with the CGI characters, which is an achievement in itself[6.5/10]

to date, Avatar is the best example of 3D big-screen experience. The story isn't that bad (it's a good story, just not ground-breaking or anything). The characters deserve an award for making you forget you're watching, well, characters and not animations or even people in costume. The world of Pandora will make you say whoa a few times, too. Nice 3D previews of Alice in Wonderland and the new Shrek, too.

I would give this movie 8 out of 10 strips of bacon

 

[WaterSnake]

I just saw it and I respectfully disagree.

I rather enjoyed the story. It sure got me to hate the humans to the point of me cheering every time one died (something I feel rather ashamed of, but I can't lie, I did.)

I felt the movie had lots of substance, and the characters were round, and believable. This is a science FICTION movie, and I do realize we've had more believable, but the world of Pandora was a very convincing one, and if you think it was some kind of ruse or trick, well, I sure fell for it.

 

[foxhound-KD-]

I just saw it and I respectfully disagree.

I rather enjoyed the story. It sure got me to hate the humans to the point of me cheering every time one died (something I feel rather ashamed of, but I can't lie, I did.)

I felt the movie had lots of substance, and the characters were round, and believable. This is a science FICTION movie, and I do realize we've had more believable, but the world of Pandora was a very convincing one, and if you think it was some kind of ruse or trick, well, I sure fell for it.

+1
but again its my opinion and sexybeast has his own opinion and appreciate the review but i enjoyed the movie tremendously so did many others and i predict the movie despite its 300 million budget will be a great success.

From yahoo.

Critics Reviews Average Grade: A-



Source Brief Review Grade*
Boston Globe
Ty Burr "It’s easy to get lost in the visually spectacular world ..." more... A-

Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert "...an extraordinary film." more... A

Chicago Tribune
Michael Phillips "The first 90 minutes of Avatar are pretty terrific -- a full-immersion technological wonder with wonders to spare. The other 72 minutes, less and less terrific." more... B

E! Online
Luke Y. Thompson "...an immersive epic unlike any other." more... A

Entertainment Weekly
Owen Gleiberman "...likely to leave audiences simultaneously amazed and unmoved." more... B

Filmcritic.com
Bill Gibron "This is a sumptuous film, overflowing with detail and delicate touches which counteract the massive firepower and mechanical/animal menace on display." more... A

Hollywood Reporter
Kirk Honeycutt "A titanic entertainment -- movie magic is back!" more... A

Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan "You've never experienced anything like it, and neither has anyone else." more... A-

New York Post
Lou Lumenick "...it’s rarely less than absorbing and never boring over its nearly three-hour length." more... A-

Rolling Stone
Peter Travers "Cameron's talent may just be as big as his dreams." more... A-

 

[Carmine]

Really? My dad saw it in imax 3d and said it was movie of the year for him, I was planning to go see it next week in imax 3d. I'm sure I will enjoy it regardless.

 

[Sexy Beast]

I just saw it and I respectfully disagree.

I rather enjoyed the story. It sure got me to hate the humans to the point of me cheering every time one died (something I feel rather ashamed of, but I can't lie, I did.)

I felt the movie had lots of substance, and the characters were round, and believable. This is a science FICTION movie, and I do realize we've had more believable, but the world of Pandora was a very convincing one, and if you think it was some kind of ruse or trick, well, I sure fell for it.

Ehh...what are you getting at? Yeah, it's science fiction and I state that the characters are believable and the world is interesting. The story though is one I've seen so damn often and was delivered so ham-handedly that it detracted from the experience.

I didn't say this was a bad movie. It's just that I'm not going to say a film is ZOMG good when the only thing spectacular about it is how it looks.

Though I am sort of comparing it to other Cameron film when I give my score. If it were directed by some no name, than I would have given it like a 7.5...but this is by Cameron and compared to a lot of his films, Avatar isn't that great.

 

[Boo-Yeah!!]

I still dont understand the point of 3D or why the craze is so big again after failing so bad back in the day. 3D for me wont any good until they can figure out how to make it 3D without having to wear the stupid 50cent plastic glasses. 3D doesnt make the film better in my opinion. Other than that though I figured this movie was overhyped since comic con when people just saw a trailer and wooed over the graphics when there was no hint at the story. I prolly wont go see Dances With Smurfs.

When does Sherlock Holmes come out?

 

[Sexy Beast]

When does Sherlock Holmes come out?

Christmas Day.


...and to tell the truth Avatar is still worth a view.

 

[HopeFails]

Christmas Day.


...and to tell the truth Avatar is still worth a view.

Well, Since I believe that I'm pretty similar in movie tastes, reading your other reviews I'll take your word.

Now, when I first saw the first previews, I was meh. But, I do want to see it just to see it... I guess.

Hmm...

 

[ST0RMY]

I just got done watching this movie and all i can say is WOW.

The 3D effects were jaw dropping and the CG was top notch. I felt so immersed in this film that the 160 minutes passed by like it was 15 minutes. The creatures and environment of pandora truly made me feel like i was in an alien world. The plot was similar to "Dances with Wolves," but in all truth there could be no other way to deal with a modern outsider trying to become a native.

My tip to anyone planning to watch this movie: Watch it with an open mind and dont let other peoples opinions change your mind about the film before you experience it yourself.

 

[CroutonsofDeath{RD}]

I bloody loved it. For me it was refreshing to see an action movie that did have likable characters and a story framework; even if said story (Man vs. nature) has been done plenty of times before (Although I won't say its as good as Princess Mononoke in that regard, its one of the better "Man vs. nature" movies) and it does show its wear and tear. But it was exciting, it looked good, it was entertaining and overall I was more pleased with it than most of the other movies this year. It was INCREDIBLE in Imax 3D, but it would stand on its own without the 3D as well.

9.0

 

[CanadianNoOB]

Though I am sort of comparing it to other Cameron film when I give my score. If it were directed by some no name, than I would have given it like a 7.5...but this is by Cameron and compared to a lot of his films, Avatar isn't that great.

He is by far the single greatest block buster film maker. Titanic, True Lies, Alien, Aliens, Terminator 1 & 2.

He's also Canadian so I love him that much more.

 

[Byakuya]

James Cameron came and showed me a world. This world was called Pandora and all I could say was "meh".

Now I'm going to take this time to talk about film. When one makes a film, one is conveying a story. Without a story there is no film...and that is it. The entire art form is about storytelling. A bad plot can ruin a film, while a great one can raise it above all others. Avatar's story just isn't that good.

Though to be honest I knew going in the the story wasn't going to great. I've heard that it was a story that was on the same lines as Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves. Unfortunately Avatar is closer to $300 million version of FernGully: The Last Rainforest than anything else...which is a bad thing. Especially when it doesn't have Tim Curry singing or Robin Williams, being Robin Williams.

So despite the story, does James Cameron manage to reinvent the way we look at film? Sort of. I'm not a big fan of 3D and Avatar did not change this in any capacity. Though ecology of Pandora and the way things go boom is beautifully rendered. Also, you do connect with the CGI characters, which is an achievement in itself

Is it a terrible film? No, not by any means. Cameron has made a film that can be very enjoyable. It is just that the film could have been a lot better if Cameron spent more time on the script and the story.

[6.5/10]

Just saw it, I disagree. I think the plot may have been a bit predictable, and perhaps a bit cleche. But what isnt now a days?
8.5/10

 

[foxhound-KD-]

avatar was unlike anything filmed in the past and set the bar for the future even if the plot has been borrowed from so many films in the past but what hasn't. the film itself is so unlike anything u have seen in the past, sets a new precedent, again imo, sorry if not as jaded as some others or as critical. one word.......i agree more with Croutons......


IT'S AWESOME.