GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

AVATAR Report...

POSTED BY: OUT2THEBLACK
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 14:13
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 19132
PAGE 1 of 3

Friday, December 18, 2009 10:03 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


<(O)> <(O)>




The film left me pretty speechless , but I'll give a go at beginning a discussion anyway...

WOW !

Whoa , Howdy !

To any Folk on the edge about whether they want to see this , or whether it is worth their coin , I have one question...

As a scientifiction fan , if you got a chance to visit a planet far , far away , and the trip would only cost you Thirteen Bucks , would you go ?

Most Folk would think it cowardly and foolish if you didn't , don'tcha think ?

DEFINITELY see this film in the 3D format , because I think it would be difficult to say that you have seen it , if you don't experience it that way...

Once you've been to Pandora , The Forest will be with you , Always...
http://www.avatarmovie.com/





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Friday, December 18, 2009 10:24 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/movies/avatar-trailer-v
iews-hit-47m/story-e6frexli-1225811794446


'...ONLINE trailer views for James Cameron's epic 3D blockbuster Avatar increased 109 per cent in the week before the highly anticipated film's release.

The trailer for the science fiction extravaganza starring Sam Worthington has attracted a total of 4.7 million views so far, according to entertainment industry site Variety.'

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Friday, December 18, 2009 10:29 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


'...after four years of actual production work, Avatar delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film, disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.'

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/avatar/trailer


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Friday, December 18, 2009 10:38 AM

JONGSSTRAW


Wow! That's some trailer. Do I still need to see the movie? Just kidding...how was the 3D?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 10:46 AM

OUT2THEBLACK




Michelle Rodriguez is roguish VTOL gunship pilot Trudy Chacon...All babes reporting for interplanetary duty
must be this smokin' Sierra Hotel
hot...

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Friday, December 18, 2009 10:50 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
Wow! That's some trailer. Do I still need to see the movie? Just kidding...how was the 3D?



Well , you remember Star Wars , how R2D2 projected the little hologram , and it looked a little flat , because it was only 2D ?



NOTHING looks flat in this film...Words fail , as do the flat photos on a monitor...



You are IN the forest , IN the sky , IN space , and all the displays and effects are IN YOUR FACE ! It's a very pretty film...One really cool thing is that the font on the native language
dubs is like the one used for the Serenity titles , so any Browncoat will feel extra-welcome !

I had expectations of a biggish sort , which I generally AVOID doing , because I'd rather be pleasantly surprised...

There was NO disappointment at all , and STILL I was very surprised at the quality of the experience...I attended this film at 12:01 am , with a total geek audience ,
and there was awe and applause at the end...

Battle Of 'Uncanny Valley' , 2154 CE...

" I call it a win ."


Other Folk seein' it , please sound off...

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Friday, December 18, 2009 11:29 AM

STORYMARK


Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
Wow! That's some trailer. Do I still need to see the movie? Just kidding...how was the 3D?



Apparently, everything in the trailer is from the first hour, and the flick is 2:45, so.... probably, yeah.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, December 18, 2009 11:36 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


I concur with O2TB. Truly a stunning achievement in movie making magic. Maybe Cameron is the King of the World after all, at least if that world is Pandora.

No, it is not unique in its story or characters, but what the hell difference does that make? I know us geeks have been thinking that with CGI there really is nothing that can't be done on film, but that has never been more true than at this specific time and place.

GO SEE IT!



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Friday, December 18, 2009 11:42 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Storymark:
Quote:

Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
Wow! That's some trailer. Do I still need to see the movie? Just kidding...how was the 3D?



Apparently, everything in the trailer is from the first hour, and the flick is 2:45, so.... probably, yeah.




My girl was extra-tired from work , and I think she had a hard time keeping her eyes open for all of it...

Ironically , she said it was about 45 minutes too long...I could usually cut 20 minutes or more from just about every film and not miss it ;
but I was so immersed in it , it seemed about exactly the right length timewise...You really get the impression that you have been somewhere...

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Friday, December 18, 2009 1:45 PM

PEULSAR5

We sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt.


The visuals are JAWDROPPING. There were several times I had to remind myself it was CGI--you completely get caught up in it.

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Friday, December 18, 2009 4:56 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


Here's my review for what it's worth.

http://templetongate.net/jamescameronsavatar.htm

I'm not saying that you will lose any of your geek cred if you don't see this in a theater (and preferably the largest screen and in 3D of course), but I think you will regret it if you wait.



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Friday, December 18, 2009 6:36 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


Fellow Browncoats, Hear me! (ok, that's supposed to be in the voice of Morpheus in Matrix Reloaded when he gives his rah-rah speech)

Anywhozzlebees, Go See This Movie You will NOT be sorry. Everything is....well, imagine you're aboard the vessels that land in Serenity Valley chasing off the last of the rebels.

They ask you to go on a dangerous but potentially beneficial (to the Alliance that is)mission that will rain cashy money upon those in charge.
You go and join the rag-tag bunch and it's the crew of Serenity. They show you the lay of the land and how to survive on the outer rim.........

That's Avatar in a nutshell. Your money, for those that can spare it, will be well worth it.
Pay no attention to the naysayers that poo-poo the film in any way. Go see and judge for yourselves.

BTW go see it in 3D. I know it will make Fox and Cameron a shitload of money but, if you're a sci-fi fan you owe it to yourself. I'm going back in a couple of weeks to see it in IMAX format.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 6:43 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


Yes, indeed! Michelle has a small but effective part and is kick-ass all the way. She could have been Pvt. Vazquez's love child (see Aliens).

Absolutely loved her in this. But Zoe Saldana stole this movie.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 6:50 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


Hey O2TB,

It's everything you said and more, much more. Like you said words fail. You do feel like your a fly on the wall catching a glimpse into the life of this warrior named Jake.

You are IN everything. The entire movie was seamless in it's transitions from live to animated action. Hell, it didn't seem 'animated' at all. Incredible journey folks, GO, I SEE YOU.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 6:58 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


Ironically , she said it was about 45 minutes too long...I could usually cut 20 minutes or more from just about every film and not miss it ;
but I was so immersed in it , it seemed about exactly the right length timewise...You really get the impression that you have been somewhere...


I agree again with O2TB. Time means nothing here. You get caught up in the journey and the next thing you know, it's done. It was just about the right length, not too long or short, Cameron got it just right.

People applauded and cheered at the end. That's amazing in itslef, how often do you see that at the movies - once in a great while. Go.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 7:05 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


You know what came to mind while I was visiting Pandora - the scenery and scope reminded me of Frazetta and Roger Dean's paintings of far-off worlds.

Just a thought.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Friday, December 18, 2009 9:19 PM

BIGRICHARD


just wanted to add my thoughts.

I saw the film early (Wednesday) because I live in Australia (it was FINALLY good for something!)
so I didn't want to post anything before a lot of other people had seen it. I didn't want to build too much hype and disappoint people, or ruin anything for people or whatever.

BUT ANYWAY.
I have to say that I loved this film. Like everyone else is saying, sure, the plot wasn't overly original or complex, but it all just worked perfectly for the film. This was a film about Pandora, and it was brilliant. The story, the acting (loved Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, she was perfect) and the of course, the EFFECTS.
Just so everyone is aware, ALL of Pandora is computer generated. Everything. All the plants. Everything. Everything. Oh. My. God.
Sorry. Anyway.
It was a brilliant, immersive film, and probably the first time I've fully believed in a huge alien world. All the little things just added to it. Things like having Jake Sully floating slightly at the start, as he came out of cryosleep. They could easily have gone "oh yeah, they have some sort of fake gravity machine." but instead everything that could be done to make the movie feel more authentic or interesting, they included.
They've got $15 from me already. And I'll probably try to see it another 2 times in the cinemas, just to help contribute money. I'm hoping for more films like this.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 3:52 AM

ZZETTA13


Ok, since I first saw the movie trailers of Avatar about a month and a half ago I’ve wanted to see this movie. Cameron is a genius when it comes to movie visuals and the guy is a pretty awesome storyteller too. He knows how to keep his projects hidden until the right moment and releases the trailers at the right time to generate a ton of interest.


I saw a production interview with him on the set of Avatar where he says that he, himself is an artist so he wanted the best working on his project. Cameron knows what he wants.

SGG, if the work he has created has visuals that match Frazetta and Roger Dean’s then it is a must see for me.

Thanks for the info on this fellow browncoats!!

Z


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Saturday, December 19, 2009 4:20 AM

PCCH7


predictable but good..

"Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor.."

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:36 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:
Here's my review for what it's worth.

http://templetongate.net/jamescameronsavatar.htm

I'm not saying that you will lose any of your geek cred if you don't see this in a theater (and preferably the largest screen and in 3D of course), but I think you will regret it if you wait.




Yours is the BEST review that I've seen so far , E-C , but I have to respectfully disagree with your comment about the 'fairy-tale ending'...

Are you able to submit your reviews to Rotten Tomatoes ? A lot of Folk would see it there , and I think that the overall positive buzz from your comments would be a boost for the film...

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:41 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:
You know what came to mind while I was visiting Pandora - the scenery and scope reminded me of Frazetta and Roger Dean's paintings of far-off worlds.

Just a thought.

SGG





If you like that sort of thing , you might enjoy the do-it-yourself version...Also used in film work...

http://www.planetside.co.uk/

'...Terragen™ 2 is a powerful solution for rendering and animating realistic natural environments. Create entire worlds from your imagination, or import real world
terrain datasets and use Terragen 2 to create the most realistic visualisations possible. You control the weather, landscape, rivers, lakes and oceans,
suns, moons and stars.'


http://www.planetside.co.uk/content/view/15/27/

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:44 AM

PENNAUSAMIKE


Avatar lived up to my expectations.
I went to see an "EVENT" movie;
I saw an "EVENT!!" movie.

My family and I all felt the 3-D increased the connection with the audience.
It also made the audience a participant in the aerial flights and battles.
3-D made the interactive viewscreens just a little more awesome.
And finally, the 3-D environment of Pandora was immersive and spectacular.

Cameron knows action.
Transformers 2 was too jumbled (except the amazing forest fight),
2012 was just characters outrunning destruction (more than once=yawn)
but in Avatar, whether a jungle hunt or a techno-battle, I knew who was who, what was what, and where they were.

The "Dances With Wolves" storyline was what it was.
Some people want to see that story; some don't.
I felt the references to European settlers displacing the native American population were spot-on;
I felt the handful of references to the Iraq war were strained and artificial.
My only complaint is that rather than just a small group of Corporate-Baddies,
all of humanity, the race that destroyed their now-brown-no-green-Mother-Earth;
were portrayed as the bad guys.

The conceit that makes the story possible
(that the blue natives were physically and spiritually connected to their planet and environment)
isn't a real thing.
I had to suspend my real-life and religious beliefs to buy into Avatar's story.
And given that this (felt like a lot less than) two-and-a-half hour movie was so engaging,
I was willing to do that.

The reward was a thoroughly enjoyable movie-going experience.

Mike

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:49 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:
Fellow Browncoats, Hear me! (ok, that's supposed to be in the voice of Morpheus in Matrix Reloaded when he gives his rah-rah speech)

Anywhozzlebees, Go See This Movie You will NOT be sorry. Everything is....well, imagine you're aboard the vessels that land in Serenity Valley chasing off the last of the rebels.

...You go and join the rag-tag bunch and it's the crew of Serenity. They show you the lay of the land and how to survive on the outer rim...

That's Avatar in a nutshell. Your money, for those that can spare it, will be well worth it.
Pay no attention to the naysayers that poo-poo the film in any way. Go see and judge for yourselves.

BTW go see it in 3D. I know it will make Fox and Cameron a shitload of money but, if you're a sci-fi fan you owe it to yourself. I'm going back in a couple of weeks to see it in IMAX format.


SGG




Here's where we begin the campaign , for

SERENITY 2 : 3D

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:29 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


Quote:

Originally posted by out2theblack:
Yours is the BEST review that I've seen so far , E-C , but I have to respectfully disagree with your comment about the 'fairy-tale ending'...


Thanks for that comment. I've never even considered submitting my reviews to Rotten Tomatoes. My site is just a hobby, I'm just a fan not a professional critic. Although some of my book reviews have been linked to on the author's official site.

I actually think that pennausamike's comments are as insightful as mine.

Quote:

Here's where we begin the campaign , for

SERENITY 2 : 3D


While that would be awesome, I was thinking more along the lines of stories that truly cry out for such detailed effects. Imagine Ringworld or the remake of Dune using this technology. Serenity is more about the story and the characters and doesn't really need that boost, imo.




wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:30 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by zzetta13:
Ok, since I first saw the movie trailers of Avatar about a month and a half ago I’ve wanted to see this movie. Cameron is a genius when it comes to movie visuals and the guy is a pretty awesome storyteller too. He knows how to keep his projects hidden until the right moment and releases the trailers at the right time to generate a ton of interest.

I saw a production interview with him on the set of Avatar where he says that he, himself is an artist so he wanted the best working on his project. Cameron knows what he wants.

SGG, if the work he has created has visuals that match Frazetta and Roger Dean’s then it is a must see for me.

Thanks for the info on this fellow browncoats!!

Z





Artist & King Of The World , At Work ;^)

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:37 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:
Quote:

Originally posted by out2theblack:
Yours is the BEST review that I've seen so far , E-C , but I have to respectfully disagree with your comment about the 'fairy-tale ending'...


Thanks for that comment. I've never even considered submitting my reviews to Rotten Tomatoes. My site is just a hobby, I'm just a fan not a professional critic. Although some of my book reviews have been linked to on the author's official site.

I actually think that pennausamike's comments are as insightful as mine.

Quote:

Here's where we begin the campaign , for

SERENITY 2 : 3D


While that would be awesome, I was thinking more along the lines of stories that truly cry out for such detailed effects. Imagine Ringworld or the remake of Dune using this technology. Serenity is more about the story and the characters and doesn't really need that boost, imo.



Not disagreeing on any particular point , and I like Mike's review as well , though yours was here first...Appreciating all comments ,
both '+' & '-'...

Morgan Freeman had optioned Clarke's Rendevous With Rama ; wish he and Cameron would collaborate in getting that one made...

And , while the Serenity crew doesn't really need a lot of CGI and effects to get a story told , it would be nice to get that " You Are THERE " feeling
from a 3D issue of Serenity 2 , 'cause it's the ship we like , and ours is the Nicest...

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:54 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:
Yes, indeed! Michelle has a small but effective part and is kick-ass all the way. She could have been Pvt. Vazquez's love child
(see Aliens).

Absolutely loved her in this. But Zoe Saldana stole this movie.

SGG



More Michelle , in Video , in this making-of story from Auntie Beeb :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8421468.stm

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:49 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


I agree 1000% O2TB - Zoe Saldana made the story believable. She made every scene that much more and then some.

Best Actress in an Animated Feature. Hell, Best Actress. She was also quite good as Uhura in Star Trek. She will definitely get more work.

I'm still buzzing about this movie. And I'm glad I have you guys to share it with. I went with my son, who is a movie buff, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Please allow me a moment of fantasy: Could you guys picture Joss writing and Cameron directing Serenity 2?

I know there is an obvious flaw in my suggestion but, think of it. 2 sci-fi geeks and masters at what they do - the possibilties.

Ok, I'm a little punch drunk at the moment and still a bit giddy from that awesome film. So please - 'excuse me while I kiss the sky.'


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:26 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Now , Miss GirlFolk says she wants to go see it in IMAX 3D...

" Those blue people looked SO REAL !"

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Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:36 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


'...The groundbreaking 3-D event that is “Avatar” finally hits theatres and gives James Cameron his biggest opening ever, the best ever debut for a 3-D film and the second best December debut ever!


The eyes of the world were focused on James Cameron and his first feature film since 1997’s “Titanic” and the results are in! $73 million for the weekend domestically and a whopping $159.18 million internationally for a total worldwide weekend take of $232.18 million. The reported large budget for the film was obviously money well spent as the film is on its way to a potential near billion dollars in global receipts. With stunning and groundbreaking visuals in 3-D, the film will continue to generate massive interest around the world. No discussion of the film would be complete without mentioning the IMAX presentations and the fact that they sold out every single seat and had to add more giant screen showings to keep up with the demand. IMAX continues to show their importance to the success of any film project that has their involvement.'


http://www.hollywood.com/boxoffice

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Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:02 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


That figure would have been much higher if not for the massive snow storm in the northeast. I think if the weather cooperates it could do just as much over the Christmas holiday period.

I saw it again today and it was just as good, if not better, the second time around. Now I have to figure out if I can afford to drive to Austin to see it in IMAX. Depends on if my company can afford to give me a bonus this year.



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Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:14 PM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...


Seeing this tomorrow, can't wait, though I'm trying not to get my hopes up... even though they are way way up...

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Monday, December 21, 2009 9:10 AM

CLJOHNSTON108


I was at the 11:40am show on Friday, and I just can't get Pandora out of my head!
Just discovered that there's a thread on the IMDb boards devoted to this very condition...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/board/nest/153821141

It was my first 3D experience, and my eyeballs were drying out because I didn't want to blink and miss anything for the slightest microsecond!
I need to see it at least 1 or 2 more times in 3D, then I'll be making heavy use of the Pause & Step buttons when the DVD comes out.

Also, I'm having some trouble enjoying "normal" 2D media now.

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Monday, December 21, 2009 11:21 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by pizmobeach:
Seeing this tomorrow, can't wait, though I'm trying not to get my hopes up... even though they are way way up...




Please favor us with your impressions also , if you would...

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Monday, December 21, 2009 1:57 PM

FREMDFIRMA



Y'all, and others have convinced me - and that's a right impressive thing, considering my distaste of hollywood drivel.

Of course, it helps seeing my hated frenemy Michelle get some more screen time, I STILL owe her for mowing down my team so bad (She plays FPS games online sometimes, and she's better than me, curse her pretty eyes!) though.

So yeah, I'll be seein this, but it's gonna be a bit before I have a day off to do so.

-F

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Monday, December 21, 2009 2:45 PM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Fremdfirma:

Y'all, and others have convinced me - and that's a right impressive thing, considering my distaste of hollywood drivel.

Of course, it helps seeing my hated frenemy Michelle get some more screen time, I STILL owe her for mowing down my team so bad (She plays FPS games online sometimes, and she's better than me, curse her pretty eyes!) though.

So yeah, I'll be seein this, but it's gonna be a bit before I have a day off to do so.

-F



Cool...

Just let us know when you do , 'cause it'll be nice to hear from you and the other Folk who've not been there yet...

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 8:57 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:

...Zoe Saldana made the story believable. She made every scene that much more and then some.

Best Actress in an Animated Feature. Hell, Best Actress. She was also quite good as Uhura in Star Trek. She will definitely get more work.

...Please allow me a moment of fantasy: Could you guys picture Joss writing and Cameron directing Serenity 2?

I know there is an obvious flaw in my suggestion but, think of it. 2 sci-fi geeks and masters at what they do - the possibilties.

SGG



Animated Feature ? I'm not sure 'performance capture' translated into supper-real CGI counts as animated , since there's also live action characters in the film...

Will be interesting what the awards shows do with this movie , as it sets a higher bar in several areas...

Joss should write/direct , but let Cameron be Executive Producer...

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 6:08 PM

SAB39


So - when are they starting work on the sequel?


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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 9:43 PM

SHINYGOODGUY


LOL, I'm with u on that. My eyes began to tear up about half way through because I wasn't blinking.
I'm going back in a couple of weeks to see it in IMAX 3D.


SGG

Tawabawho?

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009 6:20 AM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...


Quote:

Originally posted by out2theblack:
Please favor us with your impressions also , if you would...



I was definitely entertained (twice, once in 2D and once in 3D) but it still left me a little, "meh" just a bit disappointed, mostly because it was so close to being a great film for me. B -

So-so:

1. I saw it in 2D and 3D so I could compare, and my impression was that 3D is still a bit over-hyped and has not come that far since the last time I saw it. It's not used much at all these days so it's new-ish, and it does have a pretty big wow factor on occasion when it works, but it still has the feeling of several flat planes of depth instead of continuous depth.
My biggest objection with this current version of 3D are the tradeoffs though. To get those 2 different images to merge you have to put gray lenses between your eyes and the image. Because of that you lose: color saturation and color fidelity, detail, clarity, and proper exposure (lift your glasses and check it out, the image is just dimmer). That's too much sacrifice for me though I'm sure most viewers won't care.

Approximation 2D versus 3D:


3D really does shine in spots though, like in the Pandoran forrest scenes - those are big wows. Jake's first 24 hours there I consider some of the best moments in the film and the best for showcasing the 3D effects. Otherwise I'll take the movie in 2D, you can see the stunning sets, production and cg work more clearly.

2. The story/writing - oiy. I agree with what others have suggested, that Cameron needs a co-writer at the very least. It's one thing to try an appeal to the broadest audience possible (and therefore the least discerning) and it's another to use so many cliches, tropes and common archetypes, especially when you don't have to. I think this is what failed the rest of the movie, but I'm being critical. Writers - Get some!

Great stuff:

1. Cameron's vision and the look of Pandora. The team that worked on just the foliage alone did an amazing job. The flying dino birds, their movements were so real - can't imagine how they work out the locomotion algorithms for them.
He's always been great at future military designs/atmosphere/sets (Aliens), and the production quality and the look for the military in Avatar is no different, detailed and totally believable.

2. Steven Lang was great.

3. Zoe Saldana and her character - BEST thing in the film, she definitely owned that character, and the character herself was very memorable. I look forward to seeing her in the next movie ;)



Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:40 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


AVATAR 'Certified " Fresh "':

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/avatar/

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Monday, December 28, 2009 10:13 PM

FREEBROWNCOAT


Cameron and Whedon. Would that rock or would it ROCK!?

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 8:49 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Freebrowncoat:
Cameron and Whedon. Would that rock or would it ROCK!?



Absolutely !

Locally , last weekend , BOTH the 2D and 3D versions of AVATAR were selling out , which I consider very positive...

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 1:27 PM

OUT2THEBLACK


TIME magazine reviews good/not-so-good about Avatar : http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599194743800

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 4:31 PM

FREMDFIRMA



Official word from this corner ?

It kicked ass - and coming from me for a hollywood product, that is as high praise as it gets.

A bit heavy handed on the 3D effects, especially in a couple places that didn't need it, but in scenes where they did add something, it added a lot.

Good story, a bit cliche, yes, but the quality of the visual experience, which can best be described as sledgehammer-stunning, more than makes up for it.

And I got to see my favorite frenemy get some more work, a small but rockin part, and it plays to a bit of an in-joke between us.

Select to view spoiler:


I play Air Rivals, and fly the Meadow Bugle, using very similar hide and seek tactics as she does in her little moment of glory.



Final judgement: Worth every damned penny.

-F

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Thursday, December 31, 2009 1:24 PM

ZEEK


I'm amazed at the shining reviews on here. After about 45 minutes I was bored to death. The special effects were outstanding and they carried the first 45 minutes, but the story was a complete waste. There wasn't anything even slightly interesting in it. Everything that happened was foreshadowed to death. I found myself sitting there thinking "ok so we all know X is going to happen so just get to it already". I ended up pretty disappointed that all that effort went into special effects and they didn't bother with the story.

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Friday, January 1, 2010 10:13 PM

HKCAVALIER


I thought it was magnificent. Folk dissing the story musta left their hearts locked up in a box at home. I found the characters' lives far too engaging to not see the unfolding events from their perspective. Sam Worthington nailed every beat of Jake Sully's character arc.

Select to view spoiler:


Loved the scene when he wakes up with a pair of functioning legs and can't wait to get the hell out of the lab and run!

The science fiction of the alien world was gorram breathtaking. The way Cameron captured the three distinct cultures in the film--military/scientific/indigenous--was masterful.

Anyway, it's been a while since I could honestly describe a movie as "magnificent" and I wasn't expecting to like it anywhere as much as I did.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

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Saturday, January 2, 2010 3:34 AM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...


Wow HK - so the message of "Only a white male can save the savages" didn't bug you just a lil' bit? My heart didn't exactly like that part.

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Saturday, January 2, 2010 4:57 AM

FREMDFIRMA



Huh ?
Imma spoiler the whole thing, instead of pickin out bits...

Select to view spoiler:



Seemed more a collective effort on behalf of a number of people, particularly the scientists, one of whom was female as I recall, and a brave dropship pilot who was a little darker than the rest of them mind you.

I didn't really get any whiff of that mighty-whitey crap off it, cause our main "hero" wasn't exactly the sharpest pencil in the box (which amused me to no end, honestly) but he brought them two things absolutely vital to their survival - accurate realtime intelligence, and a knowledge of the enemy and their weaknesses, dim he may have been, but the guy WAS a marine, and knew the value of these things instinctively.

I was thinkin on things, and it occurred to me that if the scientist chick had maybe made the argument better, or in terms the corp rep could actually understand, there would not have been a fight - follow me for a moment here.

Sure, unobtainium is worth a bloody lot of money, but it's a finite resource with a limited application - on the other hand, a neural network of the density she described is, financially, MORE valuable to the company even if they had to clone it from native samples, especially if it's ability to direct interface can be preserved or adapted in some fashion because it is a renewable resource with damn near unlimited applications.

They were letting their tunnel vision for the metal blind em to tons of filthy lucre just layin around for the taking, but the only person who KNEW that was almost incapable of communicating with her own species, heh.


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Saturday, January 2, 2010 5:23 AM

PENNAUSAMIKE


Quote:

Originally posted by pizmobeach:
Wow HK - so the message of "Only a white male can save the savages" didn't bug you just a lil' bit?
My heart didn't exactly like that part.



If not a white male, SOMEBODY...
It wasn't Jake who saved the Na'Vi, it was their enviro-god.
The Na'Vi were getting their asses handed to them until the enviro-god intervened.

The whole "noble savage" thing only works in fiction, anyhow.
The Na'Vi may have been able to talk to god,
but apparently they hadn't even developed a written language.
Although I rooted for the Na'Vi in the fictional construct of AVATAR,
I'd NEVER be willing to give up literature and cinema and all visual media (like FIREFLY)
and V-8 cars and grocery stores and indoor plumbing...and on and on.
I'm glad for Jake and the Na'Vi that they are content
to gut and dress their dinner, poop in the woods and ride banshees without parachutes,
but I wouldn't be joining them.

So its not about white men or any racial-sexual thing,
it's about who is willing to take the knowledge gained from having been civilized,
and apply it to a savage lifestyle.

Mike

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