I saw nearly 40 films this year and have written my top 10 list of 2009*.
I initially discounted Avatar due to the huge marketing buzz behind the film. When a film is hyped to such an extent I’m usually turned off.
That being said, Avatar should be singled out as special film because it is.
Cameron has always pushed the envelope with special effects and this film does a magnificent job of creating a vividly different planet complete with it’s own history, wildlife,and landscapes — images that will stick with the viewer for a long time.
I just couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
The performers are also very good. I’m proud to say there is a lot of substance behind the gorgeous visuals (something I wish George Lucas kept in mind when he did the Star Wars prequels-But I digress.)
The beauty of Sci-Fi is (and the original Star Trek series did it well in the 60’s) that you can deliver an entertaining fantasy while still talking about relevant social issues.
Yes, it is possible to entertain on a grand scale and bring to light important and thought provoking issues without seeming preachy.
Avatar does in a world of visial splendor and pure escapism.
This film may very well do for the younger generation what Star Wars did for me back in 1977 (when I was 5 years old.) It may instill that sense of delight and wonder, that ultimate sense of fun that has been missing from cinema lately and replaced by critically acclaimed, depressing drek.
However, this film just misses being a masterpiece for me. I only gave it 3 and a half stars because:
1) We’ve seen this plot several times before. Though, this time around it’s a lot more entertaining.
2) Stephen Lang is a great character actor (remember his Ike Clanton in Tombstone or when he played “The Party Crasher” in that old James Wood’s cop flick with Michael J. Fox) but his performance is riddled with cliche, tough guy lines. Despite these character choices, he’s such a good actor he makes it real– you will hate him.
3) I wanted Giovanni Ribisi’s “corporate idiot” to get punched very hard in the face by Sigourney Weaver but it never happened!
Regardless, this film and the wonderfully mastered 3-D it is presented in, is the future of Movies.
That excites me and will more likely bring me back to the theater no matter how pricey tickets have gotten. Avatar can excite, delight and provoke our thoughts. Now, that’s beyond Entertainment!
Darren
*Avatar did not feature on that list, as I saw Avatar after it was published.
Images taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/officialavatarmovie/ and used under fair-use as images in a movie review.
All photos are, and remain, sole property of the studio.
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I just saw Avatar in 3-D IMAX. I sat in the front row. It was the most intense experience. I think James Cameron is a genius. He created a beautiful new world and the whole story process was logical from beginning to end.
I think this is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and I am usually a very tough critic.
People have complained about the story here, but the beauty was in the simplicity and
innocence of the Na’Vi. Everything made sense, and I felt an emotional connection to the characters. The special effects were amazing and because of the 3-D IMAX experience, I felt like I was in the movie.
James Cameron spent 5 or 6 years on this film. Every detail was beautifully thought out.
5 stars!!!!