A film about blue aliens, war and peace, and spirituality. Not exactly words to describe what is easily one of the biggest and arguably most entertaining movies of the year.
James Cameron returns to form in his first movie since Titanic. The question is, is he still the same visionary filmmaker that brought us Terminator and Titanic?
Avatar is about a paraplegic ex-marine named Jake Sulley who is brought on the moon of Pandora to continue the efforts his twin brother left behind. But things are complicated when he discovers that the job he was sent to do is no longer something he feels right with.
Avatar is hailed as one of the most technologically stunning films ever released in Cinema, and for good reason. State of the art visual effects, industry wide technological advancement, every cent is clearly seen on screen and is not wasted. The CGI is one of the most amazing things you'll ever come across simply because it is interwoven so seamlessly into the movie as a whole. There's no doubt that the things you see aren't real but the real magic of it all is that the visual effects never calls attention onto itself. They say that it's one of those things that when done right, you don't notice, and in the 2 hours and 45 minutes of watching the film, I never questioned what I was seeing. The Na'vi look as real as they can due in a large part of the acting behind the camera.
The cast turns in stellar performances and Zoe Saldana gives a particularly engrossing one because she's the one who has to sell the tech home. Without someone like her and the rest of the Na'vi cast, the film wouldn't be as successful. And she is absolutely marvelous at that. This is why the CGI Na'vi work, because each performer's facial animation is done so incredibly well. You look into the character's eye's and it feels like it's real. You don't see the character models, rather you see the characters themselves.
If there's one weakness of in the film, it's that this film is slightly too predictable. The rumours surrounding the film are true, it's Pocahontas in space, or Dances With Wolves with aliens. All the story beats you expect to happen, happen but it comes in a way where you don't question it. You know how it's all going to go down in the end, but the journey that it takes to get there is so engrossing, that you forgo these convention and go along for the ride. Besides, comparisons to Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves can't be too bad right? It certainly suffers from predictability and the story won't take your breath away.
The dialogue certainly won't be a part of the cultural consciousness as Titanic and the Terminator Films are. No "Get away from her, you bitch", "I'll be Back", "Hasta La Vista", or "I'm the King of the World!" moments. But give the guy a break, he's got 4 of the most memorable movie lines in cinematic history. He's bound to NOT have one in a film. I'll admit that the dialouge is a little sub-par in this film. There were many times were I wish Cameron substituted another word for "Savages". We get it, humans think Na'vi are bad and a nuisance. Don't oversell it man. But all in all serviceable in the film.
What I admire about Cameron's work is how he's able to emotionally engage in audience regardless of demographic. He creates characters that are instantly relatable and recognizable. Quatritch's character is easily a favourite. The moment he kicked down a pressurized door to shoot at his enemy without any regard for the toxic atmosphere told me he was one mother fucker you don't mess with. Total badass. Or just look at Jake Sulley. In any situation, you wouldn't believe him if he just upped and went along with the company's orders but since he is confined in a wheelchair, you understand why Sulley would risk his life to go on Pandora, just for the freedom to walk. It's one of those small details that people don't think about that becomes extremely important in telling the story.
For those wanting to watch this, I recommend watching it in 3D (In fact it's a requirement now). I'm of the camp that usually feels that the extra dimension becomes an eyestrain but I promise you that this is not the case with Avatar. The 3D is just like the visual effects in the film, it's there but it doesn't call attention onto itself. It's there to IMMERSE you into the world of Pandora, and it's easily 3D done right.
This is certainly a film that you have to experience simply because of all the hard work and sweat that Cameron put into this little film. Every minute detail is seen and is part of the world, everything in it has a name even if not addressed within the story. Cameron created a rich world and that alone is worth the price of admission. The story is predictable but serviceable. It won't wow you with storytelling originality, but it wows in spectacle and vision.
9/10
