District 9- The Movie Avatar wasn't
- Thread starter Garm Bel Iblis
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In other words, District 9 is a deconstruction of those "humans turning into aliens" stories and shows what it would REALLY be like.
As for the MNU thing, I assume you mean that you don't know why a company was allowed to handle the Prawns or why the US didn't forcibly seize the area:
Back in the early 80s South Africa was still a nuclear power, and the rest of the world wouldn't let America just rush in there. Thus a compromise was struck that a Multinational Company (though MNU IS an American Company) would handle it instead.
The fluid, as soon as Chris had the right kind of fluid composed (he wasn't just adding black goo, he was distilling a different mixture FROM the black goo) it no longer mattered how much there was. What mattered was the right mixture.
We only saw one gang of crazy Nigerians, it's not saying all Nigerians are like that. Besides, that was based on what some crazy Nigerian gangs actually DID to people.
Really, D9's plot is a lot more coherent than people give it credit for. It just doesn't hand us everything on a silver platter.
As for the MNU thing, I assume you mean that you don't know why a company was allowed to handle the Prawns or why the US didn't forcibly seize the area:
Back in the early 80s South Africa was still a nuclear power, and the rest of the world wouldn't let America just rush in there. Thus a compromise was struck that a Multinational Company (though MNU IS an American Company) would handle it instead.
The fluid, as soon as Chris had the right kind of fluid composed (he wasn't just adding black goo, he was distilling a different mixture FROM the black goo) it no longer mattered how much there was. What mattered was the right mixture.
We only saw one gang of crazy Nigerians, it's not saying all Nigerians are like that. Besides, that was based on what some crazy Nigerian gangs actually DID to people.
Really, D9's plot is a lot more coherent than people give it credit for. It just doesn't hand us everything on a silver platter.
I doubt this very much. They are just very pretty and nice to look at and I want to see them again. Honestly it's really that simple; Avatar will be an impressive feast for the eyes on home video. It won't be 3D but I don't think that's as big a problem as you think strictly from a visual perspective.
I got those when watching the movie.
That doesn't mean they were cartoons.
I agree with all of this. Saves me posting.
And yet here is your post ...
I agree with the idea that D9 and Avatar just aren't good movies to compare. Two very different films with very different intentions, and only superficial resemblences. I enjoyed them both, but like most people, for very different reasons - Avatar was a glorious visual romp through a pulpy sci-fi/fantasy adventure, while D9 was a far more thought-compelling, gritty action/drama that was far more intellectually rewarding but probably less fun to watch.
I'm thrilled that they both got Oscar nods.
Very glad to see District 9 get four Oscar nominations, especially best picture. Like I said, it was much better than Avatar.
Rii
Rear Admiral
I can't imagine why.
The chase and gun battle towards the latter half/third of the film felt almost like a cop out to me. As if something else should have happened to keep the sense of "Hmmmm" going.
It was an interesting world that was created, once it was established I wanted something else to happen, to take me from seeing the preview information fleshed out to... something else.
Having said all that, when I can scrape the change together, I'd much rather buy the DVD of this than Avatar.
Having finally seen Avatar this past weekend (saw D9 last fall), I think there are plenty of valid points for comparison, and I have to come down on the side of D9. Nothing nobody else hasn't already said, but I just don't see myself enjoying Avatar over and over on DVD or Blu-Ray, but I could see re-watching D9.
I mean, I did enjoy Avatar for what it was, but as I said in the Avatar review thread, it may have painted it's characters and situations with very broad strokes, but it did it so well that the movie was enjoyable. But since it was painted with broad strokes, it just doesn't feel like it will hold up over repeat viewings.
I mean, I did enjoy Avatar for what it was, but as I said in the Avatar review thread, it may have painted it's characters and situations with very broad strokes, but it did it so well that the movie was enjoyable. But since it was painted with broad strokes, it just doesn't feel like it will hold up over repeat viewings.
I really wanted a D9 sequel. Id prefer a sequel to a prequel b/c I want to follow up on Wikus's story. Also what about those stills floating around that show Wikus strapped to some alien machine with 2 prawn claws? it seems extra stuff(alt ending?) was filmed but never made it to the film and it didnt show up on the dvd deleted scenes either. Also who's Neil fooling? it was an action film at its heart. A very good one. 
The Nigerians alone are a big enough blemish to downgrade District 9's worthiness to receive a nomination for writing.
As for rating District 9 higher because Avatar has paper thin characterizations? Wikus' transformation is not believable. Christopher is strongly drawn but not "deep" which makes it very much like many Avatar characters. But these are the only two characters in District 9! The evil mercenary in District 9 is as featureless a black hat villain ever seen, and Quarritch in Avatar looks Shakespearean by comparison.
There is no excuse for nominating District 9.
As for rating District 9 higher because Avatar has paper thin characterizations? Wikus' transformation is not believable. Christopher is strongly drawn but not "deep" which makes it very much like many Avatar characters. But these are the only two characters in District 9! The evil mercenary in District 9 is as featureless a black hat villain ever seen, and Quarritch in Avatar looks Shakespearean by comparison.
There is no excuse for nominating District 9.
People are still whining about the Nigerians? To me that's just politically correct weinerdom, c'mon man!
As for comparing the movies, I loved both, but I'd go with the general consensus and say that D9 was better, and will age better. The Avatar effects and 3D were spectacular, but man is all the Dances with Wolves learn to be a Navi (a race of GPS receivers?) going to be a chore upon repeat viewings. The entire appeal of those sequences was, "whoa, look at the 3D!"
Also, D9 gave us the catchphrase, "Fooking Prawns!" I've been getting lots of mileage out of that!
As for comparing the movies, I loved both, but I'd go with the general consensus and say that D9 was better, and will age better. The Avatar effects and 3D were spectacular, but man is all the Dances with Wolves learn to be a Navi (a race of GPS receivers?) going to be a chore upon repeat viewings. The entire appeal of those sequences was, "whoa, look at the 3D!"
Also, D9 gave us the catchphrase, "Fooking Prawns!" I've been getting lots of mileage out of that!
Nice
I haven't seen Avatar. But I have seen Fern Gully so I already know what happens.
I loved District 9. I thought it was brilliant. Bit of a rollercoaster. I didn't notice what Canadave referred to - the differences in colour and 'type' of prawn, but now he's said it, it's made me want to watch it again to see it for myself.
Also, Christopher was not just the only green prawn, but he was also the only one wearing trousers. HE WAS WEARING THE TROUSERS! [/silly]
I rented D9 on DVD a while back, and it did not hold up as well as the theatrical viewing. Some plot flaws became more obvious, but it was still good.
But I guess I have to go against "the general consensus"
(in this thread, as declared by Yoda) - Avatar has been a much more rewarding rewatching experience for myself. And it has little to do with 3D.
I have to say, though, that the ridiculousness of the thread title is becoming more and more apparent to me.
Sure, "District 9- The Movie Avatar wasn't" is an accurate statement. But so is "Showgirls - The movie D9/Avatar wasn't".
It isn't a statement which means anything, other than the obvious. That they are different.
But I guess I have to go against "the general consensus"
(in this thread, as declared by Yoda) - Avatar has been a much more rewarding rewatching experience for myself. And it has little to do with 3D.I have to say, though, that the ridiculousness of the thread title is becoming more and more apparent to me.
Sure, "District 9- The Movie Avatar wasn't" is an accurate statement. But so is "Showgirls - The movie D9/Avatar wasn't".
It isn't a statement which means anything, other than the obvious. That they are different.
I rented D9 on DVD a while back, and it did not hold up as well as the theatrical viewing. Some plot flaws became more obvious, but it was still good.
But I guess I have to go against "the general consensus"
In fairness...get back to us AFTER you try Avatar again on DVD. Removed from the hype etc, then see if the movie doesn't come back down to earth.
I certainly will!
Remember that hype works both ways, though... I'm sure many will actually enjoy Avatar *more* in DVD/Bluray, when it is more divorced from the "bestest thing EVAH" hype.
Remember that hype works both ways, though... I'm sure many will actually enjoy Avatar *more* in DVD/Bluray, when it is more divorced from the "bestest thing EVAH" hype.
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