I can say that I certainly felt no emotional manipulation because the characters were so cliched that the whole movie was a snooze.
Gimme a reason besides FX to see Avatar
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Well thanks to all for responding. Most of you were polite, even if you disagreed or misunderstood. A number really understood what I suppose I was not clear in stating, especially kiwi.
I was just asking if there WAS more than the fx--I tend to rail against unfairness, even in movies, and just don't need to get my bp up to 180/100 for a movie. Hubby doesn't seem too het up to see it.
Ah, so some say it's M.E. (Mindless Entertainment). I love "The Fifth Element" and do consider it ME--no real emotional involvement required, just sit back and enjoy. Yeah, I could go for ME but that's not what I've heard it was, but that "Avatar" wants more involvement, or plays to it, from what I've read and what some posters here seem to state--a somewhat weak rendition of a familiar story.
I never saw Titanic. I was interested, then the overhype was just too much. I even lied to my sister that I saw it. And I'm proud, proud to be a geek. I have no problem telling people I like Star Trek (even before the latest film) and I wouldn't be surprised if people look me strange already.
I was just asking if there WAS more than the fx--I tend to rail against unfairness, even in movies, and just don't need to get my bp up to 180/100 for a movie. Hubby doesn't seem too het up to see it.
Ah, so some say it's M.E. (Mindless Entertainment). I love "The Fifth Element" and do consider it ME--no real emotional involvement required, just sit back and enjoy. Yeah, I could go for ME but that's not what I've heard it was, but that "Avatar" wants more involvement, or plays to it, from what I've read and what some posters here seem to state--a somewhat weak rendition of a familiar story.
coolghoul said:
I never saw Titanic. I was interested, then the overhype was just too much. I even lied to my sister that I saw it. And I'm proud, proud to be a geek. I have no problem telling people I like Star Trek (even before the latest film) and I wouldn't be surprised if people look me strange already.
S
Stone_Cold_Sisko
Guest
Well the story is well-told, and it just feels natural. The scenes of Sully (main character) exploring the Na'vi culture are fun. They remind me of Peter Parker discovering his powers in the first Spider-Man movie. It's a little obvious but if you're ok with the fact that you're not going to get a moment of "surprise" there's nothing particularly bad about the plot. It's all very watchable.
It's fun, it's entertaining, it's carefully plotted, the story is engaging and the characters have distinct voices. And of course it's visually breathtaking.
Avatar may not be the most original story ever told and it's not particularly sophisticated, but it's cinema at its best.
Avatar may not be the most original story ever told and it's not particularly sophisticated, but it's cinema at its best.
I find the Top Critics at Rotten Tomato to be pretty accurate.
Some scores for 2009.
The Hurt Locker -97%
Avatar -94%
Star Trek-92%
District 9 -89%
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -87%
The Hangover -81%
Sherlock Holmes -53%
New Moon -37%
Terminator Salvation-30%
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans-27%
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-17%
X-Men Origins: Wolverine-16%
Whiteout -0%
If you are posting to this forum, most likely you like the sci-fi genre, it would make sense to go see the highest ranked movie of the year within that catagory, IMO. And then form your own opinion & come back to this thread and let us know what you thought.
Some scores for 2009.
The Hurt Locker -97%
Avatar -94%
Star Trek-92%
District 9 -89%
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -87%
The Hangover -81%
Sherlock Holmes -53%
New Moon -37%
Terminator Salvation-30%
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans-27%
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-17%
X-Men Origins: Wolverine-16%
Whiteout -0%
If you are posting to this forum, most likely you like the sci-fi genre, it would make sense to go see the highest ranked movie of the year within that catagory, IMO. And then form your own opinion & come back to this thread and let us know what you thought.
A lot of movies are manipulative. Just accept that this is Dances with Wolves in space plus stupid White Liberal Guilt meets Evil Multinational Cliche and watch it because it's fun.
I'll go for Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana and Giovanni Ribisi.
I'll go for Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana and Giovanni Ribisi.
Now I really want to see Whiteout.
See it for Michelle Rodriquez in 3-D.
Blech!
All I could think of during the entire movie is that they lifted the soundtrack from TWoK and Enemy at the Gates.
Horner really has to come up with a new 'bad things are happening' riff.
All Seeing Eye
Admiral
I went and watched Avatar last night, it is the most incredible film of all time and not just because of the special fx, the story is brilliant.
I honestly cannot praise this film enough, it's my most favourite film ever.
My wife who is very very critical of films loved it and wants to get it on DVD soon as it's out.
I honestly cannot praise this film enough, it's my most favourite film ever.
My wife who is very very critical of films loved it and wants to get it on DVD soon as it's out.
That's made the rounds. The matchup you suggest might be interesting if Disney had any ounce of originality themselves. 
To make a custom-written summary look similar to any film is not that hard. And he/she even failed at the last line. Unless the 'Avatar' that everyone else saw ended with "both cultures resolving their differences". Lazy.
To make a custom-written summary look similar to any film is not that hard. And he/she even failed at the last line. Unless the 'Avatar' that everyone else saw ended with "both cultures resolving their differences". Lazy.
I saw it last night and I'm glad I did. It is stunning visually, but the plot/script and some of the acting was sub-par. However, it is worth seeing even just for the Fx. It is truly beautiful to look at.
I am sure you realized that I was joking in my post. After all I'm posting this at TrekBBS.
Personally, I think your request is slightly silly - You are asking whether there's anything else to see besides the fx. You have also pointed out that you don't want to "rail" against the corporates. Basically, if you want, you can shoot down anything that anybody will say for the movie - Anything from "It doesn't move *me*!" to "It's *manipulative*" to "It's too simplistic". If you're really interested in your question, please go to the the main Avatar discussion and check out the ratings that others have given out. I gave it an A, btw.
You are posting to a SciFi oriented forum. This is one of the highest grossing movies *ever* and it's sci-fi. I frankly don't know why you wouldn't want to see it.
I'm sorry if you find this post rude. That was not my intention at all. I myself have posted questions that I could have probably found out the answers too given 30 mins more of dedicated internet searching. So, it's certainly not that I'm opposed to your question. I am just giving you what I think are very good (dare I say "sane") reasons to see the movie. (Unless you don't see more than 2-3 movies in the entire year. In which case, your choice...)
{Edit - One more reason to see the movie - Zoe Saldana's performance as Neytiri. It's both a mixture of an actor's performance and also the FX. I think it *made* the movie for me. While Jake's Navi Avatar sometimes looked a little plasticky to me, Neytiri was just awesome.}
Oh - And one reason for not seeing the movie is to declare and shock folks by saying that you (a confirmed scifi geek - likes Trek before the latest Star Trek movie!!) have not seen Avatar!
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