Avatar!

Even with all the hype, I was truly wowed by the visual feast that is Avatar in 3D. Sarah T. and I zipped up to Manchester, CT last night to experience the show on IMAX. It was a beautiful movie though I don’t think I’d recommend it for anyone who wasn’t planning on watching it on the big screen.

The plot was weak and, as many others have reviewed, classic to the point of appearing trite. The acting was spoiled by a few, namely, Giovanni Ribisi who bugs the heck out of me. Sarah really dislikes Sigourney Weaver, so she too was disappointed. This coupled with some tacky moments* occasionally made the movie drag.

BUT! All of this was easily overshadowed by the beauty of the camera shots. The flying scenes! The planet foliage! The colors! Absolutely a pleasure in 3D.

If you’re at all interested in the movie, see it at the theaters. Otherwise… probably not worth it.

*Tacky moments spoiler alert:

Why the crap would a mech warrior need a knife?
The sudden morality (ex. sobbing lady) in the people surrounding Giovanni Ribisi during the slaughtering scene?
Unobtanium? please.

10 thoughts on “Avatar!

  • 1/8/2010 at 4:29 pm
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    I really thought every time people said “unobtanium” they were making the same joke. I didn’t realize the movie actually used the term… Did they think that was new or clever?

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  • 1/8/2010 at 5:08 pm
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    It seems so obviously over the top I can’t help but feel they left it in as a joke. It just doesn’t work though.

    Glad you liked the movie in 3D. The 3D made me seriously motion sick, I spent the rest of the day after watching the movie willing myself not to puke. I’ve handled quite a few other 3D movies well this year, but Avatar on IMAX was not so great for me.

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  • 1/8/2010 at 6:05 pm
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    Equally bad? The main guy’s sometimes-Australian accent. Also, does anyone know if they disinfect the 3-D glasses?

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  • 1/8/2010 at 7:56 pm
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    The actor is Australian, but was his character supposed to be American? I vaguely recall that he can do an American accent from Terminator Salvation, but nothing proficient like House or anything.

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  • 1/9/2010 at 12:12 am
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    Yep, he was supposed to be a U.S. Marine. It was weird– I thought he had an Australian accent during the first couple of minutes of narration and then an American accent for most of the rest of the movie.

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  • 1/9/2010 at 8:54 am
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    Well, I got my glasses in a sealed pouch… I’d assume some heat/UV treatment (very low likelihood for chemical) was done to them.

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  • 1/9/2010 at 8:59 am
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    Yes, the plot viciously rips off Dances with Wolves. Yes, unobtainium is a poor name choice. But the main dilemma for me is WHY DOES ANYONE CARE?

    Movies like Avatar are supposed to be escapist and fun. No one argues the scientific validity of Superman or Spider-Man. No one complained about the acting in the original Star Wars.

    Oh, and I really enjoyed the movie.

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  • 1/9/2010 at 9:26 am
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    For me, the little plot thorns irritate because they distracted me from the movie. Its level of tackiness just seemed to push me over the edge to the point where I remembered that I was in a theater and lost some of that desired escapist feel.

    Overall, I enjoyed the movie as well. But I’m certain I’d lose some excitement over it if it weren’t for the 3D and the massive screen.

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  • 1/9/2010 at 12:40 pm
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    I guess I can understand that. It’s kind of like the way I audibly guffaw at the science in CSI. But, when I go see a science fiction anything…I kinda check my brain at the door for just this reason as well.

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  • 1/10/2010 at 2:32 am
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    I hear what you’re saying, but for me there are different levels of reasonably suspended disbelief. For example, I don’t mind that Dude, Where’s My Car is horrible, because it’s supposed to be horrible. I don’t think anyone meant for Avatar to be horrible, and thus I feel justified in mocking its idiosyncrasies (like the mech warrior with the knife). Then again I also think Superman, Spiderman and Star Wars are somewhat lame…

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