Avatar – Well worth watching on the big screen!
No spoilers, just a review…
Before seeing this movie, I heard basically two opinions on it. The first was that it would be the most amazing cinematic experience ever to be shown to humankind, and the second was that it would be all visuals, no substance.
I am happy to say that the former is true.
As has been said elsewhere, the plot is nothing new. Think of Fern Gully meets Dances With Wolves. However, it conveys its heartfelt message without being saccharine or preachy. It almost teeters on the edge at times, but the core of this movie is deeply emotional and thoroughly moving.
Were the visuals all they were cracked up to be? Yes is too weak a word. The CGI and non-CGI aspects blend seamlessly. The world of Pandora is achingly beautiful. Seeing it in IMAX and 3D made it completely immersive. It draws you in. Once I became used to the 3D and the glasses, I forgot about them and just let myself get drawn into this world.
The characters have depth and aren’t mere vessels for dialogue. I want to say how human they are, but they’re not human. I don’t know the word…but the emotions are fluid and visceral. They feel truly alive, even more than we are. It’s hard to put into words.
They say there are directors who create worlds. James Cameron made Ridley Scott look like McG. And I love Ridley Scott’s movies.
This movie, besides the basic plot, is surprise after surprise. I can’t think of a moment in the movie where I felt that a two minute jaunt to the restroom would have me not missing much. You know how most movies have good parts and not so good parts? I can’t think of any not so good parts. It carries you along all the way to the end, and it’s a mind blowing ride.
I’m rather jaded when it comes to movies. The ones that everyone else seems to love I find lacking a lot of the time. Not this time. It’s worth every penny. Go see it on the big screen. Do not wait for DVD on this one, trust me. Don’t download it, at least not until you’ve seen it in the theater. Just do yourself a favor and see it ASAP.
See, there’s this part of me that wants to be cynical and pretend it’s not that great, but I just can’t bring myself to dismiss this truly wonderful movie in trivial terms. You have to be more jaded than anyone rightly should be in order to not love this movie.