I’m not going to do a proper review. There are already plenty of those. All I’m going to say is that the new James Cameron film “Avatar” is quite clearly going to be as successful, if not more so than his last film “Titanic”.
This prediction is based on my recent survey of four. Not a very thorough survey I accept, but given that in my household we represent many different demographics I believe it is realistic. It is very rare that in my house we are in agreement about a film or a play or a book or a TV programme or an item of clothing or a meal or a hairstyle or a pair of shoes or anything really.
We all liked the play “Warhorse” and now the rights have been bought by Stephen Spielberg and so the fact that all of us liked “Avatar” for different reasons means that Cameron has succeeded in producing a film that has marketing appeal to all.
There is romance, battle, exquisite visionary detail – the sublime beauty of a fairytale alien planet complete with extraordinary flora and fauna including dragons. Being in 3D the landscape immerses the viewers to the point where we are actually walking in the magical rainforest with huge blue creatures. I thought the disabled ex-marine hero was beautiful (Sam Worthington) and putting the human mind into an alien body provided no better way of merging two very different worlds together and making it seem believable.
There are clear messages about the state of our world, it is a sort of Vietnam all over again – the quote “fight terror with terror” even features with the US military team. Issues such as global warming and the rape of the planet for profit are covered. Our sympathies lie with an indigenous people desperate to hold onto their land – fighting against a multinational US corporation who have established a mining colony on the planet of Pandora.
When the tribes are faced with a military attack in 2154, the battle that ensues is extraordinary. The indigenous population are completely at one with all around them, tapping energy sources through the roots of trees and so not only do we see many examples of ancient beliefs and rites of passage, but essentially the full force of nature rise up in response – in glorious 3D splendour.
It is an extraordinary film. Go and see it with anyone and everyone.
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I shall look forward to it arriving at our tiny backwater cinema-cum-conference centre in about 6 years time. Or, you know, rent the DVD in 6 months.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I’ll send you the DVD when it’s out! Lx
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Nice Review…Avatar is an interesting experience looks great as a treat but is quite hollow inside.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I so want to watch this but am not sure I’m going to get to see it at the cinema – suspect it will be less good on DVD
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
It will prob be in the cinema for ages x
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:29 am
Hi -
So glad to have discovered your blog.
It is now up on my sidebar so I will be a frequent visitor.
I also found Avatar thought provoking, multi-layered and visually breathtaking.
And that was without the 3D
I can hardly imagine what it must be with it!
The use of what is almost a children’s fantasy genre to address so many moral issues and political hot potatoes was pretty amazing.
It certainly makes a very strong point – the States seem to be in danger (according to this movie anyway) of alienating public opinion.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:00 am
Yes exactly – that is what I thought and glad you’ve found me then!! Lx
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:38 am
I thought Avatar in 3D was awesome. I never sit in the cinema afterwards and be sad to have to leave and if they had started showing the film again straight away I would have quite happily sat through it again. Now trying to find some ppl who haven’t been as an excuse to see it again! Worth every cent and that’s something I never usually say after going to see a film.