12.29.09

Review: Avatar

Posted in Reviews, The 2000s at 4:38 pm by Chick 1

Chick 1 says:

I have to admit that despite the fact that this was James Cameron’s first feature since the gargantuan Titanic, I really didn’t get what all the fuss was about.  But imagine with me, if you will, a world where George Lucas still had all this amazing technology available to him but he hadn’t forgotten how to direct actors or how to tell a decent story.

The Basics:  I won’t give more away than what’s in the trailers; a planet called Pandora with a native population, a crippled marine with the chance to live through another body, and some cool new technology (both in the movie & in the making of the movie).

What I Liked:  First of all, an awesome cast.  Newcomer Sam Worthington basically carries the movie.  At first I was unsure if he could handle it but as his character grew, so did his performance.  I have always liked Zoe Saldana.  Even in the crappiest of movies, her fire comes through and it was fun to see her in a role that really lets that fire shine.  Lots of other likable and talented actors round out the cast like Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, and of course, Sigourney Weaver.  And while I found the villian laughably one-dimensional, I did enjoy Stephen Lang’s scenery chewing performance.

The animation, which makes up at least two thirds of the movie, is gorgeous.  The performance capture technology that Cameron spent years developing pays off.  Quite a few actors, like Saldana, never appear as themselves on camera and their performances shine through.

What I Didn’t Like:  While I did enjoy the story, there’s really nothing new here.  Noble savages, greedy corporations, seen it.  Hmmm…a precious natural underground resource that is taken by military force.  Where do they get these crazy scifi plots?  And I felt like the theme was beaten over my head.  OK, OK!  War bad.  Nature good.  Got it!

Bottom Line:  Nothing truly ground breaking as far as story but if you’re looking for thrilling ride  & beautiful scenery along the way, definitely worth a viewing or even two.

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