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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2010 > February > 23 > Entry
‘Avatar,’ finally
Got the chance last weekend to finally catch up with the movie half the planet has already seen twice, apparently, and I’m happy to say that I’m happy I did.
You know what I mean by that, too: Any film — or, for that matter any entertainment — that comes with the level of hype, anticipation and media madness (not to mention cost!) that attended “Avatar” means that the expectactions are high, and you’re ready to to be disappointed. And post-“Titantic,” James Cameron has his share of haters, though over time I’ve stopped being one of them.
Heck, depending on your level of cynicism, you may go in looking for ways to be disappointed.
Didn’t happen.
I had a great time. I was rip-roaringinly entertained. I was thrilled by the whole jaw-dropping spectacle of the thing. I was glad I went. I look forward to seeing it again.
Is “Avatar” perfect? Nope, not by a longshot. A lot of what you’ve already read and heard about the overly simple plot, and the fact that it follows a pretty derivative course that borrows from about a dozen other movies, from “Dances With Wolves” to “The Empire Strikes Back,” are largely true.
However, Cameron gets plenty of credit for finding ways to make the movie feel different from all those influences, and he manages to throw in a few relevant, contemporary political and social messages that are obvious without making the whole thing seem overly preachy.
And of course, he makes the story look different. In fact, it’s safe to say that there is no other film ever created that looks anything like “Avatar.” From the otherworldly landscapes to the creatures who populate it to the blue-skinned humanoids who are the stars of the show, you know you’re seeing something for the very first time — and truly, that’s not an experience you get to have very often.
And yes, go in 3D. In fact, go in IMAX 3D, if you can.
And by all means, have fun. I did!
What did you think?
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By Anon
February 23, 2010 6:19 PM | Link to this
I think any movie that vilifies our American military by using such ridiculous stereotypes isn’t worth the time it takes to watch it. Hollywood needs to bring back America as the hero—before freedom in this world is annihilated by the leftists and their anti-American agenda.