Avatar (James Cameron, 2009)
Well, what can I say? I went into this movie not really expecting to like it... I tend to have a hangup and a preconceived bias against BIG movies, it would seem. I thought I'd hate The Hangover too (but then, the trailer for that made it look incredibly stupid and it ended up being ridiculously funny). My old office had all seen it, using the free screenings offered with the ID badge freelancers like me weren't allowed, and all of them came back with an "eh" response... saying it's only good because of the visuals. So I went in with the mindset of a jaded film exec and was blown away. Banana and I did the whole 3D thing, because really, you have to. Usually, 3D gives me a headache... but these, these 3D glasses... the ones that are actually GOOD... once I got used to watching a film through lenses instead of my naked eye, the effect didn't bother me at all.
So everything you've heard about it is true. If you haven't seen it, think Pocahontas meets Fern Gully. With $300 million thrown at it.
Personally, I'm a big fan of simplicity, of naturalism. I prefer things to be real, with little to no special effects or digital enhancements. For me, it's all about the story. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the technology leaps this film has made.
Cameron created this world pretty much from scratch. He wrote the script years ago - before Titanic, even - but the technology he would need to make it wasn't available. So he created it, with the best minds in the field. But Cameron is much better at using technology to advance the story than George Lucas is. While Avatar is a technology overload, it's done with finesse, with beauty. Everything is there because it has to be, because it further tells the story. Unlike, say, the prequel trilogy, which always has me picturing Lucas saying "look what I can do with my computer!" Star Wars (the prequels and the revamped originals) are too cluttered and TOO digital... Lucas creates things via computer that he has no need to. But Avatar proves technology doesn't have to cheapen the story.
And though it's a simple, basic, classic story, it's easy to connect to. The film industry is a big fan of "if it ain't broke..." and recycles ideas and plots like it's going to save the environment. But as retired as it may be, it still grips you and has you rooting for the protagonists. Sure, it's predictable... but see enough films in this town, and everything is.
It's what Cameron knows best: a love story amongst chaos. Two class systems/cultures coming together, and the "upper class" assimilating into that of the "lower". But damn, if he doesn't do it well.
Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, do. I waited long enough. It lives up to the hype, I promise. There's a reason it was nominated for 9 Academy Awards. (though I still want Kathryn Bigelow to win Best Director... sorry James).
The way I see it, always go in with low expectations, because then there's no room for disappointment.
The Hollywood Reporter review can be found here
Photos comes from here
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