Avatar movie review: A Cinema Static 2D review!
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Goivanni Ribsi, Michelle Rodriques And Cch Pounder
Avatar (2009) is created and directed By: James Cameron, rated PG-13 and clocks in at 2 Hrs 41 min.
Slight plot spoilers included after the break.
I went into AVATAR knowing only that I hate Cameron as much as I love him, and there’s some Smurfy alien, Matrix-like action going on.
I quickly found myself blown away by the amazing display of visual images and emotions. Forget about 3D. When the 2D visuals are this good, 3D becomes the gimmick.
I realize 3D is mentioned as one of the major theatrical breakthroughs on AVATAR, but it really takes a back seat to the overall 2D cinematography and technological advances in CGI. In Terminator 2, James Cameron set the standard for CGI with the creation of the T-1000. It seems he’s done it again with AVATAR. The film clearly pushes the VFX to the next level destroying the uncanny valley between human and digital photo reality. This technological breakthrough is assisted and enhanced by some incredible acting performances by Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington.
It’s the near future and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a disabled Marine, is thrust into an off-world joint corporate military venture when his twin brother is unfortunately killed. This opportunity promises him wealth and a possible opportunity to get his paralysis surgically repaired. After accepting the job and landing on the alien world of Pandora he meets Dr. Augustine (Sigourney Weaver). A botanist at odds with the dedicated military leader Colonel Quaritch, played brilliantly by Stephen Lang.
Dr Augustine is also the director of the Avatar program. A genetic cloning program that enables a person’s conscious to be uploaded into the body of a Na’vi’, the native humanoid species of Pandora. Apparently in the future mankind has perfected cloning technology and the mega corporation behind strip-mining the planet is attempting to use this process to relocate a segment of the Na’vi population.
Sully joyfully adapts to his new Avatar body and quickly gets lost on his first mission. He subsequently meets up with a native female Na’vi, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), who reluctantly saves him from a pack of Pandora wolves.
After his success in bonding with her, Colonel Quaritch promises Sully a full spinal recovery if he’s willing to infiltrate and provide intel on the Na’vi tribe that inhabit a massive tree located on top of the planets highest concentration of Unobtanium. The mineral the corporation is strip mining from Pandora.
Initially Sully couldn’t care less about the Na’vi. However, after bonding with the tribe he soon falls in love with Neytiri. This triggers the Corporation to abandon the Avatar program as the military option is thrust into play.
AVATAR uses themes we’ve seen before in classic films such as Enemy Mine and Dances with Wolves yet Cameron finds a way to update the story and deliver an engrossing performance from his actors and his effects.
Some say the dialogue was cliché at times, when in effect it cleverly mirrors the lack of maturity of a future mankind.
The film boldly triumphs in delivering a spectacular epic that will leave you emotionally drained and blown away. I highly recommend seeing the film in 2D as the richness and splendor of the crystal clear visuals are enough to make George Lucas drool with envy.
AVATAR receives a 10 out of 10!
Cinema Static Editors comment: That would be a “Wow.” Told ya!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree completely!
Among many other things,,,
I loved how the Na’vi glowed at night and the forest illuminated with activity.
What a cool planet,,,
movie!!!