Avatar: Movie Review
Dec 11, 2009 - By Mali Elfman
Get your pitchforks ready people! I’m guessing from people’s reactions last night, not all of you are going to like what I have to say. To begin, yes this is the epic visual masterpiece that you’ve all been waiting for and it succeeds in everything it tries to do (visually).The overall look is stunning beyond belief, the special effects are impeccable, Cameron got me to shed a tear and sit on the edge of my seat… BUT the film isn’t flawless, not by a long shot…
The Players:
- Director/Writer: James Cameron
- Executive Producer: Colin Wilson
- Actors: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel Moore
- Cinematographers: Mauro Fiore and Vince Pace
- Music By: James Horner
The Plot:
Paraplegic war veteran, Jake Sully is brought to another planet called Pandora in place of his brother with the promise of getting his legs back if he helps the government on a mission. Pandora is inhabited by a primitive race called the Na’vi and Jake is sent in to learn their ways so that he can help relocate them and the humans can take over.
The Good:
- Special Effects: As if you didn’t already expect this. The SFX are impeccable and he uses them well. Instead of just shoving them in your face, he weaves them into the story beautifully, and they come off effortlessly.
- The Details: Normally in a film like this, you can see a few mistakes here and there, but I didn’t catch any. From Sam Worthington’s tiny legs to the computers within the scenes – every detail was thought out and used as a part of the environment. The best thing that Cameron did was allow for all his hard work to be incorporated into the wide shots without saying “hey look at this.” In allowing everything to be part of a greater whole, Cameron truly created a world of his own, which makes you truly feel as if you’ve been transported into a new world while watching the film.
- The Acting: To both the actors and director’s credit, the performances came through extremely well. It’s amazing how much of the actors emotions you could see through their Avatar characters. Zoe Saldana gave an especially emotional and strong performance, and you never even saw her real face.
- Sam Worthington’s Hair: It sounds ridiculous, but this is another detail that really stood out. Normally you’ll notice that an actor is given a hairstyle that they can have throughout the entire film, but Worthington’s hair changed with every time shift in the movie and it always looked completely natural. Yet again, nice touch.
The Mediocre:
- The Story: Cameron came up with a lot of original ideas for this film, but the story was not one of them. Although it was well put together, clean, and everything played out like clock-work, there was no originality to it. As everyone realized as they were walking out of the theater, the film is Dances with Wolves but with blue cat-like aliens. It’s every video game you’ve ever played, ever steamy-action novel you’ve ever read, every plot line you’ve seen before in a big budget film. Is it well told? Absolutely! But with all the time and money Cameron put into it, I would expect him to tell an old story well. I get that he took a number of risks, so maybe asking for an original story was taking things too far…
The Bad:
- Early Footage: Although it was fun to see early footage of the film a few months ago, it screws you over in the long run. The first 45 minutes of the film is all about being in awe of the environment. It’s about reacting to everything around you, for the people who have seen the footage the experience isn’t fresh and therefore it doesn’t carry you as much as it should. For those of you who have abstained from any footage, you’ll soon be rewarded.
- James Horner: I could literally tell you what instruments he was about to use and when (and I did tell the person sitting next to me a few times). The music was signposty, cliched, and sounded exactly like Titanic. Horner and Cameron go together like two peas in a pod and people love their collaborations, just not me. Films that take big risks like to find safety where ever they can, and Horner is their comfort blanket. For me, it was the one big thing in the film that almost took me out of a few amazing moments.
- Natives Vs. Technology: (Spoiler alert) A white man comes in, learns the ways of a more primitive people, then fucks them over, has a change in heart, and comes back and uses their own ignorance and belief system to make himself a hero. It’s like Thanksgiving all over again! Although this is an old story that we’ve seen many times before and I can’t blame Cameron for coming up with it, is this really a message we want to be spreading and more so, promoting? What about taking responsibility for yourself?
Overall:
If nothing else this is a visual masterpiece and is meant to be seen in IMAX 3-D theaters. It will take you on a ride and blow you away. If you want to avoid some of the problems with it, just make sure to turn your brain off upon arrival and let your senses lead you.
Rating: 8/10
Avatar is in theaters beginning December 18th.
Photo Gallery:
Trailer:
Check out other Avatar posts!
Photos and Posters:
- Avatar’s Final Theatrical Poster
- Avatar: Soundtrack, Poster, Running Time
- New Zoe Saldana Avatar Photo
- New Avatar of Michelle Rodriguez
- More Avatar Movie Photos: Avatars, Sam Worthington, and James Cameron
- Stephen Lang Avatar Photo
- New Avatar Photos with Sigourney and Zoe as Avatars
- 5 New Avatar Photos
Trailers and Clips:
- Avatar Clip: You Should See Your Faces
- Avatar Clip Shows an Angry Sigourney Weaver
- New Avatar Trailer Is Finally Here
- Avatar International Trailer
- First Avatar Teaser Trailer
Posts:
Friday, December 11, 2009 9:51PM
Thanks! We try
Friday, December 11, 2009 9:45PM
wow, this is one of the most thorough reviews i've read. thanks for that!
Friday, December 11, 2009 11:07PM
No rating?
Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:24AM
[...] Avatar: Movie Review (3) [...]
Saturday, December 12, 2009 3:56PM
5 star!!!! Get addicted with Pandora!!!
Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:30PM
[...] Avatar: Movie Review [...]
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 9:55AM
[...] Avatar: Movie Review [...]
Thursday, December 17, 2009 11:12PM
Hi – this review completely missed the point of the movie imo – which was about the value of the natural world – this resonates strongly with what is happening in the world right now – we are destroying the environment and natural world which the human race relies on for resources and ecosystems to keep the planet healthy for human life. the theme of the movie reflects the gaia theory of scientist james lovelock that we need to respect our planet not destroy it. Fantastic cgi effects also !
Friday, December 18, 2009 9:06AM
[...] | ScreenCrave Review | Reviews | Tickets and [...]
Friday, December 18, 2009 10:56AM
-It is visually superb.
-Lot of art work is there.
-Less human more animation.
-first half builds and 2nd half war and war and war.
-when romance starts movie loose its grip.
-There is some message in this movie.
- Some may felt like an animation video game.
- After watching 2012 recently this falls from great to good.
- Fighting between animals/birds with humans is bit more.
- There are some feel good factors in the first half.
- lengthy movie, should prepare head if at all watch in 3D version.
- All visual treats are over in the first half second half same repeats and tighten the screw with war.
-all in all its 1st half is good and 2nd half is ok.
Friday, December 18, 2009 11:23AM
[...] most of the film), Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver, what did you think? As you can tell from my review, I thought it was as epic as it needed to be, but still had a number of [...]
Friday, December 18, 2009 1:16PM
although there were some cheesy parts in the movie (like when michelle rodriguizes character dons blue war paint on her face and on the helicopter) the movie makes a point. even now in africa some people with no political power are being forced to mine tantalum in environmentaly protected areas of the congo. tantalum is a mineral used in computers, and mined cheaply brings down computer costs but at a cost to the people living there. also rain forests are being cut down at an alarming rate. that is why we’re having talks on what to do about global warming. the story is fictional but the message is real. even if it’s recycled we can’t forget the valuable lessons of the past and present
Saturday, December 19, 2009 1:43AM
I so agree with you Mark. The review did miss that point. Wasn't even mentioned once in his review. A 10 year old could have seen that was one of the main points of the story.
If we are to believe what the review says then basically EVERY movie has a repeat of some story already told. It all depends on where you are looking and what you are looking at.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 3:47AM
Avatar is a ripppppp off of Princess Mononoke, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. J. Cameron said that he wrote the story for the movie a few years ago and put it away until the technology existed to make it into the movie that he wanted it to be. Ya, more like he saw Princess Mononoke over 10 years ago and like white westerners before him, Americanize a wisdom and spirit that was wiped out with the Native Americans.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 5:07AM
i really disagree with you natives vs. technology bullet, that wasnt the story at all. white man came in and following all his previous training in the marines goes with his superiors to gather information on a more primitive race in order to fuck them over. Then somewhere through realizes he not only loves the girl, but loves the people and wants to be part of them so he does the one thing that can show he is part of them and a strong warrior. its not really anything like thanksgiving and if anything it shows that anyone can do the right thing even if it takes awhile to realize what the right thing is.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 5:23AM
I agree. Thematically I feel like the reviewer wasn't going a little deeper in his personal analysis of the white man coming and stealing the indigenous people's land. I don't know if the story line is best described as "clichè" but more as a realistic take of what has not only happened historically, but is happening right now (i.e. diplomacy in Iraq). I don't think it was the director's intention to make Jake Sully aka white dude look like he was taking advantage of an indigenous people's beliefs to achieve martyrdom. I think he was trying to show the possibilities behind the mind's capability to change in the fashion of "change your thoughts, change the world." I think Cameron was trying to show the connection we all have to one another as beings (whether you be alien, plant, or animal) who have come into natural existence. Land is supposed to be shown as a binding, unifying force, not one to start wars over.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 5:41AM
I loved this movie. The only reason I saw it was because my son and husband wanted to go. I'm usually one of the first to want to see a sci-fi, but the trailer for this movie was awful. It made the movie look cheap and cartoon-like with all those blue aliens running around. However, to really experience it at the theater, it was just incredible. It was hard to separate what was real the effects were so good.
Generally I am bored by most movies. This was not the case. My husband and I decided that we need to see it again in the 3D mode. Just a great fun movie.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 6:56AM
I watch movies to escape, to step into someone else's shoes for a time, to see things I can't even imagine. This movie is so much more than that. Critics say this and that, but when it all comes down to it, I loved it. I was crying after the credits. A movie that can invoke such strong and varied emotions is rare and the scenery was unimaginable. A great movie with heart and fire and if you don't see it, you'll never know that movie history has just been made.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 7:47AM
this is a shit review. The points which are shown as bad are baseless. The main theme of the movie is human natures eagerness to possess what is needed by them, by forgetting all the ethics. It is much about the US foregin policy today like invading iraq for Oil by killing so many natives. In all it is a good movie.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 4:17AM
good review to a degree . kinda like the review tries to say about the movie … good movie .. to a degree .. ? ya kid'n right .. this movie was fantastic and the first footage is to just draw you in the world like you say but seeing it twice doesn't hurt that everytime you see the footage its just as spectacular its stunning its the clearest 3d visuals i have ever seen. the story is orignal .. when did anyone write about this planet or these people . its just a inspired story . mostly reminded me of american history like it was spun from europe takeing the americas from its tribes only on a global scale.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 4:17AM
and as for the music ? really ? critics . .. complaining about a persons music because it sounds like their music its pretty funny . its like saying .. i bought this metallica cd but it sounds like the old metallica cd's that i love .. i guess its unoriginal .. again .. good review but not perfect . just because you don't like the guys music doesn't mean he didn't do a great job. when people place their names on a movie as a selling point and their fans go to see a film expecting to see and hear them at work and they get what they expected , well then the film was good and did its job well. and yes i know new metallica cd's don't sound like the great old ones .. don't pitchfork me !
Saturday, December 19, 2009 3:46PM
Not really. Dances with Wolves was also about the environment (and man needing to ruin everything). Sounds like you wanted him to beat us about the head with it, like you did.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 5:17PM
good review, but i don't think a normal person would be able to pick out any flaws or problems in the movie like you brought up because it's so spectacular and for the whole 2 1/2 hours your drawn into the amazing storyline. I think it has a great plot and theme to it which digs down to human roots and shows us how our race is so cruel and heartless at times. 5/5
Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:39PM
i saw this movie last night and wasnt too fond of it. i saw it with a couple of my friends and we're like 22 yrs. old. first off my friend was really obsessing over it and i didnt think it was gonna be that good. HANDS DOWN it was one of the best movies i have ever seen and has EVERYTHING you will want….it was purely AMAZING and i usually dont like movies with alot of graphics because the storyline really sucks but this had it all…….GO WATCH IT FOR URSELF……i frkin loved it
Saturday, December 19, 2009 6:56PM
[...] Avatar Movie Review [...]
Saturday, December 19, 2009 7:11PM
[...] Avatar Movie Review [...]
Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:41PM
this review is good but please lay-off with the details normal people do not notice. I myself am an avid film-score follower and do pay attention to the scores. But a person who has no experience in this will not notice a movies scoring problems. Also stop trying to be an ethics professor please. No one cares whether or not we should be promoting this type of story line or not. It is up to an individual to decide this at the end of the story being told, not for a reviewer to question and give away the entire plot. If you tell someone to enter the theatre with an empty mind you are making it very hard for them to not go in very biased and thinking about little details.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 12:04PM
I agree with tom! i actually love the story and the awesome CG but the story isnt original i think.
im a big fans of miyazaki and ghibli and i found a lot of things which are similiar with mononoke hime (princess mononoke) and pochahontas.
- the tree spirit (shown as white things flows in the air), i think its inspired by kodama, the tree spirits in princess mononoke
-Parker and lady eboshi (from mononoke hime) have the same obsession to do an exploration for mining
-the tree of hope its similiar with an old willow tree in pochahontas
-and i found that tsutey's chara was inspired by kokuum in pochahontas.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:39PM
My job is to see the details and discuss them. I think you're under estimating audiences. Just because "normal" people don't always think about the things I discuss, doesn't mean they're not effected by them and doesn't mean that they shouldn't be aware. Plus there are many broad strokes in the review as well for those who are not as interested in the details.
Thanks for the comment,
Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:46PM
Interesting comment, but I don't agree about the music. How I felt in the past would have been irrelevant if this score would have been different, but it wasn't, so my old point of view stands. It should be mentioned because it played a huge factor in the overall experience of the movie.
"complaining about a persons music because it sounds like their music" – So should I not mention it because I've already thought it? Their music is the problem.
"just because you don't like the guys music doesn't mean he didn't do a great job." – If I didn't like his music then to me he didn't do a good job. Was it professional, yes absolutely, but would you really expect someone at that level not to be professional and be able to "do a good job?"
Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:49PM
I agree the visuals were amazing and the amount of details in the environment were beyond insane, but the story was in no way original. He took an old plot and added blue-alien people.
Go watch Dances With Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, or a number of the other films people have mentioned. Same story just different location and setting.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:52PM
First of all if I was a "normal" person, why would you read my review? And I disagree, normal people do notice all those details, whether they take the time to stop and think about them all is a whole other story.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 10:51PM
I compare the story with the Spanish conquest in Mexico, and the awful culture brought from europa, that the called savages are in a strange way more civilizated than the invaders, cause the cultures in Mexico had more knowledges and conscience of everything around them. I see it not so much like an action film at all, it's more like a movie with a deeper message, that how ambition can destroy an utopia, or telling us that we're not so advanced as we think, that we dont even know how to use our own intelligence for a real good.
Monday, December 21, 2009 2:10AM
Do I detect the sourest of all grapes? Yes P. Mononoke was an openly engaging effort
and failed as all movies do to dodge it's own political idioms. J. Cameron may or may not
have set sights on a parallel plot and I think you have copped your own rip off at his expense.
The Japanese themselves proved to be the deciding factor that allowed "Titanic" to spoil
your little fantasy. Were you implying it was "white westerners" who are responsible for spoiling
your day? Have you ever researched the hell and fury that went on within the many tribes
that contributed to the demise of huge numbers of native american people? Our native
people have contributed a unique and richly honored wisdom and spirit that is revered and
practiced by many regardless of their country of origin so I could hardly consider it "wiped out" as you say. You seemed to have let your bitterness wreck this movie for you. Pitiful.
Monday, December 21, 2009 2:20AM
avatar was not what i expected at all…. hardly any 3D…. no action…. very disappointing was expecting a whole lot more!!!!!!!
Monday, December 21, 2009 11:59PM
Avatar has many messages within… the deployment of the storyline… was immaculate… Dances with wolves? plz. Dude go rip some other movie…not this one. For you to make a critic so negatively of the movie…, by saying that the music sounded like titanic’s, Well my friend… that’s like saying, OMG I bought a new def leopard cd and say that they still sound like they use too… Duh!!! That’s the whole point~ "it's what we know, it's what we like, it's the point of buying it, we grew on it… Why not incorporate bits and pieces of music from his other masterpiece? We loved it, we grew on it… it reminded us once again that tragedy is always around the corner. Let me tell you this, for him to even imagine all of this and make it happen… is grand, you on the other hand won't even come close to ever making history in anyway; much less by writing biased reviews…
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:00AM
A critic must be neutral, and that friend is where you F*&^% up. In essence, it's a magical masterpiece, that our sons and daughter will learn something from, unity, family, love, take care of the world…appreciate other races and not exploit them for what ever richness they have, that we lack. (Black gold)
I'm 33 m, and I was deeply absorbed by Cameron's imagination, and the ability to make a sci-fi almost a reality. IMPRESSIVE… This movie will break all records, out there… even titanic’s…you just wait and see… haven’t had this feeling of awe, since I came out of the movies when I was 7 and watched Superman, Star Wars, Et back in the days. A critic must be neutral, and that friend is where you F*&^% up. In essence, it's a magical masterpiece, that our sons and daughter will learn something from, unity, family, love, take care of the world…appreciate other races and not exploit them for what ever richness they have, that we lack. (Black gold)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:00AM
I'm 33 m, and I was deeply absorbed by Cameron's imagination, and the ability to make a sci-fi almost a reality. IMPRESSIVE… This movie will break all records, out there… even titanic’s…you just wait and see… haven’t had this feeling of awe, since I came out of the movies when I was 7 and watched Superman, Star Wars, Et back in the days.
Monday, December 21, 2009 4:09PM
Trudy's gunship/helicopter having 'war paint' made perfect sense if you stop and think about it. Her ship would look EXACTLY like every other gunship in the fight without it! Why would she risk being attacked in the melee by her own side? Her ship gets gaudy markings so it would stand apart for the others. See?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 6:12AM
If you'd like to have the feeling of being 10years old, experiencing the movies for the first time, go and see Avatar! I dare you not to invest every emotion you have, as time as we know it seems to stand still, and you are transported, almost physically, to another world. The entire time is spent in wonderment and awe as each scene unfolds. It's almost too much for the mind to process. I came out of it breathless and exhilarated. I will definitely go again – what a ride!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 6:51AM
Please understand that this movie carries a message. "Save the Planet and It saves you". If james cameron told this in a press meet nobody would care. So he carried this message with some CGI and a love story. Please do not concentrate only on the story and music. I am waiting to see the sequel to this movie.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 8:05PM
I see your points, but your review is a bit too harsh. This movie is by far the best movies many people discussed in this year. Maybe 2012 is the only close comparison to it.
But the way you write your movie review sounds like this is just an average movie.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:30AM
yo review guy who ever tha f u are( the one who said that the plot is old stuff all the way up),
obviously you're a really good critic, I sensed it after reading only one sentence!!, the plot has been done before, but the originality hasn't, you didn't watch that closely, the thing is that this movie should probably get 11/10, and you should get fired for bein such a B**ch, and plZ feel free to e-mail me so that i can express my self a bit more and a bit more negatively abott your Shi**y judjement
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:38AM
you said it man
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 5:30AM
Avatar is PERFECT.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 1:47PM
I was not expecting much from this film. It was better than expected. I think the film has depth on many levels. Its basically the story of the Black Hills or wounded Knee it parallels that more closely than current events.
Its not Dances with Wolves.
It has areas of depth sprinkled in that seems to elude many reviewers. This was the same for the movie "The Matrix" which flew right over the heads of many viewers and reviewers.
Some of it is in your face while some is much more subtle. Its not totally original but it has a winning formula. It delivers in its presentation and leaves the watcher feeling good at the end. People actually clapped at the end.
I liked it better than 2012.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:36PM
Im sorry to say this but … James wanted to put an old story in a new movie… and there belief system was actuly suposidly real in the movie…something to do with the brain…. watch it again and you will see its more then just a special effects masterpiece …. I realy loved this movie and it told a very meaningful message….this movie is in my top 20 for sure.. its shows how we need to change some of our ways… B)
see yea around, god bless
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:39PM
AMEN!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:41PM
AMEN SISTER! xD
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:43PM
Too many people have missed the point of this movie. It isnt just the same old story about white man being the hero. It is someone from our culture learning to reenter into the community of life. I just finished watching both Avatar and Dances with Wolves. They have the same story line and message, but James Cameron was able to literally show us the interconnectedness of the energy of life (with the connection of the hair of a Na'vi and the banshee, and the connection between Na'vi and the mother tree) where as Dances With Wolves could not. The most prominent point you see this life force and respect for the community of life is in the statement Jake makes to his prey after he killed it.
Anyone who has read Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" will understand just how perfect James Cameron was in portraying the Na'vi and tribal life. There has been a lot of buzz on how this movie represented American expansion into Iraq for oil. I respectfully disagree and instead interpreted the movie as a statement of how, for the past 10,000 years, our culture as totalitarian agriculturists have relocated and destroyed all other cultures around us. We are bent on expansion and greed and at war with our neighbors and our world. There is a feeling among us that we are not apart of the community of Life and therefore its Laws do not apply to us. In fact, we are just as dependent on the community of Life today as we were pre-agricultural revolution.
Jake Sully's mind and vision was changed by living among the Na'vi. If we as humans hope to continue living on our planet, our vision must change. We cannot afford to want expansion and growth. We cannot afford to put every acre of Earth under plow. Only changed minds with a new vision will save our planet, not new programs with the same vision.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:52PM
- After watching 2012 recently this falls from great to good.
what the fuck are you talking about?….
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 4:03PM
this is this decades star wars!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 4:08PM
what global warming?… the tipe that al gore made up or the tipe that is natural and will pass over…and start a few thousand years from now….well…if god comes back befor then there is no problem XD
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 4:09PM
Tell it Dap! tell it!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:57PM
I went to see the movie with 6 people, 4 of them fell asleep… Yes, t was visually stunning, but the story line sucked…. Could they offend anyone else???? I do NOT recommend this movie at all, could have been better….. Just saying
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:59PM
I am confused, you said you were not fond of it… but then said you loved it… Did I miss something?
Thursday, December 24, 2009 4:43AM
HOW THE **** IS IT ANYTHING LIKE PRINCESS MONONOKE?! they're two different stories.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 9:43PM
The most BORING movie ever……..
Thursday, December 24, 2009 4:39AM
"A white man comes in, learns the ways of a more primitive people, then fucks them over, has a change in heart, and comes back and uses their own ignorance and belief system to make himself a hero."
Even though you say that, and it's true that his original intention is to "fuck them over" as you so gracefully put it, he doesn't because his change of heart comes through his growing love of the forest etc. and BEFORE the bulldozers show up. If you didn't notice their deity is real in the movie and the Na'vi are much smarter than the prejudiced humans. AND HE WAS A HERO. he saved the whole planet from the humans who wanted to mine ore.
Thursday, December 24, 2009 6:39PM
If you are going to see this film you must see it in 3D its amazing. Best movie I have seen in a while. Action was amazing, and the visuals are just breath taking
Thursday, December 24, 2009 8:38PM
what a great move by the us…we spent blood and treasure to "liberate" a country from a brutal dictator who gassed his own people, really looks like the us and europe got the oil…even now i see gas prices in the us being 50 cents.
Thursday, December 24, 2009 11:41PM
It is true that it is a story like the one in prinicess mononoke with the nature and everything.. Yoshitaka is the best
Friday, December 25, 2009 12:37AM
In 2154 everything seems hi tech except Jake's wheel chair.
Friday, December 25, 2009 7:14AM
avatar is the movie, according me, about the world that might have come in some people's mind. i mean the world which is most demanded and though not expected but is dreamt.
hence the movie is marvellous and impeccable of course.
the sceeneries are graceful. sweet looking movie. the na'vs are very nice.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 3:49AM
I have no idea who the people were who funded this movie (maybe entirely the elitist James Cameron himself with his own money. One thing it does show is how utterly confused, hypocritical and contradictory Cameron's world view truly is). All the way through the story and acting it frothed and mockingly pushed a long typical list of totally pathetic, elitist, hypocritical pacifist, new age/earth worship cliches.
Then add to that this overall frothing hatred that portrays all American Military and mankind itself as being all demented psychotic murders who glee in genocide and destruction of all living things, who need to be destroyed or change their ways so they can become like hypocritical new age globalist aliens.
The story line and cliches was such pathetic hypocritical, contradictory, reverse psychology, globalist, Marxist new age propaganda it was unreal. It really is prophetic as to how far American society has fallen for this filth to be made and paid for.
Don't go to pay to see this movie unless you enjoy funding hypocritical, nihilistic, globalist earth worship propaganda indoctrination, and story lines which shamelessly mock everything good and honorable about all the military and mankind itself. It is pure animalistic, anarchistic, Marxist propaganda meant to indoctrinate ignorant simple minds into changing the world into the traditional Marxist, nihilistic antichrist earth worshipping genocidal world view which all true Marxists live, kill and die for and always will until they control all.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 7:50AM
to critique "avatar" for its use of an outdated narrative whereby a western white male saves the natives, is a very fair critique to have. it's not biased. its asking one of the most imaginative films this decade to offer something better than that. if james cameron can think about able-bodies, animals and the environment, and how each is interconnected then he could have gone the extra step and thought about how diverse audiences would received the framework he fits his message of respect for life and community. some viewers may not think that this is an issue, yet it's 2009, younger generations understand how diverse the world is. furthermore, they know that most of the world is non-western, non-white and female. so to create such an exciting and thought-provoking film as avatar that misses this point is….disappointing. with that said, the movie is worth seeing [in 3D]. at first, i had my doubts about seeing it. then my friends convinced me to check it out with them. the movie truly delivers a fresh cinematic experience. all-in-all i give the movie a "go-see." although it probably will outpace "titanic" it's not a must see for me. it's long and i wanted to fall asleep at some parts.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 4:41PM
I felt like this movie was a rip of Princess Mononoke, Fern Gully, Pocohontas, Dances with Wolves, Eragon, etc……I saw those movies within this one, however, i still throughly enjoyed this movie, though it could have been edited down a little.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 5:13PM
Wow, was this movie reviewd by Rush Limbaugh because only someone like him would not understand the message behind it and blame the victims in the movie for being a …..VICTIM. This movie is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen and if you have not seeN it in 3-d then you must because its a an amazing experience within itself.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 9:39PM
I enjoyed watching Avatar. This is a really great film. Avatar is basically a movie about morality and greed. The plot or story is very similar to the movie Blood Diamond.
Sunday, December 27, 2009 2:30AM
I had a real problem with the United States military being the enemy. I couldn't get by it.
Monday, December 28, 2009 6:10AM
As a general rule, I LOATHE Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Action Flicks. But, I especially LOATHE being bitch-slapped with blatantly OBVIOUS (and shallow and misinformed and ignorant) political/environmental agenda! I also found myself extremely offended by the film's portrayal of the U.S. Military. I did NOT appreciate seeing all of those "extras" wearing the VERY SAME attire U.S. soldiers are currently wearing in Iraq and Afghanistan, being slaughtered for "dramatic effect." I also didn't like the slaughter of the "Native Peoples." The whole film made me angry and uncomfortable, because it was so OBVIOUS and condescending, but for all the wrong reasons.
Did anyone else find it "odd" that the movie (one of the most expensive ever made) required all kinds of Fossil Fuels for its creation, production, and distribution? Come on, people, Hollywood is one of the biggest GLUTTONS when it comes to exhausting our supply of sustainable energy!
Monday, December 28, 2009 10:42AM
Nothing anyone else with $200 milllion couldn’t have done. Story line and neverending war scenes will appeal to 12 year olds.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 12:49AM
I just watched it. The recreation of a world was very impressive but the story left me scratching my head. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. I admit that key points were often described in single lines of dialogue and the sound mixed in the IMAX theatre was not balanced so I may have missed something said which was drowned out by the music. Which corporation is big enough to own space exploration of an entire moon, able to hire its own military but also hires scientists allowed to work for at least 5 years in order to just negotiate for trade of some ore? Why would scientists invest years in study of language and culture not to mention dual species integration and the whole avatar concept just to negotiate with some natives in order to trade for some ore that the natives may not even be aware of and that the mercenaries could just take by force? And what exactly were they talking about as they taught the natives to speak English for 5+ years instead of attempting to hammer out a trade agreement? How can a corporation able to afford to send multiple space ships to a moon that circles a distant planet also afford for each ship to carry helicopters and 5 story bulldozers as payload yet be limited to strip mining techniques? I have no idea of the value of the ore they want so badly but why is it that huge rocks floating in the sky fail to attract anyone's attention for their potential scientific value? Why would a corporation that invested so much money in getting to this moon and years of research to grow these creatures and learn their culture suddenly cancel all future attempts at negotiation even though major breakthroughs in understanding have suddenly been reached simply because of an end of quarter deadline? Surely they would have extended the time period another 3 months or so. Lastly, why would a corporation with all that money and all that hardware not to mention explosive material simply walk away after losing one battle? Why not return with bombs or more manpower and finish the job?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 5:08AM
One correction here – it's not just some "white man" who comes into a foreign land and fucks everything up, it's an AMERICAN, a CAPITALIST, a soulLESS, A BRAINWASHED, an ARTIFICIAL UNhuman with an immense greed and no regard for anything different than himself. It is that wonderful american man of dumb standardized thinking who can only destroy in the name of some fictitious ideals, a puppet in the hands of small group of soulLESS, greedy fucks.
Hope eventually this country will wake up and realize how tragic things really are….
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 6:54AM
Just wait for the sequel. all your questions will be answered.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 8:32AM
If we are seeing the Avatar, We have to remember Indian who were hedden by white peple at 17C.
Maybe, jamse warnning us about the selfish of capital.
many peple live like indian at 17c, we called the lowest class, they will be victim by capiatalist like 'Nabi'. We think about that.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 3:25PM
Sometimes a movie can be nothing more than "entertainment" and AVATAR was exactly that: GREAT Entertainment. Who says there has to be a great story line, or message, or morality play to be a great movie.
I wanted to "escape" and this movie did that brilliantly. Yah, there were some cheesey statements like the bad guys ruining their green planet. Hello: Insert moral message here. (gr&d).
Visually stunning and like the borg, I was assimilated.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 8:34AM
I thought the story was just fine … so what if it's been told before? I reckon it's a masterpiece of story-telling and he succeeded way beyond my expectations to bring me there, to put me right in the middle of it all.
I figured a lot of Americans would find it hard to swallow the obvious … but, there you go. You asked for it. I'm glad it makes you squirm. Obvious, yes, supercalifragilistic, but shallow, misinformed and ignorant? Absolutely not.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 8:31PM
I agree wholeheartedly! I have had many conversations to this exact point since I saw the movie a week ago!
Thursday, December 31, 2009 8:28AM
This was one of the BEST movies of 2009!
You must have awesome imagination and understanding to like it though! :O Everytime I stare at the sky I always think of Pandora and if theyre actually real. 
Ive been trying to get my friends to watch it with me again this week. :] Ive been thinking about this movie since I saw it. I memorize the whole trailer, too. 
P I reccomend you should see it before it leaves the theatres. Oh yeh. Watch it in IMAX 3D! :] Waste that 20 bucks! Who gives a crap?:DD Cant wait for the sequal! XD
Thursday, December 31, 2009 8:53AM
The Last of the Mohicans – not at all close to this story theme, at no point does the main character have a change of heart. he remains on the same path the entire film, he just gets more in depth as the movie progresses. And in case you haven't read what people are saying (regarding a marine who is brought somewhere to fight for one side but then changes sides) ….that's not the entire story of Avatar. It's original in a way that it's been used many times just in different themes and cultures.
Thursday, December 31, 2009 1:00PM
You really don’t give any good points that are bad in the movie.. only a person who has been trained to review movies would notice that the music was the director’s “comfort blanket.” I found the entire movie enchanting, and when I came out of the theater I felt in shock. I thought it was stunning, and I enjoyed that it kind of replayed Thanksgiving, and made Columbus look like the bad guy.
If I didn’t like one thing it was be the huge war scene, but I’m not that much into action and I didn’t even mind it that much.
Saturday, January 2, 2010 11:05PM
Not one black man to be found on all of Pandora wielding a flamethrower or bombing villages full of innocent natives? Just white men dressed as American Soldiers…In the year 2153?
I guess the census predictions have not been taken account by this very racist film. I suppose anti-white racism is in vogue these days so all is good..
These natives were not hostile, there would be no war. Green mining technologies would have worked fine. Great sci-fi flick ruined by an agenda. A 200 million dollar cowboy and Indians movie to further demonize white people AND The American Soldier.
As if ten ton hammerheaded rhinos and giant birds that can knock aircraft out of they sky wouldn’t be a much bigger problem than some blue people. Get real. Pathetic way to try and play on white guilt.
Sunday, January 3, 2010 7:16AM
Very racist movie. Not one black man on Pandora in the year 2153? I guess the census projections are wrong, and I love the white men tromping through the forest with flamethrowers when most certainly 'green mining' technology would have worked just fine, not to mention the natives were not hostile. There would have been no war on this planet, and ten ton hammerheaded rhinos and birds that can knock aircraft from the sky would have been a much bigger problem than some natives who are friendly and intelligent.
A pathetic attempt to demonize the white man and the American Soldier. This could have been a great movie and I found myself wishing the merc would have cut the traitors throat and stomped his blue girlfriend into the ground with his giant metal foot just as a second wave of air support arrived after the most unnecessary line in history.
Sunday, January 3, 2010 12:53PM
This movie was nothing more then a video game on a grand scale. Camerons pathetic use of Sigourney Weaver was critical to remind us of an 'alien' thing going on. This for me was his'Titanic'.I recommend it after you take a couple of hits from your teens (or your own) stash. Good men does a movie make, not computers. Mr. Cameron leave the computer stuff to Pixar for our grand-children.
Sunday, January 3, 2010 4:43PM
Great review. I completely agree. If you factor in plot and writing, this film doesn’t even touch the Star Wars trilogy.
Monday, January 4, 2010 3:57AM
I loved the movie. It's way more than just a video game on a grand scale. It's about live as we know it, then put into a cartoon so that they can put more action into the movie. It's just the way you look at it and take into and then put it together in your brain. But I LOVED Avatar. I would not change a thing, well I would change one thing the character named Grace would live and not die. I would of had someone else die. Who I would I have die instead I don't know but not Grace.
Monday, January 4, 2010 4:08AM
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING TOTALY DIFFERENT, iT WAS A KICK BUTT MOVIE.
dances with wolves on steroids. Talk about a conservative movie. Rationing of health care hmm . Conservation of natural resources through the right to hunt on open and free land. The land saved by nature itself and hunters. Not by government intervention. The right to smoke where and when you want. Then the Marx government that is trying to exploit it through a dictatorship type of mentality. What a conservative movie this was. perfect for our times.
Monday, January 4, 2010 4:19AM
This was the worst movie i've seen in a long time. The technology was great and all. But the story is just the same old old story we've seen before. So what if a planet named Pandora has never been written. That's not the point of when someone says "the story is unoriginal". How many times have you seen a movie or fairytale where the bad people come to take over and the main character who's supposed to infiltrate the other side, falls in love with the princess wins over the hearts of the opposing team and then becomes one of them. I couldn't wait to leave the theater. Next time I go to see a movie where the technology is this cool, I'll make sure the story is a good one.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 6:29AM
This movie made me physically ill. While watching it, I started to feel nauseous and ill. By the end of it (almost 3 hours later) I was in so much physical pain I could barely move out of my seat. It was like watching a cartoon, magnified a 1,000 times. The sound, music and visuals definitely overloaded my senses and 12 hours later, I am still trying to clear my head and think straight. I am not in ill health and there is no reason why this movie should have provoked a migraine in my head that fills like it's about to burst. Creative, yes it was! Sensory overload, waaay too much!
Thursday, January 7, 2010 7:40AM
This movie is great! I really teared up in a few spots of the movie. The movie makes you think about the things that were supplied to us that we are now destroying, over money and material gain. The movie to me shows how we need to respect what we have and to stop taking things for granted, and to top it off to get along with one another. The point is, if the humans would have just learned to live life without wanting things for material value, that the peace of Pandora (Our World) would not have been taken. Loved the story and everything about this movie. It takes a lot for me to love a movie.
Friday, January 8, 2010 6:06AM
That was the great movie i ever saw it was so great i was about to cry that movie was great i just cant stand it i wish i was an av avatar if any one lived in sulpher springs in texas high school
Sunday, January 10, 2010 12:31PM
Opinions are like a*seholes. So, it would appear are some critics. Entertainment is the name of the game not social comment on the collective American guilt at wiping out their own indigenous population. Say sorry and move on. It worked for the Japanese.
Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:48PM
I think this movie is superb!
Best I have seen in years, I presume… Probably I was expecting no less, all the merchandising and the point that is a James Cameron´s film preparing for.. 10 expected years.. had a lot to do in here.. but.. I´m impressed, better than imagined, very moving, with a lot of work.. the characters are very well defined, the story is very touching, the James Horner´s music is impressive again, as always, I love it!!
As I read before, it may have a hint of Titanic´s sound, but.. who dares to say that it´s not just simply brilliant?
Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:48PM
It is not just an 3D adventure, I honestly think that the story has a lot of meaning, our connection to the world (which is chaotically forgotten, I´m afraid..) and so far from the way we live today.. it recalls me to the TAO mysticism, everything flows.. we are all interrelated.. but.. we do not care… but fight for the material things, (?) although it meas destroying things, seems more important nowadays to reach our desires…..
This movie can be seen from different angles.. you can just have fun visually in the theatre (which is outstanding), or.. you can have a second thought about the message…
People is complaining about the originality of the movie.. are universal feelings!… what matter to us would be repeating over and over again… but we never open our eyes! and that´s the target..
Monday, January 11, 2010 5:58AM
well i have been reading alot of from other people comments and one of this guy says he hates this movie he just doesn’t get it it has every thing you must open youre eyes and if you live in sulphur springs in high school it would be great to meet you in person thats all i have to say and if any one hasnt herd of gaiaonline look it up and get a new account and see what you think of it also Avatar rules of every movie
Monday, January 11, 2010 6:02AM
i am so sick of this crap i am not going to take this no more
Monday, January 11, 2010 10:24AM
[...] so everyone has an opinion on what they think Avatar stands for. Our very own Mali Elfman did a review of the film when it first came out, and she also had some concerns about the controversial premise [...]
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:33AM
Brilliant review, covered just about everything. I agree with almost, almost all of it haha!
I think Avatar is one of the few movies to fully back up the media attention and hype it has recieved, and has set the standard for the future of modern cinema.
Whilst the narrative may be nothing new, and it isn't, it is the stunning visual that this movie delivers that makes Avatar so good. It also proves that a simple narrative can be recycled and reused if it is delivered in a fresh and exciting way.
If anyone reading this review has yet to see Avatar, go and catch it in the cinema – and don't miss it in 3D!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 11:34PM
In the beginning, I was horrified. Oversized golf balls as spaceship components don't make me fond of the whole space travel thing I hate anyways. Then the whole thing that had the same name as a wannabe-manga cartoon, seemed to have stolen its story from Disney's Pocahontas which was yet another sad attempt at refreshing clichés (like Avatar the last airbender). Colors of the wind. And it was so predictable, everything.
2 b continued
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 11:34PM
Also, no, the SFX were NOT impeccable. One major buzzkill, to me, was the non-existant Na'vi muscle animation. They only moved the muscles a 2D cartoon character or a PS2 game character would move. When they smiled, only their eye and mouth muscles shifted. When they ran, the women's breasts didn't go boing-boing. There was no leg muscle flexing, no arm muscles that shifted, nothing. Too much botox up their pixel flesh I guess. The stiff tail movement was horrible. Also, judging from their faces, they were supposed to remind of cats? Well, cats do not have long, lanky legs with a Barbie-doll like crease isntead of a decent knee and anorexic mid-riffs. Ugly.
Despite all this, I thought the film was fantastic! I was on seat-edge all the time, didn't even make it halfway through my tiny bucket of popcorn. And I loved Trudy the most. She reminded me of the Israel Army girls. Rude, crude, tough and rough, but a good and loyal hart that beats for the right cause.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:35AM
Avatar was a brilliant movie, the 3D effects were amazing. The storyline was good, the scenery was spectacular and the acting was amazing. What I don't get is why this review pointed out all those little points that no-one even notices. Why go there? Why not just let everyone experience a wonderful movie without dampering their viewing experience. I for one loved Avatar, and got swept away into the world of Pandora. Saw it twice, 3D and 2D, definately recommend the 3D though. Great movie.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 4:52AM
Agree! Phew, I thought I was the only one thinking that the point of the movie was missed. He also got the storyline wrong too. It's the Battle of Little Big horn that the story most relates. Not "Dances with Wolves" haha. Also, the movie could also be commenting on how we our separating ourselves from the natural world more and more. You see that the native people can thoroughly bond with nature. We can't because all of the technology we surround ourselves with. So while the natives in the movie are evolved with nature, we're de-evolved with metal and lifelessness around us. They are living a well balanced life globally. Saying a prayer every time they kill in order to survive. Despairing by the sight of unneeded death. Keeping their world vivid and lively. Living harmoniously. All the global problems we have today is because of us. Can we change it? Yes. It can and will happen. It's happening, beyond the eyes of general public. I do believe that this movie has a great storyline and a great message. I also think that people are just stupid to not see. That how I honestly feel. They are so stupid not to see. That, or stubborn. or in denial. So for me, It was actually a flawless movie.
Friday, January 15, 2010 6:10AM
Bored like hell nothing tgo do no one to talk to in my home or do
^_^ T_T
Saturday, January 16, 2010 3:36PM
O.K, well. I agree with some of the comments people have made. The romance is a bit samey and all that. But you were saying that its like Camerons other movies? Well… yeah, So? thats his comfort zone. I respect that, and I belive Avatar is Amazing and Brilliant. The Storyline Captivated me, I loved the Love Story going on. AND the bit where Neytiri totally Owns Quaritch! It is a brilliant film, and if there are flaws in it, I have not yet seen a single one. Even if there were. I would not care. I have seen this film 6 times. Its worth the money that made it. Avatar blows you away Visually, and En-grosses you Mentally and physically, I LOVE IT! I respect what you have said. Gone over it in my head, and they are all valid because James Cameron is Awesome.
Monday, January 18, 2010 11:06PM
I agree.. I walked out this movie and looked at the parking lot full of cars, concrete, malls, to the highway which lead to all the big and small houses filled with folks that digests the modern marvel of man. What gives! Do we really need all this crap.
This was a excellent movie.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:27AM
Really – we're destroying the environment? What actual evidence do you have to make that claim Mark? Resources are used (converted) – not destroyed. Even in the movie the "virtuous" aliens "destroyed" animals. (Oh, but – they thanked the animal after they slaughtered it, so I guess that makes it OK?)
Cameron's 3D hoopla aside, this film recycles the same worn-out, leftist narrative (ref. Pocahontas) – "greedy, white men always ruin the virgin, utopian culture and environment of otherwise peace-loving pantheists". Aren't you even the slightest bit annoyed by Cameron's shameless hypocrisy here? He reaps millions from this carbon guzzling (what do you think powers all those 3D computers?) production while boldly promoting the "capitalism is selfish, nay, murderous!" message?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:40AM
"…All the global problems we have today is because of us…."
Wow – who knew it was so simple? So, let me get this straight, Kelleaf; the earthquake in Haiti, Saddam Hussein gassing the Kurds, Putin invading Georgia, Pol-Pot's killing fields, Iran's rabid anti-semitism, Hutu genocide in Rwanda – all "US"??? Who is "us" anyway?
There is NO culture that is without blame when it comes to all our problems in the world – tribal, statist or democratic. That's because cultures aren't the root of the problem; the problem resides in the human heart.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:59AM
Couldn't agree more… the shameless hypocrisy of the Al Gore, Michael Moore, and now James Cameron crowd couldn't be more blatant. Yet the posts on this blog would suggest we have been suckered on a large scale (and want more of it) or we actually don't give a damn. Both are scary, no?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:24AM
I loved the movie. Of course, those people who always want to complain about something, who are so paranoid that they see insults to themselves everywhere, would entirely miss the point of the movie, which is, we humans, are killing the planet we live on. Most of us can't see past our biases and prejudices, and the overall arrogance of thinking that we are at the top of the food chain and therefore the only living beings that matter, to every feel empathy for anything living except ourselves.
I would guess the people who didnt like the movie, didnt like it because they saw something about themselves that they didnt like. That would explain feeling angry and uncomfortable, wouldnt it?
I would say go watch it if you are open minded, if you arent, go watch Dumb and Dumber again.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 6:05AM
I liked taht movie it was so good i just want to to is get the movie and get the game
Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:09PM
This is so true! This is the main message of the movie! It is not about the 3D graphics but all the damage that human race has done to the planet and mother nature. The attack of people to Pandora planet can easily be compared to the Amazon destruction….!!
Saturday, January 23, 2010 11:22AM
I just saw it. I'm not usually given to hyperbole but I think this is the greatest movie ever made. It encompasses all movie genres – western, scifi, fantasy, romance, vietnam, ecology, politics…and does each of them better than the best example. Take Western – it is a better western than Little Big Man, A Man Called Horse or Dances With Wolves. It is a better SciFi than Star Wars or Terminator or Silent Running or…need more time to think of more SciFi movies. It is a better War/Vietnam movie than Apocalypse Now or Saving Private Ryan. If ever there was a movie made about western corporations destroying aboriginal cultures for their resources I can't think of it though there are anecdotal tales of gunmen on top of bulldozers shooting natives who are attacking them with spears and arrows as they destroy the rainforest. And a couple of really nice jabs at George Bush with the "pre-emptive strike against the terrorists" and "shock and awe". Another amazing thing – it takes off where his previous films like The Abyss, Terminator 1 and 2, Aliens began and surpasses them. Nice touch bringing back Sigourney Weaver. Cameron is saying with this film – "everything I have done before was just a step on the path to making this one!". Everything I've said so far would be true even if this movie was not in 3D and did not have such brilliant CGI. Once you take those into account…well, what more superlatives can I add? I will be going to see this at IMAX. I will be buying whatever DVD packages come out for it, hopefully there is a directors cut that is twice as long! I will even go into debt to build a home theatre so I can see this as it was intended to be seen at my leisure. I have to finish by repeating my first statement – this is the greatest film ever made.
Saturday, January 23, 2010 5:47AM
excellent movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, February 1, 2010 5:56PM
great! best in several years, even if ait poccahontas
Friday, February 5, 2010 3:51PM
Everyone says in 3D it's amazing. I've seen in 2D, and i think it was a boring, tipical american movie. Sorry, but i almost fall asleep
Maybe i'll try again in 3D, but i don't really feel like watching it again..
Saturday, February 6, 2010 10:07AM
Amidst all the arguments surrounding the 'trite' storyline of the movie, we can't afford to miss the fact that Jaames Cameron has very methodically talked about a very crucial malaise regarding the human nature- which is a tendency to crave for unfettered hegemony over everything that is precious and sought after, instead of consenting to a harmonious and collaborative dwelling. The message couldn't have come at a bettar time considering that the exigencies of climate change demand an urgent introspection of our mentality..
Sunday, February 7, 2010 7:00AM
i watch AVATAR movie,its showing American mind set, to Kill innocent Women,Child and Older people, and Un-Armed Human any where in Planet and may be become in universe too, ll ready do in vietnam, cambodia, africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, and do propaganda they are Human been and others are terrorist, if One American Die in combat they kill thousand with modern ammunition and say “Save the World”
I can just pray the God, give him mind and hart to to respect other country human been, people get Food and Medicine Not Ammunition,
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:27AM
i see a lot of complaints and honestly this is what i think..
yes, the story wasn't the greatest and most original story of all time, but james cameron stated from the get go that he was taking inspirations from his FAVORITE movies and creating a good movie, which i think he did. also, people complaining about the na'vi being too alike like indigenous people and what not, the reason for this is so the audience could relate to them more and understand them and feel for them. also, making it seem more possible as to why sam's character fell in love with one of the natives. they were gonna look totally different, but obviously james cameron had to that, which was smart and helped the audience feel bad for these group of people that don't exist or the planet by the way.
i've also heard complaints that there is no twist to the plot, no crazy ending, it's just predictable and shallow and dull. first off, the movie was intended to be a mystery/thriller. it's a movie rated pg 13, intended for an audience 13+.. james cameron never said this movie was gonna keep you guessing, it's a science fiction movie that looks stunning. nobody should go there expecting a twist to the ending, there are gonna sequels with more detail and a better storyline. james cameron doesn't think we're idiots, he's just making a movie a young audience can also relate to and understand. you gotta remember young children are gonna be watching this and want to see a good movie.
don't expect a complex and abstract written movie, there are no twists or turns. it's just a beautifully shot movie, with good meanings behind it. was an amazing movie and i think everyone should go watch it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:31PM
the movie is very good movie
Sunday, February 14, 2010 7:22AM
After reading some of these comments I have two things to say. This is a great movie made by somebody who loves what he is doing. Anybody who thinks otherwise is some loser getting pleasure out of criticising while he cannot do. Nuff said.
Monday, February 15, 2010 12:56AM
This review stands nowhere..the author is unable to understand the higher meaning of the picture..the IRIDIUM strong message it is conveying to the world. Never has been a Movie like this…This is a TREND Setter..atleast for people who have sense.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:21PM
Okay, well. as far as it goes, Avatar is breathtaking, amazing, I didn't hate a single thing, I am aware that its a Pochohontas kinda thing, but its still epic, Epic love story, Epic Battle, Just… EPIC. but all the comments that are really negative piss me off… I had a comment on one of my other comments saying it was all shit pointed at making americans out to be selfish assholes that destroy everything, and that cameron has a holier-than-thou attitude. Well A) he does, and he deserves to have one, and B) americans do actually destroy things that are beautiful, theres barely any greenery in america. anymore, and americans tend to Instantaniously hate anything that isn't like them, no offence meant here, but thats my experience…
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 3:34PM
Heya! I've only recently seen Avatar and am still recovering from the awe. Unfortunately, i haven't seen it in 3D and can only imagine how great it's gonna be.
I enjoyed reading your review. I thought it was very concise and whilst it didn't fawn over the movie, it didn't resolutely refuse to see the good sides either. I pretty much agree with it. But. True enough the storyline was overall fairly unoriginal (yes the end was predictable). Having said that, i think the themes do present some depth and thought.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 3:34PM
Yes, it's Dance with the wolves all over again, however the duality of man is also addressed: the separation of the mind (or the soul) and the body; is the body just a vessel of something greater?
I also managed to relate it with the war in Iraq, although maybe that's not what exactly what Cameron was going for. Remember when Jake said : "the people from the sky are sending us a message; they think they can do whatever they want if we're standing over something they want" or something like that (i didn't learn the dialogues by heart). It also about the environnement to some extent, how we're oblivious to the beauty of the world that's around us and how little respect we have for it.
Anyway, I enjoyed your review and thought i should let you know.
Thursday, February 25, 2010 10:09PM
That Wuz A Sick Ass Movie :0
Friday, February 26, 2010 12:55PM
I saw this movie and man the effects are better than ever. The story had something to it, not those crapy little killer movies. I think that there is nothing really bad about but yeah its got to be seen in 3D or it kind of has bad graphics.
Monday, March 1, 2010 9:40PM
I went to see Avatar with my wife. For special effects – this movie rates highly. However, the story if filled with too many cliches and morals, to the point, where you start to reminisce about which movie themes have been "borrowed" into this film. Hmm John Ford movies, Stallon movie about mining and corruption on a planet, Japanese or Chinese movies about good and evil, etc., etc. The movie could have been been shortened to keep the viewers' interest, rather than have it wane. On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 7, averaging out the quality of image content with the quality of the plot and screenplay.
Monday, March 1, 2010 9:44PM
I wholeheartedly agree with Tom. But the ripppppp off extends even more. The movie is like a retrospective of every western cowboy and indian movie,Japanese and Chinese good versus evil movies, and sci-fi movies that exploit aliens or resources on other planets. However, for sheer visual effect and entertainment, the movie rates highly. Also $ 750,000,000 net to date after 3 weeks does say much about the attraction of the movie, albeit its' shortcomings.
Sunday, March 7, 2010 11:01PM
This is the best movie ever! I think that the technology is amazing and when I saw the performance capture on youtube I wanted to try it! I think this movie will be the next "starwars, Star trek or indiana jones" for a long time! This movie is My favorite movie and I am just itching to get a copy of this on DVD! While i watched the movie i felt as though i was a Na' vi member and I was actually on Pandora! Although the comercials made it look really dumb, I'd heard that it was good so i figured i'd give it a try and i'm glad i did! i am an offical avatar freak! Can't wait to see the sequal and get it on DVD!
Sincerly AVATAR FREAK!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010 6:37PM
I hope they make avatar 2
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 12:08AM
Wow! Mediocre? Hey what happened to relevancy? My young son at 10 watched it and he most certainly embraced the message loud and clear. Did not need originality, keep telling the story as it is to each generation as they come through, "the humans returned to their dying planet", "I didn't sign up for this shit!" (she is a hero in the true sense of the word etc etc.. I was blown away by the experience and will watch it again and again keeping things in perspective in touch with what really matters, thinking perhaps people don't want to face the harsh reality of it all, who are the real "savages"….? I hear Neytiri's cry often….yes it really pierced my heart bigtime.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:38AM
Oh My Gosh, so true!! I now own the movie and I can't go a full day without watching it! Everyday
the music runs through my head. Of course it desn't help that I also have the soundtract! It's
just such a huge impact because my families history consists of American Indian. For me It's the
possibility for America. Either way I totally love the movie and it's a need to see!
Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:40AM
OMG that is so true! How come no one else sees the movie this way?
Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:51AM
I've read your comment and I have to say I'm really hurt. When technology tries to find ways to
get our garbage on another planet so we have more space, kind of goes along with destroying
the environment. Along with massive species loss, it feels like everytime I turn around a new
species is either on the endagered list or is already dead and gone. I've seen with my own eyes animals disappearing where they were once plentiful. Finally going on to your comment on the slaughter of animals. I know that animals need to pass in order to feed others but Its
the fact that most people use things excessively. More than they really need! The Na vi only
killed as much as they needed. The industrial people smashed and destroyed everything, they didn't even think about all the possible life that was wasted just to get a few people rich!
Saturday, May 1, 2010 7:57PM
The bads you listed are understandable, but it's all opinion. In my opinion, the only thing bad about the movie was how long it was. I felt it dragged a tiny bit, but everything in the movie was vital to the ending- like nothing was pointless. Also there wasn't one single message in the movie. One of them was about being kind to the world, but as said, there were many. Also, I liked that the movie had a little bit of everything. It had comedy, romance, action, and sadness. All of those components were key in the movie, and they brought it together very nicely. James Cameron is a master at making movies, and I hope he comes up with another brilliant idea that will turn into Avatar 2!
Thursday, May 6, 2010 2:10PM
its just like pocahontas
Thursday, May 6, 2010 2:10PM
i fucking love this movie…all other movies suck
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 8:37PM
this is one of the best reviews I have seen for avatar thanks!!!
Thursday, May 13, 2010 4:48PM
nom nom nom
Monday, May 24, 2010 7:31AM
hi this movie is doo doo
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:43PM
agree
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:45PM
we are destroying our plant
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 7:35PM
Theres a huge mistake in the movie when they are going to find his dragon, the hores like creature chips off a huge rock off the main structure which is a problem when you are runing on rockes that float.
Friday, June 11, 2010 10:25AM
and you think you have some superior sense of know what happens in movies? That message could not have been easier to see it was blunt and in your face. It is as though a child wrote it. I can all but garuntee that if you removed the fancy cgi, and beautiful backdrops the movie would have been boring. This is a prime example of a pretty and flashy glazing making people think that the story was good. It is a dated and obvious point that the story makes, no one will argue that we have an adverse impact on the environment. Watch it again, but only listen to it. it is boring and terribly blunt. A little bit of subtlty would have made it better, that and a bit of originality (other than the graphics)
Sunday, July 11, 2010 5:50PM
wow!!! heheh