Nexus Wookie
Posts: 2247
Joined: 24/9/2011
From: the Godcity
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I've already put my feelings about this film across in The Abyss thread.
Its not perfect. Far from it. But it does have its moments. There are key scenes for me, which sum up a sense of wonder. As a sci-fi film it works because the sole purpose is for the viewer to escape, and experience another world, in another galaxy. Avatar is a visual experience first, and then everything else afterwards. Whether narrative, acting. But visually it is an impressive achievement.
From the very first shot of Pandora, a tiny blue planet against the back drop of its much larger moon, reflected off the ships solar screen. Its an awesome touch, re-watch it again, notice how Horner's music swells up perfectly in sync with the shot. We're experiencing Pandora like Jake for the first time. Up till then we've heard about it, like Jake (as he too mentions in the film).
The other scene which is amazing for me, is when Jake is lost in the forests, and we see Neytiri for the first timee. A close up of her alien face, which looks SO photo real you 'believe' that we are in fact seeing an alien species for the first time. The visual effects within those shots is amazing. Its a shame that the same doesnt go for the rest of the film because Avatar's visual effects is only 98% photo real. Maybe the sequel will have finally mastered 'real' effect?
I also love the scene of the Banshee, atop Aiywa, The Mother Tree. When Neytiri rides her, Jake watches in astonishment, as do we the viewer. Again the scene looks very photo real. And with the back drop of the forest it is a truly awesome. Thats the thing, for me Avatar as a 'whole' may not be satisfactory, but there are parts, like the few i mentioned, which are simply superb.
The evidence that Avatar is a visual achievement was demonstrated to me by my 3 year old boy. He watched it with me a couple of times. And normally , he is always talkative during watching a movie. He'll ask me 'dad, why is this like that? Why is that 'man' green? Why is Woody upset?'' and so on (you get the picture!). But with Avatar, he watched it in stunned silence. Just taken aback by the sounds, and sights of Pandora. I feel the generation growing up now will be more appreciative of Avatar.
But it is far from a poor film. It has its moments. But Avatar still retains the power to dazzle. It is perfect escapism. And as a sci-fi nut i quite like it! 
Some might say well how can you be astonished by a film which is 95% visual effects? Well the dinosaurs in Jurrasic Park were visual effects too, that didnt stop us going apeshit did it? Especially when the T-Rex rears its huge head! Or feel a little sympathy for King Kong even though he was ALL CGI? We have to accept that visual effects has more or less become part and parcel of the film industry today, especially with the summer blockbusters. Even a film which might not seem CGI orienatated, has been 'touched up'.
< Message edited by Nexus Wookie -- 7/1/2012 10:15:44 PM >
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