Avatar

[GeneticJen]

Then you accept the movie is only 'pretty effects', and that leaves me wondering why you're defending it so vehemently.

No I don't accept it's just "pretty effects" at all. And neither do critics, the public or the awards bodies. Just because a movie isn't Schindler's List doesn't mean its story is crap. An ex-marine is recruited into the Avatar programme.. mixes with the natives and sides with them to fight against the humans.. what is so wrong with that story?

The story is completely adequate for this huge, epic, action adventure designed to assault the senses and appeal to a wide range of age groups. Sure, you could enjoy this film purely as a very expensive tech demo. But I didn't. Sure, I was drooling over the visuals. But I had fun watching it. I enjoyed the wild tale. I'd never come out with a fanboy comment like "best story ever" which is a sure sign that someone hasn't seen many good films. I think the story was well written for the type of film this aims to be. A big, wild adventure. Seeing Avatar reminded me of the magical experience of seeing big adventure films as a child, when the excitement and imagination is far more important that the story. Star Wars has a shit story, with shit writing and shit dialogue. But it works for that type of film. It reminded me of seeing Jurassic Park. Stupid film. Stupid dialogue. But the experience in the cinema was incredible. I forgot I was in a cinema and just enjoyed the adventure. Yes, the special effects helped. The most impressive thing about Avatar is the special effects, and nobody can deny that. But the story, the acting, and the music isn't shit. It's adequate. The acting may not be good enough to stand up by itself in a different type of film, and I can say the same about the story itself... but I feel they all came together just fine for what is essentially just a big, fun, blockbuster film.

If someone asked me for a list of what I think are the best films ever made, there wouldn't even be any films like Avatar in the list. But if you ask me what were the most enjoyable cinema experiences I've had, Avatar would definitely be included.

[Elessarina]

The story is completely adequate for this huge, epic, action adventure designed to assault the senses and appeal to a wide range of age groups. Sure, you could enjoy this film purely as a very expensive tech demo. But I didn't. Sure, I was drooling over the visuals. ..

..
If someone asked me for a list of what I think are the best films ever made, there wouldn't even be any films like Avatar in the list. But if you ask me what were the most enjoyable cinema experiences I've had, Avatar would definitely be included.

[Trolldor]

Then you accept the movie is only 'pretty effects', and that leaves me wondering why you're defending it so vehemently.

No I don't accept it's just "pretty effects" at all. And neither do critics, the public or the awards bodies. Just because a movie isn't Schindler's List doesn't mean its story is crap. An ex-marine is recruited into the Avatar programme.. mixes with the natives and sides with them to fight against the humans.. what is so wrong with that story?

This film was boring to watch because I knew what was going to happen, and the special effects were mere aesthetics even in 3D. It was like watching a still shot of a generic rainforest with photoshopped Pelicans from Halo thrown in.
And then, because they decided that wasn't enough, they added a few Pterodactyls.
The characters were not distinct, they did not develop. Everything they were and everything they would do was self-evident from the moment you saw their faces on screen.

[Elessarina]

This film was boring to watch because I knew what was going to happen.

So you've never been to see a movie adaptation of a book?

[Animavore]

I wonder if I can kill this thread like I did the RD.net one.

Ahem... ahem..hem.


People are going to be talking past each other about this film for months.

[Elessarina]

I wonder if I can kill this thread like I did the RD.net one.

Ahem... ahem..hem.


People are going to be talking past each other about this film for months.

Don't destroy my biggest thread...

[Trolldor]

This film was boring to watch because I knew what was going to happen.

So you've never been to see a movie adaptation of a book?

Not equivalent.
You read a book without knowing the story. The movie is the exact same story, hence 'adaption'.
Avatar had no book, it was not based off anything, and yet the story was already known. It was like knowing the plot of a book solely from the title.

[Animavore]

It was worth a try.

I was going to see this again with my friend on Saturday because I promised him I would but then another friend said he'd go and I was like fine.
There's really nothing there to draw me back I'm afraid. I just wanted to see the effects again 'cause they're amazing but I care little for that jock/surfer dude Jake Sully and what's-her-name's Lady and the Tramp romance or The Na'vi.
I might get it on DVD and turn the sound down and admire the effects again.

[Animavore]

I spoke too soon. The thread was just erected a minute ago.

FREEEE-KKKYYYY.

[Elessarina]

You read a book without knowing the story. The movie is the exact same story, hence 'adaption'.
Avatar had no book, it was not based off anything, and yet the story was already known. It was like knowing the plot of a book solely from the title.

Well that's partly because the story is a familiar one.. but anyway i think it's amazing that you knew everything about the movie before you saw it... shame you can't do it with lottery numbers.

Either way.. I don't care what you think and i don't think JC will lose any sleep over it.. that Golden globe will sure look pretty on his mantlepiece

[Trolldor]

Just as my first division chess trophy looks all shiny on mine. Nobody gives a fuck about it though because all it means is that my competition was lacking, not that I was exceptional.

[Animavore]

How many people does anyone know that actually watched this film?

I'm finding it hard to find one. I have met an awful lot of people that have no interest in seeing this what-so-ever.

It was the same it Lord of the Rings (which I liked). I wonder was it the same with Star Wars when it came out

It seems that nerds and geeks are many but scattered.

Unite!

[tattuchu]

I find myself agreeing with BAA, and usually, no offense, but usually I think BAA is an asshole But this film just left me cold. Yes, it was pretty to look at. But that was it. And a film is more than just visuals. If it doesn't have a good story to go along with the visuals, then what's the point? And I think the fact that the movie was so great visually...unfortunately, it only brought the story's shortcomings into sharp relief. Stunning visuals require a great story. Watching this movie was like eating cotton candy. It looked pretty, and tasted sweet initially, but there was so little substance that it left me unsatisfied. And by the end of it, I was kind of annoyed because I expected much more. And I don't think it's a case of my expectations being too high, because in fact I had no idea what the film was going to be about going into it. I just think I deserved more. It could have been much better, and it should have been much better. And it's not that it's a story that's been told before that bothers me. It's that it's a story that's been told before, and told better before, and retold very poorly here.

[GeneticJen]

How many people does anyone know that actually watched this film?

I find that really amazing, because nearly everyone I ask over here says they've seen it!

[klr]

How many people does anyone know that actually watched this film?

I find that really amazing, because nearly everyone I ask over here says they've seen it!

No-one that I know in RL has seen it, that I know of.