Cinematic Experience: AVATAR.
December 29, 2009
You had to know it was coming, no way I was going to let the most expensive movie of all time pass by and not let some words fly after sacrificing three hours of my life to see it. James Cameron's Avatar has dominated commercial, print, and online advertising over the past three weeks and we have all been subjected to trailers depicting some far away world where humans are in conflict with natives that look like extras from the cast of the first Star Wars movies. If I was going to see this movie, I was going to see it right, so with the girlfriend and younger brother (and his Snuggie he smuggled into the theatre for comfort) in tow, we journeyed to the nearest 3D IMAX theatre for the experience. And an experience it was.
First of all let's just establish that this whole 3D IMAX experience thing is most definitely the way of the future where Hollywood is concerned. McDonald's Happy Meal hand out red and blue 3D glasses are no longer the vanguard of 3D technology. Throw on a pair of what look like knock off Raybans, and you are instantly transported into a movie experience thats a level above anything you've watched in a theatre before. Though the movies are already absurdly expensive, drop the extra few dollars for IMAX if you can, was worth it without a doubt.
Now as far as a review of this movie goes, I don't even want to "review" it. I just want you to go watch it. There was never any question that this movie was going to be a complete and total turning inside out of the mind visually. I left the theatre driving my Jeep down Route 1 like I was weaving amidst a bunch of floating mountains and some sort prehistoric pterodactyl was moments away from introducing itself to my roof.
You leave the theatre and suddenly realize you're walking on concrete instead of the bark of a 60 story tall tree but none the less you can't help but feeling this sort of "buzz" like at any moment you might grow some dreads, turn blue, and sprint off into the night to slay some hell-hounds with a bow and arrow.
Visually, the film is nothing short of a spectacle. As Nightcrawler's cousins all dance and run from tree limb to tree limb you can't help but still back and and become completely immersed in the visuals being hurled through your being. There hasn't been a movie like this in years, the nearest experience I can think of is some of the shots in Lord of the Rings where you rally felt like you were taken to another land but even those grand sweeping views can't compete with the ever glowing, vibrating, and swirling landscape of Cameron's Pandora.
My word of advice is this, as a friend just telling a friend not even as a movie review, go see the movie. It has become this massive hype machine for a reason and the three hours you would have otherwise spent kicking yourself for not buying the Space Jams for reselling purposes, will surely be better spent watching this masterpiece.
Words really are not sufficient to describe the depths of scenes in Avatar and although the plot and characters will not exactly have you weeping with joy or sorrow for their successes and failures, all parties involved do a decent enough job to not distract from the main character of this film, the effects and creation of entirely new universe. There are some bright spots of decent acting but make no qualms about it. The actors are all all but contributing roles to the greater backdrop of whatever the hell went into making this movie look so real and familiar, but so completely other worldly. I'm done trying to describe it, it's just absurd, go see the thing.
If you were at all on the fence about this movie, (And I can understand why you would be, because I was as well), I would say forget the protest and go see the film. It's annoying to continue to hear James Cameron this, hundreds of millions that, but at the end of the day, the movie is worth it.
Quite possibly the best film of 2009? I don't know if I can say that with confidence given the fact that Watchmen came out this year but you tell me, best film of the year?
Stay Safe-Phil.
my sentiments exactly. truly awe-inspiring entertainment.
I completely agree. After all the hype and reviews I knew I had to see it in IMAX for the full experience. I was blown away by the movie. It was visually the most stunning film I have ever seen. I felt like I was literally transported to the world of Pandora. This movie is an epic masterpiece that will go down in cinema history. I like this review of yours Philliip, because you tell it how it is. No need to review the movie from beginning to end..... JUST SEE THE MOVIE!
I cant say best of 09 but super dope!
i wanna see this movie!!!!!!! and anyone got a HB account? cuz it wont let me register
The Watchmen was by far the most garbage movie i've seen, up there with Sin City...the Comedian was the best part. As for Avatar...it left me speechless, the story is pretty solid, the FX were amazing and seamless, 3D was subtle and not overly done. It will revolutionize the film industry, it is the Star Wars of this generation. Sure there are a few corny parts but what movie nowadays doesn't. BTW did anyone else catch the visual references to 9/11 n the WTC? ...Jake Sully or 2pac resurrected?!! lol
Did you like Transformers 2 as well?
Couldnt agree more. I've been trying to explain to my friends for the past couple of years that watching a film at the Imax is life changing. 300, Transformers 1 + 2 and Watchmen were all watched there and the experience is second to none.
As for movie of the year... hands down it was District 9!!
Story is superb, visually stunning and considering alot of the main characters improvised there lines is even more impressive to me.
peace
Best movie of all time!!! and if you disagree then what movie is better?
87STICK UP KID: As far as Watchmen goes, I'll just say this. I was far too much a fan of the original graphic novel not to go crazy over the film. They did an amazing job in my opinion turning a massive story into a watchable 3 hour film. Film was great.
Where did you see the WTC reference? With the giant tree falling?
Keeg: I just recently saw Transformers 2 actually, that definitely qualified as "spectacle" as well. Didn't see it in IMAX though, just on my computer.
venja: Didn't know the characters improvised the lines, not half way bad at all.
KingTut: I can think of about 20 movies that are better. The story wasn't complex or compelling enough to be the best of all time. Most stunning? I agree with you there. But surely not the best of all time.
Big ups for the comments!
Dope review Phil, I can't say best of 09, its possible though. This movie was very thorough. I think what would have put it over the top for sure is if Sully's big speech was a little bit better written/ more theatrical. That could have been like the "Braveheart" moment or like when Leonidas kicks the persian messenger into the pit in 300. But that didnt really at all hinder the film for me, it was dope, and it took me like 3 days to really process the fact that the setting of this film was a FICTIONAL, planet seperate from Earth. It boggles the mind how well done this movie was and makes me want to attack all my creative projects with the same ferocity and level of detail.
Phillip T, on some real shit, there is nothing that compares to this. It brought you to a world like no other. It took you through all different types of plots; action, drama, suspense, a little love story, a little comedy come on now. Maybe you might have favorites but this movie cant be touched. Ok yea some movies have intense stories but this is a different level film. I'm glad you touched this topic though, good shit. I like your bogging better then some of the others that Kevin got up here. I run the brand Downsideup NYC if not familiar, our last feature we had was a collaboration tee with the Gold eagle and wallabees I did with Ghostface Killah. Well anyways stay tuned for our next project I took some time off but I,m coming back with a banga.
Keep up your blogging. Good stuff. Peace
Did you happen to catch any of the Herzog films released this year?
YUP without a doubt i think its the best film this year. Truly amazing colors and 3D was an awesome experience for me also.
Yeah, there were a few references to 9/11!
The helicopters (and who's piloting them?!) shooting their rockets at the base of the enormous tree which came tumbling down (falling leaves representing the pieces of paper/ large plume of smoke). The shuttle, instead of the large green helicopter, being used to transport the demolition bags to the monument towards the end.
Most people I've talked to won't disagree. There's just silence.
I know this is late but I just peeped the blogs on hypebeast. Being a fan of James Cameron certain aspects of the film I like to scrutinize and dissect.
Sceneries and conceptual for this movie was 16 years in the making. A huge book collector I instantly remembered one of my favorite artists work on the screen. Officially putting everyone on, Check out ROGER DEAN's album artworks or his book DRAGON's DREAM. From the flying creatures of Avatar to the floating landscapes, you can definitely see where the visual artists of Avatar took inspiration. But NO mention of DEAN's influence in any "making of" or "art of" Avatar. Its cool that he's under the radar but recognize where things come from and question if its original.