Avatar Trailer and Pre-Release Buzz

[DC_Street]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

...Jake's side-switch from humans to Na'avi was a very important story element in which I was successfully convinced, but it was somewhat harder for me to believe how easily the Na'avi tribe allowed Jake to train to become "one of them." I failed to understand why they gave in so quickly and decided to "half-trust" him, knowing he wasn't really one of them. I also strongly disliked the voiceover/video logs...they seemed to exist just to make sure the audience was following along and "getting the story," and I wish Jake's narration wasn't so direct. It brought me back to the theatrical cut of Blade Runner which was not a good memory (for me)...

They gave in so quickly because of the seeds showing a sign that he was chosen, the mother knew that.

I just got back and I'm trying to absorb in what I just saw, heh. The first half was fun but the 2nd half you are just completely immersed in the story, everyone at the IMAX was laughing/gasping/and applauding at the same time. Cameron did a great job of really bringing you into the movie. The CGI was mind blowing, I can't believe how much detail was put into it, there were so many scenes you could swear were real! It was sad that Grace had to die. I thought she was going to make it, especially after her line of "I need to take samples."

Overall, great movie! I'm not going to rank it just yet, going to go see it again probably next weekend and then give my rating

...just trying to figure out if I want to give it a A or a B...right now it is an A but I need to think about it and I can't do that right now this late at night.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by MCT

Remember the miniature floating white jellyfish? They "chose" him on the way to the village, and the Navi chieftan and his wife went along with their daughter's advice to train him as such. Very cliche, reminded me of Hot Rod catching the Matrix of Leadership mid-fall, briefly feeling the power of it, hinting at his eventual turn into leader of the Autobots (really stupid btw). Bumbling oaf evolves into natural leader = stupid

Originally Posted by DC_Street

They gave in so quickly because of the seeds showing a sign that he was chosen, the mother knew that.

That's true...I somehow forgot about that....I guess the fact that he was still "human" made me feel like they still shouldn't trust him so quickly since he was essentially a "fake." But because the Na'vi were so trusting of their god and the mother, I can understand them following the notion that he was "chosen."

[jebhdb]

I gave the film an A. In my opinion visually this is the most beautiful movie ever made. I enjoyed the story and had an emotional connection with all of the main characters in the movie. The 3D was by far the best I've ever seen, and I've seen pretty much all of the movies that have been released in 3D over the last few years. I can't wait to see it again. Awesome movie.

[toef]

Suss, I agree with just about everything in your long post (and yes, I actually read it all ).

Unrelated, Ribisi's character (Parker) reminded me of a mix between Ari Gold and Kevin Connolly.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by toefer

Suss, I agree with just about everything in your long post (and yes, I actually read it all ).

Unrelated, Ribisi's character (Parker) reminded me of a mix between Ari Gold and Kevin Connolly.

Ha I can see that. He was basically Burke (Aliens) reincarnated.

[Blu-rat]

I found the 3-D effect to be distracting in some scenes where obvious perspectives were shown, like the rows of people and hibernation slots at the start of the movie. Things felt "cut-out" like in a Viewmaster frame.
But I give a thumbs-up to Cameron for presenting a movie worthy of going to the theater for.

[thebluemax]

I will wait for the Blu-Ray.

[jebhdb]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

I will wait for the Blu-Ray.

You'll be missing out. This movie needs to be seen in 3D at the theater to get the full experience. This is one time where its definitely worth the time and money to go see it.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

I will wait for the Blu-Ray.

Lol - there's always One isn't there? Why you here then? It's a REVIEW Thread, not a thread to come in drop a comment Thinking it's funny. If it makes you happy tho', fine.

Now, for the Adults in the crowd...

(Started this Review at about 2:25 a.m.) - So, I got back a little while ago (10:15pm showing, ended about 12:50 or so) but I must say I really really enjoyed this movie. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS at the Oscars is a LOCK. CGI or not, as one noted above, this is Easily the most Beautiful looking movie I've ever seen. The 1st hour some may think was a bit slow, but not "looking at my watch" slow. Even still, I Enjoyed it as it brought all the characters into the story & you got to know them & their character traits. The 3D was Truly Amazing & easily the Best I've ever seen. Many times you wanted to reach out & touch a leaf falling or something that seemed to be 2-3' in front of you! Very cool.

Ribisi was kind of a waste of a role IMO. Sigourney Weaver was okay overall, better as the movie went along though. When she made her "Entrance" out of the Pod, I was SOOO Tempted to yell out "RIPLEY!!!!" but didn't. It was in a Pretty much SOLD OUT Imax theater (in 3D of course) & I'm sure it might have gotten a chuckle or two, but I digress. Visuals, as I said above, were Jaw-Dropping I thought. Plenty of ooohhs & aaahhhs were heard around me.

For such a Packed theater, Thankfully Everyone seemed to be very into AVATAR. No Cell phone lights were seen (for those who just HAVE to send or look at a Text in the theater, grow up, get a life), nobody really was talking at all or if they did, it was a quiet whisper. Chalk that up to the Late showing or whatever, but it was nice not to be distracted in a theater for a change.

I will see this again in 2D to see if there's any noticeable difference. The action was very cool, not Over The Top in your face every few minutes, but it Delivered when called upon. Zoe Saldana was Quite impressive & I'd Love to see her get a Best Supp. Actress nod, and even the gruff Marine old guy might get one. He was a Great bad guy, though he wasn't really that "mean" or bad til' the movie moved towards its climax. I loved the 1st action sequence with that Hammer-head like creature chasing "Jake Sully" thru the forest. AUDIO was Perfect throughout the whole movie, Very Intense during that 1st chase scene, & of course, during the last battle. Some of those Explosions Literally SHOOK my Seat, which hasn't happened there since STAR TREK this summer (great movie on IMAX btw).

This will be a Day One buy on Bluray (in 6-8 months he thinks), even though Cameron said it'll be in 2D, with the 3D "maybe" towards the end of 2010. I'm assuming the Audio will (Please!!) be in the best possible Format: 7.1 DTS-HD MA, vice a 5.1 DTS HD or Dolby True-HD track.

Due to the running time, even with the Higher-priced IMAX tickets, it might be tough to break $100 mil. opening wk-end, though I personally would LOVE for that to happen. I see it having Long Legs either way, and it's been posted in a few threads that it'll be in IMAX theaters for at Least a 10-Week Run, which can only Help the Number$.

Dialogue was okay, not as bad as some have noted IMO. Yes, Cameron should maybe hire a writer or co-write as he wears Enough hats on his films as it is (Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer at times). But, it didn't stop me from Enjoying this Incredible Movie & Visual Spectacle. I mean EVERY SCENE was like the most Gorgeous colorful painting, beyond just colors, it's how they were used in the Palette on screen. I'm so wired still, I'd love to see it again tomorrow (but I have to work). Maybe Sunday (), but for sure before next wk-end rolls around.

I see as many as 9-12 Nominations at least for Oscars for this: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, SOUND, SOUND EFFECTS EDITING, SOUND MIXING, MAKE-UP, ORIGINAL SCORE (music), ART DIRECTION, EDITING, BEST SUPP. ACTRESS (Zoe Saldana as "Neytiri"), BEST SUPP. ACTOR (Stephen Lang as "Colonel Miles Quaritch", the Marine dude) & maybe CINEMATOGRAPHY; though some may say it was all shot CGI or on Green Screen so maybe not. Of those, I'd be surprised if it didn't win Picture, Director, Visual Effects (slam dunk here), Make-Up (another shoo-in), Sound, Sounds EFX Editing, Editing, to name a few. Yes it's Early to be talking Academy Awards, but we'll see. Maybe not 12 nominations but at least 8 or more I'd bet.

[Grumpz]

Just got home, gave the movie a B, but I mean B+.

It's 2:30 now, I'm going to bed. I will elaborate and join the discussion tomorrow.

PS. Tall lean blue womenoids turn me on!

[Minimejer05]

Very awesome movie. Have seen it twice now in Imax 3D. Really did enjoy it.

[STARSCREAM]

Saw it last night with my brother and we both LOVED it! I give it an A. We saw it in 3D and that is the only way to see it as the visuals and imagery were nothing short of amazing. I now know I'll have to get a display capable of 3D because after seeing it like this I couldn't imagine not watching it in 3D. It was also a good story too.

[DC_Street]

btw...what was up with their fingernails? they were perfectly clipped on each finger, do they have a spa there or something?

[Polygon]

I saw it last night in IMAX 3D and I'm very impressed. It's a far cry better than anything I've seen in 3D before. It was the most visually stunning movies I've ever seen. It isn't perfect though. During fast motion there is a lot of blur. Also, I kept hearing about people saying that people with a fear of heights might not like certain parts of this movie. This raised my expectations. I was expecting the level of depth perception to be very visceral in scenes where they were looking down or jump/falling from great heights. However, it wasn't. It just wasn't enough to trick my brain into thinking it was falling which would have been really cool. Despite that little niggle I loved the depth perception of every other scene. Like when leaves, flying insects, and the seeds of the spirit tree of whatever it was called were floating around. The real beauty of the 3D is the definition it added. When you looked at plants, rock formations, and the character's faces it added so much definition. It was just incredible.

Now, for the movie itself. The plot is nothing new but it was one you could get behind. I really cared about what happened to the characters. And I felt really good when one of the protagonists took a dirt nap. Especially the main one. The voice acting was great and they got facial expressions and movement spot on.

All in all it was a great movie. I've heard it was astronomically expensive. I only hope enough people go to see it so that theaters and studios see that there is enough demand to make it profitable for them or we might not see another movie like this for a VERY long time if at all.

[JUDGEMENT 4400]

Avatar is like no other film I've ever seen. Pandora, the environments, its creatures, its wildlife and plants are fully realized and digitally recreated from Cameron's vision.

The RDA's tech was also fully detailed when it came to their lab equipment, computers, aircraft, gunships, etc. As if in the future, we might see technology like this.

The 3D was some of the best I've seen. Briefing rooms full of men, an arrow tip pointing at the audience, and other moments looked great in 3D.

The battle sequences are intense, large in scope, and visceral. The audience clapped when the

[Show spoiler]bomber got destroyed

. Also, I thought

[Show spoiler]Tsu Tey's last stand on the deck of the bomber was epic.

There were scenes of badassery that I absolutely loved. When

[Show spoiler]Quaritch saw that an unauthorized takeoff was being made, he grabs a rifle and busts down the door, holds his breath, and shoots at the aircraft

.

The performances were good. Zoe Saldana and Stephan Lang were great in each scene, with Worthington giving the best performance we've seen since he came to America.

I think

[Show spoiler]the ending was perfect. He abandoned his human body and killed it to live in an avatar with the Na'vi. The final shot of his eyes opening, then showing "AVATAR" was just great.

Going to see it again tomorrow hopefully.

[Grumpz]

Now a review with more thought.

Even though I gave the movie a B, but really wanting a B+, that mark is still a disappointment. Visually I wasn't blown away. I'd never seen a 3-D movie and was hoping they didn't have to sacrifice picture quality to obtain it. In my opinion they did. I had to see it in the theatre, but now that I've seen it in 3-D I can only hope the blu-ray release (non 3-D) justifies all of your image qualities comments because I can't.

I can't even call it groundbreaking...as it was cartoonish. Bumble Bee looks like a Robot, not a cartoon Robot. I can't say that about Avatar.

One more comment on 3-D. It looked cool for 5 minutes, then after adjusting, I forgot it was 3-D. I can see why 3-D has always been a fad. It barely adds to the viewing experience and I can do without. The flying seeds like jelly fish in air where only a constant reminder the movie was 3-D.

I enjoyed the story. Cameron managed to do enough to it to make it feel original and I was impressed that @ a running time of 2 hrs and 40 minutes, It didn't drag.

[Show spoiler]They didn't kill Jakes love interest which surprised me nor did they throw in the token friend you trust, who screws you. Thank god!

All in all, hearing about how many years this movie spent in development only to have a few cools things with some good but NOT GREAT cgi restricts my ability to justify better than a B+.

[DC_Street]

Originally Posted by JUDGEMENT 4400

There were scenes of badassery that I absolutely loved. When

[Show spoiler]Quaritch saw that an unauthorized takeoff was being made, he grabs a rifle and busts down the door, holds his breath, and shoots at the aircraft

...

I think

[Show spoiler]the ending was perfect. He abandoned his human body and killed it to live in an avatar with the Na'vi. The final shot of his eyes opening, then showing "AVATAR" was just great.

..

Quaritch was hardcore, he risked everyone else's lives just to go after them without a mask, he was ticked

the final shot was pretty awesome and now I can't wait for the sequel, the ending I wasn't expecting. I knew Jake was going to survive but I honestly thought he was going to lose his Avatar. I also kind of figured Neytiri was going to be killed as well copying the ending to TITANIC, the whole movie it was like which one was going to die...but they both survived . Neytiri I thought was definitely done for when she was hiding behind that tree ready to attack the herd and Jake keeps telling her to back off and she is about to shoot until the ground starts shaking, I let off a big *sigh* of relief

Also with the soundtrack, before seeing the movie I wasn't that impressed but after seeing it and actually getting to experience how majestic the music is...this soundtrack is starting to climb my charts of all time favorite movie scores

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

I see as many as 9-12 Nominations at least for Oscars for this: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, SOUND, SOUND EFFECTS EDITING, SOUND MIXING, MAKE-UP, ORIGINAL SCORE (music), ART DIRECTION, EDITING, BEST SUPP. ACTRESS (Zoe Saldana as "Neytiri"), BEST SUPP. ACTOR (Stephen Lang as "Colonel Miles Quaritch", the Marine dude) & maybe CINEMATOGRAPHY; though some may say it was all shot CGI or on Green Screen so maybe not. Of those, I'd be surprised if it didn't win Picture, Director, Visual Effects (slam dunk here), Make-Up (another shoo-in), Sound, Sounds EFX Editing, Editing, to name a few. Yes it's Early to be talking Academy Awards, but we'll see. Maybe not 12 nominations but at least 8 or more I'd bet.

I can agree with some of your nominations. I definitely see it getting nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Editing.

I would be highly surprised if it got nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor. There were much people in those roles from other films this year and while I thought they played a good role, they weren't great.

I see Avatar winning everything but Best Director and Best Picture. While Avatar is a technical achievement, I feel that Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) will win Best Director and Best Picture will go to something else. I say this because a lot of people feel (and by people, I mean the Academy members) that Avatar has a cliche story with fairly weak dialogue. They won't let that win when most likely the other Best Picture nominees are going to be far superior in that category.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Oscars for this: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, SOUND, SOUND EFFECTS EDITING, SOUND MIXING, MAKE-UP, ORIGINAL SCORE (music), ART DIRECTION, EDITING, BEST SUPP. ACTRESS (Zoe Saldana as "Neytiri"), BEST SUPP. ACTOR (Stephen Lang as "Colonel Miles Quaritch", the Marine dude) & maybe CINEMATOGRAPHY; though some may say it was all shot CGI or on Green Screen so maybe not. Of those, I'd be surprised if it didn't win Picture, Director, Visual Effects (slam dunk here), Make-Up (another shoo-in), Sound, Sounds EFX Editing, Editing, to name a few. Yes it's Early to be talking Academy Awards, but we'll see. Maybe not 12 nominations but at least 8 or more I'd bet.

Are you being serious? This movie as the best picture of the year? And best score? U surely meant worst, right?
If that is the case then the Academy Awards will have lost all credibility!
Oh wait, the have lost that a long time ago, when a certain SW Ep.1 didn't win the Oscars in all technical categories, as well as best costumes and best score......

Avatar is a visual feast for the eyes, but that doesn't make it a good movie.
I take Whatever Works any day over this 1D spectacle.

[iori]

Thought it was great, Give it a B+



I thought with the advance technology though the mechs would have something better than rear view mirrors