Last weekend I finally got to see Avatar in all its 3D glory. It was... cute. [WARNING: Contains Spoilers]
First and foremost I want to give it full props for the 3D technique (native 3D, rather than contrived in post-production) that it will hopefully become the norm in movies to come. The visual depth was absolutely stunning. And the Na'vi were constructed with amazing detail.
But beyond that, I found the movie to be disappointing given the amount of hype surrounding it and the (undeserved, in my opinion) Best Picture Oscar nod.
The visuals beyond the 3D effects were a bit dull. Virtually every plant and animal seemed to have the exact same waxy ,snake-like texture. The plants also looked overly waxy, and that detracted from the 3D effects, and made the world feel far less real.
The acting was fine. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either. The characters, while cliche were at least believable, and enjoyable to watch.
The story is such a great one. Outsiders journeying to a strange land to get resources to send back home, but uncaring about the native population. This is a new and original story.... oh wait....
I know that there is really no such thing as an original idea anymore, but still, I was half-expecting Neytiri to burst into "Colors of the Wind" at several parts during Jake's lessons.
This was far from the only cliche. It actually got to the point that the movie was bordering on being un-enjoyable due to the level of predictability.
When Neytiri shows Jake the skeleton of the giant bird that has "only been ridden 5 times since the first songs were sung." I knew that at some point Jake would tame one, impress everyone and it would secure his place in the tribe.
Neytiri's fiance was clearly going to die, and gloriously in battle. Can't leave the ex running around, and having him die makes him the sad martyr figure. Of course, first he had to grow to respect and value Jake.
Dr Grace's death was still another exercise in predictability. As soon as I saw what was going on, I knew (1)she was going to die, and, (2) they would go through the same ceremony with Jake, and so he and Neytiri could live happily ever after.
*yawn*
It also didn't help that every one of the characters was an exercise in cliche.
Jake: the down and out warrior, good at heart but willing to do almost anything to get his old life back. That is, up until he meets the hot chick that he falls in love with and shows him how to appreciate life in a new way.
Neytiri: the princess. Strong and vibrant. Loathes our hero at the beginning, but his cute ineptitude wins her over, and she defies all custom to be with him.
Grace: the brain that loves the people they are supposed to destroy. Fights passionately (even if impotently) to save the people, and gives us a character to provide all the technical explanations.
Roid-Rage General: the gruff, older soldier. Has no respect for anything the film defines as "good". Ultimately the bad guy, and goes out fighting the hero, even after his side of the greater battle already lost.
Neytiri's fiance was clearly going to die, and gloriously in battle. Can't leave the ex running around, and having him die makes him the sad martyr figure. Of course, first he had to grow to respect and value Jake.
Dr Grace's death was still another exercise in predictability. As soon as I saw what was going on, I knew (1)she was going to die, and, (2) they would go through the same ceremony with Jake, and so he and Neytiri could live happily ever after.
*yawn*
It also didn't help that every one of the characters was an exercise in cliche.
Jake: the down and out warrior, good at heart but willing to do almost anything to get his old life back. That is, up until he meets the hot chick that he falls in love with and shows him how to appreciate life in a new way.
Neytiri: the princess. Strong and vibrant. Loathes our hero at the beginning, but his cute ineptitude wins her over, and she defies all custom to be with him.
Grace: the brain that loves the people they are supposed to destroy. Fights passionately (even if impotently) to save the people, and gives us a character to provide all the technical explanations.
Roid-Rage General: the gruff, older soldier. Has no respect for anything the film defines as "good". Ultimately the bad guy, and goes out fighting the hero, even after his side of the greater battle already lost.
The list goes on. But you get the idea. These characters were utterly unoriginal to the point of even going past "cliche".
The last thing that really bothered me, was when Neytiri reveals to her family and her people that she banged the outsider, they rant and rave for about 10 seconds, but it never really seems to bring about any major conflict. Given that it is implied that who ever Neytiri hooks up with will be the leader of the tribe, it seemed to be a rather blase attitude.
Overall, I'd have to give the movie a B. Worth seeing in theatres (though at this point, it may be hard to find in theatres) for the jump it has made in terms of technological advancement and a better way to handle 3D movies than the current standard.
But don't buy into the hype. While there was nothing really wrong with the plot or the acting, it wasn't the grand thing that the media turned it into.
Original Article: Jaded Ink: Review: Avatar [http://jadedscribe.blogspot.com/]
