Avatar Review: One Geek's Apology... pt. 1

Ok, so I was wrong. There I said it. James Cameron is one of the most influential and talented film makers of the last century. He's proven himself time and again, confounding both the pundits and critics. So why did I so doubt him this time? There was a time when I didn't believe that serious cgi characters could ever appeal to my senses...at least not enough for a 'serious' movie. The technology did not exist, or the filmmakers couldn't make the effects seamless with the live action portions, or aliens were simply too unbelievable.

There was a time when
I didn't believe that serious CGI
characters could ever appeal to
my senses...at least not enough
for a 'serious' movie.

These things may have been true of other films, but not Avatar.

Why does Avatar raise the bar for sci-fi movies? Simple, the special affects don't overule the story, nor do they fade to the background after repeated viewings. There is a near perfect synthesis of plot, acting, and effects. Avatar is the type of movie that George Lucas wanted to make when he made Episode 3. A deeply engrossing story, a visual effects powerhouse, a 3-d experience that will leave everyone who watches in nearly gasping in amazement by the time the film is in its 7th minute.












...
Avatar is the type of movie that
George Lucas wanted to make
when he made Episode 3
...

The story begins and we awaken from cryo-stasis, a very old sci-fi trope, used by Cameron to great effect in Aliens (a great nod to fans of that movie) and as we do the first 3-d effect allows the audience just a taste of the virtual 3-d extravaganza to come. A doctor tells the main character that a little disorientation is normal, and we almost nod to him as if he's speaking directly to us, mainly because we are all adjusting our eyes to the amazing effects.

We begin the film with Jake Sully, the (main protagonist) just as he does. Never before has the hero's birth effect been used with such stunning effect. In mere minutes we sympathize with our new hero, and find him to be the kind of guy we could all be friends with. He's relate-able, and he acts as our human 'avatar' into this incredibly rich world of Pandora. And what a world! It's an world teaming with life on every continent, and if not for the un-breathable atmosphere (to humans at least), and the viscous indigenous creatures it would be dubbed paradise found. Jake is offered the role of Avatar-pilot, as his twin brother (a research scientist) and he share the same genetic code used to create the Avatar. Avatar's are not unlike the "android's" in Blade Runner, they are designed to look like the Naavi, a people indigenous to the planet Pandora, more on them in a bit.

... In mere minutes we sympathize
with our new hero, and find him
to be the kind of guy we could all
be friends with.
...

Pandora is altogether plausible, a massive planet that is a lot like earth not unlike the types that are being discovered even as I write this post. Of course the reason for Sully to be there is another common trope, a precious mineral that we humans highly prize for something. It doesn't really matter what we call it, but its a sure fire bet that we homo-sapiens will always have some rock we desire and place as more valuable then nature or just about anything else.



The Naavi at first dont come off as hokey or overly sympathetic creatures, our first glimpse of them is somewhat shocking, almost as if they are just another strange dangerous creature gracing the surface. From afar they are tall imposing, animalistic, and downright scary. We first see one in the form of the Avatar Jake Sully will eventually inhabit. They are strong, fast, cat-like people that somehow never manage to become cute or familiar, or overtly foreign.












The human base on pandora is downright para-militaristic. The corporation. whose name is not important (just think of the Weyland Corporation from Aliens) has spared no expense in bringing ex-marines and 'warriors' to protect their interests. The military hardware is inventive, but not implausible and or unbelievable.














We meet Colonel Quatritch, who's size and stature is equaled only by his machismo. He has all the hallmarks of a man with balls the size of the moon, and a heart inversely proportional to the size of his balls. If we were all gung-ho marines about to invade Afghanistan or Iraq... we'd love this guy. He's a natural leader, and Sully appears as a shell of man compared to his visage. Yet as much as he impresses, Quatritch is not someone we the audience like, and like the scientists who share the base with the military elements, we bristle a bit at any man who is so unforgivably militaristic.


...
Quatritch...has all the hallmarks of a man with balls the size of the moon, and a heart inversely proportional to the size of his balls.
...

As we explore the jungle the abilities of 3-d story telling become abundantly clear. We are sucked into the beauty as it surrounds us and brushes by us. Several times, the audience collectively brushes aside amazingly detailed lifeforms that seem to illuminate the screen, only to be confronted by wondrous other creatures that both terrify and intrigue.

I could go on, but this seems like a review that needs at least another part. So I will pause only to say: Go see this Movie! Avatar is worth twice amount of admission. And please see it in 3-d, as this is the best possible way to see it.
...End of Part 1...