Movie Minx: Avatar

I think it's safe to say that James Cameron could be poised to be the "king of the world" again with a monumental comeback.  As a director, the only thing he's done of note since Titanic (which was 12 years ago) was a 3D documentary about the Titanic.  As a writer, he's still got credits for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles but no major motion pictures.  The idea for Avatar was in the works back in the mid-90s and the intention was to make it immediately following Titanic, but Cameron decided he needed technology to catch up to his vision before he went ahead with the film.  With the advances seen in the character effects in LOTR, King Kong, and Pirates of the Caribbean, he finally thought it was time for the movie to see the light of day.  LOTR effects experts WETA Digital signed on, and they did not disappoint.  Even better, the movie is showing in regular 2D, and in 3D, and in 3D IMAX if you're lucky enough to get tickets to that.  I can't get over the comeback that 3D has made recently and definitely think Avatar was a much better film because of the depth that the third dimension created.

The technology of the future as depicted in the film was awesome.  Wicked 3D holograms instead of maps.  So cool!

Sam Worthington evokes almost the same range as we saw in Terminator Salvation, but gets to flex a bit more as the computer generated Na'vi hybrid of his character.  He just might be the next big action star

The words that come to mind when I think of the look of the movie is "awe inspiring".  It is epic.  I spent a good part of the movie with my jaw on my lap going "wow" in appreciation of the amazing effects and landscapes.  I absolutely adored how the planet of Pandora looked at night, all glowing and iridescent.  It made me think of those Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Putt places.  All neon and funky.  I was captivated by all the foliage and the incredible creatures.

My favorite part was the floating "seeds" that looked like jellyfish.  I wanted to hang out on the planet just to have them land on me

Admittedly, the story is anything but completely original.  There were elements of The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, and especially Dances with Wolves all mixed in.  Definitely an allegorical story of nature vs. the evil capitalists and natives vs. colonizers and ignorance vs. spirituality.  Not subtle, but entirely not bad either.  The pace of the 2 hours and 40 minutes was quick enough that it didn't drag at all.  Even though there were familiar aspects, there was enough going on visually to lock your attention to the screen and not care if it was predictable or rehashed. 

I used to get Zoe Saldana confused with Thandie Newton.  Now I know for sure that Zoe actually has talent.  It's Thandie who ruins every scene she's in (Chronicles of Riddick, Crash, Pursuit of Happyness...)  Zoe is actually pretty good

There really isn't much to say but you're either going to buy into the movie or you won't.  If you go, make sure you see it in 3D.  It's well worth the extra couple of dollars for the experience.  Avatar is thrilling and magical.  It's a view into a world that does not exist but in the imagination and it's a wondrous thing to see such a world on the big screen.  It is destined to change the world of sci-fi movies, and I'm sure it will become a beloved classic over time.  I, for one, want to see it again already, especially if I can get IMAX tickets.   If you hate sci-fi, don't bother, but if you're not anti-fantasy, make sure you check it out (if you haven't already).

Avatar opened in theaters everywhere last weekend to huge sell-out crowds.  It'll only earn more dough for James Cameron as the awards season draws nearer, already the movie has 4 Golden Globe nominations under its belt

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