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[Mifune]

Christ, even the New Yorker loved it.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2010/01/04/100104crci_cinema_denby

 

[Kai Dracon]

You're talking to a brick wall. The Cameron defense force doesn't want subtlety or nuance out of these scripts, otherwise they wouldn't be Cameron fans to begin with.

No, I am not trying to convince anyone to demand a different kind of storytelling out of James Cameron.

All I'm pointing out is what the movie is really going up against in terms of mainstream acceptance. I'm not really criticizing Cameron directly; everything in Avatar is probably as good/bad in the same ways as all his previous films. The theme is the catch here. It's going to be the reason why the movie is absolutely reviled by a lot of people - Titanic is the same way. For instance, I'm actually fine with Titanic. I don't mind the love story, etc etc. However, a lot of people will never accept it as anything other than one of the worst films ever made because the way its central love story is told is like nails on chalkboard for them.

 

[KingGondo]

Christ, even the New Yorker loved it.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2010/01/04/100104crci_cinema_denby

It's really surprising how many of the best critics really like Avatar, yet the internet wankers typing in their basements are the ones who hate it.

Usually the other way around.

 

[Auron_Kale]

Seeing this with my friends on IMAX 3D (I'm fortunate to live 2 min. away from a real one) at 10:20pm on Friday night.

Should be a good time and I'm looking forward to seeing the tech involved in this film in action, despite the story nor the characters really interesting me.

 

[Bit-Bit]

I for one absolutely love Titanic. I'm not alone since ya know, it was seen by a shit ton of people all over the world. The people that hate on Titanic are such a tiny minority, it's not even worth mentioning.

 

[Bit-Bit]

It's really surprising how many of the best critics really like Avatar, yet the internet wankers typing in their basements are the ones who hate it.

Usually the other way around.

Maybe professional critics are willing to eat crow whereas your average basement dweller will stand by his words no matter how wrong he's been proven. Though I see plenty of noble posters on GAF all happy to eat crow. Because really, at the end of the day, we follow this film because we want to be entertain. And of course tons of us love sci-fi and movies in general.

 

[mjc]

Well LieMAX is better than no IMAX at all I suppose. The only other alternative for me is to see it in Real-D on a regular old screen.

 

[Guardian Bob]

I think most people should give Avatar the benefit of the doubt until you see it.

 

[zander106]

It's really surprising how many of the best critics really like Avatar, yet the internet wankers typing in their basements are the ones who hate it.

Usually the other way around.

Indeed. The "Top Critics" rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of today sits at 94%. We'll see where it all ends up on Friday, but when you're seeing David Denby climb on board, that suggests that there may be support from some surprising quarters.

 

[Zeliard]

I watched in a standardish (well screen was huge) cinema and the 3D world was SO immersive, I didn't notice or care about the other people. This has got to be a first.

Also... right now at work and my eyes seem to wonk out from the 2.5 hours of awesauce AVATAR viewing last night.

James Cameron is king!

Are you gonna watch it again?

I'd be very curious to see some 2D impressions, though I'm gonna watch it in 3D. Haven't seen any in this thread or in the reviews.

Christ, even the New Yorker loved it.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2010/01/04/100104crci_cinema_denby

Wow, Denby loved the shit out of it.

 

[Krev]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

If the special edition doesn't see any theatrical exhibition, I might just hold off on watching it until I have a 3D TV.

 

[polyh3dron]

Indeed. The "Top Critics" rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of today sits at 94%. We'll see where it all ends up on Friday, but when you're seeing David Denby climb on board, that suggests that there may be support from some surprising quarters.

Yeah, remember when the Watchmen haters used the Top Critics rating to bash it?

 

[Dead]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

If the special edition doesn't see any theatrical exhibition, I might just hold off on watching it until I have a 3D TV.

Nice

edit: seems kinda ambiguous as to whether he is talking about an extended cut or deleted scenes

 

[Zeliard]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

If the special edition doesn't see any theatrical exhibition, I might just hold off on watching it until I have a 3D TV.

Some have said that a longer cut could potentially help things like characterization. Makes sense, since very frequently in longer movie cuts, what's added (or restored) are dialogue scenes.

Obviously, it all depends on what he puts back in there.

 

[Dan]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

Does Cameron believe himself when he says the scenes were cut because a really long 3D movie might be tough on an audience instead of the IMAX time limit?

 

[Bit-Bit]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

If the special edition doesn't see any theatrical exhibition, I might just hold off on watching it until I have a 3D TV.

Haven't seen the film yet. But more scenes from Cameron is always great news. I can see his reasoning for not wanting the initial 3D release to be longer than 2 and a half hours.

 

[Combine]

Good news. Cameron says that the DVD and Blu-Ray will have the longer cut of the film.
While a lot of people will say it's bloated, I think a longer cut would really help the film.

Heh, not a suprise for me. But I know there was someone here who was pretty damn adamant that the theatrical version was gonna be the "final cut". Adding that there wouldn't be any unreleased footage because it wasn't rendered. Well, Cameron admits there that they did indeed have rendered footage that they cut. And who knows, depending on what he wants to add, along with how succesful the film will be, he might even have other scenes rendered or re-rendered.

 

[jax (old)]

Are you gonna watch it again?

I'd be very curious to see some 2D impressions, though I'm gonna watch it in 3D. Haven't seen any in this thread or in the reviews.



Wow, Denby loved the shit out of it.

I'm gonna be watching it again in imax. for sure. I posted that I think Imax can ruin a movie and well, this will be the litmus test. Because I adored it in a large screen/conventional cinema. Tickets in sydney IMAX are sold out for a bit so I gotta wait a bit til I can watch it again

 

[Zeliard]

Heh, not a suprise for me. But I know there was someone here who was pretty damn adamant that the theatrical version was gonna be the "final cut". Adding that there wouldn't be any unreleased footage because it wasn't rendered. Well, Cameron admits there that they did indeed have rendered footage that they cut. And who knows, depending on what he wants to add, along with how succesful the film will be, he might even have other scenes rendered or re-rendered.

I think Jimmy Duckroll was going on about how what's on screen in the theaters is absolutely Cameron's final cut. Coulda been someone else, though.

 

[fortified_concept]

Just saw it in 3D. It's not that the 3D aspect of the movie was more impressive than other 3D movies it's how natural it felt. Cameron managed to make a 3D film where the 3D aspect isn't distracting anymore or a gimmick but part of the movie. He perfected 3D.

As far as story goes though it was a little too formulaic. Can't say I was impressed by it but Avatar is still a good movie I will unfortunately forget after a while.


edit: Oh and the Navi CG characters were amazing. Every emotion, every expression from the original actors translated perfectly in the CG characters.

 

[Wes]

Will keep this short as I've just got back (from a non-3D showing - not explaining why again), it's gone midnight and I'm shattered now.


It was good. Very good. The CG lived up to the hype. Was particularly impressed with how they pulled off the Na'avi in the end.

But..

The story itself was predictable and I found the pacing quite odd but I think that may have just been for me.


Star Trek was a better film in a similiar genre this year.


----

Oh and for number watchers out there, the showing I was in was half full, I had expected more, particularly on Orange Wednesday (a 2for1 ticket offer here in the UK).

 

[furrygiblets]

Just got back in. WAS FUCKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TAJ]

Is LieMax seriously brighter? (Please, God... let it be so) I need input from people who have seen every type.
Help me, LieMax. You're my only hope.
My disappointment with 3DVision was especially crushing. The upcoming Blu-ray 3D process will basically be the same as that, and I hate it... hate, hate, hate. Saves me the expense of a new TV, I guess.

 

[StuBurns]

Just got back, good film. Going again Saturday.

 

[MNC]

Wasn't this at 90% before? Or have I been imagining things?

 

[StuBurns]

Is LieMax seriously brighter? (Please, God... let it be so) I need input from people who have seen every type.
Help me, LieMax. You're my only hope.
My disappointment with 3DVision was especially crushing. The upcoming Blu-ray 3D process will basically be the same as that, and I hate it... hate, hate, hate. Saves me the expense of a new TV, I guess.

Nah, 3D BluRay will support 'real' 3D if you're willing to buy a polarized monitor such as the JVC one I linked to earlier in this thread. I've had a demo of the JVC monitor, and it's extraordinary.

 

[TAJ]

Wasn't this at 90% before? Or have I been imagining things?

Drops are inevitable. The earliest reviews are from people who couldn't wait to see the movie, or shills. There's also the 'critics who want to shit on anything most other people seem to like' factor.

 

[TAJ]

Nah, 3D BluRay will support 'real' 3D if you're willing to buy a polarized monitor such as the JVC one I linked to earlier in this thread. I've had a demo of the JVC monitor, and it's extraordinary.

3DVision is "real 3d". (left-right alternating with shutter glasses) It's just dim. I've seen polarized 3D in two theaters, and it sucked equally at both.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Wasn't this at 90% before? Or have I been imagining things?

It's been bouncing around. From 95% to 83%. Then up to 92%, then a wave of five rotten reviews (mostly small online sites) pushed it down to 83%. Now more press reviews hit and it's at 84%.

It's weird - I'm used to seeing the early online enthusiast/blog sites gush over a genre picture, and then see the score come down as the mainstream press has their say. Here the online critics are the harshest. The "Top Critics" on RT have the movie at 94%; backing them out, the rest of the critics have it at 81%. I can't remember the last movie that had it flipped like that to this degree.

 

[StuBurns]

3DVision is "real 3d". It's just dim.

Indeed, I guess 'high quality 3D' would have been a more apt term.

 

[TAJ]

Indeed, I guess 'high quality 3D' would have been a more apt term.

The 3D effect is great, and some people love the process. Then again, some people would be really impressed with The Dark Knight Blu-ray on a non-LED LCD. It drives me up the wall, but not nearly as much as 3DVision.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I'm really curious about 3D bluray.
Has anyone seen it demoed?

I've had a demo of the JVC monitor, and it's extraordinary.

Ahh! Awesome!
what did you see?

 

[fortified_concept]

The story itself was predictable and I found the pacing quite odd but I think that may have just been for me.

Nope, not just you. For example

Spoiler

the three month period he stayed with the Navi was horribly summarized and him slowly "falling in love" with the planet and the Navi wasn't shown well enough

. The movie needed to be 20-30 mins longer.

 

[StuBurns]

The 3D effect is great, and some people love the process. Then again, some people would be really impressed with The Dark Knight Blu-ray on a non-LED LCD. It drives me up the wall, but not nearly as much as 3DVision.

Fair enough, although what I meant was any digital form of 3D you want, 3D BluRay is bound to facilitate, personally I think polarized is way better than shutter glasses, but I guess it's taste.

I'm really curious about 3D bluray.
Has anyone seen it demoed?

The specs aren't finalized yet, I got a nice demo of the JVC including some 1080p 3D video, but not out of a disc drive.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

I’ve got the day off work today and have absolutely nothing to do. I’ve got tickets already booked for Sunday with my family, but I’m so tempted to go and see this today by myself. What should I do GAF?

 

[NeoUltima]

It's really surprising how many of the best critics really like Avatar, yet the internet wankers typing in their basements are the ones who hate it.

Usually the other way around.

Normal T-meter 84%

Top Critic T-meter 94%

 

[StuBurns]

I’ve got the day off work today and have absolutely nothing to do. I’ve got tickets already booked for Sunday with my family, but I’m so tempted to go and see this today by myself. What should I do GAF?

Go, it's incredible.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Stub, was it just stock footage? Or was it a movie?

 

[DigitalDevil]

uhhhh, so I've been reading up on this whole "Liemax" thing.... click here for those of you who are like me and clueless.

So, if the options I have are a digital Imax theater within 30 minutes, or a DLP 3D "normal" theater in town...... which should I choose? They really make the "fake" imax sound horrible, but isn't it still better than DLP 3D?

halp, tech-gaf!

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I think the only thing better than "lie"MAX is actual IMAX.
Have yet to actually experience it though, just seen it reiterated a ton of times in this thread.

 

[Solo]

Yeah, remember when the Watchmen haters used the Top Critics rating to bash it?

Watchmen bashed itself

 

[StuBurns]

Stub, was it just stock footage? Or was it a movie?

Just some trailers and clips, only a few minutes. Got a demo of the Avatar game in 3D, got to play that for about twenty minutes afterward. JVC have some sort of demo reel for showing it off, if there's a retailer near you, you could ask to check it out I imagine. They're not commercially available in the UK yet, and when they are I won't be able to afford one, but they are pretty stunning.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

I’ve got the day off work today and have absolutely nothing to do. I’ve got tickets already booked for Sunday with my family, but I’m so tempted to go and see this today by myself. What should I do GAF?

Go, it's incredible.

Well I've never been to a cinema by myself, and it’s like a 40 minute drive, but you know what? I'm gonna go! The wait till Sunday will drive me insane! I'll be back later guys to let you all know what I thought.

 

[jett]

This is some fucking bullshit, the gods must hate me or whatever. Today I woke up only to find my eyes bloodshot and suffering from an irritation. I don't know if I'll be able to watch the movie tomorrow, this week, or whenever the fuck.

 

[Karma Kramer]

This is some fucking bullshit, the gods must hate me or whatever. Today I woke up only to find my eyes bloodshot and suffering from an irritation. I don't know if I'll be able to watch the movie tomorrow, this week, or whenever the fuck.

This is what happens when you doubt JC

 

[DigitalDevil]

This is some fucking bullshit, the gods must hate me or whatever. Today I woke up only to find my eyes bloodshot and suffering from an irritation. I don't know if I'll be able to watch the movie tomorrow, this week, or whenever the fuck.

jett
Mr. Negativity
(Today, 08:26 PM)
Reply | Quote

 

[NekoFever]

Just got back from seeing this a couple of hours ago. My first 3D feature film as well.

It's late so I'll save some more comprehensive thoughts until tomorrow, but I absolutely loved it. It didn't nearly feel like as long as it was, and I'm tempted to see it again this weekend, which is something I don't say often.

 

[LeMaximilian]

Trying to come up with all the epic Cameron movie quotes, and some obscure ones...

"I'll be Back"
"Come with me if you want to live"
"They mostly come out at night, mostly"
"He'll live"
"Game over man, game over"
"Get away from her you bitch"
"King of the world"
"Baterazizz!"

 

[StuBurns]

Trying to come up with all the epic Cameron movie quotes, and some obscure ones...

"I'll be Back"
"Come with me if you want to live"
"They mostly come out at night, mostly"
"He'll live"
"Game over man, game over"
"Get away from her you bitch"
"King of the world"
"Baterazizz!"

"Uzi Nine Millimeter"

There's that awesome one in Aliens when she blows up the bomb too.

 

[LeMaximilian]

"Uzi Nine Millimeter"

There's that awesome one in Aliens when she blows up the bomb too.

Can't remember...but here's another.

I couldn't remember a Bishop quote until,
"Not bad for a ... human"