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Rottenwatch: AVATAR (82%)
- Thread starter SCULLIBUNDO
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fortified_concept
Banned
Blader5489 said:
Eye irritation is a bitch. You can't see clearly so trying to watch a movie is fucking annoying. I used to get these frequently because I was wearing contact lenses so trust me when I say he won't enjoy it.
fortified_concept
Banned
RubxQub said:...so...how is that any different from what was going to happen again?
:lol Cooold blooded
Dabookerman
Member
So what can you guys do for me that will make the next 43 hours sail by?
Dabookerman
Member
RubxQub said:
Let's go.
JimiNutz
Banned
I just got back from seeing it as well - I'm pretty tired so cant be bothered to write too much.
While I'm glad that I went to see the film, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't experiencing some feelings of disappointment.
In my opinion the movie is good. Not amazing, not great, not poor, nor awful, just good.
Thinking back to how I felt about a month ago, Avatar was exactly what I expected it would be BEFORE critics started telling me that it was a 'game-changer', or before there were whispers of it being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It's a big dumb action movie done well, but a big dumb action movie none the less. When you compare it to mediocrity like Transformers 2, or Terminator Salvation, it holds up very well. Yet compared to Cameron classics likes Aliens or Terminator 1/2, or even to this summers District 9, its flaws are glaring.
I'm probably not going to raise any criticism that haven't already been covered by critics, but yes the story is mundane, the dialog is extremely cheesy in parts, while the characters are simple and completely forgettable. Now I did expect this going in, however I had been led to believe that the action would be so breathtaking, the film so masterfully shot, that these blemishes would not matter. Unfortunately the film just didn't have that effect on me.
I didn't come out of the cinema brimming with giddy excitement the same way that I did as a child having seen Jurassic Park, Star Wars, The Matrix, or Terminator 2 for the first time. Not do I have any urge to see the movie again - which is ironic since I'm already booked in to go and see it again with a friend tomorrow, and then a third time with my girlfriend on Friday! :lol
Maybe I'm just getting old? Maybe it's not possible for me to be that exited after seeing a film anymore?
Anyway I'm way too tired to write anything of any substance, and maybe I'll feel differently in the morning. I know I may sound extremely negative so I should stress that I did enjoy the film, and I'm very glad that Cameron is back, but I still left feeling a little disappointed and a little empty. Hopefully I'll be able to explain why more articulately tomorrow morning.
While I'm glad that I went to see the film, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't experiencing some feelings of disappointment.
In my opinion the movie is good. Not amazing, not great, not poor, nor awful, just good.
Thinking back to how I felt about a month ago, Avatar was exactly what I expected it would be BEFORE critics started telling me that it was a 'game-changer', or before there were whispers of it being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It's a big dumb action movie done well, but a big dumb action movie none the less. When you compare it to mediocrity like Transformers 2, or Terminator Salvation, it holds up very well. Yet compared to Cameron classics likes Aliens or Terminator 1/2, or even to this summers District 9, its flaws are glaring.
I'm probably not going to raise any criticism that haven't already been covered by critics, but yes the story is mundane, the dialog is extremely cheesy in parts, while the characters are simple and completely forgettable. Now I did expect this going in, however I had been led to believe that the action would be so breathtaking, the film so masterfully shot, that these blemishes would not matter. Unfortunately the film just didn't have that effect on me.
I didn't come out of the cinema brimming with giddy excitement the same way that I did as a child having seen Jurassic Park, Star Wars, The Matrix, or Terminator 2 for the first time. Not do I have any urge to see the movie again - which is ironic since I'm already booked in to go and see it again with a friend tomorrow, and then a third time with my girlfriend on Friday! :lol
Maybe I'm just getting old? Maybe it's not possible for me to be that exited after seeing a film anymore?
Anyway I'm way too tired to write anything of any substance, and maybe I'll feel differently in the morning. I know I may sound extremely negative so I should stress that I did enjoy the film, and I'm very glad that Cameron is back, but I still left feeling a little disappointed and a little empty. Hopefully I'll be able to explain why more articulately tomorrow morning.
Dr Bad Dude PHD
Banned
I can only speak for the cinemas in Australia when I say this, but from what I understand the extra price of 3D movies isn't for the glasses, it's for the extra cost associated with showing a movie in 3D.bud said:
NutJobJim said:I just got back from seeing it as well - I'm pretty tired so cant be bothered to write too much.
While I'm glad that I went to see the film, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't experiencing some feelings of disappointment.
In my opinion the movie is good. Not amazing, not great, not poor, nor awful, just good.
Thinking back to how I felt about a month ago, Avatar was exactly what I expected it would be BEFORE critics started telling me that it was a 'game-changer', or before there were whispers of it being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It's a big dumb action movie done well, but a big dumb action movie none the less. When you compare it to mediocrity like Transformers 2, or Terminator Salvation, it holds up very well. Yet compared to Cameron classics likes Aliens or Terminator 1/2, or even to this summers District 9, its flaws are glaring.
I'm probably not going to raise any criticism that haven't already been covered by critics, but yes the story is mundane, the dialog is extremely cheesy in parts, while the characters are simple and completely forgettable. Now I did expect this going in, however I had been led to believe that the action would be so breathtaking, the film so masterfully shot, that these blemishes would not matter. Unfortunately the film just didn't have that effect on me.
I didn't come out of the cinema brimming with giddy excitement the same way that I did as a child having seen Jurassic Park, Star Wars, The Matrix, or Terminator 2 for the first time. Not do I have any urge to see the movie again - which is ironic since I'm already booked in to go and see it again with a friend tomorrow, and then a third time with my girlfriend on Friday! :lol
Maybe I'm just getting old? Maybe it's not possible for me to be that exited after seeing a film anymore?
Anyway I'm way too tired to write anything of any substance, and maybe I'll feel differently in the morning. I know I may sound extremely negative so I should stress that I did enjoy the film, and I'm very glad that Cameron is back, but I still left feeling a little disappointed and a little empty. Hopefully I'll be able to explain why more articulately tomorrow morning.
I think this is your main problem...you're never going to get that sense of awe back..
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
i think it's one of those films where if the action/world don't grab you, there isn't much else to hold on to. i was completely sucked in to the visuals and amazing atmosphere and it left me completely giddy like when i saw those sorts of films as a kid, but i can totally understand that if this didn't happen you'd be feeling pretty empty by what's left.NutJobJim said:
Karma Kramer
Banned
julls said:
How does the action compare to most films would you say?
So TODAY I will finally watch AVATAR! I had a weirdass dream last night too. I dreamt that Y2Kev flew down to Singapore, and we went to a toy convention or something. Then we went to watch AVATAR in REALD. After which, Sculli declared on the thread that he was having a huge party at his house to celebrate Cameron's success. So we flew down and joined in. Then the next morning I went to an IMAX recommended by Sculli to watch Avatar AGAIN!
There might or might not also have been parts of the dream where I was running around a beach with a rocket launcher taking out various different types of tanks. I'm not sure where that comes in, but I'm pretty sure that was in Australia too... and there might have been tourists while I was doing it too.
There might or might not also have been parts of the dream where I was running around a beach with a rocket launcher taking out various different types of tanks. I'm not sure where that comes in, but I'm pretty sure that was in Australia too... and there might have been tourists while I was doing it too.
Avatar day finally! IMAX showing at 8pm for me. With that said, my cousins and family all watched it earlier. Admittedly they are a casual group, and half made of younger teens and kids, but the praise was unanimous. The girls gave it 10, 10, 10, 9.5, and the guys gave it 9.6, 9.5 and 9.5. So yea, I'm pretty pumped. May have been new film hype getting to them, but who knows. They weren't as blown away by the 3D as I thought they'd be, but then they didn't watch it at IMAX. One said he thinks he'd prefer the experience in 2D, as at times he said the 3D could be a bit overwhelming, like in the jungle for example. He actually said he'd almost liken the experience to being on a small dose of magic mushrooms, especially in the jungle exploration segments.
More importantly however, they all felt the film had real soul, and that you cared for the characters and plot. And that was actually the thing that tied it all together.
More importantly however, they all felt the film had real soul, and that you cared for the characters and plot. And that was actually the thing that tied it all together.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
well, that's a pretty broad question, but the scenes are definitely towards the 'huge' end of the scale. theKarma Kramer said:
final scene is reminiscent of the end of Aliens but with roles reversed,
i think if there's one main criticism i'd level at this movie after seeing it again, it's that it feels episodic. the back and forth nature of switching from 'real life' and 'avatar life' makes it feel kinda disjointed and broken up into distinct scenes. i also thought even just a short suggestion
that Jake had hesitations/second thoughts about suddenly switching over to the Na'vi side would have made it more believable. as it is he just changes allegiance in a heartbeat.
TrAcEr_x90
Member
well things kind of worked out in my situation.
I went to cancel my ticket cuz of not being able to go with anyone, and the lady said they had 15 seats left. So i bought two friends tickets and kept mine. I guess online once it gets close to selling out they stop seeling tickets, but you can still go to the box office.
I went to cancel my ticket cuz of not being able to go with anyone, and the lady said they had 15 seats left. So i bought two friends tickets and kept mine. I guess online once it gets close to selling out they stop seeling tickets, but you can still go to the box office.
Now that I have the time to think about it, I think the film would have been better if they spend the time to make the viewers care more about the characters. By the time the battle starts, I didn't have particular desire to see things end happily or in utter wreck of despair. I didn't care if the protagonists live or die nor did I care much about the bad guys' motivation or if they'd win or lose.
I saw "Alice in Wonderland" (the full trailer). I can't remember other trailers.
mjc said:
I saw "Alice in Wonderland" (the full trailer). I can't remember other trailers.
PrivateWHudson
Member
What I'd like to know from those who have seen it, and were more or less not impressed (won't see it again), is...
Does Cameron still have "it", or did he go off the deep end like Lucas? Also, did you see it in 3D?
I don't need it to be a best picture, just very entertaining. I understand that there are limitations when making an action movie that will have world wide appeal and is limited to a PG-13 rating and am willing to accept that going in.
Does Cameron still have "it", or did he go off the deep end like Lucas? Also, did you see it in 3D?
I don't need it to be a best picture, just very entertaining. I understand that there are limitations when making an action movie that will have world wide appeal and is limited to a PG-13 rating and am willing to accept that going in.
Replicant said:
that's funny. I actually really cared about the na'vi's and sam's character at the end of it.
The whole
"I see you" dialogue between sam(human) and the female navi at the very end after she saved him
weaver died
also
when her father lay dying
when she found out about his betrayal
those were moments in the film where I felt the emotional resonance in the film really come through. The acting and angst, they nailed it. I don't know if a human actor could have conveyed it as well it was. Considering it was a mo-capped/cgi avatar we are looking at.
PrivateWHudson said:
Why do some people think that a director is some kind of infallible creature? They have their best work and their worst work and everything else in between. Just judge the film on its own by yourself instead of basing it on hype or the reputation of the director. If you do this, then you'd get an honest assessment of the film on your own. Watch it yourself then make your opinion based on the film itself. Instead of basing it on what you want to say to other people (to fit in with/to oppose the popular opinion) or how you want to prop the director.
Jax said:
I don't know, I just didn't feel sad at all. It felt a bit staged for me but different people different strokes and all that.
ArachosiA 78
Member
It's odd that I am seeing so many conflicting remarks in the reviews. Some people say that the movie feels soulless and the characters are forgettable, while others say the exact opposite. Some say the dialogue is horrible while others say it's fine. Some people are completelty blown away by the film where others are just a little impressed. Guess I'll have to find out for myself come Friday.
PrivateWHudson
Member
Replicant said:
The bolded feels like you have a gripe; if it's aimed at me, feel free to post an example of where I've tried to fit in with anyone. If not, please don't quote me.
PrivateWHudson said:
It wasn't aimed particularly at you. However, since you're the one who asked if this film is Cameron's version of "Phantom Menace" (or something to that effect), I just wanted to point out that you should just watch the film yourself and make that decision yourself. Besides, what's the point of judging a film based on the director's past credit? Or based on expectation that it'd be as bad as another director's recent film?
PrivateWHudson
Member
Replicant said:
If I could I would. And I will. That aside, what did you (or anyone else that was disappointed) think? You're here, and you're posting you're opinions, and I'm trying to fit those opinions into my world to gauge my expectations appropriately.
Edit...To address your edit, of course past credit matters. I'd love to know if past fans of an artist can expect consistency of said artwork and have a positive outlook on future projects. Especially after such a long hiatus.
PrivateWHudson said:
i dont know if he still has it but Avatar was still better then most of the stuff Lucas has done in the last decade (i liked ROTS)
it was a solid action film, the visuals were fantastic but the story lets it down....thats like most big effect films though isnt it? i wont be seeing it again in theaters but i will probably buy the blu-ray.....i watched it in 3D
i'm surprised its getting such stellar reviews but everybody is different....i would give it 7/10 but i hope it does reasonable well, could lead to more sci-fi films
PrivateWHudson said:
Like I said before, I think it was an okay film. I went in with no expectation (good or bad) and came out mildly entertained but not impressed like Scullibundo. I enjoyed the world of Pandora (although I don't think it's as expansive as some here/reviewers have implied. IIRC, the sets were pretty limited) and there are times they look obviously CG-ed. The Na'vi is...I don't know, I guess they're believable since most of the time you only see them in the context of the Pandora world (which was also made with CG) with little to no direct interaction with the humans. The minute you do (as in the last few minutes), it felt jarring.
Some audience reactions: some people at the theater were laughing at the
furry sex
Scalemail Ted
Member
rhino4evr said:
That's not true... I thought the same thing about movies and then I saw the first PotC..
man I was 26 when i saw that movie and i felt like I was 12.
Now the second and third... they made me feel like an adult again.
PrivateWHudson
Member
Okay, so how did you guys feel about the pacing? To use ROTS as a reference point, although the action may have been awesome, the pacing literally put me to sleep. Did the predictable story in Avatar bore you to the point of ruining the pace?
NutJobJim said:
And there's the rub. I agree to some extent about a lot of the problems you described, but ultimately I left the cinema buzzing.
Absolutely.fortified_concept said:
Fortunately rumour says that the film was initially...20-30 minutes longer.
Now as for this LieMax/RealD business...
I watched a bit of the film in LieMax today. The screen size and its distance to the audience mean that it is a fairly good approximation of how it feels to watch a 16X9 film letterboxed on an IMAX screen, once you settle into a viewing and get past the 'holy shit this screen is huge' phase.
The screens are nice and bright, with minimal ghosting unless you're tilting your head.
HOWEVER
I thought the 3D was better with RealD. There's a lot of cardboarding (the 'pop-up book' effect) going on, which is similar to what I remember from true IMAX. Maybe I just hadn't settled into the movie and the style of 3D, but I remember there being much more sense of depth last night.
Spotless Mind
Member
So, uhhh... how do i know whether the cinema i'm seeing it in has RealD or not? I'm seeing it in the Hoyts cinema closest to me.
http://www.reald.com/Content/Theatre-Locator.aspxSpotless Mind said:
This is how I selected the theater I'm seeing it in.
Spotless Mind
Member
Thanks.GhaleonEB said:
Seeing it in half an hour.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
woodchuck said:
IMAX!!!
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