Support NeoGAF

[MisterHero]

I don't think convenient is the right word. Appropriate or clever might work.

I did say it worked for the sake of not having to waste exposition saying "that's how nature really works". So yeah I agree.

Doesn't it feel like they diminish the moral argument to not

Spoiler

slaughter the Na'vi

though?

Of course this didn't really occur to me as I was watching it, just more for discussion.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

......No....?

Why would he be?

Spoiler

actually he was cg in one part of the final battle

 

[gdt]

Spoiler

actually he was cg in one part of the final battle

Well, aside from those parts. When he was in the, you know.

 

[border]

"Uncanny valley" refers to the disconnect that occurs as representations of humans become more realistic.

Cameron has not defeated the Uncanny Valley or crossed it or however you want to put it. He's merely sidestepped it or ignored it.

Actually if you think about it he has actually embraced the uncanny valley. His characters are humanoid aliens -- they are uncanny by their very nature. Whatever flaws they have get written off or ignored because the are not meant to represent humans.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

In other words, Cameron made the Uncanny Valley disappear.

I wouldn't go that far. In terms of facial expressions and everything it's the new standard, sure. But the design of the Navi were non-human enough for me that it doesn't even get to the first edge of the valley to even attempt to jump it.

 

[Count Dookkake]

is the gray haired sergeant cgi?

Sometimes, yes.

 

[gdt]

I wouldn't go that far. In terms of facial expressions and everything it's the new standard, sure. But the design of the Navi were non-human enough for me that it doesn't even get to the first edge of the valley to even attempt to jump it.

Fair enough.

 

[InsertCredit]

any gaffers up for a screening @ imax Amsterdam sometime tomorrow?

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I found this website discussing 3D tech. http://3dvision-blog.com/what-to-choose-imax-3d-versus-reald-versus-dolby-3d-for-3d-movies/

It says Dolby3D and RealD have depth more inside the screen and that the imax pops more outside of the screen.

How do people who have seem it in imax and RealD feel about the difference?

 

[T Dawg]

I kinda hated on this movie when the trailer was first released, but damn - I was blown away after seeing it last night.

Same. James Cameron must have felt terrible when he got that sort of feedback on the trailers.

 

[Particle Physicist]

hmm.. i found this post:



http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15388203&postcount=5

basically.. he says the quality of the 3D comes down to the quality of the projectors used (dual vs. single), etc. etc.

 

[ZombieSupaStar]

Same. James Cameron must have felt terrible when he got that sort of feedback on the trailers.

ill never watch it, I'd just imagine all the furries going nuts about it and the debauchery surely to follow, the movie was ruined for me the moment I saw the first trailer.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

ill never watch it, I'd just imagine all the furries going nuts about it and the debauchery surely to follow, the movie was ruined for me the moment I saw the first trailer.

Hey, maybe this will be another Titanic. :lol

 

[Janken]

Watched this movie today. Everything seemed good to me. The story, while not inventive or original, was quite acceptable and made place for great action sequences and character interaction. I think Ribisi's character had potential but was ultimately not developed in any interesting way. But then again, that happened to pretty much every character in the movie.

8/10

I watched it in 3D but most of the time I couldn't notice the depth difference (or 3D effect or whatever) in the screen, aside from the dust particles and leaves and stuff that floated in the air, which really seemed to be right in front of mah face. Does the fact that I have watched it from one of the back rows (13th, actually, quite far from the screen) explain this?

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I noticed constant depth in the back row of a realD theater. Did you see it at imax or realD?

 

[Solo]

Who's willing to predict that Avatar will have a stronger second weekend than it's opening?

Nobody with a lick of sense. Blockbusters dont increase in their second weekend. They just dont. HOWEVER, I think it will have much smaller drops than your typical blockbuster. Instead of the usual 50%-70%, I could see 35%-40%.

 

[Brimstone]

hmm.. i found this post:



http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15388203&postcount=5

basically.. he says the quality of the 3D comes down to the quality of the projectors used (dual vs. single), etc. etc.

From the second page of that thread

The advantage of the Dolby system is that the optical component sits in between the lamp and the light engine so it does not reduce contrast, sharpness, brightness, MTF.

The Imax film system is a ghost machine and the process has really bad contrast so in my opinion the Dolby Kills Large Format Imax 3-D.

Reald has been a mixed bag, the Alien Versus Monsters being a notable exception. Excellent ghost reduction and the Windows process Of framing the 3-D image.But for a videophile Dolby wins.

linky linky


The glasses for Dolby 3d have 50 layers to them.

The glasses for RealD are inexpensive.


The Dolby method was designed for professional Virtual Reality CAD work.




Frankly I wouldn't worry about it that much. Enjoy the movie.

 

[Janken]

I noticed constant depth in the back row of a realD theater. Did you see it at imax or realD?

I don't know, actually. All the cinema says is that the movie is in "digital 3D". The glasses were redish with a tiny, tiny red plastic trapezoid thing in the middle front. It had a cheesy name on its side with a black, bold font.

 

[Solo]

Ive been thinking about it, and I think this may be my favorite blockbuster/"event" movie since Spider-Man 2. And it manages that even with the cliche plot and bad writing.

 

[Karma Kramer]

This film really gets better and better the longer you are away from it.

I can't even contain myself from it... its almost haunting how real it all seemed

 

[AlternativeUlster]

The definitive way of watching Avatar was just released an hour ago. Is anyone else excited to watch it via

Spoiler

camcorder

? :lol :lol :lol

 

[gdt]

The definitive way of watching Avatar was just released an hour ago. Is anyone else excited to watch it via

Spoiler

camcorder

? :lol :lol :lol

Did they tape 3D glasses to the lens?

 

[AlternativeUlster]

Did they tape 3D glasses to the lens?

Doesn't look like it. Damn it!

http://www.vcdq.com/sample/id91376.jpg

 

[Pelydr]

So the movie is good? It looks really, really, terrible.

 

[Solo]

:lol Could there be a worse movie to watch on some haldheld hidden camera?

 

[ArjanN]

Ive been thinking about it, and I think this may be my favorite blockbuster/"event" movie since Spider-Man 2. And it manages that even with the cliche plot and bad writing.

Well, Spiderman 2 also has a cliche plot and bad writing...

 

[hirokazu]

I found this website discussing 3D tech. http://3dvision-blog.com/what-to-choose-imax-3d-versus-reald-versus-dolby-3d-for-3d-movies/

It says Dolby3D and RealD have depth more inside the screen and that the imax pops more outside of the screen.

How do people who have seem it in imax and RealD feel about the difference?

I'd have to give this film a go at Imax to give a proper comparison, but I think they're right about RealD having more depth inside the screen.

From the 3D stuff I have seen at Imax, now that you mention it, it certainly seems like it pops out from the screen more. I don't know if that's more because of the film's use of 3D or because of the tech employed to view the 3D.

 

[JBuccCP]

Saw it in the Dolby 3d. Was well done, but I guess the impact was lessened by other recent movies that used 3d. As for the movie itself it was ok I guess. Really impressive visually but I have no desire to see it again. Jakes transition into the Navi clan felt odd to me, like he was never all that close with anyone, even Neytiri even though he was supposed to love her. At the end of it I just didn't really care what happened.

 

[Solo]

Well, Spiderman 2 also has a cliche plot and bad writing...

Touche'

Although there is nothing actually wrong with the script.

 

[Janken]

Information.

That is very informative. Thank you.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Has anybody here taken kids to see it yet? I think I might take my little cousin to see it tomorrow. He's 7 and I think when he's older he might just remember the first time he saw it. I think he will love the hell out of it.

 

[Solo]

Has anybody here taken kids to see it yet? I think I might take my little cousin to see it tomorrow. He's 7 and I think when he's older he might just remember the first time he saw it. I think he will love the hell out of it.

In my showing, kids were in awe of the setting and action, but got restless when things slowed down. In other words, kids being kids.

 

[mrkgoo]

In my showing, kids were in awe of the setting and action, but got restless when things slowed down. In other words, kids being kids.

Also, don't know if you class the Na'vi as being nude or not, but definitely they were sort of topless. Still, it's not in a sexual context, and they are surfs, so....

What is it with blue nudity this year?

 

[Meier]

There is no uncanney valley in this film.

Agreed. Literally none. The movie is a flawless masterpiece in terms of the visuals. I loved everything about it perfectly although I guess I can imagine why someone might feel like the story was a little cookie-cutter. Really though, just absolutely amazing. I'm dying to see it again.

In terms of nudity, it looked like you could see nipples on occasion but they mostly weren't evident.

 

[hirokazu]

Doesn't look like it. Damn it!

http://www.vcdq.com/sample/id91376.jpg

:lol

Well people who're gonna pirate shit deserve that rubbish quality. Looks like the 2D print though?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

:lol

I was discussing with a friend how awkward is could have been if during Jake and Tsu Tey's tussle they accidentally locked ponytails.

 

[Meier]

ill never watch it, I'd just imagine all the furries going nuts about it and the debauchery surely to follow, the movie was ruined for me the moment I saw the first trailer.

Dude. Don't have this mindset. Every scene from the trailer looked even better in the final cut. There is not a single solitary moment in the entire film that the CG looks off. It's truly flawless -- there is no uncanny valley, there is no CG that pops out... it's just absolutely mindblowing.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Good lord, even the resident company joke Twitter account is going all Avatar. :lol

hey look..my avatar looks like an avatar.

http://twitpic.com/u94yr

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Agreed. Literally none. The movie is a flawless masterpiece in terms of the visuals. I loved everything about it perfectly although I guess I can imagine why someone might feel like the story was a little cookie-cutter. Really though, just absolutely amazing. I'm dying to see it again.

In terms of nudity, it looked like you could see nipples on occasion but they mostly weren't evident.

Oh there was definitely some nipplage. And despite my hesitance toward all furry thought, that scene where Jake watches Neytiri lie in her sleeping hammock, combined with the way Cameron lights Neytiri, I have to admit they made her look sexy as fuck.

 

[StoOgE]

They avoided the uncanny valley by making the Navi human-like but with different enough features and proportions that you are able to accept them as being real.

The Uncanny valley comes in when looking at something that is supposed to be human or something that you encounter in every day life.

You basically sidestep the entire problem by using designs like this.

 

[maharg]

To the people saying "no uncanny valley"... I do not think that word means what you think it does.

The CG is definitely good, but I wouldn't call it revolutionary or anything.

I also find it really really frustrating when a 3d movie uses a narrow depth of field while throwing things in the foreground (like, for example, little fluffy tree seeds). My eyes are drawn to them, and it hurts my eyes trying to focus on them. Wide-infinite DOF is what they should be going for. Or at least don't draw my eyes to things that will hurt them.

 

[ClosingADoor]

To the people saying "no uncanny valley"... I do not think that word means what you think it does.

The CG is definitely good, but I wouldn't call it revolutionary or anything.

I also find it really really frustrating when a 3d movie uses a narrow depth of field while throwing things in the foreground (like, for example, little fluffy tree seeds). My eyes are drawn to them, and it hurts my eyes trying to focus on them. Wide-infinite DOF is what they should be going for. Or at least don't draw my eyes to things that will hurt them.

Your eyes get hurt by looking at that 3D effect for 5 seconds? There where only two scenes in which that happened.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Your eyes get hurt by looking at that 3D effect for 5 seconds? There where only two scenes in which that happened.

It's obviously more than that - depending on the implementation, viewing something in 3D for an extended period of time is very tiring on the eyes.

 

[ClosingADoor]

It's obviously more than that - depending on the implementation, viewing something in 3D for an extended period of time is very tiring on the eyes.

Well, I can understand if things jumps around all the time. But that's why I liked Avatar so much. It did a lot of subtle 3D, and less of the items-shooting-at-you stuff. I didn't find it anymore tiring then looking at a 2D movie myself. But well, different people, different eyes of course.

 

[Talon]

Also, don't know if you class the Na'vi as being nude or not, but definitely they were sort of topless. Still, it's not in a sexual context, and they are surfs, so....

What is it with blue nudity this year?

First movie I saw in 2009: Blue penises. Last movie I'll see in 2009: Blue boobs. The cycle is complete.

I enjoyed the movie. Visually it was stunning (the 3-D Displays as well, GOD!). The story was predictable and hokey, but there's a place for a huge, beautiful Hollywood blockbuster next to the Fantastic Mr. Fox/Up In The Air of the world.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Has anybody here taken kids to see it yet? I think I might take my little cousin to see it tomorrow. He's 7 and I think when he's older he might just remember the first time he saw it. I think he will love the hell out of it.

I want to take my seven year old to see it. She'd go NUTS, but my wife might object. Currently trying to strategize how to talk her into it.

The CG is definitely good, but I wouldn't call it revolutionary or anything.

I would.

 

[skyfinch]

Neytiri is the hottest, blue alien, thing of all time.

Great movie. 2 1/2 hours went by pretty quick.

 

[mrkgoo]

Your eyes get hurt by looking at that 3D effect for 5 seconds? There where only two scenes in which that happened.

NO, what he is saying is that the DOF (depth of field) exacerbates the issue. Lens settings can be chose so that things in the foreground and background appear blurry and out of focus (narrow DOF), or have a lot of thing sin focus (wide DOF).

Because the floating things appear to be right in front of you, you are distracted by them. In reality, when you are distracted by something, your eyes naturally snap and look at them, and it comes into focus. This does not happen when they are filmed out of focus, so it contradicts what your eyes are seeing to what you brain wants it to see.

He's saying Cameron could've chose to have those things rendered in focus, such that this effect doesn't happen as badly. Not necessarily have them in immediate focus, but a blur that is natural to where it is appearing in space, as if you were focusing on whatever is in focus.

It can be a tough problem. There's more to 3D than simply a Z-dimension.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I want to take my seven year old to see it. She'd go NUTS, but my wife might object. Currently trying to strategize how to talk her into it.

I would.

Oh man how can your wife deny your 7 year old this experience?

 

[maharg]

Your eyes get hurt by looking at that 3D effect for 5 seconds? There where only two scenes in which that happened.

It's quite jarring for me when it does happen. I actually don't care about things flying out of the screen at me, which is a much more common complaint. Narrow depth of fields are much more distracting and problematic for me. It feels like they're trying to beat my eyes into looking at what they want me to.

I would.

Ok.