Avatar (in 3D)

Written and directed by James Cameron

Watched on Jan 10th

Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigorney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi.

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She said:

We have seen Avatar twice now. It is one of those films that is so visually brilliant you don't feel you can take it all in during a single sitting. The first time we came out of the cinema we had one word that sprung to mind: pretty. This film is stunningly beautiful. Set on a distant moon called Pandora the creators of this film have designed an incredible world with mesmerizing plantlife, colourful creatures and glowing moss.

The word pretty however gives the wrong impression overall. It is an action film at heart depicting the conflict between a greedy civilisation and the natives of a new world. It is set in a future where corporate indifference and military ignorance have met. Think Aliens meets Dances with Wolves and you will be on the right lines.

As usual with films about aliens there is a social commentary on how different human races treat each other. But with the current hot potato of gloal warming this film delves into the way we treat the world we live in. We hear that Earth has no green left, and that we have killed our Mother (Nature). The Na'vi (the natives) are a species in tune with the nature of Pandora both spiritually and biologically.

We saw the film in 3D both times and I highly recommend you do the same. It hasn't fallen into the annoying LOOK AT US WE HAVE FUN 3D EFFECTS THAT MAKE YOU THINK THINGS ARE IN YOUR FACE ISN'T IT COOL category of 3D films. It actually uses the technology in the proper way - to make the film more believable. Pandora is novelty in 3D, it is realistic.

As a side note I personally find worlds which have complete ecosystems created more believable than others. A lot of sci-fi uses Earth-like planets with distinguishable similarities. How similar is Vulcan (or was I should now say, right?) from Earth. Pandora is a complete imagining... although I swear the creature noises are from Jurassic Park.

Anyway considering this film draws a lot of parallels with other movies it is very unique. If you want to see a great example of the advancment of special effects and digital film technology then watch this film. If you would prefer a romantic yet action filled adventure... then watch this film. I give this film <<<4.5 out of 5>>>

He said:
If I am completely honest with myself I did not want to like this movie, I have been so inundated with the media saturation since Comic Con that I fully expected this movie to be a carbon copy of Dances with Wolves in space. James Cameron spent ten years developing this film and all I can say is he has done an amazing job.

Worldwide, it is estimated to garner a gross sales of 1.34 billion dollars. It has become the highest grossing film of 2009 as well as the second highest grossing film worldwide of all-time, only eclipsed by Cameron's own film "Titanic" (1.842 billion U.S. dollars). It will be the first IMAX release to gross 100 million dollars in global receipts, the North America box office authorities estimated.

As Helen has said Pandora is a beautiful moon, it feels alien and strange but completely authentic. Real-D lived up to its hype, for what is arguably the first time since it's introduction 4 years ago. The eco-system makes sense and works together (excluding that weird helicopter gecko thing, what kind of defensive mechanism is it to jump up and spin out of control?)

There are negative things that can be said about this film. While the look of the film is breathtakingly original and ground-breaking. The story concept is not. The plot and even some scenes seemed to be almost lifted from the Dances with wolves screenplay verbatim. The fact that surprised me is that it didn't annoy me, yes the subtle White guilt was heavily laid, yes tree hugging hippies will be showing this to their organic free range fed children (in their sweat shop manufactured clothing from the Gap) None of these facts take away from the quality of the film. Go now... See it. I give it {{{{4.5 out of 5 stars}}}}

They said:
We can not come up with a reason why you should not see this film other than the ridiculous afore mentioned hype (and or media saturation) An honest all around good film is rare, enjoy it....

We give it 9 out of a possible 10 stars...