"Avatar" Film Review (IMAX 3D)
Inspired by the "Blue Man Group" (Now on DVD)
4 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
4 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
A film taking place several million light-years away has never felt more realistic. With its revolutionary use of computer animation, “Avatar” is the future of filmmaking.
“Avatar” transcends ordinary popcorn flicks and deserves multifaceted acclaim for its engrossing visual and sound effects, strong supporting cast and epic moments only director James Cameron is capable of delivering. The on-screen chemistry between Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) sparks with burgeoning passion.
Messages about environmental and feminist issues are present throughout the film. Some of them are obvious, while others are discretely hidden. “Avatar” serves as a grim reminder of what could happen in the future if people continue to abuse the planet’s resources.
At nearly three hours long, the run time may turn away some viewers, but those who are patient are in for a special treat. With a focus on visuals and sound, “Avatar” is meant to be viewed in 3-D, preferably IMAX 3-D. IMAX 3-D’s state-of-the-art HD projection system with superior sound breathes life to Pandora, a moon of a Jupiter-like planet, where the film takes place.
Like Cameron’s past screenplay “Titanic,” “Avatar” has equal parts of melodramatic and intense, edge-of-the-seat thrilling scenes. Cameron has again struck a balance between sappy soap opera romance and ridiculous over-the-top action. The characters are relatable, even though they are mostly computer generated. “Avatar” will satisfy both women and men thanks to its infusion of testosterone and tender, heartfelt moments.
Graphics junkies and audiophiles will surely enjoy what “Avatar” has in store. Watching the film is like a child opening his or her eyes for the first time. Bugs whiz past seemingly right behind the audiences’ heads. Stomachs churn when bombs explode and the ground rumbles when a chase scene is underway. Unlike ordinary 3-D movies, which exploit the “jumping out” effect at all times, “Avatar” restricts itself from childish delights and takes full advantage of a little known facet of 3-D technology: depth. Jumping into the film’s world at any time and interacting with it seems entirely possible. The perspective of everything is so lifelike. The reason depth is such a big factor in creating augmented reality is the layering of flora and fauna and soldiers and monsters in a way that replicates what the human eye sees in everyday life. Just looking down a simple hallway in the film is joyous eye candy.
Even at the elevated ticket price for 3-D, this film is well worth the money.
Audiences have the chance to witness cinematic history. After 14 years in the making, new technology finally paved the way for “Avatar” to be realized in all its glory.
With an environment so engrossing to the point that audience members pick up their feet in anticipation of wild animals snipping at their laces, there is little argument that Cameron’s “Avatar” is a film for the ages. Just like “Star Wars” changed the ’70s and “Titanic” ruled the ’90s, the cinematic landscape has again been modified in a revolutionary way by an outstanding film. “Avatar” is the best film of the year and could very well be Hollywood’s very own economic stimulus plan.
“Avatar” was written and directed by James Cameron.
It's an epic trailer that only wets your appetite for the real thing, but watch it nonetheless:
As always thanks for reading!
“Avatar” transcends ordinary popcorn flicks and deserves multifaceted acclaim for its engrossing visual and sound effects, strong supporting cast and epic moments only director James Cameron is capable of delivering. The on-screen chemistry between Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) sparks with burgeoning passion.
Messages about environmental and feminist issues are present throughout the film. Some of them are obvious, while others are discretely hidden. “Avatar” serves as a grim reminder of what could happen in the future if people continue to abuse the planet’s resources.
At nearly three hours long, the run time may turn away some viewers, but those who are patient are in for a special treat. With a focus on visuals and sound, “Avatar” is meant to be viewed in 3-D, preferably IMAX 3-D. IMAX 3-D’s state-of-the-art HD projection system with superior sound breathes life to Pandora, a moon of a Jupiter-like planet, where the film takes place.
Like Cameron’s past screenplay “Titanic,” “Avatar” has equal parts of melodramatic and intense, edge-of-the-seat thrilling scenes. Cameron has again struck a balance between sappy soap opera romance and ridiculous over-the-top action. The characters are relatable, even though they are mostly computer generated. “Avatar” will satisfy both women and men thanks to its infusion of testosterone and tender, heartfelt moments.
Graphics junkies and audiophiles will surely enjoy what “Avatar” has in store. Watching the film is like a child opening his or her eyes for the first time. Bugs whiz past seemingly right behind the audiences’ heads. Stomachs churn when bombs explode and the ground rumbles when a chase scene is underway. Unlike ordinary 3-D movies, which exploit the “jumping out” effect at all times, “Avatar” restricts itself from childish delights and takes full advantage of a little known facet of 3-D technology: depth. Jumping into the film’s world at any time and interacting with it seems entirely possible. The perspective of everything is so lifelike. The reason depth is such a big factor in creating augmented reality is the layering of flora and fauna and soldiers and monsters in a way that replicates what the human eye sees in everyday life. Just looking down a simple hallway in the film is joyous eye candy.
Even at the elevated ticket price for 3-D, this film is well worth the money.
Audiences have the chance to witness cinematic history. After 14 years in the making, new technology finally paved the way for “Avatar” to be realized in all its glory.
With an environment so engrossing to the point that audience members pick up their feet in anticipation of wild animals snipping at their laces, there is little argument that Cameron’s “Avatar” is a film for the ages. Just like “Star Wars” changed the ’70s and “Titanic” ruled the ’90s, the cinematic landscape has again been modified in a revolutionary way by an outstanding film. “Avatar” is the best film of the year and could very well be Hollywood’s very own economic stimulus plan.
“Avatar” was written and directed by James Cameron.
It's an epic trailer that only wets your appetite for the real thing, but watch it nonetheless:
As always thanks for reading!
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
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