Avatar (James Cameron) [SPOILERS]
- Thread starter The Octagon
- Start date
ChrisFilter
Like a boss.
17 pages and still talking about racism.
The racism discussions only started a page ago
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Like many others, it seems, I thought this film was rubbish, and was disappointed, because I was looking forward to it, and had tried really hard to avoid spoilers.
I thought it was far too long, with a rubbish story/script, indfferent acting and that the special effects/CGI were not that good. It was just like a cartoon or other animation - not at all convincing. It might have been okay if it had been an hour long but, as it was, I was desperate for it to finish, and was even tempted to get up and walk out half way through.
I thought it was far too long, with a rubbish story/script, indfferent acting and that the special effects/CGI were not that good. It was just like a cartoon or other animation - not at all convincing. It might have been okay if it had been an hour long but, as it was, I was desperate for it to finish, and was even tempted to get up and walk out half way through.
Combustible
Well-Known Member
Probably been posted already:
I know it's a joke and all but the ending really is nothing like Pocahontas.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
I finally saw the film yesterday and enjoyed it a lot, partly because it is such an immersive experience.
A couple of flies in the ointment - firstly the bullshit hippy philosophy of the aliens, culled from shallow western interpretations of various cultures around the globe, with a dash of californication.
Secondly, the happy ending, which was expected, this being Hollywood, but unfortunately it completely undermines the rest of the film. Assuming it is meant to be an allegory of racist, rampant capitalism destroying traditional tribal cultures, we all know the real ending: the culture is destroyed by disease, murder, threats, theft of land etc, and those few remaining largely succumb to desperate poverty, alcoholism etc due to the loss of everything they hold dear.
The bogus happy ending wouldn't matter so much if it was just about the past, but of course it is still happening today (check out http://www.survivalinternational.org/ if you don't generally follow the latest in cultural destruction and genocide) and what the happy ending says is, yes, capitalism is nasty but great courage and a nice philosophy can triumph in the end, so it's all okay. But great courage can't triumph in the end. It doesn't have the weaponry. Capitalism triumphs every time, and it is still happening today. Which makes the feel-good happy ending a little bit offensive really, even though I knew it was going to happen.
Still, a generally enjoyable experience until the stupid fightback of the tribes, and it was the first CGI-heavy film where I didn't get distracted by the CGI. Although it was still recognisable as CGI it seemed well integrated into the film. Overall quite an impressive achievement.
A couple of flies in the ointment - firstly the bullshit hippy philosophy of the aliens, culled from shallow western interpretations of various cultures around the globe, with a dash of californication.
Secondly, the happy ending, which was expected, this being Hollywood, but unfortunately it completely undermines the rest of the film. Assuming it is meant to be an allegory of racist, rampant capitalism destroying traditional tribal cultures, we all know the real ending: the culture is destroyed by disease, murder, threats, theft of land etc, and those few remaining largely succumb to desperate poverty, alcoholism etc due to the loss of everything they hold dear.
The bogus happy ending wouldn't matter so much if it was just about the past, but of course it is still happening today (check out http://www.survivalinternational.org/ if you don't generally follow the latest in cultural destruction and genocide) and what the happy ending says is, yes, capitalism is nasty but great courage and a nice philosophy can triumph in the end, so it's all okay. But great courage can't triumph in the end. It doesn't have the weaponry. Capitalism triumphs every time, and it is still happening today. Which makes the feel-good happy ending a little bit offensive really, even though I knew it was going to happen.
Still, a generally enjoyable experience until the stupid fightback of the tribes, and it was the first CGI-heavy film where I didn't get distracted by the CGI. Although it was still recognisable as CGI it seemed well integrated into the film. Overall quite an impressive achievement.
Just read the last few pages after seeing it this week
Jesus shitting Christ, is it not possible to watch a film and just take the fucking thing at face value? They're not black, they're blue 9 foot tall aliens with nerve endings growing out of their heads so they can plug into the local wildlife. They're not superstitious savages/hippies, they're more clued up on the biology ie science of their homeworld than the invader which is why they win. The plot is pretty predictable but I've seen Hollywood blockbusters before and I don't blinking care, it was well executed and I enjoyed it.
And as singled out above - CGI 'not that good'?! You did see the 3D version right? It was so good I forgot I was watching it in 3D, I forgot I was in a cinema, I took barely any notice of anything or anyone around me because I was utterly immersed in this fantastic, well crafted and visually stunning world. 'Not at all convincing'?! did you watch the same film as me? It was the most beautiful thing I've seen at the pictures in a very long time, if not ever. It overwhelmed me.
I may well go and see it again. Sometimes I like to watch films because they transport me somewhere else, not because I want to compare it to the social issues and difficulties that surround me every fucking day of my life.
Jesus shitting Christ, is it not possible to watch a film and just take the fucking thing at face value? They're not black, they're blue 9 foot tall aliens with nerve endings growing out of their heads so they can plug into the local wildlife. They're not superstitious savages/hippies, they're more clued up on the biology ie science of their homeworld than the invader which is why they win. The plot is pretty predictable but I've seen Hollywood blockbusters before and I don't blinking care, it was well executed and I enjoyed it.
And as singled out above - CGI 'not that good'?! You did see the 3D version right? It was so good I forgot I was watching it in 3D, I forgot I was in a cinema, I took barely any notice of anything or anyone around me because I was utterly immersed in this fantastic, well crafted and visually stunning world. 'Not at all convincing'?! did you watch the same film as me? It was the most beautiful thing I've seen at the pictures in a very long time, if not ever. It overwhelmed me.
I may well go and see it again. Sometimes I like to watch films because they transport me somewhere else, not because I want to compare it to the social issues and difficulties that surround me every fucking day of my life.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
That argument is fine for a film that doesn't attempt any political commentary, but once you start on the politics (and Avatar does) then people are going to get pissed off if you don't get it right.
If you didn't notice the political aspect of the film, see if you find any of this familiar:
http://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/penan
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
That's fine embree, but it's silly to have a go at people for having political discussions about a film that sets itself up as a political allegory.
I commented that the political allegory is destroyed by the happy ending. It didn't stop me enjoying the film overall, and while you might see a comment like that as being a kill-joy comment, I'm not going to apologise for having a brain that works and notices things like that.
I commented that the political allegory is destroyed by the happy ending. It didn't stop me enjoying the film overall, and while you might see a comment like that as being a kill-joy comment, I'm not going to apologise for having a brain that works and notices things like that.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
'Brain that works'
nice bit of snobbery
I think you're missing the point of what I said. The point is, I noticed the political allegory, and I noticed the way it failed. My brain notices this whether I give it permission or not. What am I meant to do? Switch my brain off? Choose to censor myself for fear of appearing a kill-joy? I noticed it, whether I wanted to or not, so I commented on it.
What you seem to be suggesting is that everyone should watch the film in the same way you do, or if they do see it in a different way, they shouldn't talk about it because it's not fun enough.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
Different people have different ideas of fun though don't they? For instance, some people think political discussions are fun. Not you maybe, but then you don't have to take part, so that's fine.
I had fun watching the film, then I had fun picking it apart afterwards. A double dose of fun where you only got one
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Saw this in 2D and 3D.
I found the 3D experience amazing - but the cinema screen...just wished it was bigger.
The hippie lingo in the movie reminded me of Final Fantasy more than Pocahontas.
If anything, it was more Last Samauri meets Final Fantasy.
Slightly disappointed that Avatar was so mainstream. I was expecting more fantasy and less talk on eco-living. Still, I'd recommend it.
I found the 3D experience amazing - but the cinema screen...just wished it was bigger.
The hippie lingo in the movie reminded me of Final Fantasy more than Pocahontas.
If anything, it was more Last Samauri meets Final Fantasy.
Slightly disappointed that Avatar was so mainstream. I was expecting more fantasy and less talk on eco-living. Still, I'd recommend it.
mhendo
Aussie in San Francisco
Just got back from seeing this. Saw it in 3D on an IMAX screen.
Basically, it was exactly what i expected.
Hamfisted allegory? Check.
Depressingly predictable storyline? Check.
Embarrassing dialog? Check.
By-the-numbers acting? Check.
Great creatures and settings? Check.
Lots of fun? Check.
You're disappointed that a James Cameron film that cost $230 million to make was "mainstream"? I'm going to disappoint you again by revealing that Santa and the Tooth Fairy are not real.
Basically, it was exactly what i expected.
Hamfisted allegory? Check.
Depressingly predictable storyline? Check.
Embarrassing dialog? Check.
By-the-numbers acting? Check.
Great creatures and settings? Check.
Lots of fun? Check.
Really?
You're disappointed that a James Cameron film that cost $230 million to make was "mainstream"? I'm going to disappoint you again by revealing that Santa and the Tooth Fairy are not real.
This is the problem though isn't it. As far as I can see that's all there is to Avatar - the 'experience'.
Just like gobbling strong acid, I know I'll have an 'experience'. But it will no doubt also go on far to long & I'll just be wishing it would stop.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
it really annoys me when people say that
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
For your average sod though b.a. , especially the average american it probably is a hard-hitting political allegory.
I seen it the other week, it's very unsubtle in places, bordering on laugh out loud cringeworthy but it is still good entertainment and I was hugely impressed by the 3D.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Probably been posted already:
The same could be done with a Dances With Wolves script.
story
Changing the facts
Yeah, but what's wrong with re-telling the same story over and over again? That's what we've have always done: Gilgamesh - Noah's Ark, Orpheus in the Underworld - Star Wars, Psyche & Eros - Tristan & Isolde etc. The list is endless really.
If a story's true then it's worth reframing it for a new sensibility.
I enjoyed the film a lot. Maybe cos I wasn't expecting anything remarkably innovative.
I pretty much agree with everything said by Brainaddict.
If a story's true then it's worth reframing it for a new sensibility.
I enjoyed the film a lot. Maybe cos I wasn't expecting anything remarkably innovative.
I pretty much agree with everything said by Brainaddict.
mhendo
Aussie in San Francisco
Just out of interest, have you enjoyed every single film you've ever seen? Are there any films at all that you dislike?
fen_boy
Exits gracefully.
Saw this last night in 3D and I agree that as a story it was pretty poor, but the CGI and effects were amazing, totally unlike anything I've ever seen. I don't understand how you can think otherwise - it's so far ahead of anything else.
Kanda
Diving wanker
I don't think cinemas ever had intervals in the middle of a film. Just between two different films.An interval????
I didn't think cinemas had intervals anymore...
Similar threads
