Every so often, there comes a movie that changes the way movies are seen, displayed, and filmed. These are the movies that visually change all the rules. Back in the late 30s, we had the instant classic Wizard of Oz, which was visually groundbreaking in every possible way. The colorful 60s was led by the epic acid trip 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Star Wars trilogy dominated the box office in the 70s and 80s and constantly set the bar for movies to come in terms of special effects and the overall visual look. Jurassic Park in 1993 and The Matrix in 1999 are other major examples. In 2009, we have our new special effects peak, and that is Avatar. The difference is between Avatar and all the other groundbreaking spectacles is that it's a visual trip that doesn't scream for a requirement of a second visit. While Avatar never dwells into disappointing or boring, it never propels to a level that has you begging for more.
However, if there is something amazing about the film, it's the special effects. Motion-capture technology had been hit-and-miss for a long time, but James Cameron and his team have perfected the skill. A beautiful environment and setting emerges from the special effects as we see images and settings we've never seen before. This is basically a Star Wars for the new millennium, as its box office run has proved. The amount of effort placed on the visual effects is obvious here, as we see an alien species move, breathe, talk, and interact so realistically, you may forget that these creatures do not exist in the real world. Apparently there are people reaching some sort of subtle depression after leaving the movie theater because they suddenly know the beautiful world of Pandora doesn't exist (True story). Like previously stated, it all looks very nice, but the film is a 3-star helping served in a 5-star manner.
Avatar's plot follows a handicapped soldier (Sam Worthington) trying to earn the trust of the creatures in the planet of Pandora in order to try to find a way to move the entire colony away from an area chock full of valuable minerals. This is a road often traveled, you know that at some point he will realize that what is doing is wrong, and at some point he will realize that the other people he is traveling with (American soldiers, businessmen) aren't going to care either. The script borrows major plot elements from Disney's Pocahantas (even if it is loosely based off a true story) and Dances with Wolves. The plot is part of the reason why it's such a global phenomenon; it's hitting all the well-accepted messages of anti-militarianism (not a word, don't care), pro-environmentalism, anti-deforestation, and themes of accepting other cultures. James Cameron has worked with some of these themes before, like Terminator 2 and The Abyss.
The special effects and direction is what propel this movie into new heights, not just on the quality of the film, but the overall structure of cinema. You are transported into this new world, and Cameron adds these elongated sequences so you can become comfortable with Pandora and all its mystical wonder. Unlike Spielberg's patience to reveal his special effects tricks in Jurassic Park, Cameron gives you only 10 minutes and you will already become acquainted with the reason you came to see the movie in the first place. The motion-capture is flawless; the CGI is inches away from perfection (very, very limited amount of awkward-looking scenes), and the cinematography was spectacular. The camera moves and flows with the action seamlessly, and you always get a good visual grip of what is going on. The details were immense, as Pandora's overall look is a blend of beautiful scenery we have seen before and images that we can only dream of.
Of course, reading this far, you know flaws shall become exposed and discussed. What makes Star Wars such a timeless masterpiece is not only its look, but the immense amount of out-of-this-world characters, unique settings, and impressive maneuvering through these environments. Jurassic Park remains a classic because of the lovable characters driven into a world they can't possibly survive in. With the case of Avatar, only the main character is likable, and everyone else is there just to propel the story along. In Avatar, the main character is the planet Pandora. In the other movies, the beautiful and never-before-seen-in-film scenery is just a backdrop for the events happening. Avatar doesn't suffer from Star Wars' mediocre dialogue, but it does suffer from an elongated running time, unnecessary scenes, and filler moments.
The second act is where your patience is tested. The entire scene of our hero Jake adapting to Pandora could have been shorter. The entire scene of Jake's first evening as a Na'vi could have been shorter. What makes them seem longer is that you know what's going to happen next, and you have to sit there and wait for the more-impressive and more exciting third act to develop, when the action becomes center-stage. The final act makes up for the second act, with some intense fighting and plenty of tension and suspense. The ending, albeit a bit short, was fitting and consistent with the themes and tribulations of Avatar.
Bottom Line: Avatar looks good, it looks like nothing you've ever seen before, but the story is something you've seen before, and the characters are people you've seen before, and the overall film is a well-known cliché, even if it's an amazing-looking cliché. James Cameron does a fantastic job updating the world of special effects, but with a repertoire consisting of The Abyss, Terminator 2, Aliens, and True Lies, one would ask for a better overall cinematic experience. Seeing it once was a delight, but wanting to see it again is something not in my heart's desire.
At least it is better than Titanic.
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