Avatar - 3D

Plot

The story takes place in the year 2154 on Pandora, a lush, Earth-like moon of the planet Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system. The RDA corporation is mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium. However, the indigenous people of Pandora (the Na'vi) are at odds with the humans, so human controlled Avatars are sent in to attempt peaceful negotiations and research. One such human grows to understand the Na'vi and has to decide what side he is on.

Cast

Humans
Sam Worthington as Corporal Jake Sully.
Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine.
Michelle Rodriguez as Trudy Chacón.
Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge.
Joel David Moore as Norm Spellman.
Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch.

Na'vi
Zoe Saldana as Neytiri.
C. C. H. Pounder as Mo'at.
Laz Alonso as Tsu'tey.
Wes Studi as Eytucan.

Review

WOW! Normally when I walk out of a movie I can usually find at least one thing wrong with what have just seen. Whether is be, but not limited to, a plot hole (or lack of plot altogether), bad acting or bad special effects (I cite X-men Origins: Wolverine as worst movie ever! I’ll write about why in an upcoming post). However, this movie contains none of the aforementioned issues. Let me detail to you why you have to go see this movie, especially in 3D.

The plot of the movie has been compared to Pocahontas in space but I don’t think its fair to compare this movie to another since the overall idea is universal. The story is about the representative of a conquering people meets the representative of indigenous people and begins to learn about their ways. Eventually the conquering representative begins to realize their people cannot take the land or materials from the indigenous people and vows to fight for the indigenous people because it is the right thing to do. I’m sure this story sounds familiar to many of you because the basic story is not unique to Avatar; however the way the story is told is unique. The plot is well paced and robust. James Cameron has written a very enjoyable film, but this is only one of the reasons to see the movie.

The emotion in this movie is enthralling. You really do grow to feel for the characters - both real and digital. Throughout the movie you are constantly on the seat of your pants wanting to know more about the characters and their motivations. I found myself actually saddened at the destruction caused by the human people and excited when the Na’vi were holding their own in the end battle. You get so engrossed in the movie that you don’t realize the 2.5 hrs passing. The sign of a good movie is not just when it can entertain you, but when it can grab you (not in a sexual way) and keep you wanting more.

Lastly, let me talk about the visual effects. Most of the movie contains at least some if not all computer generated effects. Motion capture technology was used to not only recreate the actors movements but facial expressions too. The Na’vi and Avatars move so naturally that is they were not blue, cat-like in appearance and 9 to 12 feet tall, you wouldn’t know they were animated. The landscapes are beautiful and the wildlife breathtaking. The 3D aspect of the film adds a level of “hyper-realism” to the film that has to be seen as I cannot put into worlds what it is like. Cameron wrote the first draft of this story in 1994 but had to wait until now for the technology to catch up to his vision. Pandora is so well drawn and animated that it really could be a place and if so, I would love to go visit.

All I can say is go see this movie! Right now. Get up and go, I’ll watch the kids, and get your ass to the theatre before it is too late.

Rating

5 Reels out of 5