Avatar
Avatar
Avatar -
Overview
Positives
Negatives
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Brief Review
Avatar is a fast paced action thriller drenched in a deep moral story about technology vs nature. The na'vii are a fantastic race and the avatar idea is realistic and very well done. The groundbreaking 3D is good but at times it feels like you're watching a game cut-scene than a full length picture. Having said that, Avatar will go down as a genre defining, experimentally challenging picture that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Full Review
Released 2009, Avatar is a story with a deep moral theme centred around the idea of how technology and humankind destroys nature. The idea is well executed and the acting is excellent from almost everyone.
The story follows a disabled marine, Jake Sully, as he is dispatched to the planet Pandora to undertake a unique mission which involves gathering intel on the local tribe, the na'vii. In exchange for his services, he is promised surgery to fix his broken legs. The character is fleshed out well and as this is the first time he has visited the moon, we connect more with the character as we are sharing his experiences.
The story soon escalates and deepens as Jake grows connected to his 'Avatar'. The greedy corporate power of Colonel Miles becomes every more menacing throughout the story as Jake grows attached to the na'vii tribe, which eventually ends in a massive sky battle between the humans and the na'vii.
The acting all round is good, especially from the central characters. Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, is fantastic here and watching his character grow and change throughout the film is fascinating to watch and not forced in the slightest. His strongest scenes are when he's alongside Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana. These scenes feature some of the best dialogue in the film and the two actors effortlessly bounce off each other. Their blossoming romance is also very well done and heart-wrenching to watch at the end.
The rest of the cast are good but Colonel Miles, played by Stephen Lang, is outstanding as the cold-hearted greedy Corporal and is a fitting villain throughout. His character alongside Jake and Neytiri steal the show by far.
The much hyped 3D in this film is good but not as amazing as everyone made it out to be. Yes it's the best 3D film out there but the 3D on display sometimes makes the film seem a bit cartoony. At times it felt like I was watching a game cut scene but that might have just been my perception. Having said that, the irony is I enjoyed this film more in 2D on DVD than in 3D at the cinema. Then again it all depends what your preference is but for me, the 2D version was better.
The groundbreaking CGI and graphics are outstanding and the effort put in to these scenes and the background in general is definitely a breakthrough and one of the best CGI films ever. The scenery is just fascinating and the realistic nature and wildlife is scary to see and oftentimes its amazing to think the majority of this film is just CGI and special effects.
Along with the fantastic musical score, Avatar is by far the best film released in 2009 and a groundbreaking picture, experimenting in both 3D and CGI. The 3D wasn't for me and in my opinion ruined the picture but the CGI is breathtakingly accurate. Overall then, Avatar is well worth a watch and will go down in history as a genre-defining title that smashes the boundaries for what is possible in movies. A must buy!