Avatar - a bit more, still no spoilers

[ysengrin]

First, go see it, in 3D in as large a theater as you can manage. It's worth it, the 3D is done 99% seamlessly and it really adds to the immersion.

Second, it's science fantasy, not science fiction. Don't go in expecting Aliens or hard science. Beyond that, it's likely better if you have no other story expectations when you see it.

Third, it has a lot of very nice eye candy. Enjoy the spectacle while watching it, and feel free to pick at the details later. The world of Pandora holds together very well (once you accept a couple of basic premises), with some interesting bits that may or may not have been intentionally planned.

Fourth, the moral dilemmas in the story resonate very strongly with me. I can't say more without being spoilerish, so you'll have to wait for more.

Fifth, you'll likely want to see it more than once.

Cameron has said there are two sequels planned, and while the hooks are there they aren't shoved in your face.

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Not spoilery, but you might want to skip the next paragraph until you see the film (story expectations, y'know) ... highlight it to make the text visible.

The main story is very well done; the background it's played out in has some awfully big holes (unexpectedly on the *human* side of things). A large part of the background setting is Imperialism vs. the Noble Savage (you can tell from the trailers), with all the stereotypes you'd expect from my using those emotionally loaded terms. But, some of the conflict we see through (and around) the characters just doesn't ring true and seems to just be happening the way it is because the script calls for it, and that distracts from the otherwise good story. In particular, a famous line from Aliens kept popping into my mind while I wondered why the bad guys didn't take it to heart.

Comments

[crimsonfang.livejournal.com]

Absolutely brilliant film. What i aspire to create at Weta Workshops when i finish my degree. Course not at that standard, mind, i cant see myself even simply contributing to a film of that magnitude.

Yet ;)

A+, highly recommend.