brent johnson reviews the holiday season’s biggest film …
I didn’t want to like Avatar.
Maybe it’s because I was one of the few who despised Titanic, James Cameron’s bloated, history-exploiting, look-at-me-I’m-king-of-the-world epic. Maybe it’s because I was bothered by the fact it took him 12 years to finish a follow-up. Maybe it’s because Avatar‘s trailers looked incredibly fake.
In the end, the film itself looks pretty fake, too. The giant, computer-created blue people? They look exactly like they were created on a computer. It’s the same issue I had with the new Star Wars films: Just because you can use a machine to produce entire scenes and characters doesn’t mean you should.
And the 3D? Even after seeing it, I don’t buy into the idea that Avatar is that better because those giant blue people literally pop off the screen.
But here’s something I never expected: What made me like Avatar was the story. I was surprised there was a story at all, let alone an engrossing one. For all the synthetic qualities of the production, I actually cared about the characters.
Some have said the message of the film — that greedy corporation-like countries are wrong to invade other places for their own gain — is too preachy and heavy-handed. But I like that Cameron is making a point here. Back when he was a clever, tech-friendly — yet not tech-reliant filmmaker — he excelled at mixing messages with flash.
That’s what The Terminator and Aliens did well.
I’m okay that this is now one of the top Oscar contenders for Best Picture. It’s not nearly as satisfying or complete or touching as Up In The Air. But it’s definitely something that touched me.
You got something against Blue People??? I hate films with a message. I go to the movies because I am an escapist. Besides why should I believe the message someone else believes is right. If I did that then you would make me believe that our President, Congressmen/women and Representatives actually care about this country and its people.
Hey, I despised Titanic so much that I never saw it. That’s right. I’m the guy who hasn’t seen Titanic.
I agree with you about the characters – I cared about them – but on balance thought the storyline was hokey. And of course my empathy didn’t extend to Colonel Quaritch. Seriously, am I the only one who thought ‘why couldn’t the thing that made those three marks on his scalp have dug an inch deeper’?
And I thought the experience was awesome. Loved the special effects, didn’t think the blue people were particularly fake and thought the jungle, mountains and all that other greenery was fantastic.