Happy Atheist Forum

I'm going to see Avatar tomorrow in 3D on an IMAX screen. Haven't seen it yet, and all my friends who have said that it would be best this way versus 2D or 3D digital on a regular screen.

Any thoughts on it? (The movie, that is, not what screen I'm going to see it on. Unles you have thoughts on that, too.)  

Quote from: "Thom Phelps"I'm going to see Avatar tomorrow in 3D on an IMAX screen. Haven't seen it yet, and all my friends who have said that it would be best this way versus 2D or 3D digital on a regular screen.

Any thoughts on it? (The movie, that is, not what screen I'm going to see it on. Unles you have thoughts on that, too.)  

Haven't seen it on 2D, but have seen it twice on 3D. 3D is recommended. The technology therein might just be groundbreaking to filmmaking the way conversion from black and white to color was.

Hismikeness

I think I could have enjoyed the movie just as much without the 3D.  I didn't particularly like having to wear the glasses because it took my eyes a while to focus properly.  Maybe the 3D is better at IMAX (not sure how it could be though), but I only noticed about 2 places where the 3D really added anything to the feel of the movie.

That movie was boring and overrated by a long shot. I liked it better whenver it was just Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves.

/sarcasm at people who deride it without watching it

(Forgot to add that last part, it was a very good movie)

I thought Avatar was awesome, though I can see why some didn't think so. I saw it in 3D and I was quite impressed, and I'm planning on going to see it in 3D again later this week. I know Cameron's whole 3D approach was intended to increase depth perception instead of just adding a gimmick to the movie, but I kind of missed the feeling of things popping out and flying at my face. I think he could have done so much more with the it, though I still think the cinematics are brilliant.

I LOVE AVATAR!!!!!!!!!!!!11

OK. Saw it in 3D IMAX. Really enjoyed it. Not a great story - but a good, solid story, like most of Mr. Cameron's movies. The whole 162 minutes seemed to fly by pretty fast.
And the technical aspect (especially the wildlife biology on Pandora) was exceptional. A very beautiful movie.

It is rare to have a film so overwhelmingly applauded by movie-goers across the board. The only reviews i saw which were negative were from the pre-screening reviews by the Guardian and an American news paper i can't remember the name of. The only negative private reviews i read seemed to be from people completely missing the point or from people who have an irrational grudge against James Cameron.

I've not seen the Tomatometer at 100% on rotten tomatoes before.

I always knew Avatar would truly kick everyone's asses. I'm betting it will break the record for Titanic

Even my parents went to see it twice!

There was one review I read on Rotten Tomatoes which pretty much summed up my thoughts. He said something like "Watching Avatar is like watching your friend play the greatest video game of all time." I thought it was exciting at first, but the plot was somewhat weak and the last hour or so was slow and predictable. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars from me.

Quote from: "Thom Phelps"The whole 162 minutes seemed to fly by pretty fast.

I thought it needed at least one intermission or suggest that you not drink anything for at least 2 hours before the movie till no earlier than 1 hour before it is over...I had to miss part of the movie to use the restroom twice.

But, I do agree that I didn't find any parts to be slow so that the movies seemed that long (other than the time reminder that I had to pee, again).

http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/12/2 ... ler-alert/ (http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/12/28/on-avatar-the-movie-spoiler-alert/)
This is an extremely interesting article about the sociological images and stereotypes portrayed in the film. Personally I think the author takes it a bit too far and is overdoing the "critical thinking" a tad, but it's still a noteworthy perspective.
Please read the commentary at the end as well, there are some worthwhile opinions.

Quote from: "kelltrill"http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/12/28/on-avatar-the-movie-spoiler-alert/
This is an extremely interesting article about the sociological images and stereotypes portrayed in the film. Personally I think the author takes it a bit too far and is overdoing the "critical thinking" a tad, but it's still a noteworthy perspective.
Please read the commentary at the end as well, there are some worthwhile opinions.

It is a different perspective for sure. Over-analytical hogwash though. The article seems to be based upon the fact that historically, it is only white people who've orchestrated the genocide and displacement of other native people... Well, that's just bullshit. They haven't read up on their world history.

In 1964 Indonesia threatened to invade Borneo. The Eban tribe fought against them with the British army. Ever since then, there's been a UK forces contingent out there. I know, because I used to live there and I met the Eban face-to-face. They are an amazing people, full of happiness and generosity. They are also fucking hardcore when it comes to jungle warfare. So, it was the big bad white man who saved the people of Borneo and Brunei from the unbelievable horrors of the invading Indonesians (they really were not very nice to the people they captured). If it weren't for the British forces, the war would have been very protracted and bloody. The Eban would have eventually been displaced or wiped out completely seeing as all they had to fight with were bows and arrows.. Hmm, I can see a parallel here with Avatar...

What about Genghis Khan? What about the Moors?

I'm sorry but after reading that article again, all I can glean from it is the author simply wants to say something contentious and bring about a debate where there should be none.

The 3D was very impressive, but it gave me such a headache! Took me more than 24 hours to fully recover.

I think it had a slightly confused message about violence- Its fine to kill a eight legged dog thing as long as you say sorry, and arn't happy about it; its fine to kill human soldiers as long as they're nasty first, etc. I prefer films where the goodguys have to work out a better plan than just 'kill 'em all with arrows'.

I really didnt understand how they place someones conciousness into an avatar body- Did they beam it in, is there a transmitter in the alien's brain?
And why were there no insects on Pandora? And why would a species evolve in a jungle with blue skin that would make them an easy target for predators?
Also a lot of the aliens seemed to be based on normal earth animals with extra limbs stiched on.

On the good Siquourny Weavers scientist was well played, and the 3D was very pretty in parts especially when all the ash was falling past the camera. The Navi are some of the most impressive CG characters yet and the plant life was luscious.

By the end though, I was rather rooting for the humans.  

1. It's not really 3D until I can walk around it
2. 2012 = Disaster Porn; Avatar = Technology Porn
3. Dances with Smurfs

Go into it with these expectations and you won't be disappointed.  I have to disagree with the whole "This is to cinema what the transition from B&W to Color was" thing.  When it is in 3D without me having to wear migrane-inducing glasses, you can call it 3D.  Not really bitching, I went and saw it and enjoyed it, just don't really feel like it deserves the hype.

But then again, I also think video games are the new cinematic experience, so take my opinion for what that's worth.

fake edit: this thread has a disturbing lack of this smiley  :pop:  :pop:  :pop:  :pop:  :pop:  :pop:  :pop:

The 3D version is great but the 2D version still has great CG :shake:. Furthermore the scientific accuracy is not the best, if you pay attention you should be able to pick them out.

"unobtanium" truly cracked me up and screwed with my ability to take the rest of the movie seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cI5GxM4 ... r_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cI5GxM4f50&feature=player_embedded)

Youtube vid on how Avatar is demonic etc. I find the comments quite hilarious and appropriate, lawl.