**** StarsI am so proud of myself for waiting for the IMAX 3-D experience of Avatar. Sure, seeing it last week for free at a press screening would have been fine and dandy, but I felt like this was a movie that needed to be seen the right way. It was totally worth it, because it turned out to be one of the greatest movie-going experiences of my life. I know this statement packs a punch, but so does Avatar, the best film of 2009 and the best film of James Cameron's already astounding career. It took 14 years to make, time not only well spent, but well lived.
Avatar is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a truly taut and intelligent adventure, one that dazzles the eyes and stirs the heart. I haven't been this emotional involved in a blockbuster since The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sure, The Dark Knight is one of the finest films of the decade, but my emotions sparked much stronger here throughout Avatar's entire 160 minute runtime. If you're an emotional person when it comes to movies (like me), expect James Cameron's latest to leave you breathless. Roger Ebert sums it up right: "Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you."
The year is 2154. The planet is a new world, called Pandora, a vastly rich and beautiful planet that the human race has bound to take control over, even though Pandora has never threatened Earth. However, Earth is dying and humans find it necessary to attack them because they have the resources we apparently need to survive (or to get rich, you decide). If you notice many similarities and comparisons to today's real world, you're suppose to. Cameron boldly places the ideas of today into the actions of tomorrow.
The story follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who is recruited to take over an avatar after his identical twin dies. Jake is very interested because he can get his legs back in an avatar state. Also, if he does his job, he'll get an operation done where he'd be able to walk again. Therefore, the one thing that changes everything involves what Cameron does best: have a love story.
On Pandora, avatar Jake inhabits the Na'vi, the tribe that makes up the planet. They are very tall, blue-skinned, and extremely dangerous. But that's only if they attack you. They are mostly peaceful beings, who treat the earth the way we should.
Jake falls in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi native who rescues him from the wicked creatures that inhabit Pandora (think Skull Island). After being accepted into their tribe for adhering to their environment, Jake is taught their way of life by Neytiri, through which they do indeed fall in love, which forces Jake to re-think which team he is fighting for.
The cast is great, the direction is outstanding, and the visuals are literally flirting with perfection. Sigourney Weaver particularly, has a much juicier part here than what I was expecting. She plays for the good side as a experienced scientist who wants nothing but to ensure the safety of the Na'vi. It's not so much the argument that humans are the enemy here and that's that, but it's what the human race represents that's the real enemy. This film should be discussed, analyzed, and be allowed for multiple viewings. It's extraordinarily fascinating.
What makes Avatar stand out is how Cameron uses groundbreaking technology to further storytelling, not just action. The story is more than just a good vs. evil fight, it creates a whole new world physically and emotionally. I'm not bringing down the action here, because it has some of the best action sequences in film history. The whole movie is a pure adrenaline rush. Good luck finding a better film in 2009. I know I won't.
Avatar is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a truly taut and intelligent adventure, one that dazzles the eyes and stirs the heart. I haven't been this emotional involved in a blockbuster since The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sure, The Dark Knight is one of the finest films of the decade, but my emotions sparked much stronger here throughout Avatar's entire 160 minute runtime. If you're an emotional person when it comes to movies (like me), expect James Cameron's latest to leave you breathless. Roger Ebert sums it up right: "Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you."
The year is 2154. The planet is a new world, called Pandora, a vastly rich and beautiful planet that the human race has bound to take control over, even though Pandora has never threatened Earth. However, Earth is dying and humans find it necessary to attack them because they have the resources we apparently need to survive (or to get rich, you decide). If you notice many similarities and comparisons to today's real world, you're suppose to. Cameron boldly places the ideas of today into the actions of tomorrow.
The story follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who is recruited to take over an avatar after his identical twin dies. Jake is very interested because he can get his legs back in an avatar state. Also, if he does his job, he'll get an operation done where he'd be able to walk again. Therefore, the one thing that changes everything involves what Cameron does best: have a love story.
On Pandora, avatar Jake inhabits the Na'vi, the tribe that makes up the planet. They are very tall, blue-skinned, and extremely dangerous. But that's only if they attack you. They are mostly peaceful beings, who treat the earth the way we should.
Jake falls in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi native who rescues him from the wicked creatures that inhabit Pandora (think Skull Island). After being accepted into their tribe for adhering to their environment, Jake is taught their way of life by Neytiri, through which they do indeed fall in love, which forces Jake to re-think which team he is fighting for.
The cast is great, the direction is outstanding, and the visuals are literally flirting with perfection. Sigourney Weaver particularly, has a much juicier part here than what I was expecting. She plays for the good side as a experienced scientist who wants nothing but to ensure the safety of the Na'vi. It's not so much the argument that humans are the enemy here and that's that, but it's what the human race represents that's the real enemy. This film should be discussed, analyzed, and be allowed for multiple viewings. It's extraordinarily fascinating.
What makes Avatar stand out is how Cameron uses groundbreaking technology to further storytelling, not just action. The story is more than just a good vs. evil fight, it creates a whole new world physically and emotionally. I'm not bringing down the action here, because it has some of the best action sequences in film history. The whole movie is a pure adrenaline rush. Good luck finding a better film in 2009. I know I won't.
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