Avatar. Who's seen it? [Archive] - Rock Band Forums // Rock Band®

TeamAliceFTW

12-20-2009, 01:17 AM

I just got back. Could possibly be my favorite movie and I definitely plan on seeing it again.

And on another note. This protest? I'm sorry, but there are more movies without than with transsexuals, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Don't hate on one just because it has more publicity.

jayou521

12-20-2009, 02:11 AM

Join the discussion! :)

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97028&page=194 ;)

BevoTheWarrior

12-20-2009, 07:12 PM

I know there was already a quick discussion about Avatar in the other thread but I think a separate thread solely for discussing one film is okay.

On topic, I loved the movie. I saw it last night in 3D and I'm going back for a second round either tonight or tomorrow. I was intrigued by the trailers and all the hype but I still wasn't 100% sold on the movie before going to see it. I figured it was gonna be pretty good though because it has all the makings of a great, vintage James Cameron film: aliens, space marines, amazing special effects and Sigourney Weaver. So I went with high hopes and, thankfully, I was more than satisfied. I can't wait to own it on DVD. But I imagine that it will be quite a different experience without the 3D.

benson111

12-20-2009, 07:50 PM

Pretty good movie. Second best Sci-Fi film of the decade hands down.

See it in 3D. There are some scenes that are mind blowingly awesome. Srsly.

monkeyfish

12-20-2009, 07:51 PM

I'd have to drive 90 miles to the nearest 3D place. :( Perhaps sometime during the week...

Mystlyfe77

12-20-2009, 07:51 PM

I saw it back in 1990 when it was called Dances with Wolves. And again 1995 when it was called Pocahontas.

Wiiman95

12-20-2009, 07:53 PM

I'll probably see it soon. Hopefully it'll be better than the Crap-fest that was 2012.

BevoTheWarrior

12-20-2009, 08:32 PM

I saw it back in 1990 when it was called Dances with Wolves. And again 1995 when it was called Pocahontas.

Yeah, okay. Well at least that's an original thought that no one else has mentioned. :rolleyes:

Mystlyfe77

12-20-2009, 08:46 PM

Yeah, okay. Well at least that's an original thought that no one else has mentioned. :rolleyes:

I generally ignore discussion about movies that look stupid. Sorry.

davidshek

12-20-2009, 08:58 PM

I generally ignore discussion about movies that look stupid. Sorry.

You should try actually seeing the movie before basing your judgment on a few 30-second trailers. Sorry.

On topic: I saw it yesterday afternoon, and loved it. Easily my favorite movie of the year, perhaps of the entire 2000's. Didn't see it in 3D because all of the afternoon shows were sold out. But definitely will go back to see it in 3D before it leaves the theaters.

The Highway To Hell

12-20-2009, 09:02 PM

I wanna see it so bad! I hope it knocks friggin Twilight from the top.

monkeyfish

12-20-2009, 09:07 PM

I wanna see it so bad! I hope it knocks friggin Twilight from the top.

Twilight had sunny skies and not a hint of holidays to slow it down. Avatar isn't in the dead zone of movie opening time or anything like that, but with its 3D effects limiting the number of theaters, I doubt it'd get close. It'll get the box office for a weekend or two and that'll be it.

Which sucks because I don't know when I'll have a chance to see this movie! :(

Soratar

12-20-2009, 09:09 PM

I'm hoping to see it sometime next week. I really can't wait! I'm going to go see it in IMAX 3D!

Cubecubed

12-20-2009, 09:11 PM

Truly a revolutionary movie visually. the story is less so,but more than adequate.

Mystlyfe77

12-20-2009, 09:23 PM

You should try actually seeing the movie before basing your judgment on a few 30-second trailers. Sorry.

So I should spend my money to see something that I have absolutely no interest in? Trailers are meant to entice, and the more trailers I saw for this film, the less I wanted to see it.

I'd rather see a shotty, low-budget film with a good plot than a massive budget, high-publicity one with a plot I've heard 40 times before. I don't care how pretty something is if it's not interesting.

davidshek

12-20-2009, 09:34 PM

Avatar isn't in the dead zone of movie opening time or anything like that, but with its 3D effects limiting the number of theaters, I doubt it'd get close. It'll get the box office for a weekend or two and that'll be it.

Avatar is showing on plenty of regular 2D screens too. It's not like the 3D version needs special cameras or anything to display though.

So I should spend my money to see something that I have absolutely no interest in? Trailers are meant to entice, and the more trailers I saw for this film, the less I wanted to see it.

That's fantastic, good for you. Don't see it. But don't come in here spewing hate and negativity about a movie you've never seen and have no interest in seeing, mmk? In case you didn't notice, the title of this thread is asking who HAS seen it. Not who hasn't or who doesn't want to. But thanks for sharing.

Explosion2

12-20-2009, 09:38 PM

Avatar is showing on plenty of regular 2D screens too. It's not like the 3D version needs special cameras or anything to display though.

I'm pretty sure that the theater DOES need some special Digital HD screens for the RealD 3D movies.

Unless they're using the old red/blue 3D glasses, which I highly doubt.

monkeyfish

12-20-2009, 09:42 PM

I'm pretty sure that the theater DOES need some special Digital HD screens for the RealD 3D movies.

Unless they're using the old red/blue 3D glasses, which I highly doubt.

Plus, who wants to watch the 2D version while it's in theaters? That's like buying a PS3 and hooking it up with the crusty old coax cables you got with the SNES. ;)

Explosion2

12-20-2009, 09:43 PM

Plus, who wants to watch the 2D version while it's in theaters? That's like buying a PS3 and hooking it up with the crusty old coax cables you got with the SNES. ;)

Wait, you're NOT supposed to use those cables?

;)

BZLuck

12-20-2009, 09:46 PM

Not seen it yet, but had a good friend who shares the same movie likes as I do, and he said, it was very good, and incredible theater experience but in one line I will quote him verbatim:

"It was kind of like Starship Troopers vs. Fern Gully."

Mystlyfe77

12-20-2009, 10:06 PM

That's fantastic, good for you. Don't see it. But don't come in here spewing hate and negativity about a movie you've never seen and have no interest in seeing, mmk? In case you didn't notice, the title of this thread is asking who HAS seen it. Not who hasn't or who doesn't want to. But thanks for sharing.

So because you liked it, I'm not allowed to voice my opinion? That sounds lovely.

Grow thicker skin, buddy.

bubblegumpop

12-20-2009, 10:09 PM

Loved it, was worth the head-ache it gave me(saw it 3-d). I didn't really have high hopes for it so it was a big surprise, loved the colors!

davidshek

12-20-2009, 10:11 PM

I'm pretty sure that the theater DOES need some special Digital HD screens for the RealD 3D movies.

Unless they're using the old red/blue 3D glasses, which I highly doubt.

Not red/blue 3D glasses, but you still have to wear glasses. They look kinda like sunglasses. The screen at the theater isn't any different.

So because you liked it, I'm not allowed to voice my opinion? That sounds lovely.

Grow thicker skin, buddy.

This has absolutely nothing to do with my opinion of the movie, and you very well know that. This was clearly intended to be a thread for people who saw the movie and enjoyed it and want to talk about it. And yet you want to come in here and be all Buzz Killington about it and you haven't even SEEN IT? This isn't about me, Mystlyfe. You obviously want it to be all about you.

And no, since you yourself admitted that you have not seen the movie, your opinion is invalidated by that very fact.

Banky71

12-20-2009, 10:23 PM

uh Hello! It's called James Cameron's Avatar! :mad:

SteveoKnievo

12-20-2009, 10:28 PM

The trailers made it seem pretty boring, this is what I pretty much figured out:

Guy goes undercover as alien person to destroy them from the inside. He ends up falling in love with one of the alien people and defecting. He then has to work with the alien people to destroy the space marines who are trying to take over the planet despite impossible odds.

Correct me if I'm wrong with that.

supernova1324

12-20-2009, 10:47 PM

It was decent, but of it didn't have the awesome special effects then I probably wouldn't have seen it. The storyline was basically Dances with Wolves in space, and the beginning was very slow. It was worth it in the end with the mind blowing action, but the special effects are what made the movie. Otherwise, it's just a typical run of the mill action movie.

And it seemed like James Cameron was lacking original thoughts. He named the the material they were trying to get from the planet "Unobtainium." Subtle. And I found it strange that the flying beasts were called Banshees and the helicopters were called Scorpions, which looked a lot like Hornets from Halo. And I found it very coincidential that the indigenous tribe was called the "Na'vi" and they happened to live in a giant holy tree. Sound familiar?

BevoTheWarrior

12-20-2009, 10:57 PM

And I found it strange that the flying beasts were called Banshees and the helicopters were called Scorpions, which looked a lot like Hornets from Halo.

Yeah, they did kinda look like the vehicles from Halo. But the vehicles from Halo, as well as the combat armor worn by the marines in Halo, were all inspired by the vehicles and combat armor from James Cameron's Aliens. So, technically, the only person James Cameron stole from was himself.

Mystlyfe77

12-20-2009, 10:57 PM

This has absolutely nothing to do with my opinion of the movie, and you very well know that. This was clearly intended to be a thread for people who saw the movie and enjoyed it and want to talk about it. And yet you want to come in here and be all Buzz Killington about it and you haven't even SEEN IT? This isn't about me, Mystlyfe. You obviously want it to be all about you.

And no, since you yourself admitted that you have not seen the movie, your opinion is invalidated by that very fact.

Please elaborate on how I want it to be about me? Go ahead, find something where I indicated anything along those lines.

Guess what, I didn't see the movie. We all know that. That doesn't change my opinion about it. If you want to ignore my opinion and the points I bring up because I didn't see it, you are absolutely entitled to do so. HOWEVER, you cannot force me not to voice them, though. Sorry buddy.

BevoTheWarrior

12-20-2009, 11:01 PM

Please elaborate on how I want it to be about me? Go ahead, find something where I indicated anything along those lines.

Guess what, I didn't see the movie. We all know that. That doesn't change my opinion about it. If you want to ignore my opinion and the points I bring up because I didn't see it, you are absolutely entitled to do so. HOWEVER, you cannot force me not to voice them, though. Sorry buddy.

Let's not get too worked up about this. The point being made is that this is a thread about the movie for people who have seen it, which you haven't. That's all. And, yes, you're more than entitled to have opinions about why you don't want to see it. However, you can't have opinions of the movie itself if you haven't seen it. It's just impossible.

monkeyfish

12-20-2009, 11:06 PM

Please elaborate on how I want it to be about me? Go ahead, find something where I indicated anything along those lines.

Guess what, I didn't see the movie. We all know that. That doesn't change my opinion about it. If you want to ignore my opinion and the points I bring up because I didn't see it, you are absolutely entitled to do so. HOWEVER, you cannot force me not to voice them, though. Sorry buddy.

On the contrary, I found this:

I generally ignore discussion about movies that look stupid. Sorry.

But so far you're doing a spectacular job of doing otherwise.

BevoTheWarrior

12-20-2009, 11:25 PM

nigelle

12-21-2009, 06:04 AM

Hey I watched the Avatar Movie, which has the high technological use of visual effects and digital effects. It is the important movie that everyone should view it without failing. The credit for this movie will only goes to the movie maker and director James Cameroon.

davidshek

12-21-2009, 09:21 AM

Back on topic: How many people saw it without the 3D? I'm curious about opinions on the film in 2D. I saw it in 3D (obviously) and I'll be going back and seeing it the same way but I'm wondering how the DVD will live up to my experience in the theater.

I saw it in 2D, so can't really compare it to 3D until I go back and see that version. We decided to skip the 3D version for the first viewing for 2 reasons: 1) the Saturday matinees were all sold-out, and 2) we had seen A Christmas Carol the weekend before in 3D and it gave us both headaches.

4FringeBenefits4

12-21-2009, 11:30 AM

If anyone in here thinks this is the best movie this year, go see District 9 and come back to this thread.

District 9 - Original
Avatar - Same movie we've all seen 09230958230958203958 times

But then again I'm thinking people that like Avatar don't want to think. They just like pretty colors

davidshek

12-21-2009, 12:03 PM

If anyone in here thinks this is the best movie this year, go see District 9 and come back to this thread.

I saw District 9, I personally thought it was boring as hell. :)

Hungryfreak

12-21-2009, 12:12 PM

Back on topic: How many people saw it without the 3D? I'm curious about opinions on the film in 2D. I saw it in 3D (obviously) and I'll be going back and seeing it the same way but I'm wondering how the DVD will live up to my experience in the theater.

I feel that until the technology is perfected, putting a movie in 3D is a gimmick.

I can't say how it compares, but the visuals looked fine in the regular theatre. I can say that since the world/creature design was about all that movie's worth. It did look fantastic and the generic cowpoke/injuns story didn't break the experience, though it could have easily been much better. Also, I still can't comprehend why writers who could make up a new language ended up calling the super mineral that humans were after "unobtainium".

Nuff_Said

12-21-2009, 12:18 PM

I feel that until the technology is perfected, putting a movie in 3D is a gimmick.

I can't say how it compares, but the visuals looked fine in the regular theatre. I can say that since the world/creature design was about all that movie's worth. It did look fantastic and the generic cowpoke/injuns story didn't break the experience, though it could have easily been much better. Also, I still can't comprehend why writers who could make up a new language ended up calling the super mineral that humans were after "unobtainium".

isn't Pandora the name of planet in the movie?

Hungryfreak

12-21-2009, 12:19 PM

I forgot about that. How the hell did they get away with such generic names?

bood-boy

12-21-2009, 12:20 PM

i bet district 9 was boring as hell cause it had an original concept and didnt have explosions every 30 seconds. the more explosions, the better the movie.

i wonder how many of shreks posts in general are telling people not to post in a thread because their opinion isnt valid?

Mex

12-21-2009, 12:23 PM

"unobtainium".

Oh my. Really?

I was hoping that was a joke.

That's just.....ridiculous.

Oscar-Rio

12-21-2009, 01:46 PM

Oh my. Really?

I was hoping that was a joke.

That's just.....ridiculous.

That and the planet being named Pandora are pretty cringe-worthy. I want to see this movie in 3D just for the 3D experience. I could give a crap less about the story in this particular movie based on the few reviews and plot summaries i've read.

bermuddy

12-21-2009, 01:52 PM

is this movie like fern gully: the last rainforest?

BevoTheWarrior

12-21-2009, 02:16 PM

Yeah, I actually groaned out loud when they first called the rock "unobtanium". But you get over it. I mean, James Cameron wrote this and it's pretty common knowledge that he's not a great writer. He's good but not great. Yet I absolutely LOVE so many of his movies: Abyss, Aliens, Terminator, T2, True Lies, Titanic and Avatar are all favorites of mine (and now that I wrote that I realize that they all start with either the letter "A" or "T"... weird).

And I did see District 9 earlier this year and I was blown away. It's an amazing film that harkens back to classic sci-fi by using aliens and futuristic elements as an allegory for social issues going on in the world today. But, seriously, you can't really compare a movie like District 9 to a movie like Avatar. They're clearly in very different arenas.

Also, thanks for everyone's opinions about seeing the movie in 2D. It gives me confidence that watching Avatar on DVD will be just as enjoyable as seeing it in the theater. :)

davidshek

12-21-2009, 08:09 PM

Also, I still can't comprehend why writers who could make up a new language ended up calling the super mineral that humans were after "unobtainium".

Clearly humans had used up all of the Unobtanium on earth building the dirt-digging ship in The Core, so they needed to mine a new planet to find more.

i bet district 9 was boring as hell cause it had an original concept and didnt have explosions every 30 seconds. the more explosions, the better the movie.

i wonder how many of shreks posts in general are telling people not to post in a thread because their opinion isnt valid?

Did I tell him not to post about District 9? He asked about it, I said I personally thought it was boring. What the heck is up with you people? I love how you and your buddies think that "shrek" is such a subtle insult. And the answer to your question is uh, 2. Once in this thread, and once in a Twilight thread. Gee, look at that, what a coincidence. Both of them were threads where some jerk was posting his "opinions" about a movie he hadn't even seen. Go figure.

District 9 was boring because the plot was boring, the characters were boring, and the scenery was dingy and dull. My personal opinion. You are welcome to disagree.

Oscar-Rio

12-21-2009, 08:14 PM

Clearly humans had used up all of the Unobtanium on earth building the dirt-digging ship in The Core, so they needed to mine a new planet to find more.
.

lol, that movie was one giant phallic sexual innuendo.

Faded_Jeans

12-21-2009, 08:30 PM

Saw it. Wasn't impressed with the story at all. It was fun to watch in IMAX 3D though.

FloodOne

12-21-2009, 09:02 PM

If anyone in here thinks this is the best movie this year, go see District 9 and come back to this thread.

I already did.

You sir, are full of win.

Goatbuster

12-21-2009, 11:49 PM

What the heck is up with you people?
Obviously they're busy trolling threads.

I anticipate watching this in IMAX, at which point I would be able to give an opinion on this film because, you know, I actually SAW it.

CrazyIvan

12-22-2009, 09:10 AM

Saw it and really enjoyed it. I admittedly did not see many movies this year in the theaters, but this was by far the best of the ones I did see. The 3d visuals were absolutely amazing. And the plot, although far from original, was done well enough to not take away from the joy of what I was seeing.

To me, the originality came in the creation of the Nav'i and the entire ecological system on the planet. Reminded me of when I was a child watching Star Wars for the first time.

Was the plot something to write home about? Nope, but I also didn't care. It was fun and the visuals were astounding. It entertained me for 2 1/2 hours, which is all I really ask for in a theater experience.

Also, for the record, James Cameron didn't create the term "unobtanium". It's long been used by engineers and scientists as an inside joke of sorts. Here's the wikipedia article about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium.

bood-boy

12-22-2009, 09:21 AM

I love how you and your buddies think that "shrek" is such a subtle insult.

its not an insult, its a pet name.

pet names are used when someone has admiration for someone else so they give them a pet name.

davidshek

12-22-2009, 09:31 AM

pet names are used when someone has admiration for someone else so they give them a pet name.

And ignore lists are used when someone irritates someone else so they add them to their ignore list. You can now join bman and banky on mine. Enjoy!

bood-boy

12-22-2009, 09:42 AM

amazing. it only took 2 posts. how many did it take u, bman?

remember that commericial, how many licks does it take to get into the center of a tootsie pop?

bermuddy

12-22-2009, 09:43 AM

are you trying to lick him?

bood-boy

12-22-2009, 09:44 AM

i dont want my tongue to get stuck to the pole its cold out

Rocket2Russia

12-22-2009, 10:39 AM

Sargehalo51

12-22-2009, 10:43 AM

I have not seen this movie yet, but the trailers have gotten me interested enough that I do want to see it. Seems as though there is generally a positive reaction to the movie by those in here who have actually seen it, which hopefully will mean that I will enjoy it also.

Thanks for those who actually posted on-topic.

davidshek

12-22-2009, 10:58 AM

I've read a lot of stuff in the IMDB boards where people have said that Avatar seems like a cheesy 90's movie, and there's one key thing to keep in mind here: it IS a 90's movie.

James Cameron wrote this movie shortly after finishing up Titanic in 1997. He had hoped to film and release it by 1999, but his projected budget using the technology of the time was $400 million and no studio was willing to fund that. Due to that, he shelved it for several years until technology could catch up with his vision. It was when he saw Gollum in the LOTR movies that he knew that CGI was finally ready to make this movie the way he imagined it.

Mex

12-22-2009, 11:33 AM

Sargehalo51

12-22-2009, 11:37 AM

I personally don't think 90's movies were cheesy, I rather enjoyed a great many of them. Saving Private Ryan remains one of my all time favorite movies!

topperharley

12-22-2009, 11:37 AM

I thought District 9 was good, but not as great as so many people seem to think it is. Haven't seen Avatar, but I don't plan to. There is nothing from the trailers, commercials, or reviews that makes me at all interested to see it.

davidshek

12-22-2009, 01:34 PM

He could have, you know, re-wrote the script. I mean most movies have re-writes, sometimes even during filming.

Oh I'm sure parts of it were. But at least the basic premise of it was written 10+ years ago.

bood-boy

12-22-2009, 01:38 PM

from my understanding the basic premise was written much longer than that and it was written by someone else i dont know how many times its been done since

Sargehalo51

12-22-2009, 01:42 PM

from my understanding the basic premise was written much longer than that and it was written by someone else i dont know how many times its been done since

There are many movies that are different takes on the same basic premise and that doesn't reflect on the individual movie being good or bad. It all comes down to how well the individual movie is written, acted, and produced.

DrewLee865

12-22-2009, 01:46 PM

Good movie.

BevoTheWarrior

12-22-2009, 01:46 PM

I'm looking forward to it, and I can't comment on it being better than District 9, but District 9, though awesome, is still inferior to Adventureland, a movie every person should see. I'd call it one of the best of this decade, and easily the best of this year. Avatar's gonna need a ton of oomph to convince me otherwise.

I'm glad to hear your opinion on Adventureland. That's another of my favorites and I'd definitely put it in my top list of the decade. Personally, I can't really compare Adventureland to District 9 or Avatar because they're three radically different types of films but all three are amazing.

Witticus

12-22-2009, 01:52 PM

I really enjoyed it and actually felt compelled during it. I don't remember checking my watch during the whole movie and didn't want to leave my seat the whole time to refill my soda for fear i might miss a cool moment. Sure it was predictable, but it was just so amazing to look at.

bood-boy

12-22-2009, 02:03 PM

There are many movies that are different takes on the same basic premise and that doesn't reflect on the individual movie being good or bad.

it does reflect on whether its an original concept or not.

i never did say it was good or bad, and i will definitely watch it, but i wont pay to watch it.

all this being said, Event Horizon is my favoritest movie ever, and its not the most original concept whatsoever.

Banky71

12-22-2009, 08:05 PM

And ignore lists are used when someone irritates someone else so they add them to their ignore list. You can now join bman and banky on mine. Enjoy!

Wow talk about calling out other posters. I wasn't even involved with this thread and I get a personal attack. What a guy.

DrifterUK

12-22-2009, 08:13 PM

Original or not, I personally thought this film looked terrible. Every advert I saw for it made me wnt to see it less

Wow talk about calling out other posters. I wasn't even involved with this thread and I get a personal attack. What a guy.

I dont get the point of acting like that. I mean, if you cant get along with another member, change your attitude, dont call them out like that. More often than not, its the person that acts like that whose at fault, not the person that they cant get on with

Besides Banky, anyone with you on their ignore list is missing out on your random funnyness :p

Sorry to go off topic like that. It really annoys me when people cant get on because their opinions differ

Banky71

12-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Thanks Drifter. Shockingly not everyone finds me funny. I know crazy! :D

DrifterUK

12-22-2009, 08:20 PM

Thanks Drifter. Shockingly not everyone finds me funny. I know crazy! :D

lol, some people need to lighten up

Besides, isnt calling out posters against the forum rules?

Anyway, to stay somewhat on topic
Avatar - Reviewed in 5 panels (http://www.geekologie.com/2009/12/spoiler_alert_avatar_the_movie.php)

DrifterUK

12-22-2009, 08:22 PM

Banky 71 is a saint!

I wouldnt go that far

Dragonheart1991

12-22-2009, 08:28 PM

Due to the lack of Airbenders. No.

BevoTheWarrior

12-22-2009, 08:52 PM

Due to the lack of Airbenders. No.

The lack of Airbenders was a plus in my book. Shymalan's upcoming Avatar movie is something I have zero interest in seeing.

Dragonheart1991

12-22-2009, 09:09 PM

The lack of Airbenders was a plus in my book. Shymalan's upcoming Avatar movie is something I have zero interest in seeing.

Mainly because it's Live Action. Which, doesn't go down well when it's a Anime series. I mean, so many Anime have been butchered by Live Action. Most recently Dragonball, and i thought the Anime couldn't get any worse...

Ryuzaki

12-22-2009, 09:43 PM

I thought the movie was entertaining, and do not feel compelled to argue which movie is the best or bash another film.
Feel the love, mmkay.

nx s1c4r1o

12-22-2009, 10:32 PM

I recently got dragged to see this movie and I thought i'd give it a fair shot; it was an interesting experience but nothing really extraordinary for that and the plot was lackluster so while i don't deny it looked pretty, it wasn't as good as some here hype it to be

Lakers_Fan_24

12-23-2009, 12:28 PM

Saw it yesterday in 3D, I enjoyed it. I can see where they spent the 200 million, CGI...... Being from that industry (CG), I watched the film saying holy crap quite a few times. I read that the CG wasn't done till a couple weeks ago, they cut it real close.

I'd like to see the Blu Ray version have:
2D version (separate disk)
3D version (separate disk)
Standard DVD (not this digital copy crap)
Special Features on 2 Discs (gotta be a lot of stuff)

Banky71

12-23-2009, 12:29 PM

Saw it yesterday in 3D, I enjoyed it. I can see where they spent the 200 million, CGI...... Being from that industry (CG), I watched the film saying holy crap quite a few times. I read that the CG wasn't done till a couple weeks ago, they cut it real close.

I'd like to see the Blu Ray version have:
2D version
3D version
Standard DVD (not this digital copy crap)
Special Features on 2 Discs (gotta be a lot of stuff)

I like when the include digital copies. I can add them to my apple TV.

Soratar

12-23-2009, 12:40 PM

I like when the include digital copies. I can add them to my apple TV.

I LOVE digital copies. Then I can have the movie on my iphone! :cool:

daftuprising

12-23-2009, 12:41 PM

BevoTheWarrior

12-23-2009, 02:28 PM

Was it worth the 13.50 for my ticket and glasses? Yes.
Am I gonna go see it again? No.
Am I gonna buy it? Maybe.

It was a good movie, the plot was decent, and the visuals were great. It wasn't the best of the year, but it was worth the money I paid to go see it.

Put me down for "yes" in all three of those categories. I saw it in 3D on Saturday night and I have tickets to go see it again in 3D in about two hours and I can't wait to own the DVD.

benson111

12-23-2009, 02:41 PM

To the district 9 lovers..( I'm included here ) It isnt and original story either, most of the elements of the movie where "Lifted" from "Alien Nation". Look it up, the stories are very similar.

So far my top 5 Sci-Fi flicks of the decade are...
1 - Star Trek
2 - District 9
3 - Avatar
4 - Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith)
5 - Sunshine

Lawdog1521

12-23-2009, 02:46 PM

BevoTheWarrior

12-23-2009, 02:48 PM

I loved Sunshine, it's very underrated.

I thought Sunshine was brilliantly paced, very well directed and acted but the story was just so-so.

benson111

12-23-2009, 03:40 PM

I thought Sunshine was brilliantly paced, very well directed and acted but the story was just so-so.

Actually I liked that the story was "So-So", it didn't try to be something it wasn't. What I liked about it was that it could have gone over the top, but didn't, and held back enough to keep your mind at work....so to speak.

Star Trek on the other hand was right on target. Well acted, paced well, and reintroduced you to characters you already loved, (If you where a fan already), and did it in a way that you could see the movie with no prior knowledge of the already established franchise.

TeamAliceFTW

12-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Going again this Saturday to see it in Imax. Can't wait.

kazlam

12-23-2009, 04:16 PM

any one else notice that the big baddy that chases him off the waterfall has the same roar as the t-rex from jurassic park? and the horses made the same short 'snorty' sounds as the raptors.

DroolCoveredMom

12-23-2009, 04:20 PM

any one else notice that the big baddy that chases him off the waterfall has the same roar as the t-rex from jurassic park? and the horses made the same short 'snorty' sounds as the raptors.

I've actually noticed a few of the same soundbites on different movies... There's a woman's scream I've heard in "Copycat" "Spiderman" ... aw man the others slip my mind!

BevoTheWarrior

12-23-2009, 10:34 PM

I just got back from seeing Avatar in 3D for the second time and it really holds up well. So far I'm still loving this movie. Some friends of mine want to go next week so I'll probably be going for a third time.

oogabooha

12-23-2009, 11:04 PM

I absolutely loved that movie, in 3D its a whole other experience! One of my favorite Sci-Fi's (along with Blade Runner).

BevoTheWarrior

12-24-2009, 12:05 AM

Lawdog1521

12-24-2009, 12:46 AM

I've actually noticed a few of the same soundbites on different movies... There's a woman's scream I've heard in "Copycat" "Spiderman" ... aw man the others slip my mind!

The Wilhelm Screem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream) has been used in just about everything and is now a staple for sound editors to work in.

Once you know it, you can't miss it in movies. Everything from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Kingdom of Heaven.

monkeyfish

12-24-2009, 01:25 AM

I just found this review by an actual scientist that reviewed the movie's science instead of the film itself. It's quite a fascinating read so I thought I'd share:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43440

HAHA YES! I told a friend a mine who mocked the floating mountains my theory of superconductivity, but she didn't believe me (or thought I was making crap up, which I usually do).

And now the idea of unobtainium makes more sense. A material that hits superconductivity at room-temperature? ****, that could transform the Large Hadron Collider (a machine so big it's a location) into something exponentially smaller.

MrFruitLord

12-24-2009, 01:51 AM

Acting=Good enough, a few people were weak
Visuals=Amazing
Plot=Generic
Writing=Corny in some parts.

lucaspaul22

12-24-2009, 02:06 AM

Best movie I've ever seen. Perfect 10/10. I saw it in IMAX 3-D and I plan to see it again eventually. The acting was top notch. The story was an oldie but a goodie. Avatar literally had the best CGI that I have ever seen in any movie, and it had a good balance of Action/Adventure, Romance, Humor, and Political ideologoies. I got lost in Pandora, the world that James Cameron created, and it was the best movie I've ever seen. Great cast, great everything. I loved it.

DethTung

12-24-2009, 01:16 PM

Avatar is a decent movie, but it's pretty much Dances with Wolves in a sci-fi coat of paint.

animemetalhead

12-26-2009, 05:55 AM

Just saw it, and it just replaced The Matrix as the greatest movie ever made.

Soratar

12-26-2009, 11:54 AM

I'm going to see it today. I can't wait! We're going to a theater an hour away just to see it in IMAX 3D.

OakTea

12-26-2009, 12:29 PM

I'm not much of a movie person, so that's just one of the reasons I'm not interested in seeing it. While a lot of my friends praise it, I know they're the kind of people to be more than satisfied with a great looking movie with explosions and stuff. That's not for me, but it's great if you like it that way.

I prefer movies for the plot, characters and dialogue, personally. If I wanted great visuals, I'd go buy a game for my PS3 and explore the environment myself. If I wanted lots of action, I'd get a game that has lots of shooting and explosions. :p Everyone likes watching stuff blow up sometimes, but I like action sequences better when it feels like I have some control over them. :)

From the posters in this thread, it doesn't seem like the things I look for in movies are its strong points. The plot really is like Pocahontas pretty much (with Disney charm replaced with action) at least in essence. I won't spoil myself to the details. Some of the people who enjoyed the movie said the characters weren't all that great...and there isn't a lot of variety you can have in a movie like that anyways. And a bunch of Humans going to a planet called Pandora to look for unobtanium just won't do it for me. I'd feel too silly watching it every time someone says "unobtanium" seriously. :(

I'm not hating on anyone who disagrees though. Neither side is wrong, we just like different things.

davidshek

12-26-2009, 12:34 PM

From the posters in this thread, it doesn't seem like the things I look for in movies are its strong points. The plot really is like Pocahontas pretty much (with Disney charm replaced with action) at least in essence. I won't spoil myself to the details. Some of the people who enjoyed the movie said the characters weren't all that great...and there isn't a lot of variety you can have in a movie like that anyways. And a bunch of Humans going to a planet called Pandora to look for unobtanium just won't do it for me. I'd feel too silly watching it every time someone says "unobtanium" seriously. :(

I believe that word is actually only uttered once (maybe twice tops) in the entire movie. And the whole "omg explosions!" thing is maybe 5% of the movie, just the big climactic fight at the end. There's really none of that throughout the rest of the movie.

Saw it in Real3D yesterday afternoon, and while it did provide a bit more depth to the scenery than seeing it in 2D, it wasn't mind-blowingly different or anything. It will still awesome enough seeing it the 2nd time that I totally didn't notice the passage of time even in a ~3 hour movie.

I_Use_Shamwows

12-26-2009, 02:16 PM

The visuals for Avatar are the only thing it has.

Taking the plot of Dances With Wolves, and putting anthropomorphic cats that are blue though........You lost me.

See it in 3-D, If it wasn't for the visuals of the film, this would have tanked, hard.

goodbyetonight

12-26-2009, 03:14 PM

Personally I think I'd get more enjoyment out of stabbing my eyes than seeing this.

Soratar

12-26-2009, 04:10 PM

Man! We got to the theater just to find out that the movie was sold out... FOR ALL THE TIMES! I was so mad. I'm gonna be able to see it Monday, though.

monkeyfish

12-26-2009, 07:40 PM

Personally I think I'd get more enjoyment out of stabbing my eyes than seeing this.

Judging by your DLC wishlist, you seem the masochistic type though, so it's not really a fair statement. :D

BevoTheWarrior

12-26-2009, 08:10 PM

Man! We got to the theater just to find out that the movie was sold out... FOR ALL THE TIMES! I was so mad. I'm gonna be able to see it Monday, though.

Damn, that really sucks. When you see it Monday will it still be at the IMAX? Because it's totally worth the wait and the price if you see it there.

Starfleet_Rambo

12-26-2009, 08:15 PM

Blue creatures = no interest.

I don't like those colored folk.

Soratar

12-26-2009, 09:54 PM

Damn, that really sucks. When you see it Monday will it still be at the IMAX? Because it's totally worth the wait and the price if you see it there.

yeah, it'll be in IMAX and in 3D. We came 2 hours early too. I was pretty mad. I hope that since Monday is a work day (for some people) that there won't be as many people going to the movies.

Baanu_Rass

12-27-2009, 12:34 AM

Saw it on the 24th. I went in "fresh" (hadn't seen a commercial or anything that might spoil the plot/effects) and enjoyed it. The plot is basically cowboys and Indians with the environmental message turned up. It would be nice to live in harmony with the Earth except I don't style my hair to conceal part of my nervous system and there aren't any animals I can take control of with it.

A part of my mind likened the blues to the Yuuzhan Vong from Star Wars if they weren't intergalactic sadists with a hatred of technology.

You know what I would pay $20+ for? Two spacefaring races with these visuals. Imagine a scene like the intro the Revenge of the SIth with this level of visual porn.

Soratar

12-28-2009, 07:55 PM

I saw it today in IMAX 3D. I thought it was great! Amazing visuals, the best I've seen so far. Even though I missed the first 15 minutes of the movie (long story), I was still able to follow the movie.

jayou521

01-07-2010, 11:40 PM

Posted this in my movie thread, but figured it would get more attention here.

Apparently, James Cameron is going to do another Avatar film. He said "the plan had always been to make a trilogy of films".

=> http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43559

Also~ holy crap~ Avatar surpassed LOTR: Return of the King to become the second highest grossing film of all time.

=> http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/

Mind you, Avatar has only been out for 20 days... 20 DAYS... and it's already grossed more than Return of the King.

BevoTheWarrior

01-08-2010, 01:58 AM

jonoo24

01-08-2010, 02:30 AM

Man! We got to the theater just to find out that the movie was sold out... FOR ALL THE TIMES! I was so mad. I'm gonna be able to see it Monday, though.

Me and my friends bought or tickets two days in advance, and got their 45 minutes before the show started.

Soratar

01-08-2010, 08:10 AM

Me and my friends bought or tickets two days in advance, and got their 45 minutes before the show started.

Thats crazy. I was happy that I was able to see it.

monkeyfish

01-08-2010, 09:17 AM

I FINALLY got to see it, 3D and all, and it was very awesome. Mainly the 3D is used to enhanced the total film, where in others I've watched (Beowulf), it's basically "DURRR HERE'S A SPEAR IN YOUR FACE!" Hologram screens, insects and burning embers falling from the sky made graceful use of the effects. In retrospect, I wish my contact subscription had made it in, because wearing two pairs of glasses at the same time felt both uncomfortable and lame, but oh well.

The storyline wasn't quite as cliche as most people are making it out to be, as well. Potential, vague spoiler: it does follow a few (OK, a lot) of the old standby themes, but they are slightly altered. The old gag about respecting the spirit of the earth is one thing, having a planet respond to an invasion the way it did is another.

davidshek

01-08-2010, 10:17 AM

I FINALLY got to see it, 3D and all, and it was very awesome. Mainly the 3D is used to enhanced the total film, where in others I've watched (Beowulf), it's basically "DURRR HERE'S A SPEAR IN YOUR FACE!"

Totally agree. I had seen Christmas Carol a week or so before in 3D and was literally bored to sleep. I actually fell asleep twice during that movie, and that's the first time that has EVER happened to me. Most of that movie was "Hey guys! Look what we can do in 3D!!!1!!" rather than using it to enhance the story.

What really pissed me off was when I went to see Avatar in 3D, I brought the glasses that I got when I saw Christmas Carol (that I had to pay $3 for), but I still had to pay the extra $3 surcharge AGAIN. Even when I told the guy at the ticket counter that I already had a pair of the 3D glasses, he tried to tell me "Oh, the $3 charge has nothing to do with the glasses...but here's your new set of glasses..." Thanks pal.

monkeyfish

01-08-2010, 10:36 AM

What really pissed me off was when I went to see Avatar in 3D, I brought the glasses that I got when I saw Christmas Carol (that I had to pay $3 for), but I still had to pay the extra $3 surcharge AGAIN. Even when I told the guy at the ticket counter that I already had a pair of the 3D glasses, he tried to tell me "Oh, the $3 charge has nothing to do with the glasses...but here's your new set of glasses..." Thanks pal.

Really? How much was it total for you to see it? My ticket/glasses came at $7.75 for a night show, which I thought was surprisingly low.

davidshek

01-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Really? How much was it total for you to see it? My ticket/glasses came at $7.75 for a night show, which I thought was surprisingly low.

I believe matinee tickets around here are $7, and then it was another $3 for the "surcharge", which everybody knows is for the glasses (as much as the theater might claim it's not).

benson111

01-08-2010, 04:19 PM

I believe matinee tickets around here are $7, and then it was another $3 for the "surcharge", which everybody knows is for the glasses (as much as the theater might claim it's not).

Actually, I know for a fact that the "surcharge" is for the license that the cinema has to pay for the movie. Its what RealD charges for the rights to display the movie in 3D, not for the cost of the glasses. In fact the cinemas provide the glasses at no charge.....for-real.

StrawberryFieldsForever

01-08-2010, 04:22 PM

Meeeh. Avatar was okay. I hate it when people say it's the best movie ever.

No, it's not. It might be your favorite movie ever, but not the best. Definitly not the best.

jonoo24

01-08-2010, 04:43 PM

No, it's not. It might be your favorite movie ever, but not the best. Definitly not the best.

Nice opinion, brah.

IMO, it was the best.

HeyRiles

01-08-2010, 05:12 PM

Best movie I've ever seen that the theatre let me watch for free

benson111

01-08-2010, 05:17 PM

This may be the first film to surpass $2 billion gross.

If you adjust for inflation Star Wars : A New Hope, has made almost 2 billion in theaters, not including DVD, and VHS sales...;)

monkeyfish

01-08-2010, 05:20 PM

This may be the first film to surpass $2 billion gross.

Halfway there in less than a month...it'll depend largely on how big the 3DHDTVs (whew) go over the next twelve months.

benson111

01-08-2010, 05:22 PM

Halfway there in less than a month...it'll depend largely on how big the 3DHDTVs (whew) go over the next twelve months.

True, but they are releasing HD3D Blue ray players that work with current tech too.

monkeyfish

01-08-2010, 05:24 PM

True, but they are releasing HD3D Blue ray players that work with current tech too.

As a PS3 owner, I find this unacceptable as an alternative.

Oh well, my 42" screen is a little small, guess it wouldn't hurt to upgrade later.

benson111

01-08-2010, 05:28 PM

As a PS3 owner, I find this unacceptable as an alternative.

Oh well, my 42" screen is a little small, guess it wouldn't hurt to upgrade later.

You wont have to. Sony has said that the ps3 needs is a small softwarwe update, and your good to go for 3d. Since there are goinf to be allot of 3d games coming out this year.

Same goes for the Xbox. Update and good to go.

monkeyfish

01-08-2010, 05:31 PM

You wont have to. Sony has said that the ps3 needs is a small softwarwe update, and your good to go for 3d. Since there are goinf to be allot of 3d games coming out this year.

Same goes for the Xbox. Update and good to go.

You just became 10% more awesome for giving me this good news. I assumed there'd be some kind of "Well we need to add a physical modification" excuse, but now I feel better. :D

Sadderday

01-10-2010, 11:40 PM

BevoTheWarrior

01-11-2010, 12:05 AM

I didn't really care about it from seeing the trailers. I don't like action movies either. Just saw it in 3d and wow, one of the best movies I've ever seen.

I wish we lived on a moon that orbits a gas giant planet. :(

I think it's awesome that you weren't interested but checked it out anyway. I felt the same way at first. The trailers made me curious but nothing more. But I loved it after first seeing it and now I've seen it three times.

monkeyfish

01-11-2010, 12:14 AM

Oh yeah, I'd like to take a moment to show you some true idiocy:

Twilight had sunny skies and not a hint of holidays to slow it down. Avatar isn't in the dead zone of movie opening time or anything like that, but with its 3D effects limiting the number of theaters, I doubt it'd get close. It'll get the box office for a weekend or two and that'll be it.

That would be myself, preparing to fail miserably in a prediction. :D

BuRn7 CaK3

01-11-2010, 12:21 AM

Yeah, honestly I actually wasn't interested in seeing it at all before I saw it. When my friend called me and asked, I replied saying "I don't know." and he was like "How do you NOT know if you want to see it or not?"

All in all, I was definitely glad I saw it when I did. Fell in love with it and can't wait for another!

war_lord

01-11-2010, 12:45 AM

I saw Avatar yesterday on a standard screen in 3D. While the plot may be a little formulaic at its most basic level (it kind of had to be), Cameron more than made up for it by managing to bring an entirely unique alien world and completely new race complete with a very unique culture to life. Perhaps more subtly, he also contrasted the Na'vi with our own way of life... which by this time had become completely unimaginative, industrialized, and exclusively focused on commercial interests. In fact, to me, unoriginal words like "Pandora", "unobtainium", and "banshees" (which was the human word for them, not the Na'vi one of course) actually reinforce this description of the humans and make them a little more bearable.

It's rare that I'll see a movie more than once in a theater (especially one with particularly expensive tickets), but there's a very good chance I'll go back for Avatar. I'll also pick it up without hesitation when it comes to Blu-Ray.

BevoTheWarrior

01-11-2010, 01:14 AM

I'm thinking of finally making the switch to Blu-ray for Avatar. I'm just a little hesitant because my DVD collection is over 1100 and I don't want to have to buy everything again.

FlyGuyLXI

01-11-2010, 02:40 AM

I'm thinking of finally making the switch to Blu-ray for Avatar. I'm just a little hesitant because my DVD collection is over 1100 and I don't want to have to buy everything again.

I have to say, Avatar is one of those movies where you have to recieve the full experience in the theater, not at home. It was a great movie I have to say, good special effects.

I saw it in 3D, but personally, I didn't pay much attention to the 3D effects since the story did the work of distracting me from it.

davidshek

01-11-2010, 10:17 AM

I'm thinking of finally making the switch to Blu-ray for Avatar. I'm just a little hesitant because my DVD collection is over 1100 and I don't want to have to buy everything again.

You won't have to. All BD players will play DVD's, and most (if not all) Blu-Ray players will also upconvert DVD's. :)

ham736

01-11-2010, 10:45 AM

Saw this movie yesterday in IMAX 3D (after waiting since day one for an opportunity to see it, and going to the theatres saturday and found out it was sold out), and all i can say is, Holy Crap. I thought District 9 was good, bah! This will probably be my #1 for a long time. I enjoyed the excellent story (i know some say its generic, but it was executed wonderfully), and the 3D was immersive. Day one Blu-Ray purchase for me, could be the best looking one yet.

bermuddy

01-11-2010, 10:49 AM

tried to see it. showed up an hour before start time and it was sold out.

ham736

01-11-2010, 10:56 AM

tried to see it. showed up an hour before start time and it was sold out.

i ordered my tickets for my group online the day before. And get there 40-30 minutes before the showing. I got to the theatres and sat down 30 mins before the start, and it was almost full.

MoneyGoesInTheBank

01-11-2010, 12:32 PM

While reading through this (http://www.cracked.com/blog/my-brief-time-as-an-avatar-on-pandora/) I saw this comment and it couldn't be more true

The ONLY reason it’s grossing so high is because people want to see the visual effects. That’s the only reason I went to see it in 3-D. The dialogue was so bad I literally cringed in the theater. Titanic was in fact another turd. It was a cut and paste love story over good effects. The last awesome film that Cameron made was Terminator 2. Someday maybe he’ll realize that a plot is actually needed.

I liked the action scenes and all that, but the plot had so many holes and the characters were so....uninteresting. It was an entertaining movie but not movie of the year material.

BevoTheWarrior

01-11-2010, 03:28 PM

I have to say, Avatar is one of those movies where you have to recieve the full experience in the theater, not at home. It was a great movie I have to say, good special effects.

I saw it in 3D, but personally, I didn't pay much attention to the 3D effects since the story did the work of distracting me from it.

I absolutely agree. I've seen it in 3D three times now and it was during the third viewing that I realized that I'm gonna need to make the switch to Blu-ray to do this movie any justice at home.

DeadPhoenix223

01-11-2010, 04:12 PM

i saw it once 3d and once 2d.
my favorite movie.

....and yeah, i cared more about the story (which was VERY strong) than the effects (which were amazing)

seriousbusson

01-11-2010, 06:39 PM

If you adjust for inflation Star Wars : A New Hope, has made almost 2 billion in theaters, not including DVD, and VHS sales...;)

Same with Gone With the Wind.

BevoTheWarrior

01-20-2010, 04:01 PM

Just thought I'd post this incase anyone's interested:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=62511

It's a link to a 22 minute long, making of featurette about the movie.

Der_Lex

01-20-2010, 05:20 PM

I finally got to see it yesterday. The good: great visuals and effects, entertaining action sequences.
The meh: mediocre score (overly bombastic at times), mediocre acting (except for Giovanni Ribisi, who was terrible as always... how does this guy keep getting parts?), although some of the voice actors were quite good.
The bad: other than the whole premise of avatars, the story and the way it is told is riddled with cliches, and therefore utterly predictable... as innovative as Avatar might be visually, they played it extremely safe as far as the content of the film is concerned, thus placing it in 'style over substance' territory for me. The two-dimensional characters don't help much either.

The verdict: it was an okay movie and I don't regret seeing it, but I wouldn't want to sit through it again.

kazlam

01-20-2010, 05:37 PM

although some of the voice actors were quite good.

i dont think there were any 'voice actors' in the movie. according to the video linked by Bevo above (i think the virtual camera stuff was facinating, btw), all the actors did their own motion capture. Neytiri's movemens were Zoe's movements and facial expressions, etc.

gmarsh

01-20-2010, 05:41 PM

I have not seen this movie.

Renrock

01-20-2010, 05:45 PM

mediocre acting (except for Giovanni Ribisi, who was terrible as always... how does this guy keep getting parts?)

The verdict: it was an okay movie and I don't regret seeing it, but I wouldn't want to sit through it again.

lol, I like Giovanni and thought he played the part nicely. (the Colonel, played by Steven Lang, stole the show though. That guys was awesome)

Saw it last week on the IMAX, and was so blown away I had to take the kids and go again the next day. Thinking of taking the wife next week, but she has to be on her best behavior first.

I loved it at the theatre for what it was, but it's the kind of movie feeling that you'll never be able to experience again once it's off the big screen. (seeing this on TBS just won't cut it :p )

jayou521

01-20-2010, 05:48 PM

kazlam

01-20-2010, 05:50 PM

mediocre acting (except for Giovanni Ribisi, who was terrible as always... how does this guy keep getting parts?)

id usually agree except i think he did a decent job as Medic Wade in Saving Private Ryan. also the only other good movie Vin Diesel did other than Pitch Black

BevoTheWarrior

01-20-2010, 05:50 PM

lol, I like Giovanni and thought he played the part nicely. (the Colonel, played by Steven Lang, stole the show though. That guys was awesome)

Absolutely agree. Steven Lang was a total badass.

monkeyfish

01-20-2010, 05:55 PM

Overrated.

Basically had the same story as Dances With Wolves~ if you take away the technology aspect (which was pretty much the only original part of the story). Visuals and action scenes were great in 3D, acting was alright... but everything else... I've seen better.

I'm finding the one thing becoming less original than the movie are those who can only compare it to Dances with Wolves, Fern Gully and/or Pocahontas. Even Rolling Stone had to go there. We get it already, it's not an original story. There are plenty of other aspects of the film to blast rather than the one part that is likely true for 90% of all films released.

I find the biggest thing worth complaining about is the crappy game tie-in. They paid such great attention to detail, like when my avatar nearly dies from a ten foot drop, or how I literally must park my dragon in order to get off.

kazlam

01-20-2010, 06:04 PM

I find the biggest thing worth complaining about is the crappy game tie-in. They paid such great attention to detail, like when my avatar nearly dies from a ten foot drop, or how I literally must park my dragon in order to get off.

am i misreading sarcasm or are you saying those are bad things? the avatars are 7+ feet tall so 10 foot drops will not have as great an impact on them as it would us. or was there a part where an avatar DID almost die froma 10ft drop?

i park my car before i get out. i would make sure a horse was good and stopped before i got off. same goes for dragons, or you know, the indigenous flying animals.

monkeyfish

01-20-2010, 06:10 PM

am i misreading sarcasm or are you saying those are bad things? the avatars are 7+ feet tall so 10 foot drops will not have as great an impact on them as it would us. or was there a part where an avatar DID almost die froma 10ft drop?

i park my car before i get out. i would make sure a horse was good and stopped before i got off.

Was most definitely sarcasm. In the movie, there is slightly less gravity than our earth usual, which is partly why the Na'vi are hopping all over the giant trees. That and fortified bones should mean I don't lose most of my health bar dropping from a cliff, much less a damn hill.

The dragon thing was just an irk. Several parts are annoying when you have to fly to a location, can't LAND there because there's not enough room, and gotta park farther off and walk, anyways.

So James Cameron is full of crap when he says he paid attention to the game.

kazlam

01-20-2010, 06:19 PM

ahh...you were referencing the actual tie-in with the Avatar game. got it now. i thought you were referring to video game aspects in the movie itself.

Der_Lex

01-20-2010, 07:33 PM

lol, I like Giovanni and thought he played the part nicely. (the Colonel, played by Steven Lang, stole the show though. That guys was awesome)

Granted, the part was 'generic corporate blowhard/bad guy', so he didn't exactly have much to work with, but he couldn't even pull that off convincingly. The only mode of acting this guy seems to have is 'fidgety'. He's pretty much an older Shia LaBoeuf (or Shia's a younger Giovanni Ribisi, take your pick).

Stephen Lang was fun to watch as he chewed up the scenery and had fun with his part, but the colonel himself was just a boring 'evil and violent just for the sake of being evil and violent' baddie. All he was missing was a mustache to twirl. It's the kind of villain that suffices for a movie like this, but a truly memorable movie villain has a bit more depth.

As for the line between mocap + voice work and 'real' acting, I still feel too much gets lost in the translation from mocap work to CGI movement to truly compare it to an actor's performance on-screen. That's why I still consider the voice work for a CGI character more important than who does the mocap, because for me it's what can give a CGI character somewhat of a soul.

Renrock

01-20-2010, 07:53 PM

Granted, the part was 'generic corporate blowhard/bad guy', so he didn't exactly have much to work with, but he couldn't even pull that off convincingly. The only mode of acting this guy seems to have is 'fidgety'. He's pretty much an older Shia LaBoeuf (or Shia's a younger Giovanni Ribisi, take your pick).

Stephen Lang was fun to watch as he chewed up the scenery and had fun with his part, but the colonel himself was just a boring 'evil and violent just for the sake of being evil and violent' baddie. All he was missing was a mustache to twirl. It's the kind of villain that suffices for a movie like this, but a truly memorable movie villain has a bit more depth.

Least we can agree on LaBouef.

Lang being evil and violent for the sake of it is debatable. He's not the one who wanted the unobtainium, just a hired gun from "the company" there to do the job as quickly as possible. Seemed to be a rather caring man towards his own troops.

Der_Lex

01-20-2010, 08:07 PM

Least we can agree on LaBouef.

Lang being evil and violent for the sake of it is debatable. He's not the one who wanted the unobtainium, just a hired gun from "the company" there to do the job as quickly as possible. Seemed to be a rather caring man towards his own troops.

He might not be the one who wants the stuff, but it's obvious from the get-go that he won't accept any alternative other than violence to get it. He even looks down on and belittles anyone who offers a non-violent alternative. That and he did seem to enjoy killing a bit too much. He pretty much is what the script requires him to be: an antagonist and a destructive force. There's not much real motivation to what he does, mostly because the plot doesn't go deep enough to need one. And that's absolutely fine for a popcorn movie such as this.
As for being caring towards his own troops, to me it seemed more like he was buying their loyalty with preferential treatment. He basically bribed the main character into reporting to him by offering him his legs back... not exactly something he did out of the goodness of his heart.

On an aside note, 'Unobtanium' is an incredibly stupid name, even for a MacGuffin. I know a scene was cut in which it was explained that scientists had given it that name as a joke, and it somehow ended up becoming the official name, but even that explanation would have made it only marginally better. It just added to the overall Saturday morning cartoon feel of the movie.

Wiiman95

01-20-2010, 08:09 PM

I haven't seen it.

LET THE FLAMING BEGIN!!!

ham736

01-20-2010, 08:30 PM

Saw it, loved it, the best movie i have ever seen. What made the movie for me was the execution of the plot and the special effects. I call it, Avatar Blu-Ray and DVD Release on August 21 2010, Avatar Day.

Baanu_Rass

01-20-2010, 09:10 PM

I haven't seen it.

LET THE FLAMING BEGIN!!!

I hate you and you are stupid.

Anyway, it's at 1.6 billion. Think it can do another 200 million to take first?

While reading through this (http://www.cracked.com/blog/my-brief-time-as-an-avatar-on-pandora/) I saw this comment and it couldn't be more true

I liked the action scenes and all that, but the plot had so many holes and the characters were so....uninteresting. It was an entertaining movie but not movie of the year material.

It sounds like a harsh criticism but when you realize Avatar is only his third fiction movie as a director after T2 it's not so bad. It's like saying 50% of movies George Lucas directed suck. Yeah, cause he only has 6.

davidshek

01-20-2010, 11:06 PM

Anyway, it's at 1.6 billion. Think it can do another 200 million to take first?

It was only released just over 1 month ago and still going quite strong, so yeah, I'd take that bet. :)

BevoTheWarrior

01-20-2010, 11:08 PM

It was only released just over 1 month ago and still going quite strong, so yeah, I'd take that bet. :)

Agreed. I think it's a lock to take the all-time worldwide total. The real question is can it beat Titanic's domestic gross of just over $600 million.

Runa216

01-21-2010, 02:30 AM

Yes, it will beat titanic domestically, overseas, and worldwide. (I study box office, and unless the movie drops like a rock from here on out, it's got all three records in the bag.)

Only needs 89 million domestically to beat Titanic....and it's still making over 4 million a day. (will probably make upwards of 30-35 this weekend alone)

Quite a feat, whether you factor in inflation and 3D ticket premiums or not...

only needs 180 million left worldwide...and it just came off a 175 million dollar worldwide weekend...

Baanu_Rass

01-21-2010, 05:04 AM

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