Some Notes About The Movie Avatar

As I mentioned in my last post, I went to go see Avatar this past weekend in 2D. It was this same weekend where the movie surpassed the billion dollar mark worldwide. I wasn't sure about writing a review, but considering its immediate global significance, I thought I could at least do a Some Notes post.

So, without further preface, here are some basic notes about Avatar (beware of spoilers!)

Note #1: Avatar, and I say with as little overhype as possible, is a visual masterpiece without a single past, present, or future rival (that is, until Avatar 2 comes out)

Note #2: 30 minutes into the film, I decided I wanted to live on Pandora (ok, maybe without the huge flower panthers that could kill you in one fell swoop)

Note #3: Every human character who has an avatar, looks about three times better as an Avatar (Sigourney Weaver looked like she was in her 30's)

Note #4: The best actress in the film was Zoe Saldana, who played the Na'vi princess Neytiri. The fact that she could all that heavy emoting around all of that computer-generated stuff is astonishing.

 Note #4.5: Zoe Saldana should prepare for the onslaught of horny cult-following, Trekkie-esque losers who are about to become obssessed with her because of this film

Note #5: The creatures in this film are the most engrossing I have seen since Pokemon debuted in 1998

Note #5.5: With that said, The Pokemon Company should play James Cameron as much money as humanly possible to make a 3d, CGI, live action movie adaptation of Pokemon. Because let's be honest, the big red bird dinosaur is really Ho-Oh on steroids. Imagine what the "king of the world" could do with 493 epically designed characters. It would be so amazing that I am allowing this half-not approach paragraph status.

Note #6: Even though I saw it in effective 2D, I still recommend seeing it in its true format of 3D.

Note #6.5: Torrenting this film is absolutely disgraceful; not because its depriving people of money, but because you are robbing yourself of an immersive film experience that you would be foolish to miss. Unless you are living in your parent's house and you are pas the age of 29, pony up the ten bucks and see this film for real.

Note #7: Now about the plot. It's not that it's bad, but it is kind of predictable. It's very Dances With Wolves, except on a lush alien planet. There are some surprises, but if you have seen the "gone native" films before, you shouldn't be too confused.

Note #8: Anyone crying foul against the so-called anti-American, anti-war message of the film has the emotional depth of a puddle on a NYC street.

Note #9: The visual certainly adds to the concept of "seeing" nature, the Na'vi's philosophy/religion

Note #10: There is a sex scene, and it is stunningly tasteful and romantic (and reportedly longer in the Blu-ray/DVD edition)

Note #11: The most epic scene? When Jake rides down onto the Na'vi on the Ho-Oh on steroids-looking dinosaur bird.

Final Notes: The hype about this film isn't overblown. It is truly an experience watching this film. The visual presentation is flawless, and the story is engaging enough to absorb people into the world of Pandora. There is a reason that people are seeing this film multiple times. It is the modern epic of our time, even it has some superficial flaws (plot-wise, of course). Plus, there is a good chance this movie will surpass Titanic to become the most successful film in the history of global cinema (not adjusted for inflation; then the title goes to Gone with the Wind). I don't condone peer pressure, but do you really want to be one of the people on Earth not to see this film? So, what are you waiting for? Go SEE it!