11
English
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: ***
While the world sits up in anticipation of James Cameron’s ambitious, $ 300 million sci fi spectacle, it’s got to be said that Avatar is a film of curious contradictions.
Technically, it blasts open the possibilities of cinema and goes where few have reached earlier. The 3 D animation is obviously the highlight (just make sure you see it at the right theatre) and the film has several moments that are jaw-dropping in terms of visual splendour and artistic grandeur. There is enough here that will thrill, excite and exhilarate. But there’s also a lot in it that exasperates. For a futuristic, game-changing film, Cameron opts for a premise and love story that is way too common place and at times, even stale. There’s an overall lack of feelings in Avatar.
The story takes place in the 22nd century in a faraway, forested planet called Pandora, a land which humans have lately discovered and want to capture for its natural resources. The land is populated by native human forms called Na’vis. These are slender, graceful beings, 10 feet in height, with long necks and tails. They are nude, save for some leather and feather accessories on their bodies. The indigenous creatures are horse-like, dog-like, elephant-like, rhino-like animals, a bit shinier than the ones found on earth, with sharper, longer teeth.
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Raju Guide 19 December 2009
03:07:58 am
This is very good review. Thanks sandy. I havent seen the movie but I felt the same while watching promos.
While all other reviews are OTT – I will take this one to set my expectations right for the movie. I am not big fan of sci-fi etc.
ăbzee 19 December 2009
04:10:15 am
This is an extremely well written review. When the quality of writing is this high, whether one agrees or disagrees with the review is besides the point. That first paragraph is one of absolute harmony. “Curious contradictions”, “visual splendour and artistic grandeur” and “enough that exhilarates…but a lot that exasperates”…these words have such an alliterative and phonetic rhyme.
ali 19 December 2009
06:17:21 am
i am disagree with sandhya ji here.
This movie is mainly a Technical extravegenza and Technically WAY WAY AHEAD OF THIS TIME and it is altogether in a DIFFERENT league of its own.
This movie is thousand times ahead of any sci-fi movie ever made.
In today’s world of 3G and 4G Technology and Video Calling and MULTI TOUCH user interface , we have to judge This EXTRAORDINARY movie on mainly Technical basis and on that scale it is (100 out of 100) ,5 star Rating Movie and we must feel proud that James Cameron has the Caliber to introduce us this Out of this world movie.
At this time we all should praise open mindedly and broad mindedly James Cameron for his 12 year long patience and Research to create a whole different world and change our view of movie watching and takes Movie Making into Sky High Standards.
Angels and Belds 19 December 2009
10:11:44 pm
This is an ok review – it seems to me that sandy chose to go against the grain just to go against the grain. Why do i say that? Bcoz its my belief that in movies like this – the simpler the story – the better – as what the director is trying to do is not tell a story as much as to create a new world. There are references made to Titanic – but Titanic was about humans. The special effects one talks about is the last 30 mins when the ship sinks – and that has been done many times. What Avatar is trying to do here is to create a new world – story be damned. So to review this movie from a standpoint of a story being non-existent or weak is definitely not the right way to look at a movie like this…imo.
Rest after i see the movie..
rks 19 December 2009
11:08:06 pm
A 3D english masala movie, a Visual delight…It is slow in middle portions when Cameron is busy showing beauty of jungle and creatures..definitely worth the price of admission…People should not go expecting some titanic like emotional bonding..
ps: First time I saw people clapping at end of an English movie..
sandy 20 December 2009
03:01:29 am
It’s not about expecting a Titanic-like love story. The reference came in to emphasize the overall lack of feeling in the film. A novel or a painting or a film does not necessarily need a story, but it can still emotionally move you. That I felt lacking in Avatar. On a visual level, for the thrills, I enjoyed it. I have the sense to understand that it maybe breaking new grounds technologically, and to that extent it is an important film. No doubts there.
But I reserve the right to be disappointed for its lacklustre narrative. To Beld’s point, I don’t mean to say that it shoud have been some complex film, but the story here was almost trite — as if it was only a serviceable one to showcase the technology – which in fact, IS the case.
Also, at the risk of being lynched, i will say the film is technologically ambitious, but not necessarily so high on imagination.
sandy 20 December 2009
03:15:12 am
“This is an ok review – it seems to me that sandy chose to go against the grain just to go against the grain. ”
Wow, let me assure you that I am not the only one who felt the way I did. I was reading some international reviews in the morning and many have pointed these issues out – far more eloquently than I have. Maybe you should read that, before assuming that I am being a contrarian for the heck of it.
ăbzee 20 December 2009
04:02:53 am
Beld- Everyone’s entitled to like or dislike a movie. That was my whole point when I said that ‘who’s to say what’s right and wrong in art?’. Now, as far as Sandhya’s review goes, like I said, I may not agree with it…but that doesn’t mean I’m dismissing or discounting her issues with the film. Yes, a film such as Avatar’s primary function isn’t in telling a story. But it cannot be denied that it is telling one, and a rather clumsy one at that. Whether his chosen approach of telling a story comes in one’s way of appreciating the film is purely subjective. I, like you, believed that Cameron kept the story simple and basic deliberately. Sandhya did not feel so.
What matters finally, whether one praises or disses a film, is whether s/he has a valid reason to hold that stance. So long as one can make a case for his/her opinions, they are valid. Sandhya’s review, unlike that of Rangan, even if one that I disagree with, provides reasons suffice to justify her stand. Rangan’s review on the other hand holds against the film what are basically his own ‘expectations’ not being met. That’s like going to the tower of Pisa and cribbing that you expected it to be straight! Sandhya’s criticisms are restricted to what is on display, not on what is not.
ali 20 December 2009
06:19:33 am
With all due respect to Sandhya ji , i just request her ( I hope she won’t mind it ) to plz watch it on 3D and then Review Avatar . I hope that after watching this Technological Delight in a 3D frame Sandhya ji will appreciate Avatar.
ăbzee 20 December 2009
06:51:05 am
Ali- I believe Sandhya did see the film in its 3D version, but her screen at E-Square, Pune didn’t have the best of 3D facilities overall. Whether a re-viewing in 3D again will improve her assessment of it, I’m unsure…but I do find this a fair review and her criticisms, though something I disagree with, valid given her reasons.
rudresh 20 December 2009
08:09:32 am
i went with high expectations Only worry i had was whether it will satisfy me emotionally also (had read many saying emotion quotient is less)
But I found opposite. It Immensely satisfied me