I completely understand about merchandising and making money. Of course; that's always been the case. But the whole premise of this film is basically a pretext for an immersive video game.

Remember when they tried to integrate the Matrix sequels and video-games in such a way that you needed to be hooked into both to fully understand the plot? I'll bet anything that if Avatar is even mildly successful, the "sequel" will be an elaborate PS3/X-Box/PC game.

I read this thread over and I feel like people are talking about two different things. This movie may look astounding to many from a special effects standpoint, and be the most spectacular technological advancement in films ever, BUT I think that others feel like the basic aesthetics of that technological achievement looks retarded.

It's like building a ship that can travel the speed of light. That's cool, but if that ship looks like a Ford Pinto, you might not pick up a date in it.

If this movie makes it seem like you are really inside a movie, then I ask why does the movie I'm really in have to look so goofy?

That's because we have no real point of reference for aliens or dinosaurs. As long as they move in way that conforms to our subconscious understanding of physics (weight, secondary motion, overlap, etc.) and as long as all the visual dressing is there (shiny skin with highlights, casting shadows on the ground, etc.) we buy into it.

With humans--or human-type characters--we're all experts from infancy. The slightest thing that looks out of line lights up like neon because of it, hence the whole 'uncanny valley' concept.

--
jJ

Anyone seen it yet? I've got tickets for this weekend (in 3D)
I've heard it's an utterly incredible new cinematic experience.....
I think all the 'Haters' will be eating their words.

Despite the special fx argument, the story sounds horrid/old/unoriginal/lame to me.

Opened in Australia tonight. Bit of a slow start as KDM's (keys to unlock digital files) had a slow train out of the US and arrived 2.5 hrs after the first session was due to start, um-thanks deluxe.

Sessions were only half full but almost everyone seems to enjoy it either for the spectacle or the emersive experience of the 3D. I haven't watched start to finish yet.

It's funny looking at the audience with IR scope to catch the people attempting to pirate the movie

my gf wants to see it, and I'm curious just because it's James Cameron. But in the end, all I could think of was "Fern Gully meets the Smurfs".

That doesn't mean anything anymore. That's like saying "it's Tim Burton" or "George Lucas" you just remember the last thing they did and go "uuuugggghhhhh what happened?"

well my gf wants to go so I gotta find something that appeals to me because I'm going whether I like it or not--and I can't make jokes during the movie. Trust me, I'm already going "uuuuuuggghhh what happened?"

but I think I like Cameron's movies more than Lucas's. Tim did a nice one with "big fish", but I can't remember anything else I really liked since then.

Alice in Wonderland's full trailer was released today, looks pretty good.

re Avatar: Pre screenings were pretty limited over here and I just missed out But from everyone I have spoken to, it's the first "must see in a cinema" film, if you have any interest in it, see it the way it's meant to, it won't translate well at all to the small screen (I wonder if they have a different edit/version for DVD/Blu-ray... hmmm) but the story and script are a bit lacking.
But yeah, I'm not a Cameron or sci-fi fan, but I'm seeing it on the imax.
To quote a friend: "3 star story, 5 star experience"
she takes her stars very seriously.

I'll be checking this out on Sunday...really looking forward to it.

I want an AMP suit for Christmas. A real one.

Fucking the London imax is sold out (save for gone midnight and 6am showings) until Jan 3rd...
grrrrr!!!!

I don't understand the whole oh its so amazing, btw the story is kind of lame and old and not well told argument/reviews I've been seeing.
I don't want to see a sucky story that "looks so new and amazing" with giant blue cat people surrounding me in 3d. I would prefer some new amazing story with convincing at least half decent actors and screw your half billion dollar costs me 15 bucks a ticket 3d.

Yes. Thank you.

Besides, those blue cat people are rip offs from the Clone Wars animated series that was on Cartoon Network a few years back (the cell animated one not the new CG one.) Besides, once this technology is old and void all that's left is an empty shell of a movie if the plot/acting/writing suck.

Oh, please. Surely you can go back a little further to come up with more science fiction cat people, can't you?

Sure, but that was SO recent and they're alike in more than just being cat-people. They're blue, they're considered primitave, they only wear pants or loin cloths most of the time, they're cat-people.

Plus Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars was the best thing to come out of the whole horrifying experience that was Star Wars Episodes 1-3. Maybe I'm just a Genndy fanboy, but I found them to be the only things that made me feel the same way when I watched the original 3. Why? Maybe because Lucas had nothing to do with them and gave GT full control.

But this isn't about Star Wars.

If I could get in to see this movie free I totally would, but I couldn't spend money on it.

If this isn't the "voice of entitlement" I don't know what is. ;p

I'm not a scifi fan, never really into star wars, star trek, blade runner etc, but this I want to see, I'm happy and willing to go into this with an open mind and enjoy it for what it is - a misguided semi eco/political message movie with a shitty script but lots of fun.
I'll approach it like a roller coaster, I'm not expecting a film that will change my life or challenge me.
But I also don't want to miss out it either as it will all be lost on a home cinema system.

Well, I hear folks either saying it’s to “Dances With Wolves... IN SPACE” or “Captain EO”, so hey.

I can’t bring myself to see this. But will say, all signs point to this changing action sci-fi films... So hopefully someone with more of a story can us the tech of this film and connect a decent story to it.

I'll say this, I'll see any movie and eat any pizza as long as it's free hahaha!

Question for those who have seen it. Do you think seeing it in IMAX makes a significant difference, or would seeing it in 3-D on a regular large screen be fine?

large digital 3D screen is fine!

I was gonna put this in the FU thread.

FU James Cameron arrogant ego maniac.

I think Avatar is nothing but a vehicle to try and pimp 3d tv's when the DVD comes out...



( i take it back if the kids are happy, they need a star wars... desperately.)