Short version: Does Avatar live up to all the hype and expectations? In a word: Yes.
Screen Rant reviews Avatar
So, after endless fanboy hype (and hate) rivaling that of the months leading up to Watchmen, Avatar is finally upon us. The burning question (once again): Is this film worthy of all the hype preceding it?
Well, first let’s get to the story…
Sam Worthington plays Jake Sulley, a Marine who lost the use of his legs in battle. He has absolutely nothing to do with the Avatar project until his twin brother is killed (apparently in a senseless mugging). His brother was a scientist who had been working on and preparing for the Avatar project for three years.
This is significant because the bio-engineered Na’vi bodies created for the Avatar project are genetically coded to a specific human – and since Jake is the identical twin of his brother (despite having zero training in the project) the corporation talks him into joining it. Their logic is they can always use a Na’vi Avatar with combat skills on their side. Worthington’s character is not only a Na’vi Avatar, but also obviously one for the audience as well… the person who comes onto the scene not knowing anything about what is going on (like the audience) and the film’s exposition happens through his point of view for our benefit.
The planet Pandora contains a very rare mineral with extremely valuable properties (that are never explained, no need) called… Unobtainium. Yeah, I know. They only call it that once in the film, thankfully. Anyway, there are pockets of it scattered throughout the planet, but the biggest cache of it happens to be directly beneath the village of the Na’vi we come to know. The goal is to either negotiate with them to get them to move so the bulldozers can come in and mine or to expel them via military force.
Relations with the Na’vi have been shaky at best – it seems that olive branches were extended in the forms of schools, roads and supplies, but the Na’vi are not interested in any of it – and there have been some isolated clashes between them and the military. It’s decided that Sully (not being a scientist) would be an ideal mole – he can go in and gain the trust of the locals in order to gather intel that can be used against them should things come to blows. Sully is promised that the expensive surgery which could once again give him use of his legs would be taken care of if he goes along with the plan – which he does. He has three months.
Sigouney Weaver plays Grace, the fairly grizzled, smoking lead scientist on the project who is not happy (to say the least) to see Jake show up to take his brother’s place. There’s another scientist who was friends with Jake’s brother and who comes to resent the fact that after he has put in so much time learning how to be a Na’vi, that a newcomer with no experience comes in and plays a central role in the project. The scientists are determined to find a diplomatic solution (although tasking scientists with this doesn’t really make much sense) and are constantly at odds with the military. They relocate their lab far away from central command in hopes that they can function more autonomously, without intervention from the corporation (represented by Giovanni Ribisi as the lead on the project) or the military.
Speaking of the military, Stephen Lang absolutely shines as Colonel Miles Quaritch, a chiseled in stone older soldier with plenty of field experience who is in charge of military operations on Pandora. Scenes with him, Weaver, the sci-fi tech and Cameron at the helm took me back to the most excellent James Cameron film, Aliens. In some ways this almost felt like a continuation of that film – if not in story, then in characters and hardware.
And of course we have Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, who does a fine job as the lead female who is put in charge of teaching (Avatar) Jake the language and culture of the Na’vi. At first she intensely dislikes and mistrusts Jake, but over the course of the film their relationship’s development is the focal point as she softens towards him and he comes to respect and understand the Na’vi deeply.
So what’s the verdict?
(Click to continue reading our Avatar review)
If you’ve seen the movie and want to talk about it without worrying about spoilers, please head over to our Avatar Spoilers Discussion.
Please don’t discuss movie spoilers here in order to not ruin it for people who haven’t seen it yet.
Our Rating:
4 out of 5
Rumor Patrol: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to Play a DC Comics Superhero? 
‘Anchorman 2′ Trailers Tease the Return of Ron Burgundy’s News Team [Updated] 
‘Supernatural’ Season 8 – Will You Be Tuning In? 
‘Blade Runner 2′ Story to Take Place Years Later; Features a Female Protagonist 
Loading ...
This movie was a nature-nazi peice of crap leftist propaganda cartoon (a Marine who commits treason to join a bunch of mother-earth Gaia worshipping ‘tree-huggers’) with un-believable obviously animated backgrounds and laughable kiddie computer graphic characters whos movements rival that of the bobble-headed Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribean video game. I thought Jurrasic Park was way more believable and that was some 16 years ago!!!!!! What is going on with todays CGI?
@Chesney
So, a “digital studio”, eh? If you think the CGI in Avatar is crap then I don’t think I’d want to hire you.
Vic
Mr. Holtreman I wouldn’t dream of being hired by you or anyone. I’m just a wannabe filmmaker editing my video and music projects in spare time on a PC, thus the ‘digital’ studio.
Though I am obviously not an industry insider like yourself, as a movie watcher I feel I have every right to an opinion weather or not you like it. Isn’t that the purpose of this forum? How strange it seems that rather than debate my points you are reduced to a personal attack.
What I thought was ‘crap’ is the constant barrage of leftist idealogy. Why does there ALWAYS have to be a leftist..or ANY political message in ALL Holywood studio films? Why can’t I just go to the show without being PREACHED TO?
Finally, I can appreciate how utterly difficult it is to use programs like Maya and Studio Max for 3D animations. But I just didn’t like how those animations in Avatar were passed off as believable parts of the real wold. I thought they looked cartoonish and un-realistic and I just can’t believe that after ALL the hype, THAT was the best they could do…especially when Jurassic Park looked so much better and that was 16 years ago. I really wish you would’ve responded to that instead.
@Chesney
Believe it or not, I’m a Conservative so I did note the story points you pointed out. However, not agreeing with those points did not blind me to the phenomenal VFX work done on the film. The only thing cartoonish about it was the fact that the flora and fauna were so alien. The mo-cap and especially facial CGI was like nothing that’s been done before.
I read something similar to what you said over at Big Hollywood where the reviewer said the VFX weren’t as good as Jurassic Park – that was another case of his opinion of the film’s story clouding his judgement of the VFX.
Amazing stuff.
Vic
Yah, I also am Conservative and definitely didn’t like all of the hippie stuff in there, but the CGI was definitely revolutionary and completely photo-realistic in my opinion. I would talk negatively on the political messages but praise the CGI. No reason to let me bias cloud my judgment completely…
Oops, sorry, last comment was directed at Chesney.
I still haven’t seen the film yet – plan to go to the theater on New Years day.
@Chesney – I’m also on the right side of the political spectrum so I totally get where you’re coming from with regard to the liberal/socialist preaching we’re barraged with in various films. But I AM looking forward to this supposedly phenomenal visual spectacle. I HOPE that the visual experience will override the annoyance of Cameron’s leftist pontifications.
I must admit, it was a damn good film, although I don’t think it got enough publicity here because when we went to it I had no idea what it was (I was thinking the cartoon Avatar), but it was really great. I especially liked how the plants glowed.
@ Mr. Holtreman
Thanks for the discussion. In all honesty, the only reason I went to see Avatar in the first place was because my wife said she heard it was good and wanted to see it. I personally think that digital animation of characters instead of actors is the most absurd thing ever; I ask, WHY are filmmakers doing this…simply because they CAN or do they REALLY believe that animated purple people look BETTER than real actors with makeup and costumes?
The effects in Avatar are obviously OVERDONE for the sake of showing off the technology- so if you’re a computer graphics buff that’s great. But if you’re just looking for an overall excellent movie experience with a good story and believable characters (that HAVE character) then on that scale I believe Jurassic Park delivered and Avatar was a flop.
Avatar: All frosting, no cake!
I thought this was the best movie of the year if not the best movie ever made, in my opinion of course. I think the graphics were great, but that the storyline and characters were even better. Great movie all in all with a good lesson in there to boot.
@Chesney
First, stop calling me Mr. Holtreman, you’re making me feel old.
I do agree the story wasn’t anything amazing and this was more about the technology (said so in my review). I’m a very big Cameron fan, and walking out of Avatar I didn’t have the feeling of “wow, I loved that” that I really thought I would (and wanted to have).
Best regards,
Vic
Good movie, Great fx, fantastic 3d.
Everyone alive today should see this in the theater in 3d preferably IMAX.
My main issue with the script is the “borrowing” from Dances With Wolves. This is a huge flaw in this project.
I just saw it the other day in Imax 3d. Absolutely outstanding! I’ve waited so long for this movie but it isn’t without its flaws. Thats why I love this site because I can share my opinion on what could have made the film a bit better.
First off the CGI was absolutely groundbreaking.. Those who say otherwise or are saying Jurassic Park looked better are smoking some serious stuff. I’ve never connected with CG characters like I did with these. I mean I think I’m man enough to say that sigourney weavers avatar was hott. I know shes old but dangg. I just find it so remarkable how easy it was to pair the avatar with the human counterpart it was expertly done. I think all the characters were great except for Michelle Rodriguez’ character. I just sorta felt like whatever with her. Maybe she just didn’t get enough screen time. I loved Norm and Augustine in this they were great in their supporting roles.
However there were some flaws. Definitely a predictable story and I have to say the dialog wasn’t just weak, it almost was forgettable to the point of deterring from the movie. The reason I say this is I hyped the hell out of this movie and watched a couple of his previous work (Terminator, T2, Aliens) to refresh myself on Mr. Cameron. The dialog and character development in these movies are excellent so I guess I was expected a little more out of avatar in that department. Don’t get me wrong I still love the movie but I really can’t remember one awesome line..
Bloody Amazing!! Anyone who thinks this movie is Bad really Needs to get their head checked out by the loopy doc. The Graphics the Storyline Everything about Avatar is Truely BRILLIANT!!!
Just saw it today and I can say that I’m not recommending it as a GOT TO SEE movie. It’s just ok, if pressed I will say “don’t bother seeing it in 2D” The acting and story is bland and formulaic. I noticed how long the movies runtime was and thats never a good sign. Save your pennies for the 3D and IMAX 3D, these presentations allow you to really appreciate the technical achievement.
I saw it (won’t spoil anything, don’t worry) in 3D.
I can’t say it lived up to my expectation, and storywise I was left with the feeling that there were some obvious gaps.
Didn’t feel the 3D added much either.
I had a fun time, don’t get me wrong, but it won’t be hard for me NOT to buy it when the DVD comes out.
Funny thing, the army commander (forgot his name) reminded me of Duke Nukem. My buddy and I kept whispering Duke Nukem quotes at each other when he came into screen (not to often though), like “balls of steel!”.
Must admit (forgot to do so in last post) that the CGI was indeed good, even the “emotion” stuff.
@TJ
YES!! Duke Nukem! Quaddith was the epitomy of that character. Nice catch.
No one in the universe has the imagination of James Cameron, and if they do, they don’t have the ability to convey it into the world of film. Not like he does. Avatar was the best film of 2009, and one of the best films to come out this entire decade. Suck on that you haters. You’ll eat up what’s been fed with a smile on your face, because it’s that damn good. Avatar is unlike any movie I have ever seen. Cameron takes a simple, almost cliche story, and makes it an authentic tale about two races, two people, and the world that lives and breathes around them.
“Avatar was the best film of 2009, and one of the best films to come out this entire decade.”
Entirely subjective, of course.
It’s pretty interesting to see what different people have come away with from this movie. Honestly, when there are so many varying thoughts on it, wouldn’t that right there indicate that for this being a story done many times, that there were subtle nuances present that many either choose to overlook, or simply did overlook?
While I thoroughly enjoy reading the various comments on this post, some have left me completely baffled, and thinking “was this person even watching the same movie I watched?”
For instance..
@Chesney – I have to say, while I respect your opinions on the movie, clearly some strong thoughts – it just seems you went in with some preconceived (political) notions, and clearly one sided opinions before even seeing the movie, with comments such as “nature-nazi, leftist propaganda crap”. Ok… so you didn’t care for Cameron’s telling of the story – fair enough. I disagree with you there, but to each his own. But then it would appear that you’ve let your negative thoughts on the story cloud your opinion on the technical aspects of the movie as well. And to that end, I think you shoot yourself in the foot when it comes to anyone taking your posts or thoughts on the film seriously. To say the visual effects in the movie are anything short of amazing is clearly bunk.
Again… I’ll simply disagree with your assessment of the film, and leave it at that, as to do otherwise would just engage each of us in ongoing disagreements, ultimately serving no purpose for anyone.
For others that lament about the story being unoriginal – I would point out that it is not unoriginal, but rather a classic story – one that (yes) has been told several times previously – but could be argued that it was done so here in the most breathtaking way.
Yes… I very much enjoyed the movie. And I have actually watched it in both 2D and 3D (twice) – and can say for my own purposes, that for the first time, I actually loved a 3D movie. The use of such in this film was masterfully done.
For those who thought less of the film, I wish you better viewing luck on future films.
It’s hard to argue this not being my fav of 2009.
I thought the story was great and while I see a lot of complaints that it’s standard, I’d argue if you break down the other big hits of 2009, they’re (for the most part) simple as well.
There hasn’t been a movie that has made me feel the way I did walking out the theater like this one did and I’m happy all the doubters were proved wrong and that it’s a big hit through word-of-mouth (the biggest sign of a great film)
Everyone is entitle to their opinion good or bad. But to say this film didn’t live up to expectation is really a denial in every sense of the word. Mr. Cameron (in my opinion) has again proven he is a master at what he does and in this film may have changed the standard in which future films will be done. If Marvel films use the CGI in the way Mr. Cameron has I will look forward to seen those films with enthusiam. I really think this film, story line or whatever else some people find to critize, is in fact the best film I have ever seen as far as the “Wow” effect is concern. When my 15 year old daughter, my nice and nephew can’t stop talking about this film and are so amazed to have seen such a film…that talks for it self.
Going to see it in a couple of hours. From what I’ve read, the visual experience will be interesting. I had no lofty expectations about the film from the beginning, as the trailers I’d seen up to this point look downright cheesy. We’ll see how the 3D experience changes that … or not.
@Benny – agreed. Good points, and much the same as I have previously said. People are continuing to have conversation about this film long after seeing it – and I believe that speaks volumes about what Cameron has accomplished.
@Cyn – Good for you. I hope you enjoy it. To be honest.. yep, the trailers for the movie pretty much suck, and have done nothing to present it in a manner that will draw folks to it.
I hope you’ll post on here again after seeing it, and let us know what you thought.
@CrankyJ – I’ll be revisiting this discussion at some point later today to share my thoughts. I’m looking forward to seeing how my pre-conceived ideas about the film match up with the real thing. I’m *hoping* that my annoyance with Cameron in general won’t taint the experience.
I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that I won’t become nauseated. I’m going to take the advice I’ve read in this discussion about the proper way to view a 3D film – hopefully it will help.
I decided to take my young, very very hyper son to this movie in 3D. I personally was dreading the event and brought a book with me and was equally dreading the 3hr length and how my hyper child would respond…..
My son sat through the ENTIRE movie and complained the last 10 min because his back was hurting (and so was mine) but continued to sit and watch the movie. It was an AMAZING movie. I have gone and seen a lot of 3D movies and this by FAR was the best.
I couldn’t believe that I was falling in love with the Na’vi people as though they were actual actors. I have never connected with animation on ANY level.
This movie you HAVE to see in 3D and in the theaters don’t wait for the movie.
It went beyond what I EVER expected and will see it again in the thaters soon before the transition to DVD.
Saw it yesterday (in 3D – which I found more annoying than anything), for all its weaknesses (particularly, predictability), I loved this movie. The visuals were simply the most impressive thing ever put on film (or should I say digital print).
Go see this movie
Alright, we recently got back from seeing this movie and here is my opinion in a few words:
It was overrated and I was underwhelmed.
Don’t get me wrong – I agree with many of the positive reviews about the visual experience. I was able to watch this particular type of 3D without feeling sick or anything like that. (Was it my imagination, or were there switches between 2D and 3D at various parts?). The 3D certainly felt more natural and immersive than other 3D movies have. I enjoyed the digital/motion capture animation very much – I thought it was stellar. For the visuals alone, it’s worth seeing in the theater.
The acting was pretty well done – Zoe Saldana did a magnificent job, imo.
As far as the story …. meh … IMO it was so very long and I found myself looking forward to when it would FINALLY be over! With regard to Cameron’s pontificating – well, it wasn’t as overly nauseating as I thought it would be, so that part wasn’t even a real factor for me with regard to how I feel about the film in general.
I will say this: I liked Avatar much more than Titanic (which I absolutely hated, except for when the ship FINALLY hit that dang iceberg – I couldn’t stand the character story).
But as much as I appreciated the visuals, not even that could elevate this film as high as people have been claiming it is …. even though I never had lofty expectations about the movie (as I mentioned earlier), I WAS beginning to expect a bit more, given the level of gush over the film.
But in the end I guess I’d rate it a 3.5 or MAYBE a 4 out of 5. That possible rating of 4 is actually pushing it – and it would ONLY be for the visuals … but visuals alone do not a stellar movie make. At least, not in my book.
Ultimately, it was not one of those films that made me immediately want to see it again, or watch it multiple times a year. In other words, it was certainly no Terminator 2 or Dark Knight in my book.