James Cameron's Avatar has a very interesting reputation among fans. After becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time, it earned considerable backlash by those calling it overrated. However, the backlash has also seen a rise in people who are ready to defend the sci-fi adventure.
With multiple sequels on the way, it is interesting to explore the legacy of this sci-fi epic and the many opinions surrounding it. Amongst Reddit users, there are plenty of people who are willing to go against the common consensus to share what they love and hate about Avatar.
Its Familiar Story Is Not An Issue
One of the biggest criticisms levied against Avatar is the fact that it feels like such a similar story to other movies. The plot of Jake Sully leaving his colonialist side to join the Na'vi felt too reminiscent of movies like Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, and Ferngully.
However, Redditor HereticPharaoh2020 pointed to this argument as particularly unfair and just a lazy way of attacking a successful movie. They maintain that Avatar is "a new twist on a classic story" similar to how The Lion King is a new take on Hamlet.
The 3D Is Underwhelming
It's easy to forget, but there was a time when 3D was seen as a very gimmicky and lame way of presenting a movie. However, James Cameron sought to bring the visual style back into fashion with Avatar and it helped make 3D presentations very ordinary in big blockbusters going forward.
As much as Avatar might have led the 3D revival, Reddit user bglargl finds it to be one of the lesser uses of the format. They called Cameron's use of 3D very underwhelming and insisted that "loads of movies have done it way better."
Jake Sully's Journey Is The Best Part
Another common criticism of the movie is found in the character of Jake Sully. Even fans of the movie seem to admit that he is not the most interesting protagonist and that other aspects of the movie help to make up for his dullness.
There are some who have more interest in Jake's journey with Redditor Stokkolm calling it the most compelling part of the movie. While they didn't find the overall story or the movie's graphics anything special, they were fascinated by the idea of "having the main character live in a different body than his own."
It Changed Cinema
Apart from showing that 3D could be a lucrative addition to the moviegoing experience, many people point to the noticeable lack of cultural impact the movie has. Despite becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time, Avatar didn't seem to leave a very big impression.
However, Redditor Noderigon5 disagrees with that sentiment and sees it as a game-changer for the world of cinema. They point to the technological advancements and sense of wonder that made a huge impact "as a unique memory" in moviegoing that left a mark on this particular viewer.
The Sex Scene Is Not As Laughable As Its Reputation Suggests
One of the most infamous scenes in Avatar is the Na'vi sex scene between Jake and Neytiri. In this sequence, it is revealed that the Na'vi sex is performed by interlocking their braids which is also shown to be the method of bonding with some of the creatures on Pandora. As a result of this revelation, the sex scene became the butt of many jokes.
While others might laugh at the concept and point out some of the oddities of it, Redditor ibeatsaitama points out that it is just a part of the world-building. They insist that such ideas are part of the genre and that there are "many things in sci-fi where you just need to accept that that is the way the world works."
Jake Sully's Fate
While Jake Sully was not the most popular character in Avatar, he is an important part of the world James Cameron created. Indeed, the character will be at the center of the several sequels that follow as the audience further explores his journey into the world of the Na'vi.
However, one Redditor had an interesting idea for how Jake's story should have panned out. While they are a fan of the movie, they suggest the one thing they would change is that Jake "should have died at the end."
The Most Realistic Sci-Fi Movie
Most people see Avatar as a big and bold sci-fi action-adventure and fans will either enjoy that or they won't. However, when it comes to its place in the sci-fi genre, it is not regarded as one of the most grounded movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey or Gravity.
But while it might be easy to dismiss the movie about giant blue aliens, Redditor 1096bimu makes the bold assertion that Avatar is "the most realistic and detailed sci-fi setting of any movie ever produced."
Felt Like A CGI Demo
Many critics of Avatar have suggested it is a movie where the spectacle overshadows the story. But even those who complain about the boring human characters and the unimaginative plot usually admit that the visual effects of the movie are impressive.
Redditor oblivion-boi is not as complimentary of even the technical aspects of the movie which they saw as being subpar. They suggest it feels like "more of a [CGI] tech demo than a movie."
Quaritch Is A Bad Villain
Though the human hero of the story might not have impressed many fans, Colonel Quaritch was generally seen to be a pretty entertaining villain in Avatar. The performance by Stephen Lang earned a lot of praise among fans and his popularity allowed him to return in the sequels.
But while others found a lot to like in the character of Quaritch, Redditor FlowRiderBob saw him as the movie's biggest problem. Though they praised the special effects of the movie, they found Quaritch to be "over-the-top comically evil."
It's A Good Movie That Doesn't Need Sequels
When the ambitious plans for James Cameron's multiple Avatar sequels were announced, the reaction seemed to fall into two categories. There were those who felt the movie was overrated in the first place and were not interested in sequels, and there were those who loved the movie and were excited to see what was next.
Redditor xplicit_mike falls into a rare category in between those two opinions. They feel that Avatar was a good movie, however, they also feel that it is too late to explore sequels at this point as they "feel like that ship has sailed."