Epril and I joined up with some friends last night and went to see Avatar. The story is a bit tired: Hero leaves the powerful corporate bad guy outsiders to fight with the weak freedom-seeking good guy locals. There is only one real star of this movie, and that is the planet Pandora. Never before has pure imagination emerged into such perfect realism in such complete detail on a movie screen. Creatures are necessary to this visual feast only to give Pandora the ability to react and provide perspective. Just staring at the entire bioluminescent forest itself is worth the price of admission.
And, thankfully, Director James Cameron doesn't skimp on the eye candy. It just goes on and on and on pretty much from the get-go for a full 2 hours and 40 minutes.
I didn't find the Na'vi (the blue guys) to be totally convincing. While they are definitely the next generation of CGI creatures... a Gollum 2.0, if you will... they aren't the perfect simulacra that our human eye demands in order for the mind to accept something as "true life." Close... 99%... but still not quite. And yes: The story really is (as one movie reviewer sniffingly put it) "Dances With Smurfs."
Like I said, this is the prettiest movie ever made, and that alone makes it worth seeing. And after you've seen this movie, even if you have never partaken, you will appreciate the potential that lies in what will obviously be a popular combination of big screen TV, the high-def DVD of Avatar, a comfy chair, and a couple of joints.
Jil Wrinkle (With One L)
Welcome to my jungle perch. From here, I grab vines and swoop around and crash into coconut trees.
Name:
Jungle Jil
Location:
Jasaan Village,
Mindanao Island,
Philippines
Originally From:
America, New York State
Political Mindset:
Libertarian, Social Liberal, Small Government Fiscal Conservative
Subjects of This Blog:
Thus begins part 2 of my overseas saga, as I moved to Cagayan De Oro in March of 2008 after 5 years in Thailand.
Name:
Jungle Jil
Location:
Jasaan Village,
Mindanao Island,
Philippines
Originally From:
America, New York State
Political Mindset:
Libertarian, Social Liberal, Small Government Fiscal Conservative
Subjects of This Blog:
- News and commentary about Cagayan De Oro
- My life and living in The Philippines
- U.S. political commentary (focusing on hypocrisy, contradiction, and dishonesty, and the struggle against it)
- Funny and amusing videos, photos, or articles found on the internet
Thus begins part 2 of my overseas saga, as I moved to Cagayan De Oro in March of 2008 after 5 years in Thailand.
5 comments:
Hi Jil
Did you see Avatar in 3D? My son saw the film last night in 3D and said it was awesome. I understand it was designed for 3D from the start.
I rarely go to the cinema as it fills with the local noisy youths (my son!) so I always wait for the DVD release. I will make an exception for Avatar.
I am hoping the DVD package will come with a few sets of 3D glasses.
Regards
Bob
Bob,
No we did not see the movie in 3D, and that is indeed a shame. I doubt that anywhere in The Philippines (and certainly not outside of Manila) has the movie in 3D. In fact, we saw the movie in the rather-not-good SM Mall movie theater. Even then, it was still a Wow of an image.
I don't know if the technology to watch 3D on a television screen exists or not. Maybe. It certainly would be fun to see and would guarantee that I'd have to buy another Playstation 3 so that I could watch it.
Hi Jil
You definitely can have 3D on a TV. Channel 4 in the UK has just had a week of showing a few 3D programs. Unfortunately they used the c**p red/green glasses rather than the polaroid glasses (not surprising as they were free).
Avatar uses the polaroid glasses and my son says the 3D effects were quite subtle. Not like a 3D porn film I remember seeing in the 1970s where Dracula's or Frankenstein's dripping heart leapt out of the screen at you on the end of a spear.
Regards
Bob
I remember back circa 1981 or so, you could go to local convenience stores and purchase the red/green glasses, and then on channel 11 or something they broadcast Creature From The Black Lagoon and various other horror movies from the era in 3D. Even at a young age I was rather underwhelmed. I honestly imagine that the 3D effects would not be so outstanding as to effect my jaw hitting the floor... but anything that is new and fascinating is always a welcome experience.
Jil,
The movie in 3D is very entertaining (for the effects) and seeing it in 2D doesn't give the film justice.
You are correct; same tired story and Sigourey Weaver as the chain smoking bad ass was such a dissapointment.
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