Comments on: Avatar, The Monday After: Brilliant, or Bust?

By: windchild85

windchild85 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:12:08 +0000

My husband and I saw Avatar in 3-D on a regular screen (the IMAX was sold out). Even though it wasn’t IMAX and the plot was not terribly original, we were thrilled with the f/x, the AMAZING forest and its creatures, and the impact of the movie, overall. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and want to see it in IMAX as soon as possible.

I completely agree with the review of Zoe Saldana’s performance. My god, she really “humanized” her CG character – the pure raw emotion of her voice in some of the scenes was very emotional for me. Wow, wow and wow.

Were Neytiri’s physical movements based on Zoe’s own, as well? I know that in Lord of the Rings, for instance, the movements of Gollum were digitally representative of the actual movements of actor Andy Serkis, who also voiced the character. (It’s shameful that he was not nominated for an Academy Award. His performance was remarkable.)

By the way, at the time of my writing this (January 5, 2010), Avatar has reached worldwide ticket sales of over $1 BILLION (with a B, folks) dollars – in less than 3 weeks! So I’d hardly say ticket sales have been disappointing.

By: wyzard999

wyzard999 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:51:38 +0000

Sorry about the grammatical goofs

These are not the 3D techniques that you’re used to. These are not the motion capture techniques that you’re used to. These are e-motion capture techniques.

Happy New Year GMinnJ

By: wyzard999

wyzard999 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:40:25 +0000

I was saddened deeply by GminnJ’s comment on so many levels. As sci-fi fans we are explorers of a grand and glorious land. Remember your experiences over the years.

Think of all of the cinematic adventures that have grabbed our hearts and souls (for better or worse). I shed a tear every time that I view Polar Express.

We have journeyed to myriad times and places. Lord Of The Rings kept us spellbound for a decade. There are so many great movies that come to mind. We are so lucky to be alive at this point in cinematic history.

GMinnJ, please put aside your preconceived notions. Let the child in you come out. Let your sense of wonder fly on wings of astonishment. Avatar is like nothing that you have ever seen.

Zoe Saldana’s performance as Neytiri is absolutely mind blowing. She will win the Best Actress Oscar for this role.

These is not the 3D techniques that you’re used. These are not the motion capture techniques that you’re used to. These are e-motion capture techniques.

GMinnJ, please go see the movie. The child in you will thank you for it. If you don’t enjoy it, please post it and let us know. I will post my email address and send you the cost of your ticket(s).

Have A Safe And Happy New Year

By: jameo2009

jameo2009 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:08:45 +0000

EPIC!!!!!

By: grape_crush

grape_crush — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:36:23 +0000

First IMAX showing was at 11:30am here locally. The theater was packed. My two cents: .01 Visually and imaginatively stunning. Avatar has done for 3D technology what Jurassic Park did for computer-generated graphics. There's a lot in this movie you haven't seen before. .02 A borrowed plot from Dances With Wolves with a touch of The Abyss, one-dimensional characters with unclear motivations. Not a horrendous screenplay by any means, 'tho...

By: zvaughn

zvaughn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:39:55 +0000

Technically, last year’s Brad Pitt Oscar nod for Curious Case was the first “computer-generated performance to garner an Oscar nod”, though not all of his performance was computer-generated. As for Avatar, I don’t see how anyone can say that this film would have been the same experience in 2D, and that’s what I loved about Cameron’s work here. The film wasn’t just IN 3D, it was made FOR 3D: All of the shots were set up to capture the depth of action. I really appreciated the fact that it didn’t use the 3D aspect as a novelty-type thing, where it becomes a mockery of the technology, with characters pointing into the camera all the time and whatnot. Based on the trailer, I thought Avatar was going to be terrible, but I stand corrected. This is an absolute must-see for anyone who is interested in the future of cinema.

By: masurix

masurix — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:06:25 +0000

I saw it in 3D and while I thought it was good, I think it’d be just as good in flat-vision. That said, it was beautiful and I loved it.

I think you are 100% right about Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, too. She underscored the difference between the Na’Vi and the humans. Jake was, for the balance of the movie, a human in a blue cat meatsuit. Neytiri was by turns fierce, tender, and vulnerable – sometimes all three at once. Never once did she seem ‘human’ to me. On the other hand, never once did she seem not human, if that makes sense. You have to believe in Neytiri in order to believe Jake going native. Saldana pulled it off beautifully.

I can’t wait to see this movie again.

By: loonyboi

loonyboi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:54:50 +0000

I liked the movie, but found the 3D to be pointless. It wasn’t terrible or anything, I just don’t think it added anything to the movie, and because I had to wear the glasses, it probably took away from it because it was generally uncomfortable (I wear glasses, so wearing two sets at once was just weird).

By: Steven James Snyder

Steven James Snyder — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:18:23 +0000

Hmmm I’m still seeing $73 million everywhere I’m looking. Looks like Variety has $77 million, with some adjusted totals. I wrote this post last night, and the number was still 73.

As for biggest december opening ever, maybe by a few thousand bucks now, with those adjustments factored in. “I Am Legend” opened with $77.2 million.

Definitely not a blowout here. The more I think about it, this is all because of the lack of enough 3-D venues…..

By: mattne

mattne — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:49:25 +0000

Film made $77 million, not $73, which ranks as the #1 December opening of all time, which seems like it’s doing pretty well.

By: Steven James Snyder

Steven James Snyder — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:32:38 +0000

yes, peeking, of course. And watching the movie the second time, I can see the complaints of white guilt or whatnot, but I don’t feel as if they leap to any conclusions. Jake doesn’t jump right in, and start fawning over this new world. He’s a hard sell, who’s more than a little skeptical, and I think that’s what really saves us. He doesn’t convert and start preaching. It’s a gradual process, of realizing that he prefers this magical world, and prefers having his legs back too. It’s more about the legs, which humanity has taken from him, than about hating our species….you know?

By: gminnj

gminnj — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:29:12 +0000

I’m a fan of science fiction, and I respect Cameron, and I won’t be seeing this.
I’ve gotten selective about what I’ll go see in a theatre at this point in my life (I’m 41), and I’m not a fan of 3-D at all. I’ve read all the coverage, and the plot holds no interest for me.
I suspect there are many others like me, and this is why it didn’t make even more money this weekend (not the snow).

By: crispy

crispy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:21:10 +0000

I think you meant “peeking.” Unless said college students were climaxing into the other theater, at which, ewww, gross… don’t get that on my popcorn. ;)

The racial issues and accusations of “white guilt fantasy” are going around other blogs I read. It sorta annoys me because I enjoyed the movie so much, but I can’t deny there’s probably some truth to it. I’d rather just turn off my brain and look at the purty pictures.