Avatar

Post Reply New Topic

I have just seen the film and been impressed with the amount or real effort to depict an alien planet and it's ecology. As a reader of science fiction for about 75 years I have not been very impressed with either Star Wars or Star Trek as science fiction although they were frequently great fun. 2001 was a very worthy effort as was Groundhog Day which most people don't recognize as science fiction. But Avatar made a real effort and did moderately well although the plot was pure cattlemen and Indians. An interesting analysis can be found at http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43440

the movie is boring and lifeless
completely devoid of any emotion or original or creative say
i fell asleep after few minutes
any low budget indie film much better than this toy of a movie
Cameron needs to find a serious script writer because all his considerable and worthy efforts goes down the drain as he have zero talent at story telling

PS
I'm nut for Science fiction
Even junk

I have a vested interest in this film, about 14 years ago a young lad (19 to my 26 years) knocked on my door in Sydney to look at the room I was subletting. He was off to start at NIDA (the national institute for dramatic arts) for the next 18 months we got along really well, on more than a few occasions I heavily subsidised him going out (seeing that he was a poor impoverished student). On several occasions and at least one of them sober he stated that I was a great guy and in return for my generosity once he was rich and famous he would buy me the house I was renting . Unfortunately I moved to Melbourne and lost contact with Sam Worthington.

So if any of you bump into the Sam tell him Mr Dent wants the house he promised

As to the film I am going to see it on Tuesday and I will then tell you what I think Sand.

I took -Groundhog Day- to be a riff on existentialism. Camus and Sartre would have felt at home in a repetitive Paxatawny Falls.

I plan to see -Avatar- tomorrow or the day after. I am expecting an SFX romp. I am not particularly thrilled about Cameron's ecophreak anti-capitalist glosses, but if the movie is spectacular enough, I can ignore them.

Watching a Cameron spectacular has its risks. For example Titanic: Jack and Rose cavorting semi naked on the deck diverted the lookouts just long enough to guarantee the ship would collide with the iceberg. Sure. Right. And that Capitalist portrayed by Billy Zane -- ye Gods! It was pure New Deal hokum.

ruveyn

thanks Ruveyn I had forgotten about this, yet another reason reason to dislike such a crap yet universally acclaimed film.

BTW If you see Sam and this leads to a successful honouring of the pledge I will split the proceeds that house must be worth at least aus $600k

haha - that's funny! I hope he fulfills his promise to you! Can't you look him up - hasn't he got an address for fan mail at least?

I doubt I'll see the movie. Although I'm not drawn to see these types of films I'm sometimes pleasantly surprised when I do.

As I mentioned, the plot is pure hackneyed bad corporation against wonderful savages but the scenery and vegetation is artistically fascinating. The vegetation is generally bioluminescent but the impression is that the designers took much of the form and action from Earth undersea life which has an alien feel. The animals are not so different as the "alien" life animals are slight variations of rhinoceri, horses, wolves and lions and their offensive weapons are all teeth and claws and armored bulk. Even Earth animals are more imaginative. Why not organic versions of lasers or an animal that could accurately shoot explosive bullets or hungry vicious seeds of itself that would quickly reproduce and burrow into one's skin and consume an enemy? Nothing like that on Earth so far but a good possibility. Even I could devise better offensive weapons than teeth and claws.But nevertheless the creations are frequently beautiful and worth a look.

Are you implying you know Sam Worthington?

I have a feeling that one good round with the earthlings and yes, an evil corporate CEO played by Billy Zane sidekicked by General Jack Ripper (Purity of bodily fluids! w00t!), she'll likely be a little more creative in in her military R&D going forward.

The last film version of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (a film version of the old SF story "Farewell to the Master") had a more imaginative creature . a huge powerful giant that was actually a highly integrated hive of insects that dissolved into a cloud of individual insects when attacked and the bugs spit acid that dissolved all solid materials. A neat concept. In a way it was an organic version of the liquid Terminator in the first sequel.

If a conscious gaea-like planet ever wanted to immunize itself against human exploits I'd imagine it could always work on its fast acting metal-corrosive fungal spores.

Or perhaps initiate a volcano in a strategic spot.

No I am quite clear stating that I KNEW him very well.

I get what you're saying - your really forty, you've been overstating your age by four years and understating your looks to make us feel better about ourselves

As far as Sam goes though; at this point I don't know that I'd call him up with "Hey, remember that house?" but I'd imagine you could at least get a stay at his place and go out VIP hopping with him around Hollywood. Even if I doubt the house is still in question I think you've at least got a few good stateside IOU vacations at your fingertips - if you can get past the agents.

Perhaps you could be writing the screenplays Sand. I doubt there needs to be a limit set on imagination. Perhaps these filmmakers didn't want to remove the audience too far from their comforts of reality and were purposely containing the wildness of their imaginations in an attempt to appeal to a majority of potential ticket-buyers.

But why so much destruction in SF? Why not organic versions of laser scans that can detect versions of tumours and broken bones, or liquid healing properties that accurately shoot out of tiny airholes on their heads whenever they sense someone is sick or dying? Perhaps even a clairvoyant ability that knows the best way to settle disputes that would otherwise lead to chaotic destruction? But then again, perhaps this would be a removal from reality that's far too difficult even for a 2 hour suspension of disbelief.

Here is my review: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showpost ... tcount=311