When I saw the trailers for Avatar over the summer, I thought it looked like a really neat idea if for no more than the special effects. After all, it was James Cameron – the man who made Titanic one of the worst-written movies in history. But then the hype machines started belching out the plumes of praise for Avatar, and I really expected this movie to fail on every level *except* visual effects. Boy, was I wrong.
I took my daughter to see Avatar on Christmas day. I wanted it to be an experience for her the way Star Wars was for me. When Star Wars came out, I was 13. I went to see it 6 times within a couple of weeks. It changed everything. And yet, when I watch it today I am underwhelmed with the effects and clearly see where the storyline is very basic. But sometimes basic equals classic. Think Beatles.
And this is exactly where Avatar works for me. Yes, it's the most visually stunning movie I've ever seen, but the most surprising thing was how the visuals were wrapped around a very solid story. Sure, the dialogue is predictable and innocuous, but the story is based on the same core concepts as most classic movies/stories. Good versus evil. Honor versus duty. Love versus indifference. etc. Classic themes. Themes that resonate and reach across generations and demographics to touch universal ideas that exist within each of us.
This is a 2 hour and 40 minute movie created with mass global appeal in mind – after all, it's still important that a movie makes money. And because Cameron and his gang are out to appeal to the widest audience possible, much of the dialogue is very basic. Even so, the dialogue doesn't suck as much as Titanic did.
If you were moved by Star Wars when it came out, I highly recommend Avatar. If you weren't moved by Star Wars, I still recommend Avatar – you'll just end up picking it apart more than sitting back and letting this movie take your imagination to new places. Look – nothing is original. If a movie were completely original, no one would go see it because it would be a complete disconnect. Rather, the best we can do in our storytelling (whether in creating advertising for brands, or creating global blockbuster movies) is to take familiar concepts and build on them in ways that get us to think about things differently. Avatar does this brilliantly. Go see it for yourself. If you're like me and my daughter, you'll leave with a big smile and one word – "Wow."
Note: Despite its length, my daughter (almost 9) sat mesmerized the entire time without one pee break. Proving that really good movies can make you forget about everything.
Jim is a father, husband, copywriter and founder of the virtual advertising agency smashcommunications. You can find him on Twitter at @smashadv.
Austin Light
Dec 29, 2009
Agreed. Saw this opening weekend and took my wife and mother-in-law, not sure of how she would feel about it–wearing the glasses, the giant screen, etc. To my surprise, Avatar was all she seemed to be able to talk about the rest of the weekend! I didn’t mind though, because I was blown away too. Wrote my impressions on my blog shortly after seeing it at austindlight.com
I like how you addressed the complaints that people have, the lack of originality, the basic dialogue–it’s definitely there, but the visuals more than make up for it. Someone commented on my blog that they had heard this movie was a crime against humanity, which is absurd. If anything, it’s a gift. It will inspire legions of talented people to make even cooler films and technology, just as Star Wars did.
Ketan
Dec 29, 2009
Jim, I agree with you…. I went to see this flick with my family… and my 4 year old who is not too fond of movies… was spell bound… It was a simple WOW… after a long time a movie comes which leaves a good lasting impression… For us adults, the movie somewhere in a very subtle way underlines the fact that we humans have become abusive in nature… after ravaging mother Earth, we are out to destroy another planet’s ecosystem… anyways… its a Thumbs Up for James Cameroon… His hibernation paid off !
twitter.com/johnheaney
Dec 29, 2009
Although I thought the visuals were distinctive and compelling, my take was that the storyline itself was blitheringly stupid. This is the movie that Cameron waited 30 years to make? Really? Dances With Alien Wolves?
The storyline wasn’t classic, but cliched. Rapacious corporate raiders? Check. Idyllic, peace-loving natives spiritually in tune with nature? Check. Overbearing, militaristic officers intent on destruction? Check. Love interest with native chieftain’s daughter? Check.
This sanctimonious thud of a movie is so full of one-dimensional characters and PC cliches that there is not a single plot turn that isn’t telegraphed from the opening sequences. There’s nothing wrong with a simple, boilerplate plot. They’re boilerplate for a reason. But within that well worn template it’s necessary to weave complex characters in complicated and surprising relationships, and this is where Avatar fails miserably and ends us as a prime example of heavy handed eco-propaganda.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
So I take it you didn’t like it. But you probably don’t like the Magic Kingdom either, right? I mean, after all – these are just animatronic rides based on classic stories from various cultures around the world. Stories retold again and again and again that everyone knows and that surely can’t result in anything like commercial success because no one is dumb enough to fall for it. Right?
We have different takes on the movies, obviously. I ripped District 9 earlier in the year for being, well, stupid (review is in this blog.) And I hated Slumdog Millionaire for its moronic overtones that Boyle shoved down our throats with colorful Indian dancers. No, Avatar is no Citizen Cane, but you know what – I didn’t understand that movie, so it was lost on me. But that’s me. I’m just a normal guy who sometimes knows that an E-ticket ride is just that – an escape.
AlexSantxo
Dec 29, 2009
Great movie. Coming at it from a Christian worldview, I here commenting on how Cameron is spreading some sort of “gospel.”
“But not the Christian Gospel. Instead, ‘Avatar’ is Cameron’s long apologia for pantheism — a faith that equates God with Nature, and calls humanity into religious communion with the natural world.” ~Heaven and Nature, NYT article.
Well OK, but, whatever. I think you can gather spiritual overtones from any movie or form of entertainment, ehem, NFL. And maybe the film is too much for younger kids? Dunno.
That aside, from a creative and entertainment point-of-view, it was simply spectacular. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen. My first 3D movie so it just added to the overall experience. Loved the lush vegetation and wildlife. If I were Sully, I’d be exploring and touching everything, too. Neytiri included 😉
Lots of classic themes that any human can identify with. So what if the themes are not original. Like you said, “nothing is original.” But nothing has ever been packaged like this before. Ever.
I plan to watch again, this time in IMAX 3D. No pee breaks for my friend and I, either.
Bob
Dec 29, 2009
The graphics were truly revolutionary, and the landscapes created were crazy detailed. That said, I am desperately trying to prevent the memory of the last 20 insipid minutes from ruining my awe at this movie.
I also wish I had sat a bit closer so as to minimize the gap between my glasses and the edges of the screen.
I’ll keep that in mind when I see it again, which I will.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
Well, it had to end somehow. But man – Stephen Lang was maybe the best bad guy I’ve seen on screen in a loooong time.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
Avatar is one of those movies that will change things. I bet the guys at WETA are freaking out just a little bit as they film The Hobbit.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
It’s one of those movies that people will remember forever.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
Most of the themes were pretty straightforward, and dead on. Even Star Wars touched on the idea of symbiosis.
Don Hornsby
Dec 29, 2009
I agree with much of what you have written about the film. I, like you, left the theater after viewing the movie with my two daughters. One of my girls asked me what I thought. All I could say was ‘Wow”. I then said to both of them that it was the Star Wars of their generation. It was the same emotion that I felt when I first saw Star Wars in 1977. Wow.
In many ways, Avatar is a game changer for better or worse. It will be difficult to watch any 3D film in the future without comparing to Avatar. I agree with the lack of originality in the story. The truth is that there are few films that are truly original. Critics have been complaining about ripping off story lines since Nosferatu.
Minita
Dec 29, 2009
The 3-D effects took the movie-going experience to another level. When I saw the trailers I thought, oh this movie is going to fail – but was I wrong. It was quite spectacular.
Dcgrrl
Dec 29, 2009
Jim, I’m glad you took one of your girls to see Avatar. I loved that there were some strong women in this film.
Cameron really showed his strength in filmcraft.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
I have never seen a 3D movie and walked away with a good experience. Until Avatar. How long before they make total immersion movie theaters like they have at Disney World?
Andrew Weaver
Dec 29, 2009
I hate reading reviews like this. It makes me want to go and see it. I’ve been refusing to join the masses because I keep telling myself the story will be terrible and that special effects alone is no reason to go to a movie.
I’m at an impasse.
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
Great wasn’t it?
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
As you know Heather, I’m a big fan of strong women. 😉
Jim Mitchem
Dec 29, 2009
Andrew – just go see it. Trust me, you’ll have to put your skeptic’s hat away for a couple of hours, but when you do – you’ll be swept away.
Alice Wessendorf
Jan 2, 2010
Totally agree with you on this one. I am a huge film fan generally enjoying original independent work to things produced in Hollywood-Land but this one is a sea changer and should not be missed. (Go see it Andrew…I am the biggest fight-the-masses chick alive and I am so glad I saw it. Don’t miss the chance to see it on the big screen.) It was a solid, sweet, classic storyline. Sure that made it a tad predictable and not so ground-breaking in plot. But we have traditions and “classics” for a reason. They are universal and comforting and rooted in basic truths.
Jim Mitchem
Jan 2, 2010
Thank you Alice. I had the same reaction, and I don’t usually go for the hyped up stuff. But Avatar was fan-freaking-tastic.
NiceArtLife
Feb 7, 2010
I also expected the movie to fail in everything but the effects. I began with the note 5,5 but ended with a 10.
I liked the message and lessons in the movie.
My novel – Minor King
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