Avatar
By Nick Manteris · 0 Comments · Leave a Comment
This review won’t compare Avatar with any of the other “character in a new, strange culture” films like Fern Gully, The New World, The Last Samurai or Dances With Wolves…mainly because I’ve never seen any of those movies and the only part of Pocahontas that I remember is the song “Colors of the Wind.” Also, everyone knows that Smurfs are blue and there’s really no reason for them to enter the conversation, but it’s kind of interesting that Krishna or Vishnu have not been mentioned.
The trailer makes it apparent that Cameron’s story is simplistic (at best), but it also looks like the perfect set of tent poles to prop up an alien world filled with magnificent and amazing lifeforms. The storyline was designed to force the characters into the action sequences that Cameron wanted to show us and (in his defense) he shows us some pretty cool stuff. It could be argued that when you admire a beautiful painting, the hook that the frame hangs on is not important. That’s an argument that doesn’t apply in this case: films aren’t paintings. And the plot of Avatar is a weak element that just would not hold up without the spectacle. Though there is an enormous amount of spectacle. The amount of thought that went into the alien world – which was obviously monumental – could have benefitted from just a little more thought though. For example, the initial alien creatures that we encounter seem way too violent for their environment. Destroying the actual territory in a “territorial threat display” seems highly unlikely, as does destroying the environment in order to catch prey. A later example is the helicoptering lizards that appear to be better targets in the air than before they were spooked into flying.
In addition to this completely made-up fantasy ecosystem, this film is presented with the newest 3D technology in the industry – the way of the future. 3D definitely adds more to the mix and – especially now that HD has infiltrated people’s homes – it does seem like the next logical step for filmmaking. The first few minutes, however, were extremely disorienting (I actually considered leaving to get my ticket refunded), but then it was quickly and almost imperceptibly replaced by a level of immersion that is unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. This immersion definitely helped sell the visual effects 
because, when I watched the end sequence again later in 2D, almost everything looked less realistic – more like a video game cutscene than the absorbing film that had previously grasped my attention.
It all comes back to the story though. Cameron makes his character record a video log as a cheap and unsuccessful way to force-feed the audience information. Without this expositional plot device, the concepts might have taken longer to explain and, since Avatar is already pushing two and a half hours, it is understandable. On the other hand, the one-dimensional corporate character was inexcusable. I believed that the corporation guy from aliens wanted to bring one of the creatures back, but Ribisi’s character was little more than an excuse to dump more exposition on the audience. And “unobtainium”? ...seriously? Did you call up George Lucas to get his kids to help name your extremely rare element? Well, apparently not, since engineers have used the term unobtainium going back to at least the 50s, but it sounds completely ridiculous and should probably only be used in a humorous context. Plus, it gives off an Oakley sunglasses vibe. (…and rightfully so, but, again, I digress...)
Essentially, it comes down to this: if you want something deep and meaningful then you’re gonna want to watch another film – because this story is plain and predictable and the trailer gives everything away – but if you want to be wowed by alluring aliens on a gorgeous planet then get in line for your 3D glasses. And you absolutely have to see it in 3D…it would be a disservice to everyone involved in the making of the movie (and yourself!) if you don’t take full advantage of the technological advancements that are available to you. And from a filmmaking standpoint, Avatar is the most important film since Speed Racer in terms of what it is now possible to do…and anyone with even a remote interest in the future of film should see it on that basis alone. Just don’t complain about the story later. I warned you.
