Comments on: Theatrical review: Avatar

By: Inches from the top spot, Avatar sets sights on record | SciFiNow

Inches from the top spot, Avatar sets sights on record | SciFiNow — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:40:15 +0000

[...] isn’t the greatest fan of James Cameron’s Avatar has been well-documented, from a lukewarm review to a recent opinion column. It is, however, impossible to underestimate how popular it has been [...]

By: Scapey

Scapey — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:13:02 +0000

I really enjoyed Avatar, and I admit that part of that was probably due to the fact I saw it in Imax 3D.
Yes, it was flawed – And the fact that it’s as much fantasy as it is sci fi probably turned it into a bit more of a “Family friendly” movie than many of us were hoping for. I know I’m not the only one longing for something as good as Aliens to come along again, and sadly this wasn’t it.

But taken as a family action film with a nice ecological message, it’s a good ‘un.
Let’s see where Jim goes with the sequel…

By: Avatar wins, sci-fi loses | SciFiNow

Avatar wins, sci-fi loses | SciFiNow — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:10:03 +0000

[...] The review scores might have fluctuated but there is something of a common consensus regarding James Cameron’s Avatar, winner of the Golden Globe for Best Picture (Drama) and member of the $1 billion club. Irrespective of ratings, critics more or less conceded that there were six simple truths about the film: firstly, that the special effects were incredible; secondly, that 3D was exciting; thirdly, that the action scenes were ambitious; fourthly, that the film is, for the most part, poorly acted; fifthly, that the story is derivate, safe and predictable; and finally, that the dialogue is some of the worst to grace a script in a number of years. How much the film was enjoyed depended entirely on how much emphasis anyone placed on each of these indisputable qualities and flaws. [...]

By: Avatar passes $1bn at the box office | SciFiNow

Avatar passes $1bn at the box office | SciFiNow — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:31:05 +0000

[...] can read SciFiNow’s review of Avatar here. Share and [...]

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:17:20 +0000

Is it worth pointing out that I thought Chris Pine was the best thing about “Smokin’ Aces”? Pretty much stole the show for me.

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:44:36 +0000

Not “everyone” thought “Trek” was bad, Dec. In fact, it’s probably just me that thought the script was full of holes, contrivances, and poorly-judged comedy moments! Also wasn’t too keen on Chris Pine playing the entire movie with just two strings – smug and anger. I am in the extreme minority, mind! Which is always fun. You can find the whole argument over on the forum!

Whaddaya expect when “Trek” is written by the same guys who write “Transformers”? ;)

We all appreciate different things tho, Dec. There really is no one opinion that suits all.

By: Dec

Dec — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:08:26 +0000

I haven’t seen Avatar yet, but that isn’t what I’m commenting on. Why is everyone saying that Trek and Transformers 2 were bad films? In m opinion, Trek is a very good film and as for Transformers 2, it is one of my favoruites and judging by the avatar trailers, I would say that it is more gripping and exctiing than avatar.
(I’m writing via my Playstation 3 so please don’t pick out spelling mistakes.)

By: Stu

Stu — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:12:53 +0000

A 3D VFX achievement, Lee?

Have to say I wasn’t overly impressed with the 2D trailers. Sure, it looks nice, but wasn’t left with the feeling there’s anything there I hadn’t seen many times before.

It’s a shame Cameron allowed the 3D to simply be seen as a gimmick – bit more effort on the script and perhaps he could’ve had the whole kit and kaboodle? But this is where blockbuster scifi usually fails for me, with the likes of Avatar, Star Trek, 2012, Transformers and the like. Eye-popping fx appears to excuse the dumb, contrived and generic. They succeed. And while they’re lapped up by the masses, there’s the danger that that’s the best we’re gonna get.

We were extremely lucky this year to get features like “Moon” and “District 9″. These to me, are 2009′s scifi standouts; and while I’m not opposed to the fun that can be had from the popcorn blockbuster, I’m becoming increasingly turned-off by lame eye-rolling scripts that have either been written by a clueless hack, or really do credit the viewer with all the intelligence of the paper they’re printed on.

See the next “Trek” is in 3D – both exciting and worrying…

By: Lee Medcalf

Lee Medcalf — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:49:04 +0000

*Stu said:

Interesting. I had the same feelings on seeing the new Trek.

How do you think “Avatar” would stand up in 2D, which is, it could be argued, how it should be judged?*

The thing with Trek (regardless of your feelings towards it) is that it failed or succeeded without the need for a gimmick. Avatar is, as a friend of mine mentioned on our podcast, one big tech demo. Its getting the plaudits but most reviews mention the imagery first and then, almost as a footnote, mention that the story isn’t all that.

However you perceive Trek (and personally I loved the sh*t out of it) you can’t say that it was as dumb and generic as Avatar is. See Avatars wow factor is winning people over, but as Jim points out once you take away the 3D depth gloss you will probably be, if not underwhelmed, certainly more tempered in your approach to it.

I think Avatar is a VFX achievement, but its no looker when it comes to the story. Which in the end means its got a limited shelf life re: its untouchable status it seems to be commanding now.

By: ElSloano64

ElSloano64 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:34:52 +0000

It says a lot about how much I respect Sci Fi Now as an SF magazine that the first website I went onto to read reviews of James Cameron’s Avatar that I came here…

Although I haven’t seen Avatar yet (hopefully at the IMAX Glasgow in 3D this weekend), I haven’t been “blown away” by the hype at all and some of the design work ie the gigantic robo-suit the Earth soldiers use looks as unimaginative as the rip-off Power Loaders the Wachowski Brothers appropriated from um, Aliens and so on…

BTW, lads and lasses – I’m working on a Blog on how Hollywood generally can’t do comic book Superheroes right. I’ll post the link on the forums here soon and I may even be including Avatar in my summing up, too!