Rec/Review: Avatar

[cat_77]

As a Christmas-type present yesterday, E took me to see Avatar. We did not have the boys with and ended up with the 3D version, which was quite cool. Seeing pictures of the 2D version afterward, I would rec the 3D version because it was done in such a way to add to the film instead of distract from it like it so easily could have.


So now the review portion with no more spoilers than the previews:
Basic set up is people from a so-called "civilized" Earth versus the so-called "savages" of an indigenous population of another planet. The people from Earth seem to fall into one of three groups: military, business, or scientist. The scientists characters are more fleshed out and far less stereotypical than the others, though they have their faults as well.

Anyway, the humans are there for an ore they want that sells for big bucks back home. They try to smarm the ore out of the natives, who live with and are connected to nature. Humans think the natives are simple, natives think the humans are dumb. So, nothing new there. Needless to say, boils down to a fight with humans not understanding the connection to nature and how it effects all life.

Positives: The film is gorgeous. It also tries to show biases on both sides and how characters on both sides have faults. It also tries to show that an understanding needs to be reached between both parties or both will suffer.

Negatives: It was a bit too heavy-handed at times. Some parts had the subtlety of a 2x4 to the head. Yes, there was an environmental message, but there were times when there was almost a pause to say, "Are you getting it yet? Here, let's hammer it in some more."

I'm honestly torn as to whether the connection to the environment becoming so literal as to be a living physical connection is a positive or a negative. On the one hand, it gets the point across. On the other, see above about the heavy-handedness.

I love that sci-fi can deal with these issues in a way that will grab the public's attention and make them want to watch it versus a documentary that most people will not bother seeing. Sometimes you get distracted by the pretties and the cool effects and lose some of the message, but it's still there underlying the whole thing so hopefully it will seep into at least one person's unconscious and they will do something about it.

So, all in all, yes johnnym77, it got too obvious at times. But, I also have to agree with drag_on_king that it was an awesome movie.

And, because I am a dork, a handful of icons from the preview pictures:

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.
[the last one was suggested by E.]


Also, it is rather hard to post when your "p" key keeps sticking.

Comments

[jolinar-rosha.livejournal.com]

I watched the 2D version - I've never watched a 3D anything, as I'm not entirely sure I'd like it. But I agree in that Avatar seemed like a good film to watch in 3D.

I also agree with pretty much everything else you've said.

And your icons are gorgeous. :-)

[cat-77.livejournal.com]

I was surprised with the 3D, to be honest. Previous to this, I had avoided it like the plague with the exception of a documentary on the solar system at a science museum. This was actually done far better than what I had seen years ago, and really added to it instead of distracted from it.

Thanks about the icons! There's not many pics out there yet, but I played around with what I could find.