Avatar Review
In all my years of doing this radio show never had I touched on a topic that brought out such hateful emails as when I had the nerve to poke fun at Avatar and suggest that it may be slightly over hyped and that I doubted it was as good as the buzz surrounding it. Nerds and virgins alike went postal on me filling my inbox with fanboy rants and threats. One guy went as far as saying I didn’t deserve the right to see the film or even live for that matter and that he’d already seen it 4 times. The only other thing he has witnessed in his life that could compare was the Lord of the Rings movies, but that I was probably too stupid to recognize their greatness as well. He then went on to say I should probably just kill myself for not being able to appreciate true art. Wow, I’m sure he’s gonna make somebody really happy someday. Ladies, if you want I can forward his email on to you but you might have to get in line for this winner. But I figured if I was going to mock the Avatar nerd I should at least see the film to have a frame of reference. So last night I headed out for a late night 3D showing in Battleground.
I went with a buddy of mine and there was only 2 other people in the theater making me wonder if this was the smallest screening of Avatar ever?
Let me say this before I get into specifics of the film, I enjoyed the movie. I didn’t feel ripped off in any way and was entertained for the most part. Just wanted to get that out of the way before nerds everywhere started to threaten me again.
The 3-d was better than I thought it would be. Certainly a upgrade over Captain E-oh and the Muppets in 3-d which were my last two 3-d experiences. It was a pretty cool effect and some of the stuff did look like it was right in front of you, but life changing? Uh no. 3-d can add to a movie but it doesn’t make one. You wouldn’t buy a crappy car just because it had a awesome stereo would you? It adds to the over all experiences but people are going a little over board saying no movie is complete without 3-d. I don’t think the Godfather needed 3-d to be a great movie. The glasses also were a bit annoying to wear for 3 hours.
The story was good the first time I saw it when it was called Dances With Wolves. Holly hell this thing was ripped off. I kept waiting for John Dunbar and Kicking bird to show up. At least change something so I know you’re not totaling ripping off another movie. The aliens even sounded like Indians. Some originality would have been nice.
I could also go for a toned down political message. I get it, the military is bad, health care sucks, and the earth is our mother and god. Relax there James Cameron, I came to watch a movie not have your beliefs shoved down my throat. There’s a scene about two minutes in where a ex Marine in a wheel chair states that in the future world they can fix a spinal injury but not a Marine’s salary or VA benefits. Real subtle there. At least buy me dinner before you f me.
I think a large reason this movie was so popular with nerds is the fact that for 3 hours you watch big blue toned cat women in g-strings and no tops run around and do cool things. I don’t want to know how many of these young men go home and play Avatar the home game with themselves locked in their parents basements. This is the greatest marketing ploy ever, that James Cameron is a genius.
The Movie was a little long, but like I said I enjoyed it. I got my money’s worth but greatest movie of all time? Come now people, lets be real. It’s good not great. But visually it’s impressive and if you go in with reasonable expectations you won’t be disappointed.