Avatar

16.12.2009
IMAX 3D: 

In the distant future, mankind has discovered a moon called Pandora in a galaxy far away. This planet has rich amounts of a rare mineral that is very valuable. The human camp is run by a private military organisation that is willing to do anything to get what they want. There is also another humanoid race living on the planet called the "Na'vi". The story follows a marine sent on an undercover mission into the Na'vi tribe. But the longer he stays undercover the more he falls in love with the tribe and their ways. Which side will he choose in the end?

I was lucky enough to get tickets for a pre-screening at the Sydney IMAX. I had read a lot about the movie beforehand and my expectations where fairly high. Being James Cameron I knew it would be good, just not how good. Avatar was the first real movie I saw in 3D on a screen bigger than my TV. I have been to the IMAX before, but only for the documentary style movies. As I put on my glasses and leaned back in the seat I knew this would be the next step in cinema entertainment!

As the credits rolled over the screen my first reaction was just WOW. The technical level is far far beyond anything else made to date. Photo realistic CGI has never looked better. In fact I completely forgot it was special effects at all. The world of Pandora came to life in a way I never imagined possible in a movie. It is clear Cameron has spent large amounts of time creating the world of Pandora and its inhabitants. Both animals, plants and the Na'vi all go together seamlessly. Every small plant or insect has a purpose in the environment. What I noticed is that Pandora reminded me of Final Fantasy. I think Cameron mush have been inspired, because for example the floating rocks had a striking resemblance. Big kudos to the Weta Digital team for their work as well.

The score was also wonderful and fitting for an epic movie like this. Some people found it a bit to powerful, but for me it was just as I had expected.

The acting was also as expected for a big movie like Avatar. Although there where no Oscar quality performances, the acting was good from everyone in the cast. Sigourney Weaver is a quality actress and pulls of her role with charm and warmth and Stephen Lang shines in his role as Colonel Miles Quaritch.

The only real negative thing to say about Avatar is the plot. The story has been told lots of times before and lack the originality I was expecting. I knew from the beginning how the movie would end and what the plot would involve. But it is not the plot that is the important part of Avatar, it is the visual experience. The plot does what it is supposed to do and it never gets boring, just predicable. Characters are also a bit one dimensional.

Overall James Cameron has pulled off what he set out to do. Push the technical limit of film making to a new level. I guarantee you have never seen anything look as good as Avatar. And if you are as lucky as me and get to watch it in 3D you will realize that this is what 3D is all about. No overuse of objects flying in your face that reminds you of the 3D, just gorgeous 3D pictures that melt together and make you travel inside the movie and completely forget where you are for the next 2 hours and 40 minutes. I  can't wait to go see it again! 9/10

24.01.2010

IMAX 3D:

Second time in IMAX and still amazing! 9/10