James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[FQRizzo]

I agree that it is way too early to call this a new classic. If you strip away the 3D from the film, it wouldn't have been as successful. It would probably have pulled in TF2 numbers, and I not talking about the increased price of 3D tickets. Let face it, it is the spectacle of it all that is bringing people back for the repeat viewings. Once it is out of theaters, it'll be years until we are able to see Avatar like this again.

 

[ironwez20]

Man good thing it had 3d and stuff but overall it was still an epic movie.

 

[Superman]

I agree that it is way too early to call this a new classic. If you strip away the 3D from the film, it wouldn't have been as successful. It would probably have pulled in TF2 numbers, and I not talking about the increased price of 3D tickets. Let face it, it is the spectacle of it all that is bringing people back for the repeat viewings. Once it is out of theaters, it'll be years until we are able to see Avatar like this again.

I disagree. People are going to it twice not just because of the 3D. Some people missed seeing it in 3D the first time and were convinced they had to see it in 3D as well. Others watched it in digital 3d and were told they had to see it in IMAX since the 3D effect was 10 times better. Both of those reasons have made lots of people go again. Furthermore those people had to have liked the story as well.. It's a win win for Cameron.

 

[barbelith]

I should note that my previous post was with regard to global ticket sales. GWTW only played in 6 countries its first run compared to over 50 countries for Avatar.

Factor in the population difference, the 3D surcharge and the 7,000 US screens and it's a laughable comparison. Avatar is a massive success, but anyone pretending it's bigger than Gone with the Wind is a fool.

 

[barbelith]

I do find it interesting that the people who are so quick to post the "adjusted for inflation" lists aren't so fast when it comes to stating the real story behind the numbers, and when they were actually achieved.

If the question is which film is the biggest box office draw ever, it's pretty cut and dried. What you're doing here is changing the question to what movie had the highest first-run box office. That's a different thing entirely, and will always favor modern movies due to the sheer number of screens in play today among other factors.

I don't see rereleases as anything to shy from - if anything they're evidence of how popular a film actually is. I daresay we'll never see anyone show up for an Avatar SE the way people did for Star Wars...

 

[SOLIDSNAKE]

went to see it for the 4th time today.

This is the " BIGGEST EPIC MOVIE OF OUR TIME "

AVATAR will be remembered forever.

The only movie that will surpass it will be another James Cameron movie.

 

[SOLIDSNAKE]

Why do we even care about all this technical inflation stuff? lol
It's 2010. The studio is only gonna care about the money it's bringing in today, with today's dollar!! And damn business is good for Avatar! Hellz yeah!
Even with the adjustment, it's STILL like going to be in the top 25 of all time! More likely it will even hit top 20 or less.

And besides, Gone with the Wind is something that would put me to sleep anyway. No way in hell it's as popular as a movie like this.

Just came back from my 4th viewing. Who has seen it more than 4 times?
It looked even more amazing to me the 4th time out!! Maybe it's because I switched theatres, and the screen is bigger there too.
I went to an 1130am showing and thought it would be like 5 people there. Nope, it was almost full. So based on that, I'm sure it's going to be number 1 yet again this weekend. It was even full of seniors too, which was great. It's true...everyone AND their grandma has seen this movie lol

I know man ! I went with sithlord today and we went in the theater right at 11:30am especting 5 people in there.
it was almost full. Unreal.

I can see this movie 1000000000000000000000 times and still Amazing evrytime I see it.

sith we should go on tuesday nite halfprice lol.
AVATAR FTW !

 

[IrishJedi]

This is the " BIGGEST EPIC MOVIE OF OUR TIME "

AVATAR will be remembered forever.

The only movie that will surpass it will be another James Cameron movie.

This has to be a joke post. Has to be.

 

[Superman]

I've seen Avatar twice now in 3D and plan a third time in IMAX next week. My wife is the one that truly loves the movie more than I do. I view it as a theme-park ride 3d where you get to pretend you are on the planet pandora for awhile. However the story is not as great as Star Wars or Temple of Doom were for example. However I will have given my share to this movie's growing box office record.

 

[Khev]

Factor in the population difference, the 3D surcharge and the 7,000 US screens and it's a laughable comparison. Avatar is a massive success, but anyone pretending it's bigger than Gone with the Wind is a fool.

If by "laughable comparison" you mean that Avatar is on track to sell more tickets domestically for its first full run than GWTW then yes, you're correct. I've posted links showing that Avatar is currently sitting at 17 million in 1939 dollars compared to GWTW's 20. You want to refute it then post an actual link stating otherwise.

I find it amusing that its okay to include numbers for population growth of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's when they pad GWTW's rerelease earnings but its taboo when the same growth favors a modern film.

If Avatar's success upsets you then feel free to avoid all comparisons other than "which movie has sold more tickets over a 70 year period." Because yes, in that case the 70 year old movie wins. For now....

 

[DinoLast]

I wouldn't bother arguing with barbelith.
It's best to tolerate his opinion. The guy hates T2, so if you can't get him to like that, you have no chance with this.

As for Solidsnake (Ray), I love his passion for the film. He has not had a go at anybody who has disagreed with him, so I think people should give him the same courtesy

 

[SKARY]

Saw it for my first time at Imax 3D not the cheesy little imax theatre in the local theatre but at Jordans furniture on the 5 story screen and WOW I was completely impressed as I was not having high expectations going into the theatre for this film and left thinking that it was much better that I imagined. I can't wait to take my Grrrrl to see it with me next time as I know she will love it!!!!

 

[wofford29]

Avatar fans are the new Twilight fans.

 

[Sithlord1975]

Number 1 again this weekend I believe. Another 30 million or so.
Just about 600 million total to match Titanic.

And it's not that we are complete dorks or like Twilight fans lol
I just like to see great success, for a great movie.
He succeeded in bringing me back to the cinema (instead of watching movies thru other means *ahem*), and brought the kid out in me again.
So yeah, I love this movie.

And of course part of the reason people go to see it is the 3D!! I don't know why people are trying to convince themselves or us, that if it wasn't 3D it wouldn't have made as much money or not as many people would have seen it. Well Duh.....lol
But even so, I still think it's a kick ass achievement in just 2D. It's still damn impressive, still going to have the best CGI to date and still make the SW prequels look weaker.
Say what you will about Cameron's writing, his directing was good. He put it all together and made it work for what it is. And it has to be a little bit more challenging directing things in a warehouse and people in silly jumpsuits.

 

[FQRizzo]

I disagree. People are going to it twice not just because of the 3D. Some people missed seeing it in 3D the first time and were convinced they had to see it in 3D as well. Others watched it in digital 3d and were told they had to see it in IMAX since the 3D effect was 10 times better. Both of those reasons have made lots of people go again. Furthermore those people had to have liked the story as well.. It's a win win for Cameron.

You almost conflict yourself in the same paragraph, but you use the story argument to save yourself. Personally, I don't see how because they are seeing the movie again, they had to of liked the story. What if they are like me and think that the story is just merely an adequate vehicle for the special effects?

 

[IrishJedi]

Avatar fans are the new Twilight fans.

True Avatards are worse... because it only took them about 2-3 weeks to take the crown of lamest fanbase ever, surpassing some that have been around for nearly 40 years. It really is as incredible as the film's financial success itself.

 

[Bannister]

And Avatar opened on less than half of the 7000 screens in the US that you're claiming. Might want to doublecheck your stats.

I am not sure on this but when they say a movie opens on 3000 screens or whatever, I think they actually mean theatres showing it, so that can equate to 7000 actual screens.

 

[DinoLast]

True Avatards are worse... because it only took them about 2-3 weeks to take the crown of lamest fanbase ever, surpassing some that have been around for nearly 40 years. It really is as incredible as the film's financial success itself.

But will these people have the staying power of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who fans? Maybe they are flyby night and will cling on to the next big thing that will come along?

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

If by "laughable comparison" you mean that Avatar is on track to sell more tickets domestically for its first full run than GWTW then yes, you're correct. I've posted links showing that Avatar is currently sitting at 17 million in 1939 dollars compared to GWTW's 20. You want to refute it then post an actual link stating otherwise.

I find it amusing that its okay to include numbers for population growth of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's when they pad GWTW's rerelease earnings but its taboo when the same growth favors a modern film. And Avatar opened on less than half of the 7000 screens in the US that you're claiming. Might want to doublecheck your stats.

If Avatar's success upsets you then feel free to avoid all comparisons other than "which movie has sold more tickets over a 70 year period." Because yes, in that case the 70 year old movie wins. For now....

most theaters show the big movies on more than 1 screen

 

[IrishJedi]

I am not sure on this but when they say a movie opens on 3000 screens or whatever, I think they actually mean theatres showing it, so that can equate to 7000 actual screens.

That is correct.

But will these people have the staying power of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who fans? Maybe they are flyby night and will cling on to the next big thing that will come along?

And that would make them even worse.