James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[KAOSINLA]

New trailer looks really good...I don't really have a problem with the CG because it's consistent, unlike SW. However, I don't think this is going to be a revolution in movie making, just an advancement.

Actually, what I'm more concerned about is the storyline. As of now, it looks predictable and something unoriginal and overused.

 

[karamazov80]

Motion capture has been used for years in film and video games with varying levels of success. You can do motion capture and still look really fake and/or cheesy, as these characters do.

As for the idea that artists get better with age, it is pretty common knowledge that artists tend to peak early and slope downward after that. There are exceptions, but there are exceptions to any rule. It isn't so much a failure to adapt usually, as the fact that artists lose whatever it is that initially drove them to create in the first place. Cameron may well avoid this trap (some might argue that Titanic was better than Terminator, for instance, though I would not), but most won't.

Failing to listen to critical input often leads to bad judgment. It happens in every facet of life. I'm referring to Cameron, btw, not you, lightwave

 

[lightwave000]

New trailer looks really good...I don't really have a problem with the CG because it's consistent, unlike SW. However, I don't think this is going to be a revolution in movie making, just an advancement.

Actually, what I'm more concerned about is the storyline. As of now, it looks predictable and something unoriginal and overused.

Motion capture has been used for years in film and video games with varying levels of success. You can do motion capture and still look really fake and/or cheesy, as these characters do.

As for the idea that artists get better with age, it is pretty common knowledge that artists tend to peak early and slope downward after that. There are exceptions, but there are exceptions to any rule. It isn't so much a failure to adapt usually, as the fact that artists lose whatever it is that initially drove them to create in the first place. Cameron may well avoid this trap (some might argue that Titanic was better than Terminator, for instance, though I would not), but most won't.

Failing to listen to critical input often leads to bad judgment. It happens in every facet of life. I'm referring to Cameron, btw, not you, lightwave

We will just have to agree to disagree

 

[lightwave000]

Have you guys watched this featurette?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwExjfhE2io

 

[lightwave000]

Another trailer someone cut together with most all the scenes from the different tv spots, trailers, and featurette from around the work. Not crazy about all their music selection for the vid but shows more scenes I would bet many of you have yet to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y35kq3H0ISc

A tv spot with new scenes!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXPoQenVQxI

 

[Red]

Actually, what I'm more concerned about is the storyline. As of now, it looks predictable and something unoriginal and overused.

Yeah thats my main concern also but if the film has heart hopefully it will live up to its potential.


Few more clips.

Japanese Avatar Trailer and a TV Spot.

https://screenrant.com/japanese-avata...pot-rob-33507/



Thanks guys for the previous clips.

 

[cr`]

New trailer looks really good...I don't really have a problem with the CG because it's consistent, unlike SW. However, I don't think this is going to be a revolution in movie making, just an advancement.

sorry, had to break my vow and chime in a bit. when A list directors like jackson, spielberg, soderberg, cuaron are converting to 3D because of what they saw from avatar, when even the head of rival studio(sony; avatar is fox) like amy pascal said that avatar could "change the world", when we see significant jump in numbers of 3D screens from last year just for this film, you better believe that is a revolution.

whether the film will live up to the expectation is up to anyone's guess at this point, but the mere fact that the film EXISTS is already causing a revolution.

Actually, what I'm more concerned about is the storyline. As of now, it looks predictable and something unoriginal and overused.

when you look back at cameron's entire filmography, you wont find anything terribly original about his concepts and plots. his most successful movie to date is even a story that's been made into movies many times before. but when his titanic showed up, did anybody care about all the previous versions? does anyone now? his version is THE version as far as historians and moviebuffs are concerned now. he puts new spin and adds new details to familiar story that makes it new and fresh everytime. have faith. the guy doesnt know how to make a bad movie.

 

[gabberjawa]

Dude just knows how to execute.

Props.

 

[cr`]

As for the idea that artists get better with age, it is pretty common knowledge that artists tend to peak early and slope downward after that. There are exceptions, but there are exceptions to any rule. It isn't so much a failure to adapt usually, as the fact that artists lose whatever it is that initially drove them to create in the first place. Cameron may well avoid this trap (some might argue that Titanic was better than Terminator, for instance, though I would not), but most won't.

Failing to listen to critical input often leads to bad judgment. It happens in every facet of life. I'm referring to Cameron, btw, not you, lightwave

your concern is warranted. i understand the lucas syndrome. however... banking $100 million on a new star wars movie, and banking $200 million on a romantic period drama about a sinking ship that's widely known already, entail two completely different kind of mindset. the former project takes zero risk(hey, everybody loves starwars!), the later takes absolutely monumental risk. that shows you the difference between the two men. practically everyone at that time told cameron not to go ahead with the project. you think he listened to them?

he thrives when he listens to his own ego and no one else. he proved it many times before, dont see any reason to start doubting him now.

 

[KAOSINLA]

sorry, had to break my vow and chime in a bit. when A list directors like jackson, spielberg, soderberg, cuaron are converting to 3D because of what they saw from avatar, when even the head of rival studio(sony; avatar is fox) like amy pascal said that avatar could "change the world", when we see significant jump in numbers of 3D screens from last year just for this film, you better believe that is a revolution.

whether the film will live up to the expectation is up to anyone's guess at this point, but the mere fact that the film EXISTS is already causing a revolution.

Expectations and results are two seperate enitities. I really hope that it's a dramatic improvement in film making, but there's no guarantee it will be. How the general public adapts to 3 hrs of 3d glasses wearing in a theater is unknown. I think a real revolution would be how 3d is experienced - innovation without glasses maybe?

when you look back at cameron's entire filmography, you wont find anything terribly original about his concepts and plots. his most successful movie to date is even a story that's been made into movies many times before. but when his titanic showed up, did anybody care about all the previous versions? does anyone now? his version is THE version as far as historians and moviebuffs are concerned now. he puts new spin and adds new details to familiar story that makes it new and fresh everytime. have faith. the guy doesnt know how to make a bad movie.

Regarding the storyline, what I've seen so far leads me to expect:

evil military/humans/corporations
vs.
natives/environment/environmentalists

&

Man sees errors of his ways and turns sides

I have no problem with the concept being taken from previous short stories/novellas/and etc. and improved upon. However, we're inundated through media w/ this environmental issue and the latter is a common storyline.

I'm eagerly awaiting the CG and FX rather than the story, so far.

 

[lightwave000]

First off, props to cr' and gabberjawa- Well stated.

Second, the 3D alone in this film is revolutionary. The fusion cam captures 3D images the way the human eye would interpret it. The lenses and camera itself mimmick the human eyes. The lenses are spaced apart and move together and apart to focus foreground and background like we would.

This creates a better 3d experience without the eye strain of the past. If it didn't people would get headaches after that much time. I would suggest doing some research on the 3D methods in this film so you can be up to date with the way the trend of 3D is going.

Journey to the Center of the Earth used it but they played around with the depth and elements the cam captured.

But just so you know-This isn't the typical 3D experience. That is reason enough for your A list directors to want to use it as a tool in their future movies.

What people don't seem to be grasping about 3D is that you dont have to see it in 3D. If you like it thats great. It can put you in the story and make the experience more fun. But Avatar will be in 2d as well because there will always be some that just wanna see a movie like they always have and not all theaters are equipped. 3D without glasses may happen in our lifetime but I dont predict it to be anytime soon.

As far as the plot and storyline, EVERYTHING has been done one way or another. At least some element of any project. Star Wars is an example. Lucas took from numerous serials from the 20s-40s. WW1 &2- And even themes from the Bible and philosophy. When one makes the argument that this is yet another copy of something else I have a hard time understanding that. Nobody can say a film has been packaged the way this one is. Elements are used from other things but unless this movie was an exact replica of something else- Stop saying dances with wolves in space. Dances with wolves was on earth...not pandora...lol

Heck, even if this project was copying numerous ideas or elements from previous films-I would have to say the way this is packaged is a lot more appealing to me than those ever were. It should be a fun 3hr ride in any case.

Thats my rant for the day....lol.

 

[lightwave000]

BTW, Very happy to say that Sideshow has officially announced the Edition size of the AVATAR AMP Maquette is set at only 500 pieces. For the price I'm glad they set it that low rather than 1000. Adds some prestige to the piece since this is a film that will be seen by millions.

 

[Sachiel]

Millions??

BILLIONS!!!!!

 

[Bannister]

Millions??

BILLIONS!!!!!

 

[lightwave000]

FAFILLIONS!!!

 

[Bonehead15]

As I've stated earlier in this thread, I can't wait to see this movie.

I don't think though that it's going to even come close to the hype that they are trying to make for it. It could very well go down as one of the biggest failures due to the exaggerated hype. We'll just have to wait and see.

Critics are calling this the movie of the decade.

What are you reading Mad magazine? I read the same thing from Cameron's website.

Dark Knight was good and it had the whole Heath Ledger thing going for it. But its one of those movies I can't really see more than once. I can't get over Christian Bales gruff voice. It gets far too embarrassing after a while. Avatar will lend itself to multiple viewings simply because there is so much in it. I watched the trailer several times and found something new each time. I like movies like that.

Implying that there isn't much in TDK.

Actually, what I'm more concerned about is the storyline. As of now, it looks predictable and something unoriginal and overused.

Agreed. You can almost figure the entire story just from the trailer. If the movie is really that straight forward, then the CGI is going to have to be spectacular so everyone can focus on that instead of the subpar plot.

 

[cr`]

Expectations and results are two seperate enitities. I really hope that it's a dramatic improvement in film making, but there's no guarantee it will be. How the general public adapts to 3 hrs of 3d glasses wearing in a theater is unknown. I think a real revolution would be how 3d is experienced - innovation without glasses maybe?

how the general public would adapt to a 3 hours of sinking ship movie was anyone's guess too 12 years ago. you give the public something spectacular, they WILL adapt. glasses or no glasses.

the real revolution is how the perception of depth is enhanced in telling a story in film. what this film is trying to do is to blur the fourth wall between the screen and the audience, so that the character on the screen will essentially become the audience's avatar to that virtual world on the screen(hence the double meaning of the film's title). and this more immersive way of experiencing a story is the revolution.

Regarding the storyline, what I've seen so far leads me to expect:

Agreed. You can almost figure the entire story just from the trailer. If the movie is really that straight forward, then the CGI is going to have to be spectacular so everyone can focus on that instead of the subpar plot.

"so far" being the operative word. like i said, have faith, guys.

 

[uscmhicks]

the real revolution is how the perception of depth is enhanced in telling a story in film. what this film is trying to do is to blur the fourth wall between the screen and the audience, so that the character on the screen will become the audience's avatar to that virtual world on the screen(hence the double meaning of the film's title). and this more immersive way of experiencing a story is the revolution.

That about sums up why this is going to rock and why James Cameron is awesome.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Just saw the trailer in 3D with Christmas Carol - was pretty impressive - I had thought about catching it in 3D, but I think I'll have to now. However the 3D really emphasized the "fakeness" of it. Even the liveaction sequences looked like CG animation.

 

[galactiboy]

I saw a longer trailer for this yesterday... and it did seem more interesting than past ones. I'm still not super excited about the movie (seems like it could go very wrong) but I'll still check it out.