James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[Sithlord1975]

It's only made about 73 million so far this weekend. Although I guess that's good and for a December release, for me it just sounds too low for something that should have grossed an insane of money.
It just sucks. You'd think a movie with James Cameron's name on it, an action sci-fi movie, amazing visuals and mass appeal to males and teenage boys, that this would have done even better.

 

[The Ween]

It's only made about 73 million so far this weekend. Although I guess that's good and for a December release, for me it just sounds too low for something that should have grossed an insane of money.
It just sucks. You'd think a movie with James Cameron's name on it, an action sci-fi movie, amazing visuals and mass appeal to males and teenage boys, that this would have done even better.

Alot of the US is having terrible snow and people can't get out. Especially in the east. This would affect it. In someplaces people aren't allowed to drive because of, not inches of snow, but FEET!

It has nothing to do with not appealing to women. It's just bad timing. I think in the long run it will do great.

 

[uzumaki_1]

SPOILER FREE MINI REVIEW

Okay I've just come back from Birmingham (UK) from my first showing of Avatar. Man I have no words for this film. Everything you see...the story....dialouge...characters...score...visuals....basically everything in the film is just out of this world !!! A lot of people said the story sounds predictable and so fourth...yes the story is predictable but when you put together the world, characters and situations that Mr. Cameron has created then it just works and your sucked in from the very first second you see the film. About the 3D aspect of the film. I was quite surprised about how "in your face" it wasn't. I don't know why but it didn't seem as immersive as I thought it would, dont get me wrong there were times where it felt like "you were there" but not as much as I hoped for. Mr. Cameron may have toned down the amount of 3D effect you get but thats no problem at all because in my opinion this film is no gimmick for 3D whatsoever. If it had been released in 2D then it would have still got the hype it deserves up until now. People who have still to watch it I urge you to go and see it, you will be satisfied....I guarantee it !!! As am not spoiling the film I cannot say anything more as there is a ton of reasons why this film just kicks ass !!! When you do go see the film all I can say is "You're not in Kansas anymore-- you're on PANDORA!"

 

[azurepred]

Well I was going to see Avatar again tonight, but it was sold out! All my friends got in, but naturally I was the first person turned away. I guess that's good, though. Means Avatar might not be doing so badly.

I went to a theatre and saw this and there couldnt have been more than 20 people in the theatre, I was very suprised..........no rain either yesterday

 

[Deckard]

It's only made about 73 million so far this weekend. Although I guess that's good and for a December release, for me it just sounds too low for something that should have grossed an insane of money.
It just sucks. You'd think a movie with James Cameron's name on it, an action sci-fi movie, amazing visuals and mass appeal to males and teenage boys, that this would have done even better.

We've got 2 feet of snow up and down the east coast, malls are closed, I still can't get out of my driveway.

This movie will suffer as will holiday shopping outlets as yesterday would have been their biggest shopping day. (Last saturday b4 christmas)

I think alot of people just stayed home and watched the Hangover or Inglorious Basterds instead.

 

[meth head]

SPOILER FREE MINI REVIEW

Okay I've just come back from Birmingham (UK) from my first showing of Avatar. Man I have no words for this film. Everything you see...the story....dialouge...characters...score...visuals....basically everything in the film is just out of this world !!! A lot of people said the story sounds predictable and so fourth...yes the story is predictable but when you put together the world, characters and situations that Mr. Cameron has created then it just works and your sucked in from the very first second you see the film. About the 3D aspect of the film. I was quite surprised about how "in your face" it wasn't. I don't know why but it didn't seem as immersive as I thought it would, dont get me wrong there were times where it felt like "you were there" but not as much as I hoped for. Mr. Cameron may have toned down the amount of 3D effect you get but thats no problem at all because in my opinion this film is no gimmick for 3D whatsoever. If it had been released in 2D then it would have still got the hype it deserves up until now. People who have still to watch it I urge you to go and see it, you will be satisfied....I guarantee it !!! As am not spoiling the film I cannot say anything more as there is a ton of reasons why this film just kicks ass !!! When you do go see the film all I can say is "You're not in Kansas anymore-- you're on PANDORA!"

I am going to Birmingham UK tomorrow morning to see it

 

[Darklord Dave]

i agree that people will be re-evaluating their opinion of the movie down the line. but where my opinion differs is that it will be the ones who were so in love with the film's technical marvels that will be left feeling a little cold once the shock of the new has worn off. once u strip away the visual brilliance of avatar, what's left is the story and characters. and while certain characters (neytiri) are wholly engaging and easy to empathise with, the story's shortcomings will seem all the more glaring, in time. of course, it won't be a compete bore to watch, but i suspect neither will avatar have as much repeat viewing appeal as cameron's other classics like the terminator saga or aliens. those films had great visuals (for their time), PLUS they were filled with a plethora of memorable characters, quotable dialogue and powerful character moments. avatar doesn't have anything remotely close to classic lines like "game over, man!", "i'll be back", etc.

don't get me wrong. i'm not slagging avatar off. i'm just saying this film overall is not among cameron's best work. and we can't see that right now. the reason it's been playing so well with critics and audiences alike is that we've all (myself included) been dazzled and seduced by the amazing spectacle. on that level at least, cameron brought his A game and gave us more than our money's worth. and which is way more than most of the action/sci-fi films of 2009 have done.





i say, we see what we want to see. this fella sees racism and bigotry, fine. it simply reflects his worldview. i see an allegory too. but an allegory about man's dichotomous relationship with mother nature. destructive on one hand, protective on the other. (the military vs a guy who goes "native"). i'm sure each of u will have your own respective take-out. to each his own.

I really don't think that I'm blinded by the sense of the new or was overwhelmed by the visuals. I was engaged into the characters and story as well and I think that over time people will become inured to the visuals and will realize they liked the film for other reasons too.

I agree it's not an original story at all, and I thought going into it that there are so many great sci-fi novels out there - couldn't this kind of money be spent telling one of those stories. But film is a completely different medium than books, something that works on the page, doesn't always work on the stage. And what Cameron has created is a sci-fi entertainment that utilizes his medium perfectly and has been designed specifically for that arena.

As for the racist guy - sure all the Na'vi were played by ethnic actors - but if Sully had been played by Will Smith (and he easily could have been) his argument would go out the window. It's less about race than about culture and a culture that has lost touch with the natural world clashing with a culture that hasn't. Who is better to lead a people against an enemy than someone who used to be that enemy and thinks like they do and knows their motivations?

 

[darthviper107]

It's interesting, although it didn't quite do as well for the weekend as they were expecting (likely because of snowstorms) since the release it's made more than twice overseas than what it has in the U.S.

 

[Riko]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

indeed: if avatar is a succes Cameron wants to plan 2 sequals and he already has a good idea of the scripts.

+ he said he would give more attention to the story itself....OE YEAH! I must say, I want some more avatar action.

It's been since last week that I saw it, and I had to let things settle down to make a final judgment besides the obvious (average story but awsome visuals) and the overall feeling is that this is indeed a movie that keeps on lingering on

So I say, bring the sequels Mr. Cameron!

 

[Sithlord1975]

Yeah I forgot about the crappy weather on the east. And at least in total with overseas, it has made like over 230 million or something. So that is good. And word of mouth is good too with people coming out of the theatre, so maybe it will have some legs.

Looking forward to my 2nd viewing!

 

[Bannister]

It's only made about 73 million so far this weekend. Although I guess that's good and for a December release, for me it just sounds too low for something that should have grossed an insane of money.
It just sucks. You'd think a movie with James Cameron's name on it, an action sci-fi movie, amazing visuals and mass appeal to males and teenage boys, that this would have done even better.

That is actually pretty damn good for a 3 hour non established franchise movie. If it has little to no drop next weekend it will be in good shape. If it drops 40% or more, I don't see it hitting $300 million. A 40% drop would normally be pretty good, but since next weekend is a holiday it really needs little to no drop in box office. I wouldn't consider it a disappointment box office wise until we see what it makes next week.

 

[uzumaki_1]

I am going to Birmingham UK tomorrow morning to see it

lol just seen that ur from leicestershire as well...yeah your defo gonna love it...am going again sometime next week for my 2nd showing. Gonna have to go to Showcase De lux on the digital 3d projectors though...wonder if the 3D effect will be any less than the IMAX version. P.S. dnt know about monday crowd but it was ram packed when we got there for the 10:15 morning showing !!!

 

[The Ween]

I won't be able to see it till probably Christmas day if then.

 

[meth head]

lol just seen that ur from leicestershire as well...yeah your defo gonna love it...am going again sometime next week for my 2nd showing. Gonna have to go to Showcase De lux on the digital 3d projectors though...wonder if the 3D effect will be any less than the IMAX version. P.S. dnt know about monday crowd but it was ram packed when we got there for the 10:15 morning showing !!!

I am hoping most folks will be at work ha ha cant wait mate, first time for the imax for me so really looking forward to it. I will then no doubt do the same as you and check it on 3d screen at the de lux. Cool man yeah i am only 5 miles or so from the city centre

 

[Voorhees27]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

IMAX is sold out until tomorrow

 

[Shai]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

going to see it wednesday.will give my long awaited review right after.

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

I'm going to watch it Wednesday as well..In 3D

No IMAX anywhere near me
Can anybody say direct (visual, as I know it's the same movie cut) difference between "regular" 3D and IMAX version of the move.
And is it better to watch it 2D or "regular" 3D?

 

[rivera2171]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

Just saw it today and it is every bit as incredible as all of the hype and previous posts.Simply an amazing movie! Bar none!

 

[Darren Carnall]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

saw this today. Holy effing hell!!

Beautiful, immersive, dramatic, action packed, emotional.... and with the most detailed, realistic, believable, living, breathing, and jaw droppingly beautiful alien planet EVER. Oh, and the Na'vi? They're real. They act. They emote. You feel you can touch them. Just incredible that they're not actors in makeup.

I don't feel like I watched a film about an alien world for three hours, I feel like I went there for 3 hours. Just incredible.

I'll be going back to see this several times, at least once will be IMAX. I can't get over how action packed, dramatic and HUGE everything felt.... yet most of what had me literally with my jaw open, or literally breathless, was this beautifuilly designed (and fully realised) world... the colours, the detail, the sounds.... just... it's actually hard to find words that describe how much I felt like I was there!!

Wow. Just Wow!

(it's not the most complex, or wholly original story ever... bits of pocahontas, dances with wolves, return of the jedi, aliens... and a few others... but it doesn't MATTER. You're drawn in to an extent that I can only ever feeling anything remotely close during Jurassic Park (first one) and the LOTR films for the scale and beauty of the battles. But honestly? this is those times 1,000. at least.

 

[Shropt]

Just came back from the movie. I loved it and it's simply the best movie I've seen in a LOOOOOONG time. I understand what everyone means when they say the film feels like Star Wars and LOTR where this world just seems so real and natural.

Also, this film needs a subtitle.

AVATAR : Blue Alien Sideboob