Very cliche, but extremely powerful and emotionally gripping movie. The careful manipulation of the audience - mostly just through visuals - is really impressive.
The film is largely one awful, tired Hollywood cliché after another. The messages are paper-thin and all the characters are poorly-drawn. There's a lot of laughable dialogue. And frankly, the effects really didn't wow me. I guess the hype got to me, but I thought it would look more realistic. Nonetheless, I'm not a total stick-in-the-mud, and there were moments where I was engaged and enjoying the spectacle. If the effects aren't all they're cracked up to be, they're still impressive.
Can one movie change the 'collective consciousness' of a New World Generation? ...Let's hope so! - Check your cynicism at the door, and open your hearts young ones! The only Pandora there is, is the one we're all riding on! It's not too late!
Although this is a good film, it is not that far above average. It looks great, for sure, but in terms of storytelling is frankly absent compared to Cameron's older Titanic. The visual spectacle combined with Stephen Langs hillarious and brilliant character make it worth seeing at the cinema, but if you can't see it 3D, you might as well not bother. See Star Trek instead. Same year, way better.
The story line is ok, however this is the first 3D film i have seen which is why it gets a good score. Without the 3D, i doubt I would have been as impressed...
It wouldn't be fair to dismiss this movie as all style, no substance. The style is unmistakeable and visually arresting, but the substance is terrible. Sort of like Michaelangelo's David, if it were made from human waste.
Essentially a remake of Pocahontas with a less childish (depending upon your point of view, of course) approach. Thoroughly enjoyable, Avatar is an amazing cinematic masterpiece despite some lack of plot line originality. What it lacks in originality in plot it makes up for in originality of species and the wonders of Pandora.
Impressive space opera, with fantastic visuals (and CGI people who deftly avoid the uncanny valley) and some of the most exciting big battle scenes since the Lord of the Rings trilogy. After years of sci-fi being either gritty and brown or sterile and grey it was nice to see some primary colors injected back into the genre. The gratuitous voiceover narration is the only real weakness. Between Avatar, Star Trek, District 9, and Moon, 2009 has been a really exciting year for cinematic sci-fi.
This movie is visually impressive. I saw it a the IMAX in 3D, and I defy anyone to not be blown away at the acheivement by Cameron and his crew. However, the story does lag a fair bit behind in satisfaction. I want to make clear that it is not a bad storyline. The script is good, solid and exciting. But it is not spectacular. The movie follows a fun, but predictable path. One thing for sure, you will not walk away thinking this was not a groundbreaking movie.
Mistakes - 1) You can see a character's eyes twitching when the character is supposed to be dead. 2) When a blanket is pulled over a character, the top of the blanket is folded, but in the next shot of the blanket, the blanket is completely flat.
I would rate this 100 for the beautifully done 3D effects but watching this on the smaller screen after viewing on 3D leave a lot to be desired. Good casting and makeup effects. Recommended!
Avatar is something truly unique in this day of film. It is spectacle that comes to life on the big screen. Cameron has created a visionary, immersion world that you actually feel for. Despite the poor dialogue, weak character development and the numerous of ideas Cameron "borrowed" from many others, Avatar is the ultimate popcorn flick.
A very pretty film. Saw it in 2D. If I have to watch it in 3D to appreciate it, that just makes it worse. This is film, not photography. Other than the visuals, this is a very average movie. Not Cameron's best. Considering how many other films and books it seems to have "borrowed" from, you think they could have done a better job. Definitely does not deserve to be the highest grossing movie of all-time.
At first it was a great experience, however upon reflecting on the movie, problems arise and you start to get pissed. How did Cameron take 10 years to make such predictable recycled plot? Everywhere there's a cliche. James Cameron is lucky because some actors did a great job (mostly Zoe Saldana). However, it is a mediocre movie and most of the hype comes from marketing (you can't fool me twice, Cameron). After you wipe all the glitter from your eyes it boils to a cash machine.
May not be 100% original, or feature amazing dialogue, but is definitely the greatest cinematic achievement to date. Impressive on a scale beyond anything else produced this year or before.