Avatar (2009)

It was a matter of time till I saw this, and I've been resisting the hype, but I saw it over the week-end, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Now to get things straight. I like James Cameron. He is a decent filmmaker, and he makes movies that are very impressive to see. Avatar doesn't disappoint in this arena. The images are stunning, and the story itself, though simplistic, is well written.

I've head a lot of criticism about it being a tree hugging liberal type of movie. Where man is the enemy. For those who believe that type of clap trap keep watching Fox, and please stay at home. It's a MOVIE! Star Wars was just as simplistic, and no one spouted political triads about that movie. Maybe it was something to do with fighting the big bad Empire. I don't know and I don't care. Avatar is a story, and a pretty good story. There are some things that the filmmaker put in the story that can be a attributed to the problems we face here on earth, but Cameron doesn't hit us over the head with it. Those elements are part of the story. It works, and it works very effectively.

Now I was thinking I should just see this film in 2-D, and skip the 3-D thing. I'm not a big fan on the gimmick, but if your of the same thought I have to say DON'T! I saw the film in 3-D IMAX, and the film rocked. Cameron doesn't use the cheesy coming at you mentality. The 3-D effect is part of the image, and the images are breath taking. We are on a new planet and everything is vibrant, and strange. The 3-D effect enhances it all, and it does so in the most spectacular ways.

I don't want to say too much about Avatar's Oscar nominations, but now that the Oscars nominations have come out I really think some of the performers here in this film have been robbed. Stephen Lang does a great acting job as Colonel Miles Quaritch. Zoe Saldana does a magnificent job as Neytir, and the performances by Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, and Laz Alonso all do the film justice. I don't know what the Academy is thinking with not nominating these fine thespians. Yes they may be an effect, but the camera recorded there performances. Maybe a bit differently then usually but all the same they were recorded none the less, and the effect doesn't denigrate their performances.

The whole film is masterfully put together, and one that is well made. Cameron brings film making into the 21st century, and does so with a very interesting and thought provoking film. If I had any advice to give I would say go see it in the theater. You will be impressed by the visuals and pretty taken aback by it.

Movies are escapism, and Avatar doesn't disappoint.