Avatar
When a guy says that he is going to cover the biggest blockbusters and biggest flops of all times he can’t really escape reviewing the single biggest moneymaker of all time. The amount of money that this beast racked in is nothing short of amazing. Now, I am not sure how much I can say about Avatar that has not already been covered, covered again and then talked about some more, but here we go.
First, you and I both know that there was no real story. If you want to pretend that there was a story, then fine, but seriously. South Park nailed it-Dances With Wolves Meets The Smurfs. From a script perspective everything in Avatar has been seen or done somewhere else and a lot at that. That does not mean that the movie does not have value and did not break new ground but this is one fluffy piece of work. Most of the major script points seemed as though they had been taken right out of a role playing game from the mid-1990s. It difficult to understand why there was no more originality infused into this flick, maybe in the forty-five sequels that will no doubt follow.
Technically Avatar is impressive, very impressive. Yet, in the screening I attended there is little doubt that the technology has a way to go. Yes, it was the best 3D most people have seen, but you definitely lose some brightness in the process and for me that was a bit of downer.
As with so many big-budget extravaganzas the real genius were the armies of visual effects people that infused life into James Cameron’s role playing/comic book script. While everyone dumps the praise on Cameron not too many people are acknowledging that the visual effects people were the ones that carried the day. The visual effects burden was pretty darn heavy in this film.
Budget, budget, budget. Its hard to get the real number for the budget on this one, but its probably around $250 million or more and that is not factoring in the considerable advertising. If you’ve read my reviews before then you know I am all about the money; is the dollar on the screen? Ultimately what is on the screen is pretty impressive, but seriously is it worth $250 million or perhaps $300 million dollars? No matter how much one loved this film that should be a debated point for any thinking person. Those are massive, massive numbers and honestly I am not sure, no matter what the hype says, that those dollars show up on the screen.
But credit should be given where credit is due. Avatar is an amazing ride. The visuals are incredible and at times the 3D is a treat and hints at what might someday be possible. If you didn’t see this film in the theaters and you watch it on Blu-Ray or god help you DVD, you will really be confused by all the fuss. Without the successful 3D the lack of script would have been much more obvious and the visuals would have seemed much more in line with what we had seen in other science-fiction blockbusters. Now if you are thinking that I am going to give Avatar a bad grade there is no way. However, what would have really impressed me would have been had Avatar been made for half the price tag. That would have seemed like a more impressive breakthrough.
Story C+ (Come on now, be honest, you know this story was pretty recycled stuff.)
Acting B (Overall the acting is good. Some of the lines are extremely difficult to take seriously, but that’s not the fault of the actors.)
Visuals A+ (A+ grades are rare, but Avatar earned it.)
Originality/Innovation A+ (Avatar really made the most out of 3D. The fact that Avatar will be most people’s first experience with this new generation of 3D means that this movie will always be burned into their mushy little minds.)
Enjoyability Grade A (Despite the primitive and frankly, at moments, silly script, Avatar is a great ride.)
Home Theater/HD Factor A+ (A grade of A+ if you watch in 3D and in high-def.)
Overall Grade A
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