The phenomenon that is Avatar.....
I was reluctant to see this film. I am not into sci-fi romances (which I am SURE that I have mentioned before :) ), and I guess that I am prideful enough where if everyone on the planet is telling me to do something, I just REFUSE! I have been wrong before, and will surely be again. And I am happy to say, that I was completely wrong regarding this film as well. This ambitious and detailed film is a visual masterpiece. What an amazing undertaking by James Cameron! We have seen him bite off quite a bit before, but nothing this expansive and impressive. I was blown away by the immense scope that was this movie. I can't even begin to imagine the work and effort it took by many hundreds of people to pull this off, it truly is like nothing I have ever seen before! Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect. But it definitely was a movie that continued to run in my head over and over even after the ending credits. And in 3D, fabulous! I don't think I have seen a 3D movie since Captain EO (yikes! I sure do date myself with that one), and I was stunned!!! Watching the movie in 3D was just as good as seeing my husband with those humongous glasses on for 3 hours! :)
Let's start with the not-so-good....
I didn't think that the storyline running throughout this film was completely believable. Don't get me wrong, I understand that life on other planets, etc isn't supposed to be completely realistic. But putting that aside, I felt like we have just seen this plot many times before. Nothing original with the main relationship storyline except the planet and species. However, I did find myself relating to an alien species in some way, and even cried for them and their race, so I guess I can't call it completely unbelievable. Though I do I wonder how much of that was the visual aspect.
The great......
The actors were amazing, well picked, and believable in their roles. The detail of the set, special effects, and cinematography was fantastic! The movie was so completely detailed down to the way the main characters legs looked in a wheelchair that I could not find anything distracting from the entire film while watching. And that is a good sign! Usually I get caught up on "that isn't supposed to be there" or "they didn't show it that way earlier".
Another great, the visual effects were FABULOUS!!!! I could not believe my eyes at times. The entire world surrounding this alien race was well thought out and planned. Each piece impressed me more then that last, and I found myself just staring with my mouth open half the time at the beauty that was created on screen. I especially loved the "floating mountains" and the entire story surrounding them. What an inventive idea and execution! This scenery is nothing like we have ever seen before. I have no idea how they would create it, but they sure did it wonderfully.
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana both had an epic performance. Each, in their own way, played their part exceptionally well. I was most impressed by the emotion that Saldana showed throughout the film. Truthfully, I was not expecting that from her. I have seen Saldana in movies past, and have not been that impressed. I have been proven wrong. She WAS this alien character, in every way. Again, I am stumped at how she was able to act so emotionally with all of that make-up and get-up on, but she did an amazing job.
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana both had an epic performance. Each, in their own way, played their part exceptionally well. I was most impressed by the emotion that Saldana showed throughout the film. Truthfully, I was not expecting that from her. I have seen Saldana in movies past, and have not been that impressed. I have been proven wrong. She WAS this alien character, in every way. Again, I am stumped at how she was able to act so emotionally with all of that make-up and get-up on, but she did an amazing job.Mostly, I was impressed with Worthington. I had not seen him in movies past, and was anxious about that for some reason. But, he completely shocked me (in a good way!) throughout this entire emotional roller coaster. He seemed to embody Jake Sully, both in human and Avatar form. I could feel his angst and emotional ties to both sides, and truly felt for him.
Overall, James Cameron put together a fabulous and perfectly picked cast that made up Avatar, and he did a terrific job. I think that every actor was cast in a perfect role, one that would make them shine through each and every scene.
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I truly adored this movie, and can't wait to see it again. I have to give it my highest rating, a 1 diaper day, FABULOUS! I would like to close with what a fellow viewer has said...."It is the experience, more than the story, that's worth celebrating here". I completely agree.
