no doubt while rocketsjudoka is on his internet geek w/access to wikipedia frenzy I'm surprised that he missed the fact that unobtainium is a real (albiet tongue-in-cheek) term. for those with a science background it's was fairly obvious that Cameron naming his Mcguffin unobtainium is about as clear a statement as he could make saying "listen dont worry too much about this stuff that's not what the movie is about" it doesn't really matter what the stuff is, it's just a plot device. just like the the magnetic field disrupting target locks and floating mountains are devices to set up the final battle. science fiction is fantasy, even the idea that human DNA and Navi DNA is compatible is scientifically impossible, just as is faster than light travel. Spoiler scientific elements like the Avatar Project, floating mountains, etc are not meant to be literal science any more than the planet being alive is Cameron's literal statement on religion.
i thought the same thing. watched it last wednesday and while i heard from a lady at my hair dresser that she thought it was boring but she went b/c her husband likes sci-fi movies and i heard from another lady that the plot wasn't good. i had pretty low expectations even tho the previews were captivating. i absolutely loved the movie. agreed that the plot is not groundbreaking and pretty run of the mill but the graphics, 3D, no slow parts of the movie, etc....it was very well done and i enjoyed it.
If you redbox it, you're going to miss out on the 3D effects, and the IMAX experience which MADE the movie, IMO. I think this is one for the theatres, and the theatres alone.
Totally agree, this movie is one that has to be seen on the big screen in 3D otherwise you don't get the full effect.
The movie holds up on it's own...but you do yourself a tremendous disservice if you don't see it at least once on IMAX.
Yes I understand the term was toungue and cheek, like "adamantium", that said I still found it groan inducing. The best science fiction walks a fine line between what might be plausible or and what totally requires a suspension of disbelief. In general great science fiction does the best at sucking you in so you suspend your belief, such as in Star Trek II that a single Genesis device can create a whole new planet with life. When things like story start faltering thats when it becomes harder to suspend your belief in things such as in Star Trek V that overweight Captain Kirk can free climb Halfdome. So yes I understand Pandora and its floating mountains aren't meant to be taken literally but given that the plot is basically rehashed Dances with Wolves with few surprises I find things like that more noticable. In the case of Cameron this is more noticeable in that his view of Sci-Fi is less the Lucas, there is no relationship with our reality, and more about this is what could be the not so distant future. Finally I fully admit to being a science and science fiction geek so I am naturally curious about how things like floating mountains might actually exist.
good point. if it wasnt for the 3D, it wouldve been a mediocre movie, but if you dont care for the 3D or IMAX, redbox it
I think the visuals would stand on it's own without the 3D. The motion capture and skin textures and forests etc are just visually stunning. Once it comes out on BluRay I think a lot of it will transfer. And then 3D home TVs will not be far off. They've already said that's why they're going to 240Hz TVs, so you can have 120 per eye.
Headed to the US consulate for New Years party, then to Bahrain on Friday to watch the movie again. Can't wait. Taking some of the family who haven't seen it yet.
For anyone who's interested in the science of Avatar, this is a really good read... http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43440 While there are a few issues in the film that are purely there for dramatic effect...most of it is fairly plausible, from a science fiction standpoint.
Here's James Cameron original scriptment for Avatar. Hopefully we get to see some of the stuff being cut out on Blu-ray especially the scenes taking place on Earth. And here's the Project 880 that should've been Avatar.
Reading just the bullets and the first page... Spoiler I think showing Earth would have been a mistake because it's not necessary to the story...the film really isn't about earth, the corporation or the unobtanium. It's character driven...sure we do see Jake in those earth scenes, but I don't think we learn anything more about his character than what we already know from the movie. I like the idea of a burnt out driver because his Avatar was killed while he was in it...that's something that would have been interesting had it been explored. It was only briefly touched upon in the end when Norm's Avatar was shot. But I don't like the idea of that driver or Grace falling in love/sleeping with the Na'vi. To me that lessens the relationship between Jake and Neytiri. In the film, he's the only outsider that became part of the tribe, the only to become accepted. Everyone else they seem to keep at a distance, even Grace. It was punctuated by the scene where Jake becomes a member of the tribe, and she is holding back tears. She seemed not only happy to witness his transformation from Jarhead to empathetic Na'vi hybrid, but disappointed that she wasn't standing in his place. Learning to fly was an important scene, but I wouldn't' have mind seeing a few more instances where we can see Jake's leadership and warrior abilities being honed.
Very interesting read, would suggest anyone whose a fan of the movie take a read through the scriptment
Spoiler It might not be needed but I think it would enhanced Jake's character and to solidify his reasoning to switch side not just because of his relationship with Neytiri. It would've make a stronger point as to why he doesn't want Pandora to turn into another Earth. Spoiler But I would love to see the sequal that somehow it will dealt with the crisis on Earth if it isn't going to be in the Director's cut.
"- Josh Sully tells the Earth that Pandora will give any humans that return a disease that will wipe out humanity" I'm glad this didn't make it in the movie because it would destroy and chance of a sequel
"Hey, Sky People! If ya'll come back the planet is gonna give you deadly mouth herpes! Don't test her!" Not sure how they would have pulled that one off but I'm glad they didn't either.
Spoiler I actually would have liked seeing how is was on earth, and I enjoyed the Blade Runner description of it. By showing how bad earth has become it would have made the humans being as evil as they were more believable because we would understand their desperation a bit more. It also would have made the transition between the planets more amazing, and made Pandora look even more beautiful if that's possible. But I agree that the only love story that should have been in Avatar was with the Jake and Neytiri. I wouldn't have minded seeing some of the other action scene's as well because it would have proven Jake's ability as a warrior and leader to the Na'vi more. Regardless though they didn't have enough time to cram all of that into a single film, after all it was already 2 1/2 hours long.
