I'd like to preface this by saying: I really liked Avatar! It's a 5/5 from me! Excellent movie!
That said, it's not the revolution it was hyped up to be. This is the third 3D movie I have seen (and the only one at the Imax) and I am completely underwhelmed by 3D technology. I think it is unnecessary and adds nothing to the experience - there is never a point where I thought "that's pretty" specifically because of the 3D element (with the possible exception of some of the transparent screen thingys in the control rooms.*)
That's not to say it wasn't a beautiful film! The environments and characters were gorgeously rendered and expertly "shot", it's constantly a visual treat, especially during action sequences.
The animator in me had a couple of issues. 98% of the time, the characters were perfect, they way they moved was natural. But there were a couple of points (one that stood out was when Jake's avatar first runs through the camp) where I wasn't convinced - the characters moved in a way that looked like what an animator had been taught humans moved like, rather than a natural thing. It's a common thing I notice these days, when characters move in a very textbook way and look a bit too perfect, it's jarring and unnatural. Like I said, it's a very rare occurance, and this movie is a huge leap forward in that respect, but to be convincing you have to convince 100% of the time.
In some ways it seems redundant talking about the film on normal terms - any focus is on the technological aspect - but the acting and direction in "regular film" terms are excellent. The plot is predictable, but not in a bad way - it's clear early on what issues will be explored, and for the most part how, but that's okay. It's not the story, it's how it's told, and it is told very well. I was worried it would feel long and have a drawn out battle scene near the end, but as Darth says it's paced very well.
On the whole: recommended!
* sidenote - when are we actually going to get those transparent screen things where you move stuff by hand to smaller handheld screens. Hollywood has been teasing us with them for years! Get it sorted, technology.
That said, it's not the revolution it was hyped up to be. This is the third 3D movie I have seen (and the only one at the Imax) and I am completely underwhelmed by 3D technology. I think it is unnecessary and adds nothing to the experience - there is never a point where I thought "that's pretty" specifically because of the 3D element (with the possible exception of some of the transparent screen thingys in the control rooms.*)
That's not to say it wasn't a beautiful film! The environments and characters were gorgeously rendered and expertly "shot", it's constantly a visual treat, especially during action sequences.
The animator in me had a couple of issues. 98% of the time, the characters were perfect, they way they moved was natural. But there were a couple of points (one that stood out was when Jake's avatar first runs through the camp) where I wasn't convinced - the characters moved in a way that looked like what an animator had been taught humans moved like, rather than a natural thing. It's a common thing I notice these days, when characters move in a very textbook way and look a bit too perfect, it's jarring and unnatural. Like I said, it's a very rare occurance, and this movie is a huge leap forward in that respect, but to be convincing you have to convince 100% of the time.
In some ways it seems redundant talking about the film on normal terms - any focus is on the technological aspect - but the acting and direction in "regular film" terms are excellent. The plot is predictable, but not in a bad way - it's clear early on what issues will be explored, and for the most part how, but that's okay. It's not the story, it's how it's told, and it is told very well. I was worried it would feel long and have a drawn out battle scene near the end, but as Darth says it's paced very well.
On the whole: recommended!
* sidenote - when are we actually going to get those transparent screen things where you move stuff by hand to smaller handheld screens. Hollywood has been teasing us with them for years! Get it sorted, technology.
/
Maybe next year! MAYBE GODDAMNIT.