Avatar: A Phantasmagorical Love Story 3D CGI Masterpiece
I saw my all time favorite movie for the first time yesterday. That was not what I expected when my oldest son convinced me to go see it with him.
James Cameron’s top masterpiece of his career started to hatch in 1994-95 well before Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) had any hold on the movie industry. According to the LA Times “Avatar this weekend became the fifth movie in history to bring in more than $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales and the fastest by far to do so, breaking the nine-figure barrier less than three weeks after it debuted.” (see trailer and official movie site) Cameron’s Titanic now holds the record by $681M at $1.8B. Avatar is already the most successful movie of 2009-10, overtaking even the latest Harry Potter film. I will be almost as amazed as I was by this moving CGI 3D film if it doesn’t become the all time greatest grossing movie ever.
Back when Cameron was selling his movie idea to 20th Century Fox, Charles Gant, film editor of Heat magazine, explained: “This film really was a huge risk by 20th Century Fox. They took a movie that has no real stars and one (Sigourney Weaver) with an ostensibly limited appeal. Sci-fi is typically a geeky genre so for them to make such a success out of a film that is about big blue aliens is very impressive.”
I guess Gant said “no real stars” about Weaver because mature women are not supposed to remain big stars. I think Weaver, Close, Moore, Streep, Jolie, Roberts, Hayek and many other mature women have busted that theory not to mention the current stature of women in government, business etc. or Sophia Loren who is in the just released movie musical Nine.
During an interview on Charlie Rose in December, Cameron explained his path to Avatar and a new 3D camera system. (Note: the interview transcript is here and to see the video you must click on Recent Shows and then go to the December 17 date.):
And after “Titanic,” I was so enamored of the exploration process, you know, because I just had this insatiable curiosity. And I had been down to the bottom of the ocean to shoot “Titanic.” So we started planning other deep ocean expeditions, and that just took me down a path. And part of that path was the development of the stereoscopic 3D cameras we used for the expedition project. Then at a certain point I said I’ve got to go back to filmmaking, feature filmmaking, and use those cameras and make my next film in 3D.
Cameron unlike other 3D movie directors did not overuse the 3D effect. He used it when it added to the feeling of a scene and instead of intruding, gave strength to the emotions the viewer was feeling. I felt a smooth immersion in the exceptional quality of CGI motion and facial/body expression that never has happened with other CGI attempts.
Three things most amazed me about Avatar: I fell completely for a love story featuring CGI creatures; I never dreamed I would see CGI reach so soon the stage of not really being able to tell what was real and what wasn’t; and the message of our terrible Military Machine and our ignorant racist treatment of indigenous cultures and what it has cost us and the world came through without feeling heavy handed, even though it had full war mayhem.
I fell for the love story because it was so gentle and pure and took up most of the movie to unfold (163 very fast minutes) which was only possible because of incredible acting by Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana. As CGI oversized primitive avatar characters, their superb acting came through to the extent that I forgot it was CGI and saw into their souls. The rest of the cast including the Marine Colonel were also spot on.
I believe Avatar has set a brilliant future for 3D movies at the theater and on home HD screens. Several experts agree with me. As partial proof, there were three 3D CGI movies advertised before Avatar started. My favorite movie reviewer Roger Ebert said of the technical breakthrough:
“Avatar” is not simply a sensational entertainment, although it is that. It’s a technical breakthrough. It has a flat-out Green and anti-war message. It is predestined to launch a cult. It contains such visual detailing that it would reward repeating viewings. It invents a new language, Na’vi, as “Lord of the Rings” did, although mercifully I doubt this one can be spoken by humans, even teenage humans. It creates new movie stars. It is an Event, one of those films you feel you must see to keep up with the conversation.
Like “Star War” and “LOTR,” “Avatar” employs a new generation of special effects. Cameron said it would, and many doubted him. It does. Pandora is very largely CGI. The Na’vi are embodied through motion capture techniques, convincingly. They look like specific, persuasive individuals, yet sidestep the eerie Uncanny Valley effect. And Cameron and his artists succeed at the difficult challenge of making Neytiri a blue-skinned giantess with golden eyes and a long, supple tail, and yet–I’ll be damned. Sexy.
Ebert summarized the story this way:
The story, set in the year 2154, involves a mission by U. S. Armed Forces to an earth-sized moon in orbit around a massive star. This new world, Pandora, is a rich source of a mineral Earth desperately needs. Pandora represents not even a remote threat to Earth, but we nevertheless send in ex-military mercenaries to attack and conquer them. Gung-ho warriors employ machine guns and pilot armored hover ships on bombing runs. You are free to find this an allegory about contemporary politics. Cameron obviously does.
Pandora harbors a planetary forest inhabited peacefully by the Na’vi, a blue-skinned, golden-eyed race of slender giants, each one perhaps 12 feet tall. The atmosphere is not breathable by humans, and the landscape makes us pygmies. To venture out of our landing craft, we use avatars–Na’vi lookalikes grown organically and mind-controlled by humans who remain wired up in a trance-like state on the ship. While acting as avatars, they see, fear, taste and feel like Na’vi, and have all the same physical adeptness.
…the film doesn’t feel too long. It contains so much. The human stories. The Na’vi stories, for the Na’vi are also developed as individuals. The complexity of the planet, which harbors a global secret. The ultimate warfare, with Jake joining the resistance against his former comrades. Small graceful details like a floating creature that looks like a cross between a blowing dandelion seed and a drifting jellyfish, and embodies goodness. Or astonishing floating cloud-islands.
I’ll leave it to you to decide what you think about the movie’s political messages. As I watched Avatar, I kept thinking about all the agony and tragedy people in the Middle East and our military have gone through just since 9/11. I knew the Na’vi would meet their ultimate threat because of the total stupidity, selfishness and ineptness of the American government when dealing with a foreign culture. I also knew the Na’vi and Jake Sully would eventually prevail because a love story can’t leave the audience in deep depression. In Avatar’s parable script there is an almost satirical condemning of how Corporate Communism rules all of our decisions that has lead to our serious downturn and probable downfall. Unfortunately, it was all too real. We’ve allowed the system of capitalism to wield far too much power and unfortunately, according to Cameron, nothing has changed by 2154. We need to do all we can to defeat that prediction.
If I haven’t sold you by now on seeing Avatar, this NYT review should do the trick. If not, it’s your loss, not mine. I’m going to see it again with all three of my sons at an IMAX theater. The earliest I can get a reservation is some time in February.
I didn’t see it today, but now I want to more than ever. Your review comes after raves from Thom Hartmann, my brother, etc. How refreshing to see a movie with a real message turn into such a blockbuster.
Ten years ago, I remember a discussion with a colleague about why there were so many horror effects coming out of effects houses like ILM and Imageworks and the like. We decided that although it was quite easy to come up with something unworldly that was horrific or ugly, it required quite a bit more creativity and technology to produce something beautiful. This movie does that. It takes your breath away, over and over again.
I liked the Military Industrial Complex v. Gaia Hypothesis theme.
Thanks for the review.
Can’t wait to see it!
Please fix the link to the NYT review.
I think I’ll have to see this one in a theater instead of waiting for the DVD. Maybe a matinee this week.
Yeah, I may see it today or tomorrow, being snowed in somewhat and wearing extra socks and a sweater in the house today while waiting for some important calls (har, harr).
I hope this piece stays on top of the board today so a lot of people can weigh in. May be a good discussion.
Retzilian:
Type ‘New York Times Avatar review’ into google. That worked for me. Or, just click this link.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/movies/18avatar.html
Thanks. The link is fixed.
Thanks, Kitt. I guess I could have done that, but you never know what review RMP might be referring. I decided just to scan the review, because when I plan to see a movie, I like to see it with as few preconceived notions as possible.
There is a matinee at a local theater at 1:45. Anyone want to go?
I’ll meet you at the Rock Hall of Fame.
@ dirigo:
Yeah, I may see it today or tomorrow, being snowed in somewhat and wearing extra socks and a sweater in the house today while waiting for some important calls (har, harr).
It’s at least double-digits now on the north coast in the land of Cleve (and that’s really a misnomer, because Cleveland is technically on the SOUTH coast of Lake Erie, even though we are referred to as the north coast)…and I am still job hunting for something full-time.
Just as a little unscientific experiment, I sent out several resumes over the past couple of weeks using a White Man Name, a youngish profile (early 30s), and a rather impressive CV (Cornell undergrad, MBA from Case [Weatherhead])…and you know what? NO TAKERS.
So, I figured Dale was overqualified…so I sent out some resumes dumbing him down a tad, with lots of marketing and sales experience but still mid-30ish and very white.
Crickets.
Thus, I have determined there simply *are* no jobs to be had, because if Dale can’t get a nibble, nobody can.
Yes, I think it’s very tough out there. I freelance and am hoping for a job on Thursday or Friday. An agency I get leads from has me on “hold” for those days, which means I’m up for the job.
Fingers crossed …
So why not take in Avatar today or tomorrow? I may make my own popcorn. Popcorn pennies saved are popcorn pennies earned.
“And a cup for water from the fountain please?”
Time to rev up that entrepreneurial engine. Tough times require taking advantage of unexploited opportunities. Experts say our disposable culture is going to take a powder so here’s your chance to get in on the new wave and start you own business in BALLPOINT REPAIR! That’s right, as the economy keeps sliding, the western world’s most ubiquitous tool will no longer be discarded but instead be maintained and repaired, perhaps for generations. And you can be a part of this exciting and rewarding new field. Apply now for admission to my internet-based ballpoint pen repair college. If accepted, you will receive weekly lessons and study guides on how to maintain and repair all the most popular brands of ballpoints, not just Bics, but Papermate and other premium marques with high potential earnings. Completed exercises will be graded by experienced repairmen that are always available to answer questions on the most difficult problems of writing instrument diagnosis and repair. Included with the written and on-line materials are both a tool caddy with the best ballpoint pen repair tools and a special parts selection that includes all the most common parts like refills, springs, buttons, clasps and replacement barrels. As a special bonus, successful grads will receive a free listing for one year in our occupational database that is scoured daily by industry placement personnel in their continual search for qualified people. Every student gets a free year’s subscription to “Signature”, the pen trade’s leading publication. I’ll get the url for this out ASAP.
All together now: Everyone yawn at Tom!
One, two … threeeeeee !!!!
I happen to be an aficionada of pens, and I stopped using ball point pens a long time ago. When I go to Heaven (and I’ll go straight up, do not pass GO, do not collect $200, no purgatory for me, because I am a SAINT), there will be an unlimited supply of rollerball and fine-tipped Pilot pens for me.
And Tom won’t be there.
Extra socks and a sweater, snow and cold in Cleveland, going to a movie with your own popcorn, it just can’t get anymore interesting, unusual or exciting than that. Any word on your laundry schedule or maybe your favorite toothpaste? Everyone is holding their breath.
Ya know what, Tom? I’d wager that one hour of my life is more exciting than yours is all day long.
Tom, it also might be Retz and I are kinda flirtin’ in public, imaginin’ ourselves goin’ to the picture show together; so if this had been a real world, real time situation, I’d have kicked your butt several blocks down the street by now.
See, chivalry is not dead.
Dirigo, we could have flirted in *real life* if I’d known you were in town. Next time, you must let me know.
lmds13 at cox dot net
@ dirigo
We can get a nice lunch before and skip the overpriced (obscenely overpriced) concessions. The movie will only cost $4 during the day, and I have an AMC coupon from my Entertainment book, so there.
Besides, the world is ending in 2012 (or is it 2011? I can’t keep track), so let’s splurge. I’ve decided to stop paying on my Chase VISA, so it’s my treat.
You’re on …
Hey guys – Happy New Year. One piece of advice, if you can at all justify the extra expense, I caught an Opening Week-end show w/ my 11 year old in Extreme Hi-D, Digital, 3-D, Awesomeness Guaranteed awesomeness (paid 12.50 for my ticket, 10.50 for the kid’s) – and it was worth every penny. The 3-D added more depth than “in your face’ effect, and it was really remarkable. I didn’t know they could do that…
Hope everyone’s 2010 is better than my 2009.
I read ‘lette’s diary at the Seminal. Pretty goddamned depressing. Guess that’s why I don’t comment anywhere too much anymore…
I saw the movie at a regular theater. Guess I should’ve paid the extra $$ to see it at the IMAX just 300 feet across the complex.
I read Ondelette’s Seminal diary also and had the same reaction. There are times when I sign in, sigh and sign off. I believe my comments become fewer and fewer (though others might disagree), too.
As I recall, the comment section at UT used to be a lot more fun with plenty of room for serious observations as well as amusement. I went over there today–big mistake: a universe of 9/11 stuff argued for the umpteenth time:
“Ah, but did you see this video?”
“I did and it proves nothing, my dimwitted friend.
“That’s not what the United Engineers of America for Demolition Truth say. Are you an engineer?”
“I are. You?”
“No, but that proves nothing, my dimwitted friend.”
I hardly ever read the comments. I faithfully read Glenn’s posts and still learn a lot from them. There are a lot of outstanding bloggers trying to fix things, but the effort is so diffused that major changes seem out of reach.
You’re right, RMP, about the diffusion of effort. There was an interesting post at Open Left by Ian Welsh titled “Why Democrats are Trying to Commit Electoral Suicide.”
Sample:
This is truly a structural problem of entrenched interests and as it took some (in general terms) three to four decades to cement itself in its current form, it might very well take as long to correct. (I hope not but it’s what I fear)
I read Glenn every day, too, and scan the comments for those contributors whose insights I respect. But I guess that’s about it.
That blog post led me to my latest, T3…. I can’t for the life of me fathom what the righties are so worked up about.
Andrew Leonard Salon’s economic expert also raved about Avatar after seeing it with his kids.
What the news biz can learn from “Avatar”: Internet piracy isn’t killing the movie business. James Cameron’s beautiful world explains why
http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/avatar/index.html?story=/tech/htww/2010/01/04/learning_from_avatar
Too bad about the side effects:
“Fox receives fees for distributing the movie to theatres, and factoring in all that, the studio has probably brought in a profit of more than $80 million already, estimates Cowen & Co. analyst Doug Creutz. To put that figure in perspective, News Corp.’s operating profit in the quarter through September was $1.04 billion.
The home video release is still to come, potentially bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars more in revenue.”
it is really exciting to watch 3d movies. i hope that there would be 3d sexy movies too.*,;
3d movies are so cool, i just wish that we could watch 3d movies on TV;.*
3d movies are hard to come by but they are the coolest,’”
of course 3d movies are cool too watch that is why we are developing 3d tvs today “‘*