Comments on: Avatar Movie Review: The Best Movie Ever?

By: cleancutmedia

cleancutmedia — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:06:07 +0000

I saw blind side. good movie. great story. as you say, definitely did leave the theater feeling like something was just right about the story.

By: A fan

A fan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:22:20 +0000

I was glad to see that Avatar did not win best picture at the Academy Awards. As much as it was amazing to see, it was all flash (cost and made a lot of cash) and no real substance. No story, no character development. It’s good to see that in the end, The Academy still knows that it takes more than crazy impressive graphics in 3-D to take home the big Oscar. The Hurt Locker came out of nowhere, didn’t even play in my town. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Go wifey #3!

On a side note, I was also pleased to see Sandra Bullock win for her role in the movie “The Blind Side” (loosely based on the story of Michael Oher/the Tuohy’s). She had just won a razzie for her performance in “All about Steve” and would go and win an Oscar. In the end, Avatar grossed millions and millions more than The Blind Side but I believe there was something in the story of Michael Oher and the Tuohy’s that American yearns for and knows to appreciate. You just wanted that movie to win something but you knew it was too Disney feel good for it to win film of the year. Good to see racial relations, rich white folks and even Christians shown under a good light. Oh…………….and go “Up” 8D

By: cleancutmedia

cleancutmedia — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:07:12 +0000

dragonfyshe – haha thanks for your thoughts on the movie!

Joshua – very good point. I completely agree. There is definitely much to be said about our culture in the way we chase mindless entertainment. Also I agree, the CG seems to be overshadowing all the other flaws within the movie.

By: cleancutmedia

cleancutmedia — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:05:24 +0000

good points Peter – I am also aware of that depression article. meaning to write up on that….

By: Joshua Linville

Joshua Linville — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:54:12 +0000

It is hard to hand over a movie the title of “Greatest Movie Ever” based on the amount of money its made. True, a lot of people have seen Avatar, but I feel like people would see anything nowadays. Our society has become more and more fixated on seeing the “next big thing”. Movies have become a primary form of distraction, a fallback in the face of boredom so to speak. A common outing amongst people involves going to the movies because, they argue, there is nothing else to do.

Is great CG the only characteristic of a great movie? This seems unfair, as special effects are constantly improving. So when Avatar 3 comes out in 2016, will it automatically enter the running for “Greatest Movie Ever” simply because it will have better graphics than its predecessors?

By: dragonfyshe

dragonfyshe — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:03:18 +0000

Look at it as a metaphor. What does the human race do best? Takes what it wants, makes money and doesn’t care about what it’s doing to the planet. I personally thought the villians (humans) were played very typically. Think of all the corporations out there making millions with crappy wars because they want someone’s oil fields. War will never go away until someone stops the greed. This is just one step further. We’ve stuffed our planet so lets go TAKE what we want from someone elses. Let’s try and use them as a slave work force…… see where I’m going with this.

Perhaps I think too deeply about this kind of thing but I found Avatar to not just be a brilliant fun film but a great statement on the way the large corporations stomp on the little guy to get what they want.

I would definitely put this movie in my top 3. And I am extremely fussy over my movies.

I do agree that it would have been better with a bit more of the back story that you wrote about but movies are so long these days I guess they have to cut something out. LOL must admit my preference is cutting out all the mushy stuff lol. I loved the action, the CGI and like you am looking forward to the making of and no doubt in the future a director’s cut of the movie.

By: Peter Tseng

Peter Tseng — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:30:13 +0000

On a slightly different note, I think the attractiveness and immersiveness of the world of Pandora and the Na'vi was important to the movie's success. The believability of a utopian existence as portrayed by the movie allows it to be an effective commentary on the real world (ours) - about our relationship with nature, spirituality or lack thereof, our values (e.g. money), etc. Avatar is so effective in this regard that apparently some people experience depression after watching it: Avatar Depression CNN

By: cleancutmedia

cleancutmedia — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:32:50 +0000

Thanks for your sharing your thoughts Dub,

You are right, I did not read much of the Harry Potter series. Gasp. So I have to base my notes off of what I see in the films. The only reason I made that reference was Harry Potter fits the role of the rebellious type, doesn’t follow the rules, doesn’t listen to authority yet is justified by what he is able to accomplish. He is one who often makes decisions off of his feeling ands emotions. Such characters are very common in today’s storytelling (people like it!) and it paints a specific type of “norm” to those who watch. Such a dedication to one’s feelings rather than to the wisdom of experience can have disastrous consequences.

Having said that, it’s just that specific point the reference was made. I agree with all you said about him growing into his role, maturing over time, and putting his desires behind the duty before him. Those are good characteristics found in that character.

I didn’t expand on it much since I’d like to create a second post talking about messages and themes… hope i can get to it.

By: Dub

Dub — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:28:55 +0000

Thanks for this review. I agree. Special FX were sick but the plot and characters were lacking. The whole movie was too predictable and South Park had it right – it’s Dances with Smurfs all the way. The bad guys are too bad and like you said, nobody cares for them or sympathizes with them. As an audience member I like to feel torn but o well. I think the DVD version with the making of, behind the scenes will be cool to watch too bro.

I think comparing to Jake to Wolverine could be spot on but dunno about Harry Potter. Harry does pursue the romance but he gives up Ginny because he knows he has a job to do. He gives up his life and surrenders himself to Voldermort for everyone else knowing he will die. Voldermort knows that Harry Potter’s weak point is his loyalty and love for his friends and tries to use that against him. Yeh, born a hero but he grows into it and puts his desires and himself last in the end. You clearly didnt read book 7………

But other than that you’re on the money. Tsu-Tey and how Jake becomes brothers in battle with him. Ken Watanabe in Last Samurai with Tom Cruise was so much better. My bros and I actually cried like a bunch of girls. Bad guys are boring bad guys like Stryker in X-Men. I fought Wolverine. Classic. Your captions are awesome and that alone makes the post worth reading when I’m bored in class.