Avatar
A crippled Marine seeks Adventure on an alien world.
We arrived at 12:01, and I was a little nervous. I had never seen a film at midnight on its opening day. Or anything in 3D. I wasn’t nervous about seeing a movie, but I was concerned about long lines, diehard fans in costumes and the slight possibility of water cannons and attack dogs. And not getting good seats.
The theater lobby was empty, and a few listless employees were stirring the first popcorn of the new day. We hurried into the theater and found the crowd quiet with anticipation. Except the first few neck-kinking rows next to the screen, the theater was packed. Right there in the center, prime real estate beckoned. I asked a big group of teens if the two seats in the middle of an otherwise packed pew were reserved. After a few awkward moments of tripping over purses and apologies, my friend-girl and I took our seats right in the middle like I like. A little courtesy goes a long way.
The 3D glasses tacked an extra $3.50 to Edward’s standard admission price. Rather than the standard red/blue paper affair, the 3D glasses felt more like a pair of dollar store sunglasses with a very light tint. They fit very comfortably over my prescription glasses. I put them on immediately, and was a little disappointed, until the trailers ended and the cue to put your glasses on came up. I am not going to try to describe the magic of watching movies in 3D, it is enough to say- Just get over to the theater and buy all your friends a ticket.
The film began with no introduction or opening credits. I mistook the first few minutes for another trailer. After a few minutes of drab though critical plot points, I found myself drawn in to a visual feast that kept me captivated for the film’s entire two hour and forty five minute length. James Cameron’s genius with special effects blends the lush landscapes of an alien world with the empty space a few inches beyond the movie goers’ fingertips.
The action scenes are intense and beautiful. Be prepared for an edge of your seat thrill ride. The violence is intense and brutally entertaining, yet the movie is often aesthetically displeasing and tragic. Even as Star Trek spawned the Trekkies, I predict that a new army of nerds will emerge from their parents’ basements dressed as Na’Vi from Pandora. It is so rare that we are presented with an original drama great enough to grow into a franchise. With multiple video games already being released, that is the direction this new masterpiece is heading.
I am certainly not the Motion Picture Association of America, but I felt that the film’s more graphic battle scenes and sexual situations were too much for the PG13 rating. Everyone who is “into” nearly nude computer generated aliens is in for a real treat, as many scenes border on outright erotica.
Avatar cannot be compared with other action films that blend live action with computer graphics such as the action driven GI Joe- The Rise of Cobra. The plot is deep and thought provoking. Cameron deals boldly with themes that affect us today, such as our connection with the environment, advanced civilizations competing with primitive peoples for resources, and many blatant criticisms of the military and large corporations, all woven together with stunning visuals and breath taking action. All in all, I give the movie five out of five peppers. This film is hot. Just leave the kids home, get yourself and the misses some 3D specs and get on down to the show house.
Walking out of the theater my friend girl commented that she was the only female in the theater. Looking back at the crowd, the men did drastically outnumber the womenfolk. But hey, I bet I will be able to count the men coming out of the opening of Dear John on one hand. Only time will tell.
