Remember the 1998 Academy Awards? Of course you do. That's the year James Cameron's epic film 'Titanic' won 11 Oscars - which tied the record set by 'Ben Hur'. You know, the awards ceremony during which Cameron proclaimed himself the "King of the World". Well, after a twelve-year hiatus, the 'king' has marked his return with 'Avatar'. And what a return it is!
For those of you who haven't seen the film yet - there probably aren't many of you left - 'Avatar' tells the story of a team of humans sent to retrieve some valuable natural resources from the alien planet 'Pandora'. The 'team' consists of three groups of people: some suits who only seem to want to talk about money; some scientists (led by the awesome Sigourney Weaver) who want to gather samples and keep the peace; and some army guys who are less concerned about peace. There's only one problem- the treasure they seek is sitting right underneath the home of Pandora's inhabitants.
Enter hero Jake Sully, a wheel chair-ridden ex-marine. Jake's mission - which he chooses to accept - is to have his conciousness linked to an avatar, a body which will not only allow Jake to look and breathe like one of the natives, but that will also allow him to walk, run, jump off ridiculously high cliffs, etc. He is to mingle with them, learn their ways, and most importantly, gain their trust. Everything goes according to plan until Jake begins to sympathize with the natives, which causes him...oh who cares about the story?! This movie has floating mountains, breath-taking plant life, and creatures that make the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park look like animals in a petting zoo. This is much more thrilling, and a lot longer, than any ride I've ever been on.
It'll come as no surprise to anyone who's familar with Cameron's previous work that the special effects are the best to date. During the movie you forget that what you are seeing on screen is mostly computer-generated. You might not get lost in the characters or the acting, but you certainly get lost in this imaginative world Cameron's created.
It's no wonder then that 'Avatar' is doing so well at the box office. In fact, this film is starting to look like a promising contender for the title of "Highest-Grossing Movie of All Time". That title is currently held by 'Titanic'. Wait a minute! That's another James Cameron movie! Do you mean in twelve years no one has come close to dethroning the 'king'? I picture Cameron sitting on his throne, rather bored, asking himself this same question. I can just see him getting up from his comfortable chair and saying, "Well since nobody else is going to beat my record, I guess I will!"
My rating: Well WORTH your time!
*Random movie trivia: Can you guess which movie has won the most oscars per nominations received? Give up? It's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'. 11 nominations, 11 wins.
For those of you who haven't seen the film yet - there probably aren't many of you left - 'Avatar' tells the story of a team of humans sent to retrieve some valuable natural resources from the alien planet 'Pandora'. The 'team' consists of three groups of people: some suits who only seem to want to talk about money; some scientists (led by the awesome Sigourney Weaver) who want to gather samples and keep the peace; and some army guys who are less concerned about peace. There's only one problem- the treasure they seek is sitting right underneath the home of Pandora's inhabitants.
Enter hero Jake Sully, a wheel chair-ridden ex-marine. Jake's mission - which he chooses to accept - is to have his conciousness linked to an avatar, a body which will not only allow Jake to look and breathe like one of the natives, but that will also allow him to walk, run, jump off ridiculously high cliffs, etc. He is to mingle with them, learn their ways, and most importantly, gain their trust. Everything goes according to plan until Jake begins to sympathize with the natives, which causes him...oh who cares about the story?! This movie has floating mountains, breath-taking plant life, and creatures that make the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park look like animals in a petting zoo. This is much more thrilling, and a lot longer, than any ride I've ever been on.
It'll come as no surprise to anyone who's familar with Cameron's previous work that the special effects are the best to date. During the movie you forget that what you are seeing on screen is mostly computer-generated. You might not get lost in the characters or the acting, but you certainly get lost in this imaginative world Cameron's created.
It's no wonder then that 'Avatar' is doing so well at the box office. In fact, this film is starting to look like a promising contender for the title of "Highest-Grossing Movie of All Time". That title is currently held by 'Titanic'. Wait a minute! That's another James Cameron movie! Do you mean in twelve years no one has come close to dethroning the 'king'? I picture Cameron sitting on his throne, rather bored, asking himself this same question. I can just see him getting up from his comfortable chair and saying, "Well since nobody else is going to beat my record, I guess I will!"
My rating: Well WORTH your time!
*Random movie trivia: Can you guess which movie has won the most oscars per nominations received? Give up? It's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'. 11 nominations, 11 wins.
Nice post. I definitely agree. Avatar is not a perfect film, but absolutely worth seeing.
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