Avatar (2009)
I asked in my personal blog (won’t link you to it, since I assume you don’t read Romanian) what movies should I review, now that I revived TAM as a blog. Some of my readers told me Avatar is the new thing. I read other reviews on it and everyone has an opinion. One thing is clear, it’s not a movie you can ignore.
So, driven by all these reviews and recommendations I spent some time watching it.
Oh, the cliches … yes. It was like watching a Discovery documentary with the civilized Americans going into the jungle to meet god knows what forgotten and savage tribe. Yes, the plot was so linear and predictable, I could have slept the entire movie and woken up at the end, knowing exactly what to expect. And still, I would have regretted this.
Cameron’s movie is not a “difficult” one. I cannot say it’s been a revelation as some of my favourite ones (The Empire of the Sun, The Piano, The Hours, Schindler’s List or any other “serious” movie I have enjoyed), cannot say it made me “smarter” or made me really think about the real values in life etc. Nope, my brain was relaxed, my neurons took a pleasure ride into the beauty of Pandora and that simple and yet beautiful storyline.
The 3D work was superb, all the scenes and filming done to please US, with all it’s “flaws” for someone who tried to find the answer to some universal problems, the movie was a success when it came to really entertain us. I can’t say I’d recommend it for some revelations, because it lacks a serious depth, but I do recommend it for it’s power to present a rather boring story in a very innovative way.
The movie integrated a lot of ideas that are what we call “cliches”, all this nature mambo jambo might make you laugh. The trees and the nature bringing life, the “shaman” woman, the elf like creatures, taming of the “horses”, we have it all. And still, after the movie ends, we still have a smile on our faces. Some consider this movie to be amazing, some call it the best they’ve seen. In the end it depends on our movie knowledge and own values when it comes to the 7th Art.
Cannot say it’s been a revelation. Cannot say it’s my favourite or it changed my life. If we come to discuss plots and how it turned my values upside down, then it’s mediocre. If we discuss about how it was delivered and how in the end it really made my hours enjoyable, then it’s a success.
I’d see it again and, if you are one of the few who hasn’t watched it yet, make the effort. It’s not the ultimate masterpiece, especially if you are a snob as I am, but it should entertain you quite a bit.
Tags: 2009, Avatar, James Cameron
