Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. Written and directed by James Cameron. Music by James Horner. Running time 162 minutes. Budget $237 million (original) $9 million (re-release). Box office $2.878 billion!!!!!
It's been 22 years since Avatar was originally released and stormed the world and box office claiming the prize of biggest ever box office, although adjusted for inflation it's apparently only 14th in North America box office, but worldwide it's second to Gone With the Wind.
The plot sees Jake Sully, a crippled marine vet, sent to the planet Pandora to pilot a 10ft tall blue avatar (hence the title) for a corporation trying to strip-mine a rain forrest the size of a planet of a substance called Unobtainium. The trouble is there's this indigenous race of blue skinned warriors called the Na'Vi who just happen to be living on top of the biggest deposit of Unobtanium known to man.
After that it's a case of white saviour rescuing the noble savage from corporate greed. It's the Wild West in space, Dances With Alien Wolves, if you will. As Jake discovers the hero within thanks to these blue-skinned warrior natives.
Look, that chances are you've probably seen this, I'd be surprised if you haven't. I saw it back in the day, more than once. I even owned it on DVD and Blu Ray. And despite enjoying it greatly when first released, I've found rewatching at home a somewhat tedious and dull experience. With news of the sequel finally arriving this December and the chance to rewatch this on the big screen in 3D I decided to give it another go.
Bloody hell, that was fun! Back on the big screen, this looks amazing! Cameron knows how to frame action and how to direct the shit out of this sort of thing. He's truly is the King of the World in that respect. And I know the story is pants, the logic is poor, the motivation is lame, I know, I know, I know. But I still thoroughly enjoyed this! Films come to life on the big screen, and seeing this again was a delight. The effect haven't aged, this still looks cutting edge and impressive, there's no 'uncanny valley' going on here. the flying sequences on the dragons is truly vertiginous. The lush look of the environments and the multitude of flora is staggering, less so the rather stupid six-legged creatures, but regardless the look of this film and the special effects are without a doubt note-perfect.
The story, is boys own adventure and at times very cringey, but boy this looks good. Great action and with the glorious over-the-top baddie, played by Stephen Lang to give us someone to boo and hiss at.
The 3D becomes warring very quickly and I still contest brings absolutely nothing to the table, because you so quickly get used to it and forget, plus it darkens the whole film and makes it rather murky.
I feel enthused now for the new film, which I'm sure was the reason for this re-release.
8/10
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