Avatar - another op...
 

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[Closed] Avatar - another opinion

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Saw Avatar tonight.......you can have all the special effects in the world, but it really means nothing without a decent story

don't get me wrong, it was nice to look at and all, but i was bored rigid because the story really was pants


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 9:58 pm
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I thought that the story was simple, pants I wouldn't call it, a bit pedantic maybe and simple dialogue but somehow I loved it. I can see its flaws but overall it won me over big time.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:02 pm
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sorry unintentional double post


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:03 pm
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typical Cameron film, full of flashy and ground breaking effects, but basically quite dull if you ignore them, and most of the people my wife and I know have been working on it for yonks and we were bored to death of hearing about it by the time it released.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:19 pm
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I have to dissagree, I really enjoyed it, story and all.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:21 pm
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Bobba: I'm with you: Too heavy handed and preachy, that's what really annoyed me, and 'real-life' characters that were cartoonish: the super-bad army chief, etc.

Even so, 2 hrs45mins passed pretty quickly 😕


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:25 pm
 Drac
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I took it for what it was meant to be a old action sci-fi with latest effects and not to be taken seriously.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:28 pm
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not to be taken seriously

Should any film really [i]be taken seriously [/i] scifi or not..


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:30 pm
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Drac: fair point, but I don't like to feel that I'm being talked down too/lectured by a film, its like 'Ok, I get it already! Trees and stuff are important!'


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 10:31 pm
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we saw it at Bradford imax in 3d and thought it was great.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:01 pm
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I thought it was a crock of shit. It was too long, lacked any story, you knew what was going to happen (they were going top bomb the shit out of people) and I don't like being preached at about my treatment of nature.

I thought about walking out, which I've never done before.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:09 pm
 Drac
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[i]Should any film really be taken seriously scifi or not.. [/i]

Yeah Schindler's list was a real scream.

[i]I don't like being preached at about my treatment of nature. [/i]

I just ignored that message.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:09 pm
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.mispost


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:11 pm
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In parts it was visually extraordinary, a real treat, even more so in 3D but even the three 12 year old boys that I took thought the plot was dull and predicable. One of them said over pizza afterwards, "That general was cardboard, no one is that stupid in real life..."


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:11 pm
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i walked out.
this film is, for me , the biggest load of hype since inglorious baskets.

cut and paste scenes from Alien do not a good film make and maybe if some of the 300 billion trillion dollars was spent on writers then maybe i would have stayed the course.

i can see why it will be liked, but count me out. i will be in the lobby if you need me, checking out when the next arty film is on so i can stroke my chin and sound intelligent.

watched Midnight Cowboy last night to re-check my film balance


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:22 pm
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[i]That general was cardboard, no one is that stupid in real life..[/i]

Wait till he's had another ten years life experience, then he'll realise that there's plenty of people that are that stupid.


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:23 pm
 fbk
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Well I just watched it and really enjoyed it.

Yes ok the plot's been done many times before, it tried to play the "pc" card a bit and some if the characters were a little ott but how many films aren't like that these days. The visual effects, especially in 3D were totally emersive and 2.5 hours flew by.

It's just good at what it claims to be-entertainment for all ages.

Bet it was phenomenal in IMAX?


 
Posted : 28/12/2009 11:50 pm
 Mark
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i can see why it will be liked,

No you can't.. You walked out! remember?

🙂

Just back from seeing it a 2nd time. First time with kids.. tonight with gf..
A load of the audience applauded! In Bradford! Extroardinary! 🙂


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 12:02 am
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walked out after 1.5hrs, just didnt feel like i was being entertained and i could guess the ending. lifes to short to waste in watching dull films, it takes up valable time that could be spent on the forums.

glad you had fun


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 1:18 am
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Watched it yesterday. Too many boring sections/bright colours/daft bits of music. Oh, & the scooby-doo bit where they break out of their cell is just funny.

I was itching to watch Aliens when I got out.


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 4:56 pm
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I normally have no time for films. And despite it having a very predictable storyline which was spelt out to you (for the kids I assume), I thought it was easy viewing storywise. And without sounding gay it had a nice little love story too.

Visually though I don't think I've ever been so stunned. Not so much the 'ooh it's computer graphics' feeling, but the scale of the world that's been created. I think I could watch hours of fictional nature documentary if it looked like that.


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 5:08 pm
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Did anyone else feel wierd watching computer generated porn in the middle of it? It unsettled me.


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 5:17 pm
 juan
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That general was cardboard, no one is that stupid in real life..

Get him a login on here that will change his mind...


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 5:42 pm
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+1 for very entertaining.

I was convinced I'd fall asleep as we went to a 11PM screening and I loved it. Granted, it was no Dune for a story line, but I was flabbergasted at the CGI. Definite Blue Ray purchase when it comes out.

Maybe it just isn't for grumpy middle aged men (STW average) 😉


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 5:44 pm
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There are plenty of people in positions of power are that stupid; does the name Tony Blair ring any bells? I'm going to see it soon in 3D, I will almost certainly enjoy the heck out of it, despite having an ending that is likely fairly predictable. Anyone remember a film called Titanic? It may come as a surprise to those who haven't seen it, like me, but the ship sinks! Wow, what a shock, who could have predicted that? Didn't stop millions going to see it. The thing that irritates me most are glaring plot inconsistencies, not rather slow storylines. I watched Aeon Flux the other night, which got slagged off by practically everyone, but I was entertained by it, it was stylish, well shot, and had Charlize Theron in tight clothing. Works for me.


 
Posted : 29/12/2009 6:50 pm
 DezB
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I watched it from the point of view of a film I'd taken my 7 year old to see - and for that it was great.
I usually like things a bit more intelligent and challenging, I mean the main "baddie" character was ridiculously far fetched.
As a mindless bit of entertainment the visuals made up for the rest of it though.
Certainly wouldn't bother watching it on DVD.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 5:03 pm
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Did anyone else feel wierd watching computer generated porn in the middle of it? It unsettled me.

Not really unsettled but did trigger some thoughts on what what proper 3D porn might be like. 😯


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 5:22 pm
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Liked it. I rate films according to how many times I check my watch. 5, minus the number of time-checks. Avatar rated 4.

I have had negative scores (Born on the 4th of July)!


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 5:31 pm
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brilliant film, amazing images, utterly engrossing
loved it

if you leave your cynicism and bitterness at the door and let yourself be engaged it's very entertaining
3D wasn't that great though, wish I'd gone to IMAX now

can't wait until there's a more serious, darker film to come out using the same technology


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 8:25 pm
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"A tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

3d?.....Flash in the pan technology, gone in eighteen months, just wait for battle field LA, which in post production looks about 11ty seven times better without all the 3d tomfoolery as well.


 
Posted : 30/12/2009 9:25 pm
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I finally got round to watching this an my word was it disappointing.

Dances with wolves crossed with last of the mohicans via ailens. Yeah it looks good but anyone in the CG industry can create an alien in an alien environment and make it look convincing. Try District 9 for good CG that compliments the story.

Oh and believe me, any live action film that appeals more in stereo isn't worth watching in the first place.

I checked my watch 4 times and my phone twice.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 1:15 am
 CHB
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Going to see it at Bradford IMAX for a second time on saturday with the family and a few friends. Of course the plot is linear, but so are many films (Aliens and Terminator 2 for starters).
As a 2.5hour immersive experience this is the best I have seen for a long time.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 8:05 am
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it was a computer game without the ability to pause and go for a poo or go online and play multiplayer.

it made me want to watch dogville.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 8:51 am
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i think all but a few of your are missing the point...

its a kids film, it may not have been marketed 100% that way but in reality that's what it is, Cowboys and Indians in space.

it has a strong moral message*, with clearly defined goodies and baddies, and has enough fantasy elements to make it appealing to those with imagination.

a high-brow intellectual sci fi it is NOT, but an entertaining and visually stunning kids movie it IS.

*some people seem to take offence to being preached too about destruction of mother nature and all that, and although that is in there and a highly emotive topic, I was actually talking about exploitation/destruction/relocation and lack of respect of another race/people for the benefit of a stronger group driven by greed, and taking the time to appreciate another point of view.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 10:09 am
 DezB
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[i]actually talking about exploitation/destruction/relocation and lack of respect of another race/people for the benefit of a stronger group driven by greed[/i]

Actually, that's a pretty strong message that still needs to be driven home to a lot of the World's powers.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 1:43 pm
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Special effects/3D ? - stunning.

Entertaining? - er, yeah, in a superficial sorta way, I suppose.

Oscar for best screenplay/script? - .....................*howls of laughter* Not in a trillion years!!!

How many times did I look at my watch? - just the once.

Could have been so much better than 'Aliens on Titanic' with a half decent screenplay.


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 2:48 pm
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Well I took my youngest [13] & my nephew to see it [IMAX 3D]

Great bit of entertainment IMO & they loved it & never spoke for the whole show, which in itself is a new record 🙂

I would guess that they were pretty much the target audience & to that end - it did a superb job


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 3:00 pm
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Just come back from the cinema. How I wish I had prebooked tickets! Got to the front of the queue to be greeted by a sign saying 3d - sold out! Watched it in 2d instead as it was a treat for my son.
I knew what was going to happen as it is that predictable. it from being enjoyable though and my son thought it was great. That was the best part, spending some quality time with my son before he hits the teens and dosn't want to be seen with me!


 
Posted : 31/12/2009 6:26 pm
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Thought it was great, will be going again to see it in the IMAX next time I'm in Manchester.


 
Posted : 01/01/2010 1:01 pm