Movie: Avatar

I finally managed to drag myself out, despite the snow and ice, and see a movie. The film that got me out of the house was the massively hyped Avatar. I had hopes and expectations of this film, but ended up being surprised in a number of respects.

Long before the film came to the cinema the hype machine started its work. In the case of this film, I allowed it to carry me along to some extent – mainly because I like quite a lot of James Cameron’s work. It took a fair bit of discipline to avoid reading or watching all the previews and interviews around before the film but I have found, in the past, that knowing less about the movie before walking in the door makes for a much better experience.

Having said all that, you couldn’t help but have expectations (and worries) about this massive presentation. I wanted to enjoy it, but felt that it was rather too gimmicky (or cutting edge as they like to call it) to be taken seriously. I’ve been let down by lots of films over the years, and was fairly certain this was going to be another one.

How wrong I was.

My first concern, the 3D. The previous generation of 3D films used to revel in the additional dimension – usually to such an extent that it destroyed the rest of the film. Avatar resisted the temptation to continually use this effect, but instead used it sparingly and in some very creative ways. For most of the film, you almost forgot about the 3D, then there would be a scene or sequence which would do something, often quite subtle, and jerk you out of your seat for a moment. Very well judged.

My second concern was the CGI characters. We still all live with the travesty that was Jar Jar Binks, but luckily things have moved beyond all that. The characters were well considered, well conceived and wonderfully executed. The motion was fluid and believable, the range of expressions and emotions was good and the blending of live action and CGI generally worked well. The rendered environment was incredibly detailed and breathtaking. The vehicles were perhaps a little less masterful, but overall the effect was very pleasing.

Then, of course, there was the plot – often the downfall of many films. In this respect, the film was anything but groundbreaking, relying on a fairly tried and tested formula – adding in a few twists, but nothing particularly revolutionary. But this was a great call by Cameron. Telling a solid story with a message held all the technology, effects, groundbreaking visuals and untried techniques together. He had a vision of what he wanted to say with the film and he stuck to it – which makes the whole film work as a single entity, not as a series of effects shots or clever animations.

So, with all these concerns out of the way I could sit back and enjoy the film. And enjoy it I did - it was great. Not without flaws and not without a couple of poor judgements, but generally very entertaining, engaging and enjoyable. Definitely one for the big screen, it initially carries you along with the visuals before wrapping you up with some very nice characterisations (Sigourney Weaver enjoyed herself a lot) and a strong, emerging plot line. Yes, it takes you where you expect it to, but with a few twists and turns along the way.

The first two acts are very enjoyable, and the film only falters towards the end, where it feels that Cameron wanted to do more with the characters and the story. The pace stumbles for a few steps and is overlong in a couple of sequences before recovering for the predictable, but enjoyable finale.

I came out of the cinema feeling that I’d really enjoyed it – from start to end. I felt the story had something to say and the characters were believable. This, in the end, is the thing that makes the movie. The effects are great, the 3D is fun, but the story, the characters and the overriding message create this whole package that is just undeniably enjoyable. And that, after all, is what a movie is supposed to be all about.

9 / 10