Hmm

[naomi_jay]

Just got back from watching Avatar. I... hmm. Okay, visually it's stunning, yes. And I'm sure in 3D it's even better. But the plot? Meh. It's this generic Man V Nature and Nature is always Good and Right and Better schtick. I found the plot fairly derivative and forgettable. It's all hand-waving and "rah-rah let's jolly well get those nasty men in their flying machines." And the portrayal of the Na'avi was an even more generic mix of every aboriginal race in human history, which annoyed me for reasons I can't quite explain. Possibly because it felt lazy? Like mixing up this Native American/African/Aboriginal style society/mythology bull is just a short cut for "these characters are morally superior and At One With Nature Which Is Good and Right." Lazy. I'm not saying being at one with Nature is bad; it's not. It's just that... man, isn't Avatar just Fern Gully in space at the end of the day?

I did like the dragons. I'd like a dragon. 

Anyway. Look. Let's not dwell on what was wrong with Avatar. I'm sure the whole American West In Space (but this time the Natives win!) thing was all in my head anyway.

Comments

[twigletzone.livejournal.com]

No, it wasn't just in your head, John Ayliff and I were having the exact same rant in stereo on Facebook. In fact it took me back to my teenage years, and enjoying listening to Tim Curry's turn as the baddie on the Ferngully soundtrack a little too much :)

Personally I'm deciding Avatar was a win since it's so nice to see Holywood producing stuff that does suggest that AMERICAN MILITARY INTERVENTION F*CK YEAH is counterproductive and unintelligent. If that idea has trickled far enough towards acceptability that it's tame enough for a mainstream movie and proving really popular (unlike Ferngully which was as I recall quite a flop by Disney standards), then it's gaining ground. And that makes me happy, pagan that I am :)

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I think overall it's a win film. I just wish the moral message wasn't slapped on so heavily. I don't want to be preached to when I go to the cinema.

[twigletzone.livejournal.com]

Ah, see I found it more than refreshing that the preaching was a message I actually agreed with for once - I think that's the first time I've ever experienced that. Most films peddle moralities I hate the sight of.

[sandrawickham.livejournal.com]

I keep hearing the same sort of reports. Still, we're going to go see it tomorrow as an early new year's eve "date", then back home to really celebrate the new year. (hee hee)

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Lol, enjoy it all!

[jhnc.livejournal.com]

The plot was mediocre.

The 3D was trying too hard in some places (let's turn round holding a spear so that it juts out halfway into the audience!), but where they didn't force it, it was good. Subtle effects like the first shot of the transparent cell door, I thought worked really well. Not convinced it's worth paying twice as much as a normal ticket, but my flatmate wanted to see it and I'd never seen a 3D film before. I'll be interested to see where the technology goes.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Apparently it's the first film designed to be 3D, rather than just having the 3D slapped on as a novelty feature. I'm not too fussed about seeing it again in 3D, but Kyle really wants to, so I'm sure I'll be dragged back.

[(Anonymous)]

I do love Fern Gully though! Did you have a good Christmas?xx

[j-rah.livejournal.com]

That was me by the way. You probably guessed xxx

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I did indeed, and yes, I had a very good Christmas. Did you?

[molly-skye.livejournal.com]

Completely agree with you! It is a beautifully made film and it was great to see such a vivid colour palette but apart from that it just left me feeling cold. The story was generic and I wasn't interested in the characters.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Glad it wasn't just me, lol. I actually nodded off a couple of times early on...