Avatar

Avatar is a 2009 American science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron, and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang.Avatar had been in development since 1994 by Cameron, who wrote a 114-page scriptment for the film. Filming was supposed to take place after the completion of Titanic, and the film would have been released in 1999, but according to Cameron, “technology needed to catch up” with his vision of the film. In early 2006, Cameron developed the script, the language, and the culture of Pandora.He has stated that if Avatar is successful, two sequels to the film are planned.

Plot Summary

The film begins in the year 2154 and focuses on Pandora, a fictional inhabited Earth-like moon in another planetary system.The story set in the 22nd century revolves on disabled ex-marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who is called to replace his dead twin in the Avatar program. To fulfill his duty, he travels to the planet populated by Na’vi, Pandora. The Na’vi are hostile to the human race due to the humans’ destruction of their home planet caused by mining for minerals. In the humans attempt to win over the race and the planet, they brew up an experiment that combined human and Na’vi DNA to create the unique Na’vi avatars. These avatars controlled by mental link will proxy for humans in the planet.

Sully is tasked to take control of one of the avatar ambassadors. He agrees to the proposition in exchange for the treatment to his broken legs. In the course of his mission, he must gain the trust of the Na’vi people whilst convincing them to abandon their home turf. Unexpectedly, he falls in love with the Na’vi princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) who had been training him in their Na’vi life and ways. In the progression of the film, Sullu must make a choice whether to help his own human race to carry out their plan or to battle against the tide to side with his new friends, the Na’vis.

Review

James Cameron returns to the directing seat after he sank “Titanic” 12 years ago. Long before, he was known for his high quality sci-fi films that set new standards for 3d effects including “The Terminator”, “Aliens”, and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”. With his refined state-of-the-art, $300 million worth production using CG effects in “Avatar”, he lines up with known sci-fi classics that came down history: “Star Wars”, “Jurassic Park”, “The Matrix” and “Lord of the Rings”.

The largest achievement of the movie comes from the most-talked about CG animation. Using this technology, Cameron brings to life the ten-foot-tall, blue-skinned, cat-like, indigenous people of the planet Pandora, the Na’vi. Though they’re quite a sore to the eye during promotions, while watching them thrive in their natural habitat, they’re a wonder to behold.

Another highly-talked about CG success in the movie is the dense forests populating the world of Pandora. The depiction of the ecologically-balanced, harmonious, and bio-diverse environment is filled with a lush jungle, floating mountains, and a gargantuan tree that stands out among the rest. The team has also created unique wildlife roaming around the planet like vicious viperwolves, six-legged direhorses, mighty thanators, graceful woodsprites, griffin-like banshees, and the predator leonopteryx.

The film’s soundtrack was something which complemented greatly to the success of the film.Composer James Horner scored the film, his third collaboration with Cameron after Aliens and Titanic.

My Verdict

When i started watching the films i was with half baked expectations as i was not a huge fan of Cameron,s earlier works[Titanic,Terminator etc].But the movie just made my perspectives change as as the projector started casting the images on the screen.Avatar  is not simply a sensational entertainment, although it is that. It’s a technical breakthrough. It has a flat-out Green and anti-war message. It is predestined to launch a cult following similar to Harry potter or Lord of the rings. It contains such visual detailing that it would reward repeating viewings and there lies real success of the film!

Cameron’s eye-popping visuals are the story, particularly because the actual narrative is too simple to sustain the 150-minute run time. The movie is about 95% cgi but there are no loose ends everything appears as if they are real.The movie was so involving that into the climax scenes i was almost in complete hysteria over the battle scenes.

I wouldnt say the 3d effects in the movie is top notch but unlike most other 3d films 80% of scenes in this film is 3d.But the effects of the 3d are not over expressive,it maybe because the Cameron must’ve considered it as a distraction.If  you want the ultimate 3d experience ,you may watch gore flicks like Final Destination 4 or My Bloody Valentine.

In short-
Staggering, spellbinding, a virtual trip to another world. Cameron has created the best film of the year and maybe of the decade

rating-

PROS-CGI,presence of Stephen Lang,Zoe Saldaña etc and James Cameron’s direction

Cons-lackluster performance of most supporting actors,3d effects etc!

Avatar
Directed by	James Cameron
Produced by	James Cameron Jon Landau
Written by	James Cameron
Starring	Sam Worthington Zoë Saldaña Stephen Lang Michelle Rodriguez Giovanni Ribisi Sigourney Weaver
Music by	James Horner
Cinematography	Mauro Fiore
Editing by	James Cameron John Refoua Stephen E. Rivkin
Studio	Lightstorm Entertainment Dune Entertainment Ingenious Film Partners
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	December 10, 2009 (London) December 17, 2009 (United Kingdom) December 18, 2009 (United States)
Running time	161 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$237,000,000[2]