I’ve been wanting to write about Avatar for a while.  Having seen it about a week and a half ago.  It took me a while to put the pieces together and understand my feelings about it.

The Story

Without saying too much here because I don’t want to spoil anything… you’ve seen it.  Or at least something very close to it, I’m fairly sure.  Now does this equate to a bad thing?  Not really.  It’s a fine story, told in a manner unlike what you’ve probably ever seen.  Is it a groundbreaking epic story…no, but it’s interesting enough.

The CG

Holy sweet mother of crap on a biscuit…wow.  The movement and facial expressions on the Navi (the big blue folk) are crazy lifelike.  There was a while at the beginning of the movie where I was in awe of the CG.  Then what happened was what should happen in any great CG movie; I forgot about the CG.   The mix of live actors and the computer generated ones was so seamless that I stopped seeing them as separate realities coming face to face.

The 3D

Far from perfect, but still wicked cool   I haven’t had much exposure to 3D movies, but what little I have seen is basically “Hey, look at this 3D object in the middle of the screen, focus on it, watch it…isn’t it neato?  Ok moving on…”

This movie however seemed to use the 3D to immerse you into the environments.  The 3D was pretty much ever present through the film, but it wasn’t often the focus of the scene.  I think that’s what really made it great.

The overall package

If you are thinking of waiting to watch this on the small screen (Even if you have a 60″ in your basement) I think you are missing the point.  If you are going to save the $2 to see it in 2D, I think you are also missing out.

I really believe you need to see this movie in the biggest theatre you can muster, in 3D.  To see it otherwise is like watching fireworks on TV (Even if it is a big 60″ with amazing sound); it may be pretty, but it’s not really how it’s meant to be seen.  You need to feel the explosions, you need to see the burning embers and want to brush them away from your face when they get too close, you need to feel the spectacle in a crowd and feed off the energy and awe of those around you.

That’s how you need to see Avatar.

My Rating

Take any of the overall package elements away and you have yourself a decent sci-fi flick.  7/10

Put it all together and you’ve got yourself an experience to remember, an epic adventure.  9/10

Its been a while since I’ve gone solo to a movie, but today it will be ironman.
I rather enjoy the sunday matinee experience. There is a certain filter of people that appeals to me.
The punk teens are still just dragging themselves out of bed. Some volume is decreased by the absence of sunday churchgoers. What’s left is a rather peaceful moviegoing experience where one has their choice of seat, the popcorn is fresh and the movie can be enjoyed with minimal murmur and distraction.

I do enjoy a night out at the movies with friends, but the solo sunday noon show is a more personal moviegoing experience that’s all about me. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?