However, if you were to ask me if it was a great movie, I’d have to say no.  I would say the same about Avatar.  A great experience, but as a movie, it’s pretty middle of the road and that’s kind of being generous.

These are the only new generation 3D movies I have watched, and while watching them I was admittedly awestruck by the visual fireworks I experienced.  However, on reflection I am left with the feeling that I would have 0 interest in seeing either of them again.  I have the same 0 interest in buying, renting or spending time watching them on TV. Their stories are not interesting, thought provoking, or really, worth the paper they might be written on.  They are barely passable vehicles to move from one amazing CG scene to the next.

Contrast this to something like the latest Star Trek movie, not in 3D but definitely  awesome theatre experience none the less.  I have watched Star Trek in the theatre and have spent money watching it at home.  Twice in one day in fact.  Nearly every time I see it in my program guide I flip to it and watch a bit of it, taking in whatever ads may be thrown my way while doing so.  This is because it had a great story and engaging characters.  And that’s really what movies are about.

I’m sure I’m not the only one to feel this way as I’ve heard it echoed by many others.  I’m sure that the studios know it as well on some level.  Sure they get people out to the theatres at first; but I wonder if they really see the post theatre revenue that they would garner if they had spent equal time with developing an interesting story to go along with the incredible tech that they throw at these movies.

It almost seems like the movies started their lives as great technical demos and someone said “that looks fantastic, whip up a story around it.”

/shrug

I still loved the experience.  I have to say that Daft Punk did an amazing job with the soundscapes for TRON.  The music was as immersive as the 3D.

Edit: oh, I forgot to mention….

ZOMG I want a light cycle and and light fighter and a disc and and and…zOMG!!!!11!!!!!1!one!!!

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

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?