Avatar: Review By Fallenlords

A paraplegic Space Marine is given a chance to participate in the Avatar program after his twin brother is killed. The Avatar's are genetically coded to the individual, so being a twin he can manipulate the one created for his brother. The Avatars are a mixture of human and Navi DNA. The Navi being the indigenous life forms on the moon Pandora, a place rich with natural resources. The general idea is to integrate the Avatars into Navi society so that the mining company can manipulate the Navi for their own purposes.

This plot is so weak on so many levels, you might as well just forget about the plot and concentrate on the effects. The plot is basically Cowboys and Indians, Cowboys want what the Indians have so utilise their superior 'technology' to get what they want. The Navi are of course the nature worshipping creatures who care for their environment aka Indian's (or Native American's as not to cause offence).

Acting wise, well how well do computer generated graphics act? Not that well to be honest. I couldn't personally get past the fact it was 90% effects. Yes the 3D aspect was a little 'wow' for the first five minutes but after that is was sort of dull. The previews leading up to Avatar like Alice in Wonderland, Shrek etc. Looked far superior in terms of 3D. The human acting in itself was reasonable but some of the characters seemed a little over the top, like the marine Colonel. Some people that can act I didn't think we saw enough of overall. Focussing too much on the computer generated Navi.

I read a comment 'the master is back', referring to James Cameron. Now while I give him the utmost praise for Terminator 1+2 and Aliens, this film is a let down. It contains nothing new. In fact it is a bit of mish-mash, borrowing ideas previously seen in Aliens, space marines, mechanised human controlled robots oh and of course Signory Weaver. Considering this was fundamentally a 'blank canvas' in terms of the aliens, why turn them into Indians, with bows and arrows! Makes you think if he hadn't already had a pre-made alien for the film Aliens, would it of been any good? Cameron I start to doubt, Titanic and now this ... shame on you.

Film is too long as well at over two hours, it doesn't need to be that long as not a lot happens. It felt like two hours staring at pretty scenery for the most part. It's not like you can't work out what is going to happen. Now if it was a complex plot that had to evolve then fair enough, but this is not complex at all. In fact it is so simple you know what is going to happen right from the start.

The effects are fine, but I didn't see anything jaw dropping at all. In fact as mentioned, once the novelty of the 3D wore off that was it. In fact it was all pretty much 'retina burn' with the bright colours. Nothing in the film sort of tweaked a nerve, or submersed me into the film. The only thing that slightly tweaked anything was Michelle Rodriguez who reminded me of Jenette Goldstein in Aliens. For some reason I seem to be getting a thing about Latino'esq kick ass Marines.

Rating wise I think it gives the game away, rated for mass appeal enough said. Be nice to see this film with a 18 rating, it could of been so much better. All out war between the Marines and the Aliens, could of been kick ass 'Aliens' type stuff.

Apart from the 3D aspect, which gets old very quickly. This is one of the worst films I have seen in a while. Nice effects, but is has been proven time and time again effects are just 'part' of a film. The trouble with Avatar is the effects 'are the film'. Which why in my opinion I would rate this film as 'Epic Fail'.