Avatar (2009)

Director: James Cameron

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigorny Weaver

The 3D version: hands down one of the best movie experiences I have ever had.

If you have already seen this in 3D, you would have to agree. Story, characters and even acting aside, the level of detail that has been created for this movie is astonishing. It is effective also. What a way to spend a night out by immersing yourself in an alien planet like Pandora. So cool

With the close mastering of this 3D technology, we have to start wondering what comes next with the whole movie experience. I realise I may be getting slightly ahead of myself in saying this, but we must look forward. For years I have been wondering when someone will incorporate the other senses into a movie experience; like smell. We have sight and sound at almost mind blowing levels but haven’t yet ventured into smell. Why not? Why cant we have a small box next to our seat that can emit certain odours and so forth that tie in with the story. It doesn’t have to be a constant thing (we don’t want to leave the movies with migraines and stuffy noses) but it could add that extra iota of realism that some movie plots may be craving. Imagine strolling through the forests of Pandora and being able to smell those wonderful flowers.

Of course, we wouldn’t want to watch a horror movie and be dealt with whiffs of human excrement and internal organs filling our nasal cavities. Then again, it would make it more realistic.

What about movies that can be controlled by the viewer. It could start out as a ‘Choose your own adventure’ type scenario; where the audience each get a small control that allows them to vote on the path they think would best suit the movie or central character. The majority of the votes would then take precedence and the movie will play out as the audience sees fit. It would also mean that people could watch a single movie a couple of times over and receive a slightly different story from the last time. I am thinking this would be suitable for the more children’s films, maybe those animated ones. I could see that if it was introduced within war movies of biographical films, the audience would get more annoyed than contempt.

We have to also start wondering when movies and video games are eventually going to merge into one ultimate experience. This idea is bordering on virtual reality in a way. Right now, when a movie is released, such as Avatar, the video game is also on the shelves within that same week. The game itself may open up different plot lines to the movie and allow for a deeper immersion into the ideas of the film. Yet, we are still in a ‘geek’ environment (lets call it). If my parents went to watch Avatar, I am 100% certain that they would not rush out to get the video game. It doesn’t cater for them. We need a technology that can cater for everyone, young and old alike. It would have to be thought driven. We would have to loose the ‘controller’ aspect of video games and allow for interaction with the characters on a more basic and interpretive level.

Ahhhh, the possibilities.

Incredible really.

To the movie:

I am sure, with the box office success of this film and all the media attention it has been given, I am not going to add much to the overall melting pot. I am also sure that most of you have already seen this movie and don’t want to know about the plot of it etc.

Well, I should at least discuss it for those out there that haven’t seen the film.

Avatar is centred around the claiming, and subsequent resource mining of an alien planet called Pandora. Due to its alien nature, humans cannot live on the planet without special breathing apparatus and so forth. They have invaded the planet to obtain its precious resources, worth millions to the humans back on Earth. To allow for easy exploration of the planet, the humans have created real life versions of the local inhabitants, known as the na’vi. These real life versions are known as Avatars and can be controlled by a human connecting to the avatar through metaphysical connections. (Don’t ask me how it works)

Anyway, a ‘dances with Wolves’ scenario is created when the main character falls for the superfine (yet 8 feet tall and blue) daughter of the local head chief. Main character realises the harm his society is doing to their planet and joins forces with them to stop it (see – Dances with wolves – I told you)

Yeah, the plot is fairly standard (apart from all that scientific connections to a separate life force) and it is drawn out over an ass numbing 3 hour movie. However, with everything that goes on before your eyes, you don’t feel your ass slowly becoming the consistency of mashed potatoes. It really is a treat for the two senses that movies cater for.

If you haven’t already seen this movie, what the hell is wrong with you? Have you been living under a rock? All the time I hear mindless chumps saying things like “Oh, I’m not really into science fiction type movies”.
I shake my head in disbelief. You don’t have to like the setting of the movie (alien planet etc), just go for the experience
Pull yer head out of yer ass and see it!!!!!

P.S. It should have won the Oscar. It really should have. People are still hurting that Shawshank redemption didn’t win best picture because Forest Gump got in the way. Well, we will see in a few years how this movie has affected the film industry forever and realise why it should have an Oscar just on that basis.