AVATAR - See it in 3D if you haven't! #1 Movie All-Time Domestic & Worldwide!

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

This is the point exactly and it has never been denied by anyone. Yes, the story is familiar but it is well executed and the world in unlike anything ever seen before on film.

The 3-D effects are unlike anything ever seen before on film. I would argue there have been far more original and engrossing fantasy and sci-fi worlds created on film before. The 3-D CGI makes the movie what it is.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

The 3-D effects are unlike anything ever seen before on film. I would argue there have been far more original and engrossing fantasy and sci-fi worlds created on film before. The 3-D CGI makes the movie what it is.

Really?

I am not trying to be argumentative but what fantasy and sci-fi worlds do you consider more engrossing?

[CMPunk]

Careful HP...you're messing with Nehkara's life changing event here

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Really?

I am not trying to be argumentative but what fantasy and sci-fi worlds do you consider more engrossing?

I'll stick to film, because it is obviously unfair to compare it to fantasy or science-fiction novel's and their immensely elaborate creations.

Middle-Earth is the obvious one on film. Hyboria, the make believe world of Pan's Labyrinth, The City in Bladerunner, the galaxy of the original Star Wars films, the original Planet of the Apes... It doesn't need glowing flowers and cliches like the Tree of Souls to make an imaginary world good. I liked the Na'vi, but they were still only thinly veiled Native Americans.

Cases could be made for the engrossing world of Harry Potter (even though I don't particular enjoy those movies), Dark City, etc, along with others... The Wizard of Oz... These movies and their make believe worlds all stood on legs that weren't propped up by (albeit mind-blowing) CGI and 3-D effects. That's not to say these things should be held against Avatar. They're its strengths. But if you take away the 3-D and the insanely good CGI, its a cliche, bland world of blue Native Americans walking on glowing flowers, riding dragons, and talking about the Tree of Souls. The world building of Pandora itself is nothing that is particularly special or mind-blowing. You enjoy a movie for its strengths, and it's pretty clear the real strengths of Avatar are the awesome effects and great action.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Careful HP...you're messing with Nehkara's life changing event here

Thanks again for your amazing contribution to this thread.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I'll stick to film, because it is obviously unfair to compare it to fantasy or science-fiction novel's and their immensely elaborate creations.

Middle-Earth is the obvious one on film. Hyboria, the make believe world of Pan's Labyrinth, The City in Bladerunner, the galaxy of the original Star Wars films, the original Planet of the Apes... It doesn't need glowing flowers and cliches like the Tree of Souls to make an imaginary world good. I liked the Na'vi, but they were still only thinly veiled Native Americans.

Cases could be made for the engrossing world of Harry Potter (even though I don't particular enjoy those movies), Dark City, etc, along with others... The Wizard of Oz... These movies and their make believe worlds all stood on legs that weren't propped up by (albeit mind-blowing) CGI and 3-D effects. That's not to say these things should be held against Avatar. They're its strengths. But if you take away the 3-D and the insanely good CGI, its a cliche, bland world of blue Native Americans walking on glowing flowers, riding dragons, and talking about the Tree of Souls. The world building of Pandora itself is nothing that is particularly special or mind-blowing. You enjoy a movie for its strengths, and it's pretty clear the real strengths of Avatar are the awesome effects and great action.

I know CMPunk didn't believe me but I really was just trying to get your opinion.

I agree with many of your points. Especially Middle Earth and Harry Potter.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Thanks again for your amazing contribution to this thread.

Your welcome....it's so much fun messing with fanboys

[Hemi-Cuda]

i'd argue against middle earth, at least the film version. if you're talking about the book, obviously Tolkien was the first to really create a full fantasy world, but by the time the movies came out we had seen middle earth done countless times over in video games. LOTR and Star Wars also had the advantage of being trilogies, so it wouldn't be fair to compare them to Avatar until Cameron has a chance to flesh out his universe a bit more. and as he has stated a desire to do more movies based on the other worlds around Pandora, i doubt all there will be to his world is blue natives and glow in the dark plants

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'd argue against middle earth, at least the film version. if you're talking about the book, obviously Tolkien was the first to really create a full fantasy world, but by the time the movies came out we had seen middle earth done countless times over in video games. LOTR and Star Wars also had the advantage of being trilogies, so it wouldn't be fair to compare them to Avatar until Cameron has a chance to flesh out his universe a bit more. and as he has stated a desire to do more movies based on the other worlds around Pandora, i doubt all there will be to his world is blue natives and glow in the dark plants

Yeah... Perhaps a bit more suitable comparison once the Avatar trilogy is complete (I am assuming at this point that the movies will be made).

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Your welcome....it's so much fun messing with fanboys

I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. I would apologize to you for getting so excited about things like this but since you seem to enjoy bugging me so much about it, I guess there isn't much to apologize for!

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'd argue against middle earth, at least the film version. if you're talking about the book, obviously Tolkien was the first to really create a full fantasy world, but by the time the movies came out we had seen middle earth done countless times over in video games. LOTR and Star Wars also had the advantage of being trilogies, so it wouldn't be fair to compare them to Avatar until Cameron has a chance to flesh out his universe a bit more. and as he has stated a desire to do more movies based on the other worlds around Pandora, i doubt all there will be to his world is blue natives and glow in the dark plants

Take Fellowship of the Rings and it still has more depth in world-building than Avatar, IMO.

And who cares if we've seen Midde-Earth in video games? We've seen countless Avatars in video games, too. It's only fair to stick with a single medium, or else it's comparing apples to oranges.

My replies are honest, just so Nehkara knows; I'm not trying to say Avatar sucked. Far from it... I just think it should be praised based on its merits, and not made into something it's not, at least in my opinion. James Cameron has a knack for making things bigger and better than ever before, he's never been the most original guy.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by sa226

All of you guys who say you didn't think "The Dark Knight"...."Avatar"...."Titanic" etc were all that great, you are clearly in the minority, so do you think that makes you special? Do you think that makes you smarter than everyone who thought they were great?

Maybe you should broaden your horizons a little, since there are actually other options than:

a) I like movies that are popular
b) I don't like movies that are popular

Maybe you should try making up your own mind too?

Besides, what you're basicly saying is "if a person has a minority opinion there must be something wrong with him". It's not an uncommon way of thinking, but it's one that always makes me sad.

(Not to mention that I seem to recall about as many people who hated or just laughed at Titanic as those who loved it, so I hardly consider "not liking it" a minority view, at least not a very small minority.)

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Take Fellowship of the Rings and it still has more depth in world-building than Avatar, IMO.

And who cares if we've seen Midde-Earth in video games? We've seen countless Avatars in video games, too. It's only fair to stick with a single medium, or else it's comparing apples to oranges.

My replies are honest, just so Nehkara knows; I'm not trying to say Avatar sucked. Far from it... I just think it should be praised based on its merits, and not made into something it's not, at least in my opinion. James Cameron has a knack for making things bigger and better than ever before, he's never been the most original guy.

HP, I agree with what you say. Avatar isn't particularly original at anything other than its CGI and 3D. I really like the world of Pandora a lot but I recognize that it hasn't been well explored and fleshed out yet and in and of itself is not particularly original.

The strengths in Avatar lie in execution and visuals. A great story executed poorly is infinitely worse than a familiar story excuted very well. James Cameron knows this.

Now that he has the 3D and CGI down and has laid the groundwork for his world I am anxious to see what he comes up with for the next few movies.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Itse

Maybe you should broaden your horizons a little, since there are actually other options than:

a) I like movies that are popular
b) I don't like movies that are popular

Maybe you should try making up your own mind too?

Besides, what you're basicly saying is "if a person has a minority opinion there must be something wrong with him". It's not an uncommon way of thinking, but it's one that always makes me sad.

(Not to mention that I seem to recall about as many people who hated or just laughed at Titanic as those who loved it, so I hardly consider "not liking it" a minority view, at least not a very small minority.)

Agreed.

I respect James Cameron for the work he has done and his accomplishments... but, to me, Titanic wasn't amazing.

I know people who think it was and I understand their point of view. I know people who didn't and while for some of them it was just backlash against something popular, for others it was for more significant reasons.

The Dark Knight to me WAS amazing, but again I have heard good arguments for why people don't like it... and some people don't like it because it is popular.

Can't please everybody... ever.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I'll stick to film, because it is obviously unfair to compare it to fantasy or science-fiction novel's and their immensely elaborate creations.

Middle-Earth is the obvious one on film. Hyboria, the make believe world of Pan's Labyrinth, The City in Bladerunner, the galaxy of the original Star Wars films, the original Planet of the Apes... It doesn't need glowing flowers and cliches like the Tree of Souls to make an imaginary world good. I liked the Na'vi, but they were still only thinly veiled Native Americans.

Cases could be made for the engrossing world of Harry Potter (even though I don't particular enjoy those movies), Dark City, etc, along with others... The Wizard of Oz... These movies and their make believe worlds all stood on legs that weren't propped up by (albeit mind-blowing) CGI and 3-D effects. That's not to say these things should be held against Avatar. They're its strengths. But if you take away the 3-D and the insanely good CGI, its a cliche, bland world of blue Native Americans walking on glowing flowers, riding dragons, and talking about the Tree of Souls. The world building of Pandora itself is nothing that is particularly special or mind-blowing. You enjoy a movie for its strengths, and it's pretty clear the real strengths of Avatar are the awesome effects and great action.

Damn, now I have to go watch the original trilogy of Star Wars again.

[awildermode]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Your welcome....it's so much fun messing with fanboys

CMPunk is a closet fanboy!

wait, even better....CMPunk is James Cameron

[awildermode]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Agreed.

I respect James Cameron for the work he has done and his accomplishments... but, to me, Titanic wasn't amazing.

I know people who think it was and I understand their point of view. I know people who didn't and while for some of them it was just backlash against something popular, for others it was for more significant reasons.

The Dark Knight to me WAS amazing, but again I have heard good arguments for why people don't like it... and some people don't like it because it is popular.

Can't please everybody... ever.

well put.

for the record, i saw Titanic six times in the theater (each time with a different chick , once by myself ) i still think it is one of the better movies ever made.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by awildermode

well put.

for the record, i saw Titanic six times in the theater (each time with a different chick , once by myself ) i still think it is one of the better movies ever made.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by awildermode

well put.

for the record, i saw Titanic six times in the theater (each time with a different chick , once by myself ) i still think it is one of the better movies ever made.

So you'll 'never let go..' of Titanic?

[Kipper is King]

I saw Avatar tonight. It is a feast for the eyes, but the notion of guys on flying animals with bows and arrows taking down fully equipped modern soldiers and even helicopters made me roll my eyes.

Aside from that minor gripe, it's quite cool and really worth seeing.