Avatar Review: Is Variety Reading My Mind?

Share on Facebook posted 12-11-09 by Julina Tatlock

Reviews are beginning to trickle in for Cameron’s epic-3-D-eco-minded-sci-fi-action spectacular Avatar. I am seriously jonesing to see this film but have a suspicion that the story and action isn’t going to be the same caliber as Terminator or Alien. Variety‘s review is out and confirms some of my pre-conceptions:

The Story Might Be Simplistic and Sentimental

“Thematically, the film also plays too simplistically into stereotypical evil-white-empire/virtuous-native cliches, especially since the invaders are presumably on an environmental rescue mission on behalf of the entire world, not just the U.S. Script is rooted very much in a contemporary eco-green mindset, which makes its positions and the sympathies it encourages entirely predictable and unchallenging.”

The Visual Effects and Art Direction Will Be Gorgeous

“On an experiential level, however, “Avatar” is all-enveloping and transporting, with Cameron & Co.’s years of R&D paying off with a film that, as his work has done before, raises the technical bar and throws down a challenge for the many other filmmakers toiling in the sci-fi/fantasy realm. The lead team from Weta in New Zealand as well as the numerous other visual-effects and animation firms involved have done marvelous and exacting work, a compliment that extends to every other craft and technical contribution on view.”

The Action Will Be Good But There May Not Be Enough

”Final stretch is devoted to the ferocious battle between the Earthly marauders, with their huge airborne battleships and mighty arsenal, and the nearly naked home team, armed mostly with bows and arrows. Despite the latter fighting on friendly terrain, the mismatch is just too great, and the way things pan out strikes the one somewhat discordant dramatic note in the picture, resulting in a bit of final-reel deflation; surely, a more complex but believable climax and aftermath could have been found.”

Here’s the deal, I’m a film addict and can’t believe that Cameron’s not going to give me enough action for me to get my fix. There is nothing anyone can say to keep me from waiting on line to see this movie at midnight in 3-D. Also, I figure if I’m sleepy, I won’t care so much that the story’s sentimental and occasionally cliche.