I put up a few similar posts on a couple of other blogs but it can not be said enough.... AVATAR IS AWESOME!! I have been following this movie and its process of live capture animation for a few years now and was not a bit disappointed at the final product. I thought a few really key scenes were cut from the script but with a three hour run time they obviously had some serious deliberation when came down to the final rendering. I have not been drawn in and moved by a movie in such a way for a long time. Enough can not be said for the crew that put this movie together.. beginning and ending with James Cameron. In one interview he said that he has been holding on to this idea and a partially written script for more than 12 years, but was waiting for a time and technology to do his dream justice.
I am absolutely fascinated by live capture animation. It has been around for a few years now. the first movie I saw that I thought was well done with live capture animation was Monster House. And ironically enough the movie that honed the process enough for James Cameron and his team to be able to adapt it for Avatar was one of my pics for the worst movie of all time (Beowulf).
Anywho, Cameron has now confirmed that an Avatar sequel is eminent, and Fox Searchlight has already laid down the payroll. Avatar was so well conceptualized and more than just a movie, it was an enthralling experience that transported you to another time and place for a full 162 minuets demanding that you forget all that is not Jake Sulley, Pandora and the Na'vi. Now, because of the success of the movie (well over $1billion global now), they are, as an after thought, going to try to transform this movie into a franchise. Does any one remember the Matrix? That amazing movie that was ingenious and years ahead of its time. It was written and filmed as a single movie, and then, because of the tremendous success of the movie and greed of the Goof brothers and their studio, they made not one but two PAINFUL sequels. I now fight my gag reflex any time some one mentions "the Matrix Trilogy".
Avatar is a blazing movie because of its innovation, originality and unique plot/story line. It will not have those things going for it a second time, at least not to the same degree. I really hope I eat my words but I think that James Cameron and Fox are on a path towards ruining a great thing.
If you have not seen the movie yet.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!??!
