Close

Not in Melbourne?


Avatar 3D

movies|avatar%203d|2009-12-17
The story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.

Video

This video cannot be viewed because you either have Javascript turned off, no Flash player or an older version of Flash. Get the latest Flash player

Editorial


Avatar is unequivocally, completely, 100% the film that has been percolating in James Cameron's head for the last fourteen years. It is not, in all probability, the film that you had in yours when you first heard that the man who directed Aliens and The Terminator was returning to sci-fi with a movie so ambitious that he had to build the technology to make it happen.

In a dizzyingly fast, almost impressionistic opening ten minutes, we're introduced, in no short order, to everything you need to know for the next 150: about Pandora's climate and largely deadly population, about Jake Sully's situation, about the Avatar program and the ruthless plans of the human invaders. And then we're off and running, literally, into an action sequence where Jake-Avatar barely survives encounters with unfriendly local wildlife.

And it's here where Cameron chooses to slow things down over a three-month time period in which Jake immerses himself in the Na'vi culture, and gradually finds himself losing his heart to their ways and practices, and, in particular, Zoe Saldana's fierce warrioress, Neytiri. The Na'vi, each of whom has clearly distinct features may not always seem photo-real, but they do seem alive and extremely expressive.

Sam Worthington, fully justifying all the hullabaloo about him with a controlled, charming and physical performance, may have a magnificent Lee Marvin leading man monotone, but an even bigger asset is his soulful eyes, a quality that is retained and magnified in the larger peepers of the Na'vi.

But, as much as technology aids and defines Avatar, it's also a love letter to humanity and the glory of Mother Nature. It's a world, not to give too much away, that Cameron clearly fully intends to return to and further explore. When he does, our bags are already packed.

Chris Hewitt

Do something with this page

10 User reviews (add yours)

User Feedback

Bruce
December 26, 2009


It is a must see. My wife even loved it.

Flag this comment as inappropriate

marty
December 27, 2009


is it really that difficult to put the movie's duration on here ??

Flag this comment as inappropriate

Ginnibee
December 28, 2009


Brilliant! No wonder it took ?? years to make! Absolutely beautiful scenery. SUPERB graphics! Excellent casting! Never seen a better movie in my 57 years! You'd probably need to go 4 or 5 times to make sure you'd seen everything! Shouldn't take little kids though! Very violent towards end! Also very loud to go with that!

Flag this comment as inappropriate

Ben
January 01, 2010


marty December 27, 2009 is it really that difficult to put the movie's duration on here ?? Is it really that hard to google the time???

Flag this comment as inappropriate

don't tell me ending
January 09, 2010


I thought there would be half intelligent comments and not one that told of endings which is an unwritten rule of respect for those who have not seen a movie yet - I plan to see it tomorrow and was curious about comments thanks Ginnibee and Bruce you were only ones helpful.

Flag this comment as inappropriate

Bob
January 12, 2010


is it really that difficult to google the village 7 website to find out more?

Flag this comment as inappropriate

Jim
January 14, 2010


Best movie ever!, Big call but I'm serious.

Flag this comment as inappropriate

MJF
January 17, 2010


JT hit the nail on the head

Flag this comment as inappropriate

train
January 31, 2010


Apparently the story of pokohontis but with cg and diff environment. so expect that story with cool graphics. Sounds good to me, I'm going tomorrow!

Flag this comment as inappropriate

What about the Movie?
March 18, 2010


@Marty - December 27 - is it really that difficult to look under "Tip Sheet" to see the duration?

Flag this comment as inappropriate

Your Feedback

*Your rating

* required

*Your review (1000 characters max)