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movies|avatar|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.

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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

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15 User reviews (add yours)

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December 10, 2009


I can't wait to see this!

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Bec Stewart
December 16, 2009


Me either!!!

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Harry Georgatos
December 17, 2009


The 3D technology is revolutionary and has taken cinema to a higher form of evolution. Hollywood must now make every big-budget live blockbuster with this new developed technology. My only problem with AVATAR is the story seems familiar. The indigenous aliens seem somewhat bland. The alien geographical landscape created by Cameron is that of movie magic.

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jeannick
December 18, 2009


. saw it last night in 3d , the world is FANTASTiC ,the details rich and glossy , Sam Worthington has the magic of the tough man with a soul The plot is conventional with the goodies and the baddies, no surprise there the animation is massive , it doesn't get in the way of the story at all the film is lush and achieve the highest test of suspending disbelief , I was there try to see it in 3d ,

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gracious
December 24, 2009


u betta watch this movie guyzz...i did n it's fantastic...i tend to watch it again..

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anonymous
December 28, 2009


Juz asking, does anyone know when its out of cinemas? i reallly want to watch it but i never have time to go. i dont want to miss it

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mariahattori
January 09, 2010


It is a very inteligent and creative movie. There is an incredible mixture of high science and spiritualism. I strongly recommend seeing it!

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Alan
January 22, 2010


This doesn't tell me whether the Avatar being screened is 3D or not. This s important infor. missing.

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john
January 25, 2010


does it say 3d? no, because it's not. http://citysearch.com.au/movies/1137694371740/Avatar+3D?city

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Bill
March 11, 2010


This is an unreal movie!

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George
March 11, 2010


Awesome, is all i can say.

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paul
June 11, 2010


If I had wanted a story about cowboys and indians I would have hired a John Wayne or Audie Murphy dvd.Great visuals spoilt by the fact that americans will not take a punt on new stories.

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Danny
February 04, 2011


The 3D was cool, but the story was generic and predictable. Don't think the reviews would have been anywhere near as good if it wasn't for the 3D.

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Brooke
February 04, 2011


Nothing special.

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Sam
February 04, 2011


I liked it, but the 3D gave me a headache.

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