I've watched an impossible amount of colonialism-focused movies and read an impossible amount of colonialism-focused books, but this is definitely one of the best.

I say this in every discussion I go into that involves a story. No matter what you think, every story has been done before. If you think you've stumbled upon a new one, you simply haven't read/seen enough. What makes a story remarkable, though, is the way that story is told. I thought this one was told very well. The story telling wasn't as good as the visual experience, but it'd have to be Hamlet for it to even come close. However, I felt the visuals added to the story, made it better than it would be on its own. That world was so real, so full of life, it's destruction becomes much more meaningful than it could ever be in concept alone.

@8D: I hope you're taking into consideration that a large amount of the dialogue takes place in something that is not the speaker's native language when you complain about the dialogue. The only parts I found noticeably rough were parts that felt like they should be that way (e.g. Jake stumbling through the native language or Neytiri speaking in English when she's full of emotion).

 

yeah i was mainly talking about the people that haven't seen it yet. if you saw it and didn't like it that's fine, no one's saying you have to like it once you see it. i was one of the people that from the trailers thought it looked like a recycled alien pocahontas movie (which it kinda was)...but as tarheel wrote it was just done so well. dialogue wasn't great but the presentation blew me away.

 

The language was invented. So, with that, come the translations. Anything that was ceremonial (once again, the first 2/3rds of the movie), I had no beef. Fine. I also understand this is not Whitman or Shakespeare, it's a movie. . .

. . . but FFS, we move on into English, and every word was slick Hollywood drivel. It sounded like it came from The James Cameron Big Book of Slam-Dunk Dialogue. Every plea to Ribisi's character (the planetary Admin) was a nugget of sales (fine), with no depth (of character content) in it whatsoever. The Head of Security, Col. Wutzhiznutz, was so transparent, it hurt. I can only hope that Ms. Rodriguez took points on the film as compensation for having to deliver that crap (there were performances from the FnF flicks that were on par, if not better).

What's more; all of the Na'vi interactions were lifted straight from the Dances With Wolves playbook, with little nuance in the language (cum translation). The grimacing was ham-fisted, and overly-compensating (thus distracting, IMHO) from any nuance the language could've provided.*

Now, all this would be forgivable. . . except it was to the point of distraction from an otherwise visually gorgeous movie. I really want to see this again in "2D," to see what tricks/adjustments need to be made for standard film, but I am reticent in condoning this freakin' cheese factory.

*I also will far from rule out there was a test-screening, and too many people complained about having to read. Or, moreover, reading subtitles distracted from the visuals - and there's probably valuable market research proving that reading equals lower sales in, "key demographic targets."

 

still have to see it..looks like a winner to me.

 

I'll pay attention to the final 1/3's dialogue more closely next time I see it (Thursday), and let you know what I think.

 

I was totally blown away, I saw it in 3d at a regular theater. For pure entertainment value this movie is very hard to top. I would have to agree that the Matrix was the last movie that impressed me this much. It raises the bar big time.

 

I just saw this movie and its certainly good, its like Last of the Mohicans with space ships. There were some faults with the story that grow as it progresses and gets crammed into "big budget action flick", but overall its a good story - worth seeing twice.

 

visually one of the best movies ever made. I even chuckled at the little lizards that ornothoptered away when scared off...they were ridiculous but cute as their bodies just hung underneath and spun away HAHAHAHA

The story was predictable and too preachy at times. I know humans suck and I have heard the sermon countless times. If people remember The Abyss and the directors cut of that film they will see the same playbook. I can't fault the film on story alone...regardless of that, it is a fantastic way to dust 2.5 hours

no matter how thin and stilted the story is, it is still a must own film on Blu-ray for me.

If you dont see it in IMAX 3d you will be missing a great movie going experience...plain and simple.

 

Simply amazing and a new benchmark.

 

3D IMAX is definitely the way to do it

The story line was very predictable, but so was the first Star Wars. The eye candy was seriously strong though! I also like that the movie was closed - it didn't leave me feeling there has to be a sequel. There could be one if they decide to do it, but there doesn't *have to* be a sequel.

I want to go watch it again on the "flat" screen to pick-up on a few things I think I missed.