Loading....
x
Our reviewer describes Avatar, staring Sam Worthington, right, as mesmerizing.
Avatar
Director: James Cameron
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Giovani Ribisi
Classification: STC
Rating: **** 1/2
The best word to describe watching James Cameron’s long-awaited Avatar is, overwhelming. The tech-savvy director has created a truly immersive experience, utilizing 3-D and motion capture technology to create the brand-new, vibrant world of Pandora, and its slender, yellow-eyed, blue-skinned inhabitants, the Na’vi.
The smartest thing Cameron does is keep the story simple. It’s something we’ve seen before: A native population stands in the way of the goals of an invading force — in this case, humans led by a greedy corporate honcho (Giovani Ribisi) and a marine colonel (Stephen Lang) displaying Apocalypse Now levels of menace.
As Sam Worthington’s Jake is sent, via a human/Na’vi hybrid body (or avatar), to infiltrate the Na’vi, he falls in love with one of their own (Zoe Saldana) and takes their side. With an unchallenging story, Cameron leaves plenty of room for the technical splendor to do the heavy lifting, and he strikes a great balance.
The film isn’t perfect, of course. Some of the exchanges and declarations are rather clunky, as dialogue was never really Cameron’s strong suit. And there are several less-than-subtle criticisms of Bush administration foreign policy — something that apparently can happen when it takes five years to complete a film. But the overall effect is mesmerizing and well worth the wait.
Director: James Cameron
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Giovani Ribisi
Classification: STC
Rating: **** 1/2
The best word to describe watching James Cameron’s long-awaited Avatar is, overwhelming. The tech-savvy director has created a truly immersive experience, utilizing 3-D and motion capture technology to create the brand-new, vibrant world of Pandora, and its slender, yellow-eyed, blue-skinned inhabitants, the Na’vi.
The smartest thing Cameron does is keep the story simple. It’s something we’ve seen before: A native population stands in the way of the goals of an invading force — in this case, humans led by a greedy corporate honcho (Giovani Ribisi) and a marine colonel (Stephen Lang) displaying Apocalypse Now levels of menace.
As Sam Worthington’s Jake is sent, via a human/Na’vi hybrid body (or avatar), to infiltrate the Na’vi, he falls in love with one of their own (Zoe Saldana) and takes their side. With an unchallenging story, Cameron leaves plenty of room for the technical splendor to do the heavy lifting, and he strikes a great balance.
The film isn’t perfect, of course. Some of the exchanges and declarations are rather clunky, as dialogue was never really Cameron’s strong suit. And there are several less-than-subtle criticisms of Bush administration foreign policy — something that apparently can happen when it takes five years to complete a film. But the overall effect is mesmerizing and well worth the wait.
|
User Comments & Ratings | Comment as guest | |
| Title: |
| Comment: |
more entertainment stories
Worm turns on second Tory, this time over airport tequila row
OTTAWA - The worm has turned on a second Conservative cabinet minister over an airport security impasse - this one fuelled by tequila.
Paralympic closing to be a sentimental farewell to world spotlight
VANCOUVER, B.C. - One eye has been on the clock and the other has been on the clouds for the producer of the closing ceremonies for the 2010 Paralympic Games.
Owner of shop involved in Montreal shooting makes court appearance
MONTREAL - The owner of the Montreal shop that was the scene of a brazen daylight shooting appeared before a judge today, accused of breaching bail conditions.
13 stranded after ice roads turned to mud rescued, says Manitoba Mounties
WINNIPEG - Muddy ice roads that stranded dozens of drivers in the wilderness and prompted 16 northern Manitoba First Nations to declare a state of emergency are proof that permanent all-season roads are needed, the province's grand chief said Friday.
Family of missing N.B. woman reject possibility she deliberately ran off
MONCTON, N.B. - The family of Donna O'Rielly is rejecting the possibility that the missing New Brunswick woman has run off.
editor's picks
In twitosphere, are the funny, famous in it for tweets, or do they also follow?
Twitter is so many things to so many people: infomercial, backyard fence, brain dump. The funny, famous, famous for the wrong reasons or simply very useful have thousands of followers, but who do THEY follow?
The clock may be ticking on CBC's '22 minutes
HALIFAX, N.S. - Is the clock ticking on "22 Minutes"?
NBC behind him, Conan O'Brien in talks with Fox
NEW YORK - The next few months could keep Conan O'Brien very busy.
Facebook users warned about email scam
Another email scam is circulating online trying to ensnare unsuspecting Facebook users into divulging all their passwords.
Thai PM objects to blood-spilling, but open to talks
BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's prime minister said Thursday the government was ready to hold talks with protesters, who want him to call new elections, but only if they stop throwing blood, blocking government offices and remain peaceful.
Copyright 2001-2010, Free Daily News Group Inc.