First Impressions: Avatar 

Avatar
Yes it’s a game-changer. Yes the 3D and visuals raise the bar. And yes there’s plenty of cliché ridden dialogue and story. But somehow it all works. There is not a moment goes by that you don’t feel completely consumed by this world. Weta and Cameron – I applaud you. Review shortly.

 
 
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Thursday, December 17 2009
 
Film General
 
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New Avatar Trailer 


A new 3:31min trailer has hit the web for Avatar released on December 17th and it is miles better than the teaser we saw a little while back. The talk back on this film within the film communities has been huge and it really is divided. Typically those who have seen the trailer(s) and footage in 3D say it’s breathtaking so I’m going to reserve judgement until I see it in its intended format. Of course, it could be a disaster of Episode I proportions, with some claiming it’s “Fern Gully with Smurfs”. HD trailer here.

 
 
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Monday, November 2 2009
 
Film General
 
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Avatar Trailer Hits! 


Of course, go watch the 1080p HD version online for better viewing.

All the months of anticipation and for the most part people have felt let down. I guess I was in that camp until I considered a few things:

  • It is supposed to be seen in 3D and judging from Twitter responses to the 15 minute screening in 3D theatres today, it HAS to be seen in 3D.
  • Here’s a really good review from a V/FX artist who saw the 15 minute 3D screening, not just the trailer.
  • In terms of the CGI, people were expecting photo realistic work due to what James Cameron had said in the past but he also refuted that claim recently at a 70mm screening of Aliens and The Abyss.

A couple of quotes from that screening in which Cameron was present:

He seemed unusually humble and said that “Avatar” may not make film history, but there are a few shots in the film that he knows for certain will be quite memorable, saying that he has his crew just got something back from the lab that made them say, “what the fuck?” (further fueling the “fucking our eyeballs” fire).

He also said that the CG special effects aren’t necessarily revolutionary, but he believes that the way he’s shooting the film, with a camera that can give him and the actors instant feedback with a rendered image that loosely replicates what will be on screen in the final product, could very well change moviemaking. (He said the rendering looks like an “80’s video game” right now, but technology should advance to the point where it could look like the final product while they’re filming on set.)

If you want more info on the film, check out this great one-on-one with Quint from Aint it Cool News and Cameron. In the end, I think it’s good to lower people’s expectations and I just hope, like so many others, that it’s not his Star Wars: Episode I. I doubt it but I guess we’ll see come December 18th! (in a 3D cinema of course!)

 
 
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Friday, August 21 2009
 
Film General
 
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