AVATAR RE-WATCH!!

‘Avatar’ Is a Visually Stunning Film

*** This is my initial review for the 2009 movie Avatar that I found from years ago!! I watched it a couple days ago to get ready for the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water. It was actually the first time that I watched the film since I initially reviewed the film and it still holds up! I forgot how beautiful the visual effects are and how powerful it is! Also highly recommend checking out the sequel!!! After a 13 year wait, it's WORTH IT!!!

Acclaimed director James Cameron has made some of the most entertaining and stunning movies in recent cinematic history. Cameron has directed the first two “Terminator” movies, “True Lies,” “The Abyss,” “Titanic” and others. After the 1997 release of “Titanic,” James Cameron has been directing documentaries for the IMAX format. During the time that he was starting on “Titanic,” Cameron has been working on a certain project that is different from other films. That project happens to be the visually-stunning “Avatar,” which is one of those rare films that has to be seen.

In the highly acclaimed 20th Century Fox movie, “Avatar” is about a corporation that has found a rare and expensive mineral on a moon named Pandora. The moon is habited by blue humanoid/aliens called the Na’vi, a race that lives in harmony with nature and does not like the marines’ presence there. The marines are there to get the Na’vi out of their living quarters so the greedy corporation can get their mineral. Scientists have been creating something called “avatars,” which look and can act just like the Na’vi.

Meanwhile, a paraplegic former marine named Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is chosen to operate an avatar that was originally for his recently killed twin brother. With the help of Dr. Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and biologist Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore), Jake can easily learn how the Na’vi live and can get the marines the information that they want without the scientists finding out.

“Avatar” is a science fiction fantasy that is quite entertaining. The film is filled with incredible, breath-taking effects that can dazzle the viewer. The computer animation featured in the film is the most advanced currently available and looks so real. And, like other James Cameron films, there is also some humor placed throughout the movie. The musical score done by James Horner was outstanding. The score definitely also helped keep the movie alive and moving. The acting was also great.

Australian Sam Worthington takes on the role of former marine Jake Sully. Worthington had small roles in “Hart’s War” and “The Great Raid” before landing a role in the 2009 film “Terminator Salvation.” Even though the latest “Terminator” film didn’t do so well, it did get him noticed. Worthington will next star in the anticipated remake of “Clash of the Titans,” in theaters this spring. He is also signed on for any potential “Avatar” sequels.

Other cast members include: Zoe Saldana (Star Trek) as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver (Vantage Point) as Dr. Grace Augustine, Stephen Lang (Public Enemies) as Colonel Miles Quarditch, Joel David Moore (TV’s Bones; Dodgeball) as Norm Spellman, Giovanni Ribisi (Public Enemies) as Parker Selfridge, Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious) as Trudy Chacon, Laz Alonso (Miracle at St. Anna) as Tsu’tey, CCH Pounder (The Shield) as Moat and Dileep Rao (Drag Me To Hell) as Dr. Patel. “Avatar” is written and directed by James Cameron.

Even though “Avatar” has been in development shortly after the making of “Titanic,” James Cameron actually wrote an 80 page treatment for the movie around 1994. Cameron stated that he thought that now was a good time to make the movie since the CGI has become more advanced. Filming stated around April 2007 and post-production took almost a year to complete. According to the filmmaker, 40% of the movie is live-action and the remainder 60% is CGI. When the film’s trailer was released online last summer, it became the most watched trailer ever. The film also broke many box office records. Cameron also pictured the movie has been a start of a trilogy. And, since “Avatar” is doing quite well, he said to expect an “Avatar” sequel within the next few years.

“Avatar” opened on December 18 with enthusiastic reviews from almost every single critic out there. “Avatar” earned $77 million during its opening weekend, slightly lower than Fox originally projected. The estimate was lower due to a blizzard that was threatening much of the East Coast. After seeing the estimate, the Fox execs thought that “Avatar” was going to be an expensive flop. But, with great reviews and very positive word-of-mouth, the movie went on to earn $594 million and stayed at the number one spot for seven straight weeks. As of now, it is the first movie to ever cross the $2 billion mark for a worldwide gross. When this review is printed, “Avatar” will most likely have crossed the $600 million mark, beating “Titanic.”

“Avatar” is rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking and has a running time of 162 minutes.

https://youtu.be/5PSNL1qE6VY