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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	Avatar Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Wes Studi, CCH Pounder and Michelle Rodriguez. Director: James Cameron Scriptwriter: James Cameron Composer: James Horner Cinematography: Mauro Fiore 20th Century Fox Rating: PG 13 for violence, sensuality and unsettling images Running Length: 163 minutes The last time James Cameron put his director hat on for a feature film was 13 years ago when he gave us Titanic. Love it or hate it you could not deny the impact that film had. To see it in the theater was unforgettable. This time he again shows that if you are going to do something then make it larger, grander, and more stunning than anything yet seen. Avataris a world all its own and possibly one of the better CGI films ever created. It is 40% live action which makes it so much more than another animated adventure. The planet of Pandora contains a world that reminds us why movies are made. The story revolves around a group of human scientists, who, in order to better understand a distant planets indigenous race, create Avatar that are a mix of both species’ DNA. The Avatars are controlled remotely by the human hosts. The Us Military also has its sites on the planet but more for a natural resource that is found to be worth billions. When they decide to take the element by force it is up to the Avatars to help save the planets inhabitants. It escalates into an all out war of compassion versus power. Not since Lord of the Rings have I seen a world of such detail and unique creatures. It is so full of imagination and beauty that when added with the depth of 3-D animation it literally sucks you in and submerges you. The battle sequences are flawless and a perfect balance of nature versus machine. Though close to 3 hours in length it moves so fluidly and is paced so well that you get caught up in everything around you and time flies by. It is so easy to assume what this film is about from the trailer. But until you see it in full you will not be able to grasp all of the depth and emotional journey the characters go through. It will at times take your breath away. There is a message too about mother earth and how we are all connected in some way by an underlying, unseen force. It does not shine a very positive light on the military mindset and their destructive nature. It is a film that distinctly divides the tree huggers from the NRA lifetime members. But there is a fantasy about it that will hopefully stir those on both sides to think about our planet more and how we not only treat it but our fellow inhabitants, both foreign and domestic. This is not a heavy handed message nor does it play like a public service announcement. It is just another element that causes the movie to be so powerful and moving. Avatar is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking. This is a fair rating and though the preteens may enjoy the sites of this planet the language and themes may be a bit much. The expletives, though mild, are rampant throughout. It is also worth mentioning that the indigenous people are just that. And although blue and CGI in creation they wear very little clothing. There is nothing sexual about this but parents need to be aware that it is there. I give Avatar 4.5 out of 5 rites of passage. Avatar has four Golden Globe nominations including Best Motion Picture Drama and best director. Cameron is back with a vengeance and this is one Pandora’s Box that you need to open fully. So says Matt Mungle Matt Mungle Review copyright 2009 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission. James Cameron (Aliens and Titanic) has created a world, species and language in his new film, Avatar. This is not the name of the planet on which this science fiction/fantasy film is based, but an avatar is a substitute for a person. The planet is Pandora (the mystical box that isn’t supposed to be opened and the name “Pandorum” of an earlier 2009 science fiction film.) As you will begin to see, there isn’t anything original under the sun, just the way it is used. Avatar is a creative film that utilizes the ultimate technology in animation and makes it appear that 10 feet tall, blue humanoid creatures are life-like and real. The blend of actor and animation and voice-overs is well done and this adds to the realistic aspect of the movie. James Horner’s over-wrought music score that channels “Hawaii” at every opportunity is not an asset. Jake (Sam Worthington) is a soldier who was paralyzed below the waist in battle. His identical twin was involved in a project headed by Grace (Sigourney Weaver) in which human DNA is blended with alien DNA to produce a hybrid creature capable of breathing the toxic air on Pandora. Jake’s brother is killed and Jake finds himself a last minute replacement as his DNA is identical. Thus, begins a whirlwind for Jake. He goes into the transformation case (similar to "Alien") and emerges as 10 feet tall, blue skin, a tail, rudimentary language skills and is expected to bond with the Na’vi, the blue-skinned natives. Eventually, Jake’s teacher is Neytiri, the daughter of the leader (Wes Studi). No one trusts Jake, but he tries and soon is adept at language and warrior skills. Jake’s earthly foe is Quaritch (a scene-grabbing Stephen Lang) who gives the words "military man" new meaning. This guy has more purpose than the original Terminator. What is happening is that a BIG EARTH corporation (headed by Giovanni Ribisi who resembles the Peter Reigert character from Aliens) wants to mine a rare ore on Pandora and everyone from the Na’vi to wildlife to sacred trees stands in Earth’s way. Does this sound familiar, “Dances With Wolves” and “Black Diamond” fans? The natives ride horse-like creatures and on large birds (shades of The Fellowship of the Rings series). The military weapons used by Earth are a combination Robocop and Alien. Sigourney Weaver’s tough Dr. Grace Augustine is almost like her Ripley of the Alien films. Not that I mind all this, because it is the way the film is put together that eases the palate and lets you notice the familiar and become acquainted with the new. The character of Jake is a sympathetic one and Sam Worthington (Terminator: Salvation) does an honorable job here. You notice his face, especially the lower half, with sensitive lips, as in Robocop, where Peter Weller’s mouth had to do the acting. Zoe Saldana (Star Trek) is never seen except as a Na’vi, but she gives wonderful expression to the character, both in face and voice. Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi are the villains you love to hate. They are so obvious, one in muscle and the other in lack of emotion, that it borders on humor. To have a good story, you need a good lead (Worthington,) villains (Lang and Ribisi), romance (Saldana) and a sympathetic character (Weaver). There must also be a farewell scene somewhere, and in this film, it is much like that in the Natalie Wood/Christopher Walken/Ellen Burstyn film, Brainstorm. Touchingly effective. All in all, Avatar should clean up at the box office. The movie took years and years to make, with animation, inventing a language, and just plain being innovative. I’m sure Oscar nominations will pay Mr. Cameron a visit. The Na'vi language will give science fiction fans another one to learn besides Klingon. Copyright 2009 Marie Asner

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Avatar

Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Wes Studi, CCH Pounder and Michelle Rodriguez.
Director: James Cameron
Scriptwriter: James Cameron
Composer: James Horner
Cinematography: Mauro Fiore
20th Century Fox

Rating: PG 13 for violence, sensuality and unsettling images
Running Length: 163 minutes

The last time James Cameron put his director hat on for a feature film was 13 years ago when he gave us Titanic. Love it or hate it you could not deny the impact that film had. To see it in the theater was unforgettable. This time he again shows that if you are going to do something then make it larger, grander, and more stunning than anything yet seen. Avataris a world all its own and possibly one of the better CGI films ever created. It is 40% live action which makes it so much more than another animated adventure. The planet of Pandora contains a world that reminds us why movies are made.

The story revolves around a group of human scientists, who, in order to better understand a distant planets indigenous race, create Avatar that are a mix of both species’ DNA. The Avatars are controlled remotely by the human hosts. The Us Military also has its sites on the planet but more for a natural resource that is found to be worth billions. When they decide to take the element by force it is up to the Avatars to help save the planets inhabitants. It escalates into an all out war of compassion versus power.

Not since Lord of the Rings have I seen a world of such detail and unique creatures. It is so full of imagination and beauty that when added with the depth of 3-D animation it literally sucks you in and submerges you. The battle sequences are flawless and a perfect balance of nature versus machine. Though close to 3 hours in length it moves so fluidly and is paced so well that you get caught up in everything around you and time flies by. It is so easy to assume what this film is about from the trailer. But until you see it in full you will not be able to grasp all of the depth and emotional journey the characters go through. It will at times take your breath away.

There is a message too about mother earth and how we are all connected in some way by an underlying, unseen force. It does not shine a very positive light on the military mindset and their destructive nature. It is a film that distinctly divides the tree huggers from the NRA lifetime members. But there is a fantasy about it that will hopefully stir those on both sides to think about our planet more and how we not only treat it but our fellow inhabitants, both foreign and domestic. This is not a heavy handed message nor does it play like a public service announcement. It is just another element that causes the movie to be so powerful and moving.

Avatar is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking. This is a fair rating and though the preteens may enjoy the sites of this planet the language and themes may be a bit much. The expletives, though mild, are rampant throughout. It is also worth mentioning that the indigenous people are just that. And although blue and CGI in creation they wear very little clothing. There is nothing sexual about this but parents need to be aware that it is there. I give Avatar 4.5 out of 5 rites of passage. Avatar has four Golden Globe nominations including Best Motion Picture Drama and best director. Cameron is back with a vengeance and this is one Pandora’s Box that you need to open fully. So says Matt Mungle

Matt Mungle

James Cameron (Aliens and Titanic) has created a world, species and language in his new film, Avatar. This is not the name of the planet on which this science fiction/fantasy film is based, but an avatar is a substitute for a person. The planet is Pandora (the mystical box that isn’t supposed to be opened and the name “Pandorum” of an earlier 2009 science fiction film.) As you will begin to see, there isn’t anything original under the sun, just the way it is used. Avatar is a creative film that utilizes the ultimate technology in animation and makes it appear that 10 feet tall, blue humanoid creatures are life-like and real. The blend of actor and animation and voice-overs is well done and this adds to the realistic aspect of the movie. James Horner’s over-wrought music score that channels “Hawaii” at every opportunity is not an asset.

Jake (Sam Worthington) is a soldier who was paralyzed below the waist in battle. His identical twin was involved in a project headed by Grace (Sigourney Weaver) in which human DNA is blended with alien DNA to produce a hybrid creature capable of breathing the toxic air on Pandora. Jake’s brother is killed and Jake finds himself a last minute replacement as his DNA is identical. Thus, begins a whirlwind for Jake. He goes into the transformation case (similar to "Alien") and emerges as 10 feet tall, blue skin, a tail, rudimentary language skills and is expected to bond with the Na’vi, the blue-skinned natives. Eventually, Jake’s teacher is Neytiri, the daughter of the leader (Wes Studi). No one trusts Jake, but he tries and soon is adept at language and warrior skills. Jake’s earthly foe is Quaritch (a scene-grabbing Stephen Lang) who gives the words "military man" new meaning. This guy has more purpose than the original Terminator. What is happening is that a BIG EARTH corporation (headed by Giovanni Ribisi who resembles the Peter Reigert character from Aliens) wants to mine a rare ore on Pandora and everyone from the Na’vi to wildlife to sacred trees stands in Earth’s way. Does this sound familiar, “Dances With Wolves” and “Black Diamond” fans? The natives ride horse-like creatures and on large birds (shades of The Fellowship of the Rings series). The military weapons used by Earth are a combination Robocop and Alien. Sigourney Weaver’s tough Dr. Grace Augustine is almost like her Ripley of the Alien films. Not that I mind all this, because it is the way the film is put together that eases the palate and lets you notice the familiar and become acquainted with the new.

The character of Jake is a sympathetic one and Sam Worthington (Terminator: Salvation) does an honorable job here. You notice his face, especially the lower half, with sensitive lips, as in Robocop, where Peter Weller’s mouth had to do the acting. Zoe Saldana (Star Trek) is never seen except as a Na’vi, but she gives wonderful expression to the character, both in face and voice. Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi are the villains you love to hate. They are so obvious, one in muscle and the other in lack of emotion, that it borders on humor.

To have a good story, you need a good lead (Worthington,) villains (Lang and Ribisi), romance (Saldana) and a sympathetic character (Weaver). There must also be a farewell scene somewhere, and in this film, it is much like that in the Natalie Wood/Christopher Walken/Ellen Burstyn film, Brainstorm. Touchingly effective.

All in all, Avatar should clean up at the box office. The movie took years and years to make, with animation, inventing a language, and just plain being innovative. I’m sure Oscar nominations will pay Mr. Cameron a visit. The Na'vi language will give science fiction fans another one to learn besides Klingon.