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Discussion in 'Cactus Cafe' started by ptownhorn, Dec 18, 2009.

  1. ptownhorn

    ptownhorn 1,000+ Posts

    going to see it in about 30 minutes. I'm catching it on the 3d DLP

    I have not seen a 3d movie since Jaws 3. Do you still have to wear the 3d glasses?

    we will see
     
  2. ProdigalHorn

    ProdigalHorn 10,000+ Posts

    You know, I'm torn, because this really does look like a spectacular visual experience. But I just don't know if I want to go to a two-hour lavish spectacle designed to tell me that humanity is just a bunch of jerks.
     
  3. l00p

    l00p 10,000+ Posts

    I know at the IMAX 3-D screen you wear glasses still.

    Without spoilers, if there are even any to be had, I look forward to your review. I am very "meh" about this so far.
     
  4. Perham1

    Perham1 2,500+ Posts

    Birth of a Nation? Citizen Kane?

    Forget about them! Avatar!
     
  5. nych 1

    nych 1 250+ Posts

    ProdigalHorn,

    Avoid "The Road" at all costs.
     
  6. Third Coast

    Third Coast 10,000+ Posts

    Saw the "making of" special on cable the other night and it looks amazing. Supposedly Cameron wanted to make it years ago, but the technology wasn't available to do it the way he envisioned. I don't go to theaters much, but this would be one to see on the big screen.
     
  7. PFD

    PFD 1,000+ Posts


     
  8. ptownhorn

    ptownhorn 1,000+ Posts

    I'm 36 yrs old and have never really been a science fiction fan. This is the greatest film experience I have ever had. I forgot about my life for 2 hrs and was completely engrossed in this film.

    I know this will sound corny, but when I die, this is what I would want "my heaven" to be. They were almost as bad *** as the 2005 USC trojans :)

    The Navia (blue people) live their lives as you would think Indians did back in the day. Except instead of buffalo, wolves, deer, they have their own species. It's basically like that, but on a grander scale. They are like apache warriors x 100.

    Yes, we had to wear glasses, but they were made of plastic instead of paper. At first the 3d stuff agitated me, but by the time the 3d movie previews were over, and the movie started, I pretty much forgot I was wearing them at all.

    reminded me of dances w/ wolves
    reminded me of ewoks fighting the storm troopers
    reminded me of Trek (you will know it when you see it)

    I didn't want the movie to end. I was crammed in between two fat guys and still wasnt bothered by the length of the movie.

    Best movie EVER.

    and i wanted to bang the blue amazon woman ha ha
     
  9. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    Great movie. Saw it in IMAX 3D also. I was skeptical going in because others were skeptical, but the opening sequence allayed any fears. The 3D and CGI were the best ever and very integrated into the movie. Didn't feel over CGI'd at all except for one inconsequential scene. Great pacing from the get go. Don't think there was even one boring part.
     
  10. atxbaby

    atxbaby 250+ Posts

    Dancing with Smurfs?
     
  11. l00p

    l00p 10,000+ Posts

    Question about the 3D Imax.

    In the past, movies shown in 3D only have segments in 3D. Maybe ten minutes total of a longer than 90 minute film needed the glasses. Is this one the same way? More minutes than ten? All of it?

    Thanks, I will hang up and listen.
     
  12. TheGallopinGoose

    TheGallopinGoose 2,500+ Posts


     
  13. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    To answer the questions:

    - Its not like Ewoks fighting storm troopers. Both sides are legit fighting forces and its quite simply one of the most spectactular battle scenes ever. The Navi are not ridiculous fighters with sticks and rope. They're bigger and more athletic than we are and are legit fighters.

    - Its not exactly Dances with Smurfs, though I can see why that's the popular movie to compare it to. Its more like Dances with Wolves + a conquistador movie

    - The message is not that humanity is evil unless you believe all humans, even all the humans in this movie are on one side. Both sides have their motivations. Its not just about saving their environment for the Na'vi, but rather how they have to survive, so the whole "liberal" slant isn't exactly correct. Sigourney Weaver screams the reason to a few in the movie, and they explain themselves back. So while you can generally make parallels, the nature of the Na'vi make things a little different.

    - The entire movie is 3D. From the opening 20th Century Fox logo that seems to be partially floating, to the final sequence, its all 3D and very well done.
     
  14. l00p

    l00p 10,000+ Posts

    Excellent, ty TecoloteHorn.

    Now I just wonder how early I would need to get to the IMAX to get good seats. I know that ordering them online would be a must unless I go and get them in person a few days in advance. How long is the wait at the Bob Bullock IMAX, I wonder?

    I live a whole five or so minutes away from it so maybe a bike ride is in order.
     
  15. txtxyeha

    txtxyeha 250+ Posts

    As a Dad of two I go to a movie theater when:

    1) my pre-teen needs an escort (and my wife says, "I took them last time, so it's YOUR turn),

    2) my wife and I can't figure out anything else to do for date night, or

    3) The movie has enough buzz that I don't want to wait for the DVD despite the fact that something/someone is going to annoy me at the theater (another sign of the aging process).

    This was the first time I felt I had a movie EXPERIENCE since I saw Star Wars when I was 12. Absolutly fabulous.

    Story was definately made interesting by the Avatar twist though the plot was pretty typical (corporations and military - bad, tree-hugging - good) and to me annoying.

    Again, this was a great movie experience that I kept thinking I need to continue my capitalistic ways by using carbon-based fuels and victimizing the less fortunate to the tune of about $5,000 - $10,000 so I can get a 72" 3D TV for the media room in my house.
     
  16. blueglasshorse

    blueglasshorse 1,000+ Posts

    I went to the IMAX on Friday to see Avatar. Got there an hour early and got good (but not great) seats. I would recommend 90 minutes. The movie was freakin' awesome. I only watch movies at IMAX or ADH. This deserves a trip to the IMAX. Yes, it has a Dances w Wolves feel at times. However, I didn't think it was too heavy handed. As with most stories, it's all about perspective. This story is from the perspective of the Navi. Imagine if the history of North America were told from the perspective of Native Americans. Quite a different story than the one we are familiar with. Had the "bad guys" been yet another alien life form, no one would have a problem with it. Frankly, that would have been more interesting to me. But I digress.

    This is a really great movie! I will see it again at the theater for sure, which is a rarity for me.

    official avatar website
     
  17. llanoflash

    llanoflash 25+ Posts

    great movie.

    went in with mediocre expectations and was very surprised..

    wish i would have seen it in 3d tho..
     
  18. THEU

    THEU 2,500+ Posts

    It looks like a video game to me... which doesn't interest me in the least.. Someone PLEASE convince me this is not just a video game on a big screen.
     
  19. BigWill

    BigWill 2,500+ Posts

    are there Ninjas? If so, I'll go.
     
  20. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    I never felt like it was a video game. Much more organic than Revenge of the Sith. Imagine the feel of Dances with Wolves and The Abyss, but with incredible scenery. Much more intimate than I expected. Definitely a movie. Not Transformers-like at all. You see the mention of a done before story, but the story is executed very well and there are unique elements to this telling. At the same time, the action is as or more spectacular as anything ever done.

    Another thing I'll say to the "I want more than just visuals" crowd is that you are probably underestimating the visuals. Its funny to read some people say its not "game changing" because there's simply nothing close. That world is completely made up as if it were Shrek or Up, yet you look at it as a real place once you're watching the movie.
     
  21. ptownhorn

    ptownhorn 1,000+ Posts


     
  22. Perham1

    Perham1 2,500+ Posts


     
  23. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    Even as a Star Wars fan, the land battle on Endor was ridiculous. The Empire was absolutely ridiculous which is the part of that movie that kills it for me.

    With the Na'vi, let me put it this way. You'd probably lose even if you had an Apache attack chopper. You actually got the sense that they could fight, had a huge advantage size and athleticism wise, and were masters at flying their flying animals, which were more agile than the Scorpions. A Marine security escort on Endor probably gets you back safe. As we learn early in the movie, that's not the case on Pandora.
     
  24. ptownhorn

    ptownhorn 1,000+ Posts

    ####spoiler below###############


    Well, the navai were losing until the "planet" animals joined forces with them
     
  25. Clean

    Clean 5,000+ Posts

    I saw the non-3D version Friday at 3:45PM.

    I opted for the regular version because I took the grandkids to see "UP" in 3D over the summer and didn't care for it.

    Strangely, the theatre was maybe a quarter full.

    The word awesome is used way too much these days, so I'll just say that it was spectacular. Well worth the price of admission. I'll definitely buy the blu-ray version when it comes out.
     
  26. borna_horn

    borna_horn 1,000+ Posts

    Yes, the line, "We can only be secure if we strike pre-emptively. We must fight terror with terror." was SO deep! I felt so engrossed by this brilliant, original story. [​IMG]
     
  27. EJC+1

    EJC+1 250+ Posts

    Saw it today. I'm a sci-fi nerd and a big movie snob as well. I read all the reviews and didn't know what to expect.

    I thought it was excellent and was thoroughly entertained. It lived up to my expectations as I just wanted quality movie making and a decent plot. It was that and more. Way, way better than any of the **** that George Lucas put out with the new Star Wars trilogy.

    Good stuff...I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
     
  28. THEU

    THEU 2,500+ Posts

    I will probably go see this, and see it in 3D. It is just hard to see after the video game like parts I have seen, coupled with the fact that Titanic is the worst movie I have seen in a theatre.
     
  29. fhetw

    fhetw 100+ Posts

    Not white
    Sucky version Pocahontas/Last Samurai
    If it werent for the visuals this movie would absolutely bomb.
     
  30. l00p

    l00p 10,000+ Posts

    THEU, you won't even think of the video game things you have seen once you are watching it. This is what got my desire less than active when it got close to release. Then I saw this thread and heard what friends said. I went tonight and saw it in 3-D.

    It was phenomenal. It was a spectacle. One of my two major focus points in school was that of the Native American in the Americas. This encompassed North, Latin and South. So there was really no way I would not have liked this, to be honest. I did not know this going in.

    3-D all the way, leave your expectations at the door and realize that even if you don't like the plot, it does not move your body and soul or you think you are too cool to enjoy it, you will at least have eye candy and things to distract you. No way you lose in the end.
     

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