Here is some movie math, take Dances with Wolves +Ferngully+Grownup Smurfs =Avatar. I am very disappointed on a film that has gotten so much hype and acclaim. After sitting down and seeing Avatar for the first time, I had mixed feelings and then just disappointed by the ending. Avatar was the most expensive film ever made in history. It is directed and created by a James Cameron, who has done the Abyss, Terminator 1 & 2, Titanic, Aliens, which right there are a group of masterful films.
The film is based that people from planet earth travel to a far distant planet called Pandora and try to take the land of the natives called the Na'vi, who are sitting on a chunk of rock worth more money they could count. So the Americans send in a solder simulated in an Avatar body to connect with the tribe and get them to move so they don't get destroyed.
The best thing about this film is the CG, and technology that made the planet look like the real thing. The Na'vi and the creatures look realistic. It was an eye opening, and a masterful work on detail. This is the only reason why I give this movie three stars.
With all the time and effort they spent on making the film, you would think they would've spent time on the storyline and script. It as if they took the script from some other films already made and just changed the names. The script line is like watching a movie that I have already seen.
I know this is something that does happen all the time, were films are based off other films. I guess what frustrated me was that I expected more from James Cameron. I expected to be more entertained, and not looking at my watching wondering when this will end.
I am going against the tide on this, however my feelings is that you can film in the most beautiful parts of the world, but if the storyline is boring and already been done, than it doesn't work. If they decide to make a second Avatar, which I hope they do, I hope that Cameron learns on what is the weakness of this film and make it the strong point for the next like he did in Terminator.
If you liked this film, I recommend:
Dances with Wolves
Ferngully (mainly for kids)
Last of the Mohicans
District 9