So. I finally got to watch the much-touted-movie-since-Titanic last Monday, 16/02/2010, 2 months or so after its release. I thought I might as well watch it in 3D just to maximise the experience.

My comments?

  1. It’s really as good as they say and I really loved it. The visual effects used were really excellent . Of course, this is not really something new. If you’re a gamer (even a once-in-a-blue-moon one like me), you’d realise that this technique has been used for a while already.
  2. Watching it in 3D is really a waste of money. Yes, really. There’s not much 3D effects other than the negligible bit of depth the images have (as opposed to flat). I was expecting some leaping-out-of-the-screen effects, especially during the aerial fight, that would make one goes ooohhhh and aaahhhh.. but nope, nothing whatsoever. Indeed, it was such a terrible let-down. I wonder if I can get a refund. Hey, it costs me RM19 wot…
  3. Remember the issue on racism raised by I-dunno-who not long after Avatar was released? Seriously, for the live of me, I could not see how the movie relates to it. All I could see was greed and a total lack of regard to the environment. Somebody must have had an overworked imagination somewhere.
  4. I also like the messages in Avatar:
  • Save the earth.
  • Do not destroy what you don’t understand (especially the natives – either plants, animals or people).
  • Humans are a heartless, selfish and greedy bunch and they are the actual cause of the troubles currently faced by the earth.
  • Mother nature will attempt to restore the balance and fix the damages to the earth. How?  Removing the cause, of course. That brings up armageddon, doesn’t it? Hehehehe…

All in all, it’s really an excellent movie. I would consider watching it again, although maybe not in 3D. But that really depends on the crowd. They watch 3D, I watch 3D. Hehehehe… So, if you have not watched it, please do.

As for achievements, Avatar’s are pretty impressive. To name a few:

  • 9 nominations for Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects).
  • 8 nominations for British Film Academy Awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound and Best Special Visual Effects).
  • 9 nominations for Broadcast Film Critics, out of which they won 6 (Best Action Movie*, Best Art Direction*, Best Cinematography*, Best Directing, Best Editing*, Best Picture, Best Makeup, Best Sound* and Best Visual Effects*).
  • 4 nominations for Golden Globe Awards, out of which they won 2 (Best Director*, Best Film – Drama*, Best Original Score and Best Original Song).

Click here for the full list of accolades received by Avatar.

The words are there will be 2 sequels to this movie as confirmed by James Cameron due to the success of Avatar. Unfortunately, they will not be around anytime soon, probably another 2 years or so, but let’s hope that it won’t be the case.

Can’t wait for Avatar 2.. or whatever the name will be.

Verdict for Avatar: