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Avatar... both of them
15 years ago
I suppose, first and foremost, I'll discuss James Cameron's "Avatar." I finally got to watch it earlier this evening.
I have to say, while the effects were first rate, the story was a bit thin and borrowed far too much from other sources. I got a sort of "Cowboys and Indians" meets "War of the Worlds" vibe from it. Toss in a dash of "evil money-hungry government" and I'm sure you can figure it out without having to watch all of it. I can only imagine it's as renowned as it is because of the familiarity of the overall story. Yes, the "story" itself was unique, but the plot has numerous recognizable - almost nostalgic - elements to it that draw people in.
I guess I'd give it a B. First-rate effects and overall above-average acting mask a third-rate story.
Next up is the upcoming movie "The Last Airbender." Now, as I've not seen the movie, only the series, I can only speculate. The series itself is decent enough, though it has numerous plot-hole that Nickelodeon never bothered to fill in/explain. Those are, for the most part, forgiven for producing an action-packed, unique storyline.
The main problem I see with this movie is it's director... M. Night Shyamalan. I don't care for many of his movies. I like "Sixth Sense" well enough, and "Signs" was okay-ish... but the rest really aren't all that grand... or even that good. I don't see the attraction to him. More importantly, I'm concerned what he'll do to the story itself. My primary concern as to that is his famous "twists." Plot twists that make little to no sense until the very end of the movie when he conveniently ties everything together with insignificant details that may or may not have even been in the movie to begin with...
That's what I'm afraid of >.>
So, there you have it. My thoughts on two unrelated "Avatars." Enjoy.
I have to say, while the effects were first rate, the story was a bit thin and borrowed far too much from other sources. I got a sort of "Cowboys and Indians" meets "War of the Worlds" vibe from it. Toss in a dash of "evil money-hungry government" and I'm sure you can figure it out without having to watch all of it. I can only imagine it's as renowned as it is because of the familiarity of the overall story. Yes, the "story" itself was unique, but the plot has numerous recognizable - almost nostalgic - elements to it that draw people in.
I guess I'd give it a B. First-rate effects and overall above-average acting mask a third-rate story.
Next up is the upcoming movie "The Last Airbender." Now, as I've not seen the movie, only the series, I can only speculate. The series itself is decent enough, though it has numerous plot-hole that Nickelodeon never bothered to fill in/explain. Those are, for the most part, forgiven for producing an action-packed, unique storyline.
The main problem I see with this movie is it's director... M. Night Shyamalan. I don't care for many of his movies. I like "Sixth Sense" well enough, and "Signs" was okay-ish... but the rest really aren't all that grand... or even that good. I don't see the attraction to him. More importantly, I'm concerned what he'll do to the story itself. My primary concern as to that is his famous "twists." Plot twists that make little to no sense until the very end of the movie when he conveniently ties everything together with insignificant details that may or may not have even been in the movie to begin with...
That's what I'm afraid of >.>
So, there you have it. My thoughts on two unrelated "Avatars." Enjoy.
