Avatar – 2009
Is there really anything more to say about James Cameron’s Avatar? It is now the biggest movie of all time, has invaded the Oscars with bravado, is set to lead the transition into 3-D cinema and has likely already revolutionized visual effects and motion capture animation within the industry. On top of that it is simply an engrossing sci-fi adventure film of the grandest order and further cements Cameron as one of the great visionary’s of film. Avatar is rousing and emotional and the films ability to rise above its time-tested story (Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, etc, etc) is a further testament to its grandeur and draw as a spectacle. In all simplicity, Avatar is what a movie should be.
In addition to Avatar’s technical achievements, it serves as a spectacular career boost for rising star Sam Worthington who will complete his blockbuster trifecta (already having starred in Terminator Salvation) with the coming Clash of the Titans remake. Female lead Zoe Zaldana (also having a great year with her role in Star Trek) proves that a great performance can be given even if they are not ‘in the flesh’ so to speak. I have long been an advocate of Hugo Weavings amazing performance as the masked V in V for Vendetta and Zaldana is the star of the film as the Na’vi princess Neytiri. Stephen Lang as the ruthless Colonel posted on the planet of Pandora gets a juicy role and makes the most of it in full over-the-top villainous fashion. Now, if you are confused at this point, that means you have not seen the film. For shame. It is not often I would advise someone to stop reading my review, but I say to you: get off your ass and go see Avatar.
Now that you’re back we can rightfully discuss the world Cameron has created. The phrase ‘fully realized’ would be a underwhelming in this case, as the Alien world of Pandora splashed across the screen could very well be the subject of a discovery channel special. The effects are seamless and all encompassing. Rarely will you see such boundless vision as would experience in Avatar. From the plants to the biggest beasts that roam the incandescent forests, care is taken at every turn.
I can certainly see Avatar being this generation’s Star Wars. In thirty years this will be looked back upon and admired and compared against. Perhaps it is no coincidence that both films are born of the science fiction genre, but that such a vein of creativity brings out the best in filmmakers. 2009 could easily be touted as the return of Sci-fi, with Avatar, District 9, Star Trek, Moon, Surrogates, Knowing all the way down to ‘lesser’ films such as Pandorum, leading the pack. Even if this represents a peak in the genre at least we will still have those films to admire and love from this point on.
