Saturday 16th January 2010
Last night, I went with a friend to see Avatar. As I am not a science-fiction fan, I went along purely because it is one of those films you feel you must see to keep up with the conversation. We watched it at the Il Grande at Nu-Metro, Montecasino, because it is a block away from where I live and also because it is in 3D animation - and I wore the 3D glasses provided by the cinema. Well I was gobsmacked! What a movie!!
In a true jaw-dropping, Pandora box, experience, I was introduced into a world that I could have not imagined without the help of James Cameron's creature designers, motion-capture mavens, stunt performers, dancers, actors, music and sound magicians, to turn this science-fiction movie into a 21st century fairy tale with flying dragons, magic plants, weirdly hypnotic creepy-crawlies and feral dogs rolled up into a rain forest with a highly advanced spiritual design. The cinematography is dazzling as it blends all the visual elements together with the design, and bring the movie to life for 163 breathtaking minutes. The musical score never intrudes, and the movie maintains a breathless pace that exhilarates rather than fatigues.
The movie is based on the age-old love story that love conquers all. However it does have a clear message - well a couple of messages actually - the strongest of all for me was the danger of mega multi-nationals with power and resources, driven by unstoppable greed. We are shown the importance of protecting the environment and living in harmony with all of nature. But the strongest message was that the heart is the most important weapon we have with which to fight evil.
Cameron changed my concept of aliens from the little green men on Mars, into blue-skinned, golden-eyed, slender giants with long, supple tails from Pandora. It is amazing to note that the Barbie-doll phenomenon is alive and well embedded in the human psyche as the standard for sexiness. I dont know whether this was a conscious or subconscious choice but it will create more anorexic and bulemic girls and boys - my only negative comment on the movie.
However, I did like the big Elphin ears, hopefully for better listening which we all need if we are to stop ourselves murdering one another. This technical breakthrough with its new generation special effects full of action, colour and great sound provided truly sensational entertainment.
Living in South Africa affords me the opportunity to watch world class shows in the comfort of world class cinemas a block away from my home.....
Good enough for me... to feed my movie addiction ..... Tot siens.....
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