Avatar (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  Visually stunning , amazing on the IMAX 3d screen. As many have said the story isnt anything new but it does not have to be. This was an incredible feast for the eyes. If your going to spend 400 million on a movie this is the way to do it.

• Anthony L

  
  Seeing as I'm the last person on the planet to have seen Avatar, the hype was always going to effect my judgement. Ok, so here we go, the 3D special effects were very clever, and for the best part very good but...is it just me or did the Na'vi people look shit? I mean… More
  Seeing as I'm the last person on the planet to have seen Avatar, the hype was always going to effect my judgement. Ok, so here we go, the 3D special effects were very clever, and for the best part very good but...is it just me or did the Na'vi people look shit? I mean really, all that time, effort and money and that is the best you could do? Also, the effects as clever as they are, were great as a back-drop but didn't amount to anything as important as a character, which was kind of how it was billed. Most of the night scenes are just one big jungle-themed neon disco, it reminded me of the time in the early 90's around when I first discovered drink, being drunk on the floor of my mates bright studio flat kitchen, desperately trying to take off my hyper-colour tie-dye t-shirt but not quite managing. Also, whats with the 'Internet style jungle', USB ponytails? Really? All that money and the height of your imagination and views on spirituality peaks at USB ponytails? Oh, and notice how every Na'vi is actually black and every Na'vi scene has a ladysmith black mambazo style song accompanying it? It's this and many other unimaginative ideas that made me loose interest to be honest. At one point I wondered if the whole film was a reaction to 9/11 and was an anti-war film in disguise but I don't think James Cameron is that clever. The story is too simple and unimaginative. They could have concentrated on so many of the interesting aspects of the story but instead skipped over them. They could of had a big build up to the discovery of the Na'vi, they could have made more of the Avatar experience - something that the film Surrogates did much better for a lot less money. What about the alien sex scene? You could have made a whole film about the chemistry, intimacy, ethicist etc of having sex with an alien (think Cronenburg maybe). The one scene I did like was when Neytiri first encounters Jake Scully's real body but then again, it was over too soon. It wasn't a bad film but it really isn't anything special. The effects were good but I can't say I liked most of them, especially when most of the 'human' scenes looked like computer game chapters between actual gaming time in, er, computer games. Pah, whatever.

• Chris W

  
  While I don't think this was the best film of 2009, I do think it is still one hell of a great movie. None of the enormous budget this movie had went to waste, and that's a great message to all film makers and industry people: look at what Cameron did, and follow his… More
  While I don't think this was the best film of 2009, I do think it is still one hell of a great movie. None of the enormous budget this movie had went to waste, and that's a great message to all film makers and industry people: look at what Cameron did, and follow his example. Like many, I had been waiting for this one for 12 years. It's good to have Cameron back. We need more visionaries like him. Is this movie perfect? No, but what movie ever truly is. The plot and story, are good, despite not being unique. I don't probably need to talk about the visuals-everyone else has already said enough, and did it better than me. They are impressive, and I agree with those who said it before me. What I really liked was the whole world of the movie. It reminded me of Star Wars. I wanna know more about the other tribes, all those cool creatures, and things like that. In conclusion: this is artful and masterful filmmaking at its finest. Cameron takes elements that are not original, but makes them fresh and fun and exciting, and the cherry on top is great loooking 3-D which, instead of being gimmicky, is used properly as a tool to immerse the viewer into the film. Well done everyone.

• Michael M

  
  Avatar is an extremely unique film that's on a larger level on a technical scale then possibly any film ever made. It's plot isn't as amazing but there's no way you cannot be absolutely gobsmacked at how much it challenges the mortal imagination.

• Joe M

  
  Hi this is Bob Foster here with the department of cultural guilt reminding you of all the horrible things you did to the native americans.

• Scott G

  
  A truly fascinating film, completely bewilders you as a instant revolutionary piece of work all through the use of 3D, you are immersed, slowly but surely, into both intense action scenes and luscious, beautiful scenery of Pandora and could only come from a magical, inventive mind… More
  A truly fascinating film, completely bewilders you as a instant revolutionary piece of work all through the use of 3D, you are immersed, slowly but surely, into both intense action scenes and luscious, beautiful scenery of Pandora and could only come from a magical, inventive mind like James Cameron, you uses his experience in the Sci-Fi field efficiently, and with the intention to impress, the CGI was used to perfection, it was a perfect casting choice, and all for the perfect Sci-Fi adventure film.

• Paul P

  
  The visuals are unequivocally exquisite, although the story is severely lacking any structure of complexity. I feel the story has been rehashed endlessly to the point I felt uninterested at the conclusion. Too much exertion was applied to the visuals, not enough went into an… More
  The visuals are unequivocally exquisite, although the story is severely lacking any structure of complexity. I feel the story has been rehashed endlessly to the point I felt uninterested at the conclusion. Too much exertion was applied to the visuals, not enough went into an innovative story. With that said, Avatar is an easy movie to watch and adore with the family. Enjoy!

• Shawn E

  
  Beautiful visuals and a passionate story, Avatar may not have the most originality in it's story but the stunning effects and strong characters make this film incredibly entertaining.

• Brad W

  
  Avatar is possibly (other than Inception) the most visually greatest film ever made. I mean what other movie supplies this amazing action, effects, characters, and bang for your buck. This futuristic film about Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a crippled ex marine who when his twin… More
  Avatar is possibly (other than Inception) the most visually greatest film ever made. I mean what other movie supplies this amazing action, effects, characters, and bang for your buck. This futuristic film about Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a crippled ex marine who when his twin brother dies, he is sent to space to to a planet called Pandora, and is signed on for the Avatar project. The Avatar project is where you are given a alien body similar to the native aliens and sent into into it so they can explore Pandora without problems and to study the planet. But when Jake is chased away and becomes lost and gets attacked but is then saved by a native alien named Neytiri (Zoe Salanda), he learns the way of their culture and must a choice, stay with the humans or join his new family. It may be similar to Dances with Wolves, but if the story ain't broke, don't fix it. As I said before the effects are possibly the greatest of all time. I thought the acting was very good, I can't think of very good acting in Sci Fi's but this, Inception, Star Trek (2009) have started to prove me wrong. James Cameron has created many masterpieces, Titanic, Tertminator 2, Aliens, and now this is up there with them. This is currently the highest grossing film ever and I know why, because its awesome.

• Albert K

  
  I'll give James Cameron the credit for creating such an imaginative and beautiful world. Though the plot has been done countless amount of times, you can't help but to be involved. A lot of fun.

• Adam K

  
  Another James Cameron epic. Too long at a 3 hour epic. Lot's of explosions and gun's, think Dances With Wolves in space. Good fun, but shouldn't win the Oscar, in 3 words Smurphs On Piegons. Draws on many other elements of his previous films. If it was less time and… More
  Another James Cameron epic. Too long at a 3 hour epic. Lot's of explosions and gun's, think Dances With Wolves in space. Good fun, but shouldn't win the Oscar, in 3 words Smurphs On Piegons. Draws on many other elements of his previous films. If it was less time and less explosions I'd be more keen on it, but still quite good alright film. James Cameron has tried to be too serious and win another Oscar, which he probably will. A always trying to be too serious James Cameron has instead produced some audience pleasing box office blockbuster entertainment. ** 2 Star

• Alexander D

  
  AVATAR is overly long, but it is nevertheless a very epic sci-fi/fantasy film. It deserves to be the highest-grossing film.

• Eric A

  
  Almost makes you believe you are there, and these creatures actually exist.

• Kristijonas F

  
  Not unlike The Titanic a decade before it, or the first Star Wars release in 1977, or even the original King Kong in 1933, Avatar was something truly special to behold onscreen. Movies like this come very rarely - as not only technical showcases of the time period but as films for… More
  Not unlike The Titanic a decade before it, or the first Star Wars release in 1977, or even the original King Kong in 1933, Avatar was something truly special to behold onscreen. Movies like this come very rarely - as not only technical showcases of the time period but as films for which people come together to experience, as an event of sorts. It may not possess the most riveting and thought-provoking plot, but what Avatar accomplishes is at the heart of what movies were meant for in the first place - entertainment. And is it top-rate in that department.

• Wildaly M

  
  I was totally drawn to the story and the visual effects of the movie. Not so much the plot in itself but the way everything was executed made this movie a true gem to watch.

• Manu G

  
  Enter to the world of Pandora. Just watch it again on my TV on Blueray and WOW it has become one of my favorite movie's of all-time for me. Seeing it a second time in 3D just maximizes it's unique sense of passion and futuristic melodramatic love/action pack film. This is… More
  Enter to the world of Pandora. Just watch it again on my TV on Blueray and WOW it has become one of my favorite movie's of all-time for me. Seeing it a second time in 3D just maximizes it's unique sense of passion and futuristic melodramatic love/action pack film. This is what you call a Perfect Movie!!!! Tremendous film and passes by like a short film and it's a long one almost 3 hours!!! This is better than Transformers 2 or any film this year, this has become one of my favorite movies of all time. This movie will be remember for years and years to come just like Jurassic Park, E.T. , Titanic, Aliens.. etc etc...James Cameron just made a masterpiece out of thin air. When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.

• Sergio G

  
  I can guaratee you something, James Cameron will never stop amazing you. I think the story is very classical. Human race is violent by nature. But the key of this movie is definately the technology used to film it. What a spectacle to your eyes! The creatives of this movie did a… More
  I can guaratee you something, James Cameron will never stop amazing you. I think the story is very classical. Human race is violent by nature. But the key of this movie is definately the technology used to film it. What a spectacle to your eyes! The creatives of this movie did a superb job in every single leaf in that jungle. Add 3D with a REAL 3D camera and James Cameron behind it and voila! Blockbuster! SciFi Classic.

• Sanjay R

  
  An amazing spectacle, but a dull story. Exotic animals and amazing sights can keep one entertained only so long, and this movie heavily leans on that for two hours and thirty minutes.

• Zach B

  
  Up to the point that this film was first conceived, James Cameron was already at the hight of his career as a director due to his Academy Award winning film TITANIC being the highest grossing film ever. With that sort of feat with such a grand film, one has to ask how could he have… More
  Up to the point that this film was first conceived, James Cameron was already at the hight of his career as a director due to his Academy Award winning film TITANIC being the highest grossing film ever. With that sort of feat with such a grand film, one has to ask how could he have beaten that? Well, the product was a film that was beyond successful in terms of audience, critics, and box-office, but which is laking one major element while taking away some elements from other films. Now for the details of this film. The direction of this film is, for the most part, beyond outstanding. You have the mind boggling C.G.I. that was used to create the world of Pandora, the tamed pacing, and the overall feel of being in a dream that you never want to escape. But, the main problem with the film in terms of direction would have to be the one thing that has plagued this film: Substance over matter. While Cameron does an outstanding job with the visual, he does a rather mediocre job with almost everything else. It is rather sad. Now we enter the actors. For the most part, unfortunately, almost all of the actors were not that great. Yeah I have seen beyond worse (AKA: The Room), but these guys are just beyond one dimensional to such a point that they are barley two dimensional. Personally, I would have liked it if we were to have seen more sides to the characters and see some better acting. Now to the one part that I love more than the visual part of this entire film: The Score. Oh. My. God. I am going to have to give James Horner props on his work here. All I will say is: He should have won the Academy Award for best score. It is really that amazing. Now the final part: The script. The main problem with a lot of films that I have seen is that the script happens to be the same generic formula recycled over and over again. Even with the heavy C.G.I., that could not have saved this film at all. The plot, sadly, is just a rehash of films like Dances With Wolves and The Last Samurai. It has been said that Cameron is planning two sequels to Avatar and all I can say is that I hope he adds more originality to the stories and not borrow so much off of other films and to PLEASE tone down the entire 'Save The Earth' undertones that were used. I mean, we get it. But, just please tone it done. Also, create some better dialog for the characters. Overall, this is an important film in history due to it's advancements in computer graphics, but do not look for any original plot.

• Drake T

  
  It's hard to make movies with a "classic" and "formulaic" story nowadays without failing miserably. The fact that Cameron managed to take that template and create this visual feast of a movie is already something. Sure, the story is predictable, too… More
  It's hard to make movies with a "classic" and "formulaic" story nowadays without failing miserably. The fact that Cameron managed to take that template and create this visual feast of a movie is already something. Sure, the story is predictable, too happy-feel-good and as a result unable to muster any authentic drama without being squeezed out of a tube of cliche but all the creative conceptual work behind the world, it's creatures and "people" manages to keep its credibility. A good watch and a solid SciFi

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