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Best of all, a brand new extended edition has been
released just in time for Christmas... just in case we hadn't wasted
enough money on this damn thing!
Anyhew - back to Pandora - a world full of rich colours and beauty, however, it is also the
only source of the highly valuable mineral Unobtanium. Humans want it,
the natives want to protect it - a battle ensues.
There is also
a crippled solider (Australia's own Sam Worthington) thrown into the
mix, who enters into the Avatar program (which allows him to control a
remote-controlled biological body that can survive in the lethal air.
These avatars are genetically engineered hybrids of human DNA mixed
with DNA from the natives of Pandora… the Na’vi).
Cameron
was not interested in using makeup to create his alien species. The
size and the spacing of the eyes can't be changed. The proportions of
the body can't be changed, nor can the overall size of the character.
However with Cameron's new the performance capture method, none of
these negatives apply.
The amazing thing is that the CG characters in Avatar
actually resemble the actors who play them (it really is all in the
eyes - it's what sells Worthington's performance), despite the fact
that their fundamental proportions are different.
The story itself, however, is far from groundbreaking (think Titanic meets Dances With Wolves), but it is solid story telling none the less - and that is James Cameron's (and Avatar's)
real strength. He sticks to the basics of cinema that have built the
industry, while managing to be visually ambitious and somehow still
manages to come out on top.
Some excellent performances also drive this into "something special" territory, especially the turns by Star Trek's
Zoe Saldana (yes, even though she is hidden under layers of blue
skinned CGI) and Worthington (whose innocence and thirst for learning
really draws the audience in, and allows them to go on the journey with
him).
Detail nuts will have a field day with the mythology and
backstory Cameron has created for the Na'vi, while the rest of the
world can just sit back in awe of the lush rainforest of Pandora, or
perhaps the floating Hallelujah Mountains, or even the human colony at
Hell’s Gate.
Twelve years in the making, not perfect, but Avatar was well worth the wait.
EXTRAS
Despite
already draining the world of their pocket money - with it's first
theatrical run taking in over $2.7 Billion Worldwide - expect quite a
few more money making exploitations of the fans. Not only was the film
Re-Released at cinemas (with extra footage), Cameron has been
quite open about the fact there will be several more DVD releases even
after this - the second DVD release. At least he is honest...
For
those who didn't get in early, this second DVD / Blu Ray release of the hit film
includes a bounty of extras. Here's
whats on offer : Original Theatrical Version, Special Edition
Re-release, Collector’s Extended Cut (with 16 more minutes and
exclusive alternate opening), Capturing Avatar (an in-depth feature
length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew)
andover 45 minutes of new never-before-seen Deleted Scenes. Conclusion:
Movie 75% Extras: N/A
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