Living Organism

Yesterday was an interesting day at Vitamin. By order of the powers that be, the design team wrapped up early and headed out to the shopping wasteland of White Marsh, Maryland to see James Cameron’s latest flick: Avatar, (in IMAX 3D!). Now let me preface this post with this: I was a complete skeptic about the notion of a truly engaging 3D experience and the film in general. I thought it was going to be another cartoonish attempt at realism à la: Final Fantasy, Polar Express, and more recently, Beowulf. What always killed those movies for me was that they felt like video games. They all lack the organic look and feel of the real world. So when Mike & Amanda had mentioned how floored they were by the film, I just couldn’t understand how this film could be so different. “It’s like you’re really on Pandora,” they explained. Still a bit skeptical, “I have to see it to believe it,” I said. And now that I have, quite honestly, you really do need to see to believe it.

This is a landmark film. Wizard of Oz. Star Wars. Lord of the Rings. This is big. Cameron has raised the bar to a seemingly unattainable level. The combination of live-action and CG mastery is seamless and creates a scene so real it’s no wonder people are experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts after their return to Earth from Pandora (though I suspect these folks have underlying issues). Leave your preconceived notions about 3D films at the theatre door. This isn’t a Universal Studios ride. There aren’t any gimmicks here. The additional layers of three dimensionality are remarkable. The 3D is used artfully and expertly. From the alien flora and fauna, to the mind bending realism and individualism of each of the Na’vi people, to the expansive and breathtaking landscapes of Pandora, no detail was spared. The depth of the scenes in Avatar are really what make this fantasy world a reality for the viewer.

Throughout the film, the 3D is a real visual treat, never a hindrance to the viewers’ experience. As protagonist Jake Sully is experiencing Pandora’s wilderness in all of its awe, so too is the audience. As he makes his way through the dense forests and heaven-bound mountain tops, the viewer is there with him, running, flying, fighting. But perhaps the most impressive feat throughout the film is the seamless interplay between live action characters and the Na’vi. When they touch or speak to one another, there is a tangible interaction between them. Cameron never lets the viewer snap out the reality he has created until the credits roll.

While the story may be a little thin and predictable, it is by no means weak. It’s a story that is easily related to (think Dances with Wolves and others): after all, colonialism is nearly a universal experience throughout world history (and especially here in the U.S.). Plus, to do over $1 billion in the first three weeks, you need something that appeals to the masses; something most people can latch on to.

On the periphery, the story comments on everything from environmental issues, to security contracting, to race relations, to religion. However, Cameron’s story is most lucid when it focuses on protagonist Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) building a relationship with the Na’vi people. At its core, its a classic love story between two people and a People and their land.

Bottom line, this is film-making, reinvented. The film is abound with fantastic imagery, truly a feast for the eye and imagination. It outshined any expectations and dispelled any reservations I had walking in to the theatre. While an amazing in-theatre experience is guaranteed, I wonder how this film and more of its kind will translate to the 2D DVD/Blu-Ray market. Will 3D movie-going experiences lessen our in-home enjoyment of great films? Will it help revive the movie theater experience? Or are we awaiting the arrival of affordable 3D televisions to ensure an equally satisfying experience at home?