Movie Review: Avatar Day 16 Minute Preview Footage

[MyOtherCareer]

Man, I'm trying to keep up with all these and delete them, but when I get upwards of 20+ a day it's damn near impossible.

[TaurenRestoDruid]

who ever told you that is stupid. the night time scenes were beyond amazing. it was fricking draw droping.

[mysticradio]

I SAW THE FULL FILM TODAY....... 16 minutes of this movie would have been a sacralidge (sp) ......... in 3D it was MAGICAL beyond words

[MyOtherCareer]

You know, that's a pretty apt description. It certainly was something to see.

[softball2junkie]

I have the picture that's in the background. I really want to see this tomorrow. Thanks for reviewing. Cuz some people were saying that it doesn't live up to its hype.

[MyOtherCareer]

Yeah... I'm heading out of town this weekend to Orlando, and a buddy there got tickets to a real IMAX screen theater at Pointe Orlando Friday night. Should be good times.

[TheSirius333]

4:43 Ooo! Ooh! Gett'n in your face!

he he!:)

This movie looks really cool and I am so excited to see it when It comes to my town.

[mastermovies10000]

james cameron for freakin president!!!

[poshko41]

Man, I really wanna see this now. I wasn't thinking too much about it, but now that the hype is really building up, I'm anxious to see what this is all about.

[MyOtherCareer]

I mean floating around your head.

[MyOtherCareer]

I thought the night time scenes were some of the best looking shots. There was all this shit floating in the air that literally felt like it was floating around your hear.

[DIGS179]

go to an imax and no i dont think so

[MasterOranda]

This is James Cameron man. I wouldn't worry about Avatar at all. Story is first with Cameron. Always. =)

[CGRef]

My closest theater is XPAND 3D.

I don't hide the fact that I'm not very well introduced into this 3-D thing, so, will I be able to watch it at Xpand's?

[MyOtherCareer]

You got me man. It's probably best to contact them to find out.

[CGRef]

Yeah, all of the stuff you said is correct. However, I didn't think the special effects of Transformers 2 were impressive at all. Maybe the term "over-impressive" can be used in a negative meaning? Most of the time I couldn't see at all through all the insane action sequences what was going on, and the scenes were so pumped up with special effects that they were highly unrealistic.

Also, do I have to watch avatar in IMAX? I'd be very grateful if anyone answers me on this one.

[MyOtherCareer]

No, you don't have to watch it in IMAX. There will be a regular 70mm print of the film available to theaters.

I know what you mean about Transformers 2. "Over-Impressive" is an accurate term to use to describe it. It was just too much to take in at once.

[Sta6kA]

your such a lucky man.. i wish i had seen that 16 min footage.. man iv beend dreeming how i see this movie like 5 times now i aint lieing.. im a movie geek if you know what im saying and this movie idk, im just looking very very very foorward to see it

[Villesanti]

I like your video and how you analyzed what you just saw, MyOtherCareer. I agree that this movie might have ground breaking visual effects, and like you mentioned, It reminds you of how impressive Jurassic Park looked at the time. I have argued with many that visual effects dont make a good movie. Basically, cause no matter how amazing they may seem, they tend to get tired. What today it might seem amazing, tomorrow might be outdated. I would prefer a good story than good FX

[MyOtherCareer]

You're spot on. Good effects should ENHANCE a story, they can't BE the story. Just look at Transformers 2. Great special effects. HORRIBLE movie. I'm sure the story for Avatar will be, at worst, average, so I'm not really worried. But people won't be going for the story, they'll be going for the effects.

[xchargerOUx]

@EddieAngstrom

I think Kevin Costner was drilling your mom during the filming of this movie. How do I know?

Cause I was there!..XDXDXD

[MyOtherCareer]

Yeah, they did the "midnight" premier ticket thing for us too, but it's on a Thursday night and I, like most adults, will be working Friday morning. On the flip side, they did give us all coupons to see any movie we want (except IMAX movies) at matinee price within the next 30 days, which was cool. BTW, our theater was an IMAX lite screen too, but I'll take what I can get.

[WeThePeopleInc]

Hey you stole Movieman191's quotes you sound like a copycat ...."the trailer doesn't do this movie justice at all ." why steal other peoples lines man lol

[MyOtherCareer]

Ha! I think just about everyone I know who saw the footage has said that. But it's so true, the trailer does not do the footage justice.

[WeThePeopleInc]

true i bet it doesnt i never got to see the 16 min teaser ...i was upset it it really good man like what type of 3d glasses are they are they the red and blue ones or clear

[MyOtherCareer]

The glasses were the polarized clear kind. But yeah, I thought the footage was amazing visually. I can't say the story will be great because I don't know, but I don't expect it to be bad. I just don't think the story will be as amazing as the visuals. It'd have to be some sort of mind blowing mental trip Matrix type story to pull that off, and I don't get that sort of vibe at all.

[WeThePeopleInc]

sweet i love the clear kind ...thanks for the info man !

hollywood has yet to make a great story movie

except for no country for old men that was a great movie lol ...well thanks for hearing me out i added you as a friend and subscribed ...hit me back

[MyOtherCareer]

I'd disagree that "Hollywood has yet to make a great story movie." What does that mean? There are plenty of great story movies. I've seen two in the last month, District 9 and Inglourious Basterds. Thanks for the sub!

[WeThePeopleInc]

district 9 wasnt that good of a story ....it reminded me of blair witch project or cloverfield

and inglorious basterds was ok the story was dull and dragged out and was so predictable sorry

[MyOtherCareer]

I don't think District 9 was like Blair Witch or Cloverfield at all. It wasn't "found footage." It was a traditional narrative spliced in with footage from a fake documentary to give perspective on the events we were watching unfold. I don't know of another movie that has attempted to tell a story that way, and certainly not from a first time feature director.

Anyway, please expand on what you mean by "Hollywood has yet to make a great story movie." What do you define as "a great story movie."

[WeThePeopleInc]

ok a great story to me is something that makes you feel like your involved in the story....or movie

district 9 wasnt nothing like cloverfield i was just stating that it had its same blueprints prod wise

im just saying im ready to see a movie that hasnt been done with a story weve all heard before like never ending story was unheard of and hopefully avatar will be the same

Im just so sick of seeing the same plots and scenes and effects in every damn movie ...lol

also im sick of remakes

[MyOtherCareer]

The term you're looking for is "high concept." I agree with Christopher Booker's idea that there are really only 7 stories...

1. Overcoming the monster -- Star Wars, James Bond.

2. The Quest -- Watership Down, Pilgrim's Progress.

3. Journey and Return -- Wizard of Oz, Gullivers Travels.

4. Comedy - Bridget Jones Diary, Spaceballs

5. Tragedy - Devils' Advocate, Hamlet.

6. Rebirth - Snow White.

7. Rags to Riches - Cinderella & Bruster's Millions

The challenge is to present those in a new way.

[WeThePeopleInc]

ok whatever man ....you are stuck on the fantasy world ....no dissin ,...just want some thing more realistic

[MyOtherCareer]

I'm not stuck in fantasy land, I'm telling you film and screenwriting theory.

[zzzzsh]

great post..nice analysis

dumb question..but can we still see avatar preview with any IMAX movie being played??

[MyOtherCareer]

Unfortunately not. It was a one day thing. However, I've read that Fox and Panasonic are teaming up to do a media blitz with 103" plasma screens and 3-D glasses at Malls and stuff around the country. So that'll be your next chance to see the stuff in 3-D.

[zzzzsh]

thanks bro... damn if i knew it was only a one day thing, then i would have skipped my assignment and gone for it...daaaaaamn :(... i really wanted to see it. im not in the US, so hopefully it'll be in other world class malls... let me know if u here abt them re-releasing the trailers again in 3D..thanks

[zzzzsh]

also..ive heard someone filmed it..obviously it wont be in 3D clarity...but if u find the link, plz let me know..thanks

[mrtoady2]

Nice review. Well spoken and articulated. My one fear also is that the story falls back on a preachy man vs. nature thing. But I trust in Cameron to gives us a good flushed out story.

[MyOtherCareer]

Like others have said in the comments, I get a real "Dances With Wolves" vibe so far.

[Thecriticwithamouth]

good review you are right i saw it and it was like stepping into a dreaam

[wolfman8325]

I heard a rumor jake sully is infiltrating the na'vi! and he's really a bad guy . . .

[MyOtherCareer]

From what I've read, and what Cameron said before the film started, that sounds about right. The humans go to the planet in their Avatars to infiltrate the Na'vi society and, I guess, cause shenanigans CIA style. However, like UltraTien pointed out a few comments below, there is definitely a "Dances With Wolves" element where the main character, Jake, finds out that the Na'vi are not what the military has made them out to be, or at least that's the feeling I get from the footage I saw.

[daveytubey06]

Jurassic Park still looks great.

They had 37 shots and the time to make the CG look better than a lot of CG today. Ironic really.

[bWWd0]

Jurassic park1 has best cgi ever made for film to this day

[MyOtherCareer]

I don't know why you got negative ratings for that comment, but Jurassic Park's CGI still stands up today, that's for sure.

[bWWd0]

cause they are fucking kids who never seen JP,ive seen it and CG are amazing in this film,nothing compares to this day,even second and third JP wasnt close to first one.

[wolfman8325]

Yeah, JP still has incredible effects - especially the T-Rex during the storm, where it cuts seamlesslt between an animatronic and CGI, even the reflections on it skin and the lighting are better than most cgi now, and also the scene with the raptors in the kitchen, that was stunning - i remember watching it as a kid - i went to a late showing with my family and fell asleep for 30 minutes cause i was so tired, and waking up to the image of a velociraptor breathing on the glass, i crapped myself

[bWWd0]

i agree 100% ,these 2 scenes are great ,especially storm scenes with t-rex and when t-rex is running after them in jeep.But now 3d for films are made by some fucking graphic school students ,so quality is worse.After JP every 3d artist thought he can do 3d for films and many bad 3d FX were made for films.

[Axeonfluke]

POP DAT COLLAR BRAH!

[UltraTien]

Want the plot? Watch Dances with Wolves, same shit.

No but really it looks great, typical plot, but will most likely have strong characterization. But its not really "So mind blowing that you'll never look at movies the same again."

[AlphaLuna]

I really hope the story can step forward out of the traditional cliche at leasta fter the first act give us in the end something to remember and enjoy. So far I saw the 20 mins and I was blown away... amazing!

[MyOtherCareer]

I hope so too, but I have a feeling that UltraTien might be right.

[bleedtheworld]

I could give a shot for shot description of the 16 minutes, but it wouldn't mean shit unless you see it for yourself with the 3D technology. This movie is going be totally epic. Can't wait till December 18th.

[MyOtherCareer]

Yeah, a shot by shot breakdown doesn't really do what you're seeing justice. That scene where stuff starts to light up after the girl douses the torch was INSANE.

[Drumwave008]

It was awesome! I loved it. Yes, that is the premise of the story, the earth is dieing and they need the resources from Pandora but they want to kill the Na'vi to get to mine it. He joins them and fights back so its a battle against worlds.And its by James Cameron so of course the story will be awesome

[pirimaipolymer]

did u fly to new zealand?? no u have not seen it stop bullshitting dork retard

[Vendea]

they played it in IMAX theaters around the world...

[MyOtherCareer]

Yeah. Did you even watch the review? Or read the title? They screened 16 minutes of footage in select IMAX theaters all over the states. I haven't seen the full film, not has anyone else yet (that I'm aware of).

[WinterWineStudio]

I couldnt see it, but good review... I liked what you said comparing the trailer with the preview:)

[MyOtherCareer]

Hey, thanks!

[Alvmes]

Get us the footage.. XD

[MyOtherCareer]

Ha! I wish I could!

[MyOtherCareer]

Oh hey, I read that Fox has some deal with Panasonic to have 103" plasma displays all over malls, movie theaters, and other places where there are a bunch of people to show various 3-d clips. So, hopefully you'll stumble on one of those in the next few weeks.