Do you think James Cameron is over-rated?

[souvlaki]

I would definitely say he's overrated, and that's coming from a pretty big fan of the Terminator films, and Aliens. The Abyss always bored the hell out of me, never cared for True Lies, and Titanic does nothing for me either. His script for Spider-Man was horrible. Hell, my favorite film by him (Aliens) isn't even my favorite in the franchise (that honor goes to Alien). That being said, because of his work on the Terminator films, and Aliens I will still always give his films a chance.

 

[GothamAlleys]

I would say he is even UNDER rated. When given Dr. title in UK, one of the elder science institute professor said that most of the population wont fullyget Jim's movies because theyre not intelligent enough. I agree. Im studying filmmaking myself and I have yet to see any other director (aside from Stanley Kubruick) who would put art in every detail and aspect of the movie possible and would put so much themes and layers into his piece. Its fascinating that even the lighting has deeper meanings - LIGHTING! (example: Hasta La Vista scene- T-800s damaged part of the face is lit with cold blue and hidden in shadows while his untouched side was lit with warm orange and bright lights. That symbolized the humanity that was prevailing in him at the time, and the moment when he truly became as close to the human character as possible.) Even small things like suunglasses, which symbolized the change in T-800 (once he lost the glasses he started changing), or the dark shot of Titanic's bow slowly getting underwater, symbolizing the death of a dream for Jack and Rose since this is the place where they celebrated life earlier in the film and that created an incredible contrast within the story.

Of course there are million things like those nuances or artistic touches in every movie and almost every scene. Things many people knowledgable in the field are completely awestruck by.

Of course, everyone is entitles to their own opinion - wheter something is good or not, its still up to you if you like it or not.

The key is to judge inbiased. For example, I acknwoledge that Godfather is an absolute cinematographic masterpiece and a great piece, yet I dont like it at all. But I do realize that its a phenomenal movie, just not to my personal liking

_________

Largest James Cameron site online - www.JamesCameronOnline.com

 

[WeaponXProject]

I don't know JC, focusing on visions and action you can say yes James has done it all. You are over-rating him right there. He's doesn't always have good acting/dialog. Believe me, I like him too but he's not the second best director of all time. He is in fact the best action movie director by a landslide, IMO, though.

 

[souvlaki]

I don't know JC, focusing on visions and action you can say yes James has done it all. You are over-rating him right there. He's doesn't always have good acting/dialog. Believe me, I like him too but he's not the second best director of all time. He is in fact the best action movie director by a landslide, IMO, though.

I disagree with this. For me one of his biggest strengths as a director is his ability to get a strong performance out of rather unimpressive actors. I have yet to see a good performance by Linda Hamilton outside the Terminator franchise.

 

[Red Mask]

I would say he is even UNDER rated. When given Dr. title in UK, one of the elder science institute professor said that most of the population wont fullyget Jim's movies because theyre not intelligent enough. I agree. Im studying filmmaking myself and I have yet to see any other director (aside from Stanley Kubruick) who would put art in every detail and aspect of the movie possible and would put so much themes and layers into his piece. Its fascinating that even the lighting has deeper meanings - LIGHTING! (example: Hasta La Vista scene- T-800s damaged part of the face is lit with cold blue and hidden in shadows while his untouched side was lit with warm orange and bright lights. That symbolized the humanity that was prevailing in him at the time, and the moment when he truly became as close to the human character as possible.) Even small things like suunglasses, which symbolized the change in T-800 (once he lost the glasses he started changing), or the dark shot of Titanic's bow slowly getting underwater, symbolizing the death of a dream for Jack and Rose since this is the place where they celebrated life earlier in the film and that created an incredible contrast within the story.

Of course there are million things like those nuances or artistic touches in every movie and almost every scene. Things many people knowledgable in the field are completely awestruck by.

Of course, everyone is entitles to their own opinion - wheter something is good or not, its still up to you if you like it or not.

The key is to judge inbiased. For example, I acknwoledge that Godfather is an absolute cinematographic masterpiece and a great piece, yet I dont like it at all. But I do realize that its a phenomenal movie, just not to my personal liking

_________

Largest James Cameron site online - www.JamesCameronOnline.com

Yeah, but Cameron isn't the only director who is conscious about the color palette. Guillermo del Toro is has done it very well in his films. Animation directors think about it all the time.

 

[GothamAlleys]

Yeah, but Cameron isn't the only director who is conscious about the color palette. Guillermo del Toro is has done it very well in his films. Animation directors think about it all the time.

Absolutely. I never said cameron is the only one concious about the pallette, not at all. It was just one of MAAAAANY aspects of his movies that I found fascinating and cited as one of the xamples of the artistic makeover his movies get. I said Cameron is perhaps one of very few (him and Kubrick are the only ones that come to my mind) that incoportate so many artistic aspects into their movies, with every little detail and shadow having a meaning or theme to it and great deal of thought behind it. Not to mention all the layers in the story arc

_________

Largest James Cameron site online - www.JamesCameronOnline.com

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

I just wish the man did more movies.

 

[dark_b]

I just wish the man did more movies.

this is where i disagree with people like this.

i rather have 4 GOOD movies from him then 10 decent movies.

 

[dark_b]

I disagree with this. For me one of his biggest strengths as a director is his ability to get a strong performance out of rather unimpressive actors. I have yet to see a good performance by Linda Hamilton outside the Terminator franchise.

i think hej ust wrotte a very strong women character. Sarah connor is a badass in T2.

 

[Panthro]

No way is James Cameron over-rated.

 

[KenK]

I just wish the man did more movies.

Well, it's tough when the man insists on developing new effects technology for every film he does! Quite honestly, I'm at the point where I'd love to see Cameron just do a smaller, more intimate film. It can still be action/sci-fi oriented if he must, but maybe something a little less than a hundred mill.

 

[DorkyFresh]

Quite honestly, I'm at the point where I'd love to see Cameron just do a smaller, more intimate film.

i'm not sure i'd want to see a movie like that. that would require a beefing up in the drama department and his drama is great enough as is. if he injected MORE drama in his films i'd probably end up using a whole box of tissue paper.

 

[marvelman2006]

overrated, he makes good movies indeed but i have been impressed with far better film makers. I just dont see why people are ****ing in there pants for a movie that we havent even had a teaser for yet.

 

[marvelman2006]

overrated, he makes good movies indeed but i have been impressed with far better film makers. I just dont see why people are ****ing in there pants for a movie that we havent even had a teaser for yet.

 

[WeaponXProject]

I disagree with this. For me one of his biggest strengths as a director is his ability to get a strong performance out of rather unimpressive actors. I have yet to see a good performance by Linda Hamilton outside the Terminator franchise.

Really, what about Bill Paxton in Aliens. The bland performance by Billy Zane in Titannic. Michael Biehn in Abyss. Uber-silly Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies. The annoyance that is Newt. Michael Biehn's monotone voice to go with his strange facial expressions (and don't get me wrong I love me some Kyle Reese).

If anything the excitement and the story overshadow the actors simple performances. He has alot of one dimensional characters in movies but the movies and story move so well people overlook that. Titannic, he had it all going for him with his cast outside of Billy Zane, and the cast was fantastic.

I agree with Marvel man to a certain extent. But it also depends on the type of movies you like. He is by far the best action director, no one is even close.

 

[Spider-Fan]

James Cameron is FAR from overrated. You're right, he's known for 6 films, but the 6 films he is known for are high quality films that got both critical and public praise. This is not that easy, but Cameron has done it for most of the films he has directed. His track record of failures is small for a reason. He gets you emotionally invested in his characters, writes entertaining dialogue, paces his films very well, and makes them intelligent, while at the same time not alienating to an audience.

Few directors can boast a resume as impressive as having The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Aliens, and Titanic (yes, I know it gets a lot of hate, but it is a great film when you seperate the film from the fact it beat well known movies at the Oscars). I mean, this man has made 2 sequels that are in the short list for best sequels ever made, and possibly better than the originals. I don't see anyway you can call him overrated.

 

[terry78]

Most of the directors now that fanboys heap praise upon wouldn't even be in the game if not for guys like Cameron. He was thinking up worlds when they were on their mama's teat at Woodstock.

 

[JaD]

True Lies is probably one of the few movies that can blend comedy with action. Great moive. In fact, I want to watch it righht now.

I want to watch True Lies right now...

Let your love for that movie be known

True/Lies: The greatest action-comedy of all time?


If the number of films he's made is the only reason this thread is trying to make a point at then I strongly disagree. The impact of those films is what makes him someone worth knowing what he has up his sleeve next. And like someone said earlier, I hate the word "overrated"

 

[Darkness Falls]

After rewatching T1

the man is a film making god

 

[dark_b]

Uber-silly Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies. T

dude its...........true lies

 

[WeaponXProject]

dude its...........true lies

I know, I love the movie. I love her strip tease.

 

[Dark Helmet]

If any director is over-rated its ones with the last name Nolan. James Cameron is low key compared to Nolan

 

[WeaponXProject]

If any director is over-rated its ones with the last name Nolan. James Cameron is low key compared to Nolan

I wouldn't say him, I mean Nolan hasn't made a bad film yet. I'd say Bryan Singer around here is.

 

[Dark Helmet]

I mean Nolan hasn't made a bad film yet

That does not stop him from being over-rated

 

[Panthro]

I think people can get confused by the overrated Titanic and then himself because he made it.

That film is overrated, however he is not.

Am I the only one who thought it didn't deserve all of those Oscars? I mean CG or technical, score, but picture, and director?

It gets four stars in the tv guide. Four ****ing stars for christ's sake. It is only regarded as a classic because how big it was at the time. I watch the film and see nearly nothing that screams "OH MY GOD! THIS WILL SWEEP THE OSCARS!"

The fact that it became the #1 money maker of all time still astounds me.

But while the film is overrated, Cameron himself, like you say, is not.

Some have stated that he never seems to make smaller, more personal films. Truth is, just because a film is made on a high budget, that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't personal to the filmmaker himself.