James Cameron's Sequel to "AVATAR"

[CConn]

Or he could have just hired a talented screen writer and turned an okay screenplay into a great one. I do blame Cameron for that. Absolutely. It always astound me how so many can be so accepting of mediocrity.

And in Avatar's case, it wasn't just the writing. I went into quite a bit of detail about how Cameron's direction made the film overlong and overblown.

 

[The Shape]

I'm totally down for more Avatar and don't agree with many of the criticisms of the first. Cameron did was he does best by telling a relatable, universal tale (familiar to many) on a grand scale. Apparently, audiences didn't really agree with the criticisms either since they went back and forth to see it in droves.

And no, Avatar wasn't successful "just because of the 3D."

 

[henzINNIT]

I loved Avatar in the cinema but I couldn't sit through it now. The film was a beautifully polished turd.

 

[CConn]

I'm totally down for more Avatar and don't agree with many of the criticisms of the first. Cameron did was he does best by telling a relatable, universal tale (familiar to many) on a grand scale. Apparently, audiences didn't really agree with the criticisms either since they went back and forth to see it in droves.

And no, Avatar wasn't successful "just because of the 3D."

Just like Titanic.

Which is, of course, universally beloved by everyone in the world.

 

[The Shape]

Just like Titanic.

Which is, of course, universally beloved by everyone in the world.

Sorry, but anything that's tremendously popular experiences a backlash of complaints and claims of it being "overrated". This goes for movies (like Titanic and Avatar), music, sports teams, and even something like Facebook for an example.

Titanic will be remembered as a classic. In fact, it already is. I suspect Avatar will be in the same boat someday. Films that impacted a culture. Event movies, like The Avengers.

 

[Kane52630]

Just like Titanic.

Which is, of course, universally beloved by everyone in the world.

and yet because of that, it spawn irrational hatred for the film.

 

[CConn]

Sorry, but anything that's tremendously popular experiences a backlash of complaints and claims of it being "overrated". This goes for movies (like Titanic and Avatar), music, sports teams, and even something like Facebook for an example.

Titanic will be remembered as a classic. In fact, it already is. I suspect Avatar will be in the same boat someday. Films that impacted a culture. Event movies, like The Avengers.

Well duh, it will be. Because of what Cameron did with CGI and 3D technology, Avatar will always be regarded as a groundbreaking film.

That doesn't change the fact that it had a mediocre screenplay, and was very much just a pompous rehash of every other movie Cameron's ever done.

 

[roach]

Sorry, but anything that's tremendously popular experiences a backlash of complaints and claims of it being "overrated". This goes for movies (like Titanic and Avatar), music, sports teams, and even something like Facebook for an example.

Titanic will be remembered as a classic. In fact, it already is. I suspect Avatar will be in the same boat someday. Films that impacted a culture. Event movies, like The Avengers.

this

 

[Iceman]

Sorry, but anything that's tremendously popular experiences a backlash of complaints and claims of it being "overrated". This goes for movies (like Titanic and Avatar), music, sports teams, and even something like Facebook for an example.

Titanic will be remembered as a classic. In fact, it already is. I suspect Avatar will be in the same boat someday. Films that impacted a culture. Event movies, like The Avengers.

The extent varies a lot though. For eg LOTR, Star Wars (classic, Empire in particular) & Avengers at the moment don't have the same level of detractors as Titanic and Avatar. Reality TV on the other hand....

I don't know why people call Avatar overrated though. The effects are still miles ahead of anything else that's come out (including Avengers) and it was only ever this aspect that was excessively & rightfully praised. I didn't see the majority of reviews/fans claiming it was the best story ever or even putting it at the top of their film lists. Many did claim it was the best cinematic experience they'd had and I'm not sure how that point can be fought too strongly either.

 

[redhawk23]

I'm totally down for more Avatar and don't agree with many of the criticisms of the first. Cameron did was he does best by telling a relatable, universal tale (familiar to many) on a grand scale. Apparently, audiences didn't really agree with the criticisms either since they went back and forth to see it in droves.

And no, Avatar wasn't successful "just because of the 3D."

Even subtracting the estimated additional revenue from the 3d surcharges, the film made well over 2 billion.


Also interesting is that people argue against its success based on inflation. Well even adjusting for inflation, Avatar is still the SECOND highest grossing film of all time WW, and it did that in world of far more cross media competition than films like Gone With the Wind faced in the past in terms of television and the net existing, not to mention the effects of piracy.

 

[redhawk23]

Well duh, it will be. Because of what Cameron did with CGI and 3D technology, Avatar will always be regarded as a groundbreaking film.

That doesn't change the fact that it had a mediocre screenplay, and was very much just a pompous rehash of every other movie Cameron's ever done.

Thematically I can see connections with the Abyss...beyond that you've really lost me on that one.

 

[dark_b]

didnt Titanic 3D make 200 millions in 1 month? the world loves Titanic.

 

[:eek:]

didnt Titanic 3D make 200 millions in 1 month? the world loves Titanic.

Over 300 million so far, actually. But to be honest on that one; a lot of the money comes from China where it almost is like it's been released for the first time. That market has expanded a lot since 1998. Back then there were like 300 theaters in the entire country. Today it's something like ten times as many.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

So Avatar reused themes of other movies? I could name scenes in popular movies also that borrowed heavily from other films.

So Avatar had scenes that should have been cut? I could say that about other great movies too.

How many movies before Avatar created a seamlessly intricate world with this amount of detail and thought into the science, creating a new language, even atlas of scientific discovery?

How many movies before Avatar used 3D this seamlessly?

How many movies can bridge a language and cultural divide between nations and a story that appealed so greatly to an international audience making over 2 billion?

How many movies changed the cinematic movie experience globally the way Avatar has?

 

[Kane52630]

So Avatar reused themes of other movies? I could name scenes in popular movies also that borrowed heavily from other films.

So Avatar had scenes that should have been cut? I could say that about other great movies too.

How many movies before Avatar created a seamlessly intricate world with this amount of detail and thought into the science, creating a new language, even atlas of scientific discovery?

How many movies before Avatar used 3D this seamlessly?

How many movies can bridge a language and cultural divide between nations and a story that appealed so greatly to an international audience making over 2 billion?

How many movies changed the cinematic movie experience globally the way Avatar has?

My thoughts exactly. I find Avatar to be more original than the criticisms of Avatar.

 

[jaymes_e06]

Sorry, but anything that's tremendously popular experiences a backlash of complaints and claims of it being "overrated". This goes for movies (like Titanic and Avatar), music, sports teams, and even something like Facebook for an example.

Titanic will be remembered as a classic. In fact, it already is. I suspect Avatar will be in the same boat someday. Films that impacted a culture. Event movies, like The Avengers.

Very true. I'm not one of those who hate on it as an overgrown Pocahantos/John Carter rip off. I think it could be fun to see where the next installment will take us.

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

James Cameron has entered the George Lucas stage in his life. the guy can not come up with anything new & original anymore and will rely solely on Avatar to cash in from now on

 

[dark_b]

how do you know he can not come up with anything new? and James Cameron doesnt have to rely on cash anymore since Titanic. with Titanic he had enough money for himself and his kids. with Avatar he has enough money for his kids and kids from the kids from the kids.

 

[redhawk23]

James Cameron has entered the George Lucas stage in his life. the guy can not come up with anything new & original anymore and will rely solely on Avatar to cash in from now on

Considering the next film is rumored to go into some pretty weird areas not directly involving the na'vi, I'd think he has some different things to say. Also, its not as if there are 6 avatars over the course of 30 years.

So far there is one film.

And also, some of his best films are sequels anyways, to his own work and to others.

 

[:eek:]

James Cameron has entered the George Lucas stage in his life. the guy can not come up with anything new & original anymore and will rely solely on Avatar to cash in from now on

Well, how many blockbuster-making directors are really doing anything original? When was the last time someone like Spielberg made anything that wasn't based on a book or something?

 

[Iceman]

How many movies before Avatar used 3D this seamlessly?

How many movies AFTER Avatar used 3D this seamlessly? None in my opinion. I've yet to see a 3D film where I thought it was even the worth that small extra cost. That includes Avengers. It's a shame, I love every scene having real depth to it.

 

[marvelman2006]

Avatar may have been unoriginal in terms of story but the 3D was amazing and nothing has come close since at immerising me in theaters on that scale. Having said that I have it on Bluray but havent put it in since I got it 2 years ago. Haters can hate but theres no denying cameron is doing this right now and studio exe's alike........

 

[terry78]

Avatar is basically his Star Wars, if what he is saying is any indicaton. A few more movies, he means to expand the universe.

 

[CConn]

I'm watching Avatar again now...it's really a shame, if Cameron didn't write all of that Eywa/Tree of Life BS into the story, it would've made his environmental conservation comments in a much more subtle, and effective way.

 

[CConn]

Thematically I can see connections with the Abyss...beyond that you've really lost me on that one.

A couple examples;

1. Having to copy the "spunky Latina" character from Aliens.

2. All of the technology being similar to Aliens - particularly the whole hibernation during space travel, thing.

3. It's not really an element from any of his movies, but the whole hard as nails army officer is just about as cliche and trite as a spunky Latina.

4. I found the way he edited the movie to be very similar to his Director's Cut of Aliens where he focuses more on world building and character relationships than delivering a tight and engaging plot.