I finally saw Avatar...

...and I didn't really like it. At all.

I saw it for Oscar purposes and with all of the hype I hoped and prayed that despite my preconceived notions about the movie that I would actually enjoy it. And I just could not get into the movie. My roommate and I said going into it that we would probably come out being the only two people who disliked the movie...we were right. The only thing I liked was the visual effects, they were spectacular, but you can't cover up a bad movie with amazing effects.

What did you all think of it?

being that I went to school for film, I have honestly never seen a more together movie like Avatar, it had a great story, great character development and great visual effects.
As far as big budget movies like this go at least
I loved this movie, it was amazing

I thought the movie was absolutely fantastic. I tend to like fantasy, and the movie had a great plot. The 3D made it so epic like you were actually in the forest with them.

I think the movie looks absolutely awful, to be honest, lol. I've refused to see it. And when I DO see it, since it'll likely be inevitable, I will not pay a cent towards my viewing. That man has made enough money on a movie that I personally don't think deserves all the hype.

Plus, I heard it's Pocahontas all over again, and my alliance will always lay with Walt lol

I didn't think it had a good storyline at all...this exact same story has been rehashed several times and it never really grabbed me. I found that the great visual effects are overshadowing the negative aspects of the film. In terms of character development, I feel it could have been stronger. I just don't feel that it was the huge achievement that everyone is making it out to be and if it wins Best Picture I will have lost faith in the movie business.

I'm watching it for the first time right now. 6 minutes and 57 seconds in, and I'm regretting starting it. It looks bad.

How/where are you watching it?

Pete wrote:

being that I went to school for film, I have honestly never seen a more together movie like Avatar, it had a great story, great character development and great visual effects.
As far as big budget movies like this go at least
I loved this movie, it was amazing

Seriously? Did you finish?

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm kidding. But really though, the only thing original about the movie was the effects and those were absolutely stunning. But I was bored and thoroughly unimpressed by everything else.

Online. I found an HD video, and since I have an 17" HD widescreen on my laptop, it's really good for watching. Obviously not as good as in theaters, but I'm not at all distracted or bothered by poor quality.

But still, I'd rather see it this way. Like Ryan said, you can't cover up a bad movie with good effects. My roommate saw it twice in theater, and she said that the effects were amazing, but the story wasn't the greatest. That gave me the impression that a lot of people who obsessed over the movie were obsessing over the effects, and not actually looking at every aspect of the movie. Every time someone says they love Avatar, they follow it up by talking about the effects.

I want to watch it for the storyline and character development. THAT'S what makes a movie good, in my opinion. I wouldn't want to see it on some huge screen and have the effects make me think it's a good movie.

I'm 28 minutes in, and I've had to tell myself twice to not shut it off. It's definitely not living up to all the hype. I'm disappointed.

I agree with that statement Jess. Either that or people that only really see blockbuster type movies. On that level it might be a little higher up than the LCD that it pretty much is....minus effects.

But the cinematic achievement of the effects and the making of the movie can't be denied.

Professor MoMo wrote:

Pete wrote:

being that I went to school for film, I have honestly never seen a more together movie like Avatar, it had a great story, great character development and great visual effects.
As far as big budget movies like this go at least
I loved this movie, it was amazing

Seriously? Did you finish?

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm kidding. But really though, the only thing original about the movie was the effects and those were absolutely stunning. But I was bored and thoroughly unimpressed by everything else.

I never said it was original, I said it was more together movie cause I feel that everything was well put together. I liked the character development and the story. The visual effects were great, of course but I liked the other aspects of the movie as well.

The thing is, this movie would not have made the money it has made on visual effects, that is the lamest thing I have ever heard anyone say, it is just stupid to say that.
Sorry, annoyed at the moment, not gonna read anymore of this topic, have a good day

Movies make money based only on technical achievement and hype all the time.

And that movie had like the worst pacing, the characters were stock at best, and seriously...watch it and Dances With Wolves side by side. Everyone says it for a reason. They are the same movie.

Dances with Smurfs ftw.

IF IT WAS A MOVIE I WOULD SEE IT 8 TIMES!!!!!!!

It's exactly Pocahontas. I've watched Pocahontas hundreds of times. It's one of my favourite movies.

And there was just a scene of the girl, in a tree, watching the man walk around the new world, by a waterfall, all unsure of himself.

SHOT BY SHOT, THAT WAS IN POCAHONTAS!

Needless to say, I shut it off. 33 minutes in. I wasn't into it at all. I wouldn't be able to watch the full movie.

There were a few spots where I thought they were about to break into Colors Of The Wind

Can someone please tell me how this became the top grossing movie of all time?

Well you can't diminish that it's really well put together, now can you.

K, this is getting out of hand. I've had someone tell me they no longer want to read my novel, someone tell me they hate me, someone post their Facebook status about being mad at me, and had two people block me on MSN, JUST for saying I thought it was a horrible movie. You'd think I said Jesus was a rapist or something... I mean, this is a MOVIE. People have to stop being so offended by other's not liking it.

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Peoples is idiots. It's funny because I don't actually know a single person that liked it.

You know me. I liked it

And yeah that's whack, Jess. Gotta smack some sense into them.

Here are my Avatar-hate stats:

32 hateful Facebook/Twitter/YouTube messages
8 people told me they don't like me
3 people told me they hate me
2 people blocked me
1 angry Facebook status about me
1 less person who wants to read my novel

Right there are 47 more reasons for me to hate Avatar.

I have to agree. Effects, direction wise, the technology and research put into the story is phenomenal. But story-wise: weak. Yes, there's good character development, but it's all been done before. There's nothing original or special story-wise.

But the way it was put together, the way it all meshes together makes it a rather good watch. Wasn't a waste of money.

True, I do know you Cam. This is a good point. HAHAHA! I guess I know Pete too. But other than the two of you! OKAY!!!!

HAHAHAHA, and to clarify, I didn't hate it, I just don't think it was a very good movie deserving of the title 'best picture' though it's technical achievement is astounding.

My laptop has been dead for days and I just stumbled back into this topic. I'm so happy that people feel the same way. I got invited to see this blue mess for a second time and immediately declined.