Avatar (2009) Film Review

Avatar is a film that will be remembered. That much is certain. This film completely won over audiences in 2009 and was hugely successful in the box office, not unlike James Cameron’s previous effort, Titanic (released in 1997). However, while Titanic was not even close to being worthy of its hype and cult status, Avatar is.

On a visual level, this film is one of the most (if not the most) beautiful films ever made. The effects took 12 years to pull off and that really shows. The scenery is vivid and beautiful, the creatures are detailed and imaginative and world of Pandora feels full of life. The plants and animals all feel like they could (and should) be real, which really sucks you into this world and makes you want to believe that it’s real.

The design for both the human technology and the inhabitants of Pandora is exceptionally impressive, managing to be both creative and believable at the same time. The Na’vi are also fantastic. Their war paint makes them look fierce and strong, while their language gives the impression that they are also very wise.

However, amongst all this originality and visual prowess is what many people consider to be the weakest aspect of Avatar, and that’s its plot. The plot is nothing new, and some of the characters are slightly stereotypical. I also felt that the back-story of the main character could have been explored a bit more. However, the characters which really made me get emotionally involved with the film were the Na’vi. As the film progresses, I came to understand the Na’vi and their culture. By the end of the film, I really found myself on the edge of my seat. I wanted them to win. It was at that moment when I realised what a brilliant film this truly was.

In conclusion, Avatar is a flawed masterpiece. While it may not satisfy plot-wise, the visual effects, creativity, cinematography and emotional involvement make this film a must see. Many years into the future, there is a good chance that this film is looked back upon and viewed as a classic.

I watched the Collector’s Edition version of the film, which features 16 minutes worth of deleted scenes. While this may not sound like much, they were very good scenes. They gave the plot a bit more depth and explained some things which weren’t explained in the original theatrical release.

4/5