Avatar is without doubt the most anticipated movie of the year. The buzz on it has been building for literally years. As such, it has been setup to miss expectations, not exceed them.
Yet exceed them it does...at least visually. Not only is this a leveling-up for CGI, it also is one for 3D. Everything in this movie works. Not just the explosions and the fight scenes... the smaller, simpler and far more difficult to achieve moments are there as well.
The best example, in my opinion, is the video log kept by Jake. The visual effects in these shots are completely accepted by the audience. And isn't that the ultimate in visual effects, when the audience doesn't even realize that is what they are seeing?
Your brain accepts everything in this film. The most damning thing I have heard about the look of Avatar is some people complaining that everything is too bright, too colorful, too distinct. Personally, as someone who just recently went through his first fall leaf season in the Appalachian Mountains, I think these people are a little too unaware of just how bright and colorful our own planet is. I find it completely acceptable that there is the potential for these hues on Pandora. And since the people saying this are a vocal but definite minority, I say that it works.
Yes, there are some obvious character arcs. Some archetypes. The story is rather predictable. And the hard science is lacking. But I don't need to hear the details of how they combined the DNA to create the avatars. That isn't the story here.
The story is about one man, with everything to lose, choosing to do the right thing. And yes, we have seen it before. We have even seen it with the "going native" angle built in. Often enough that we can point to both successes and failures. Every time I hear someone groan about Dances With Wolves In Space I want to counter with Apocalypse Now.
Again, in my opinion, the story works. I don't need all the gadgets explained. And if the cryo-sleep angle and the exoskeletons and the look of the ships and the strong female characters all want to make you say this guy is ripping off Aliens, remember that this guy directed Aliens. So, who is he ripping off? Himself?
Is Avatar subtle? No. Was Titanic? Was Terminator? James Cameron doesn't do subtle, he does science fiction adventure and occasionally throws in a little romance or gets obsessed with deep sea diving.
And you know what? I'm alright with that.
Avatar will wow your senses and make you cheer and boo at all the right times and for all the familiar reasons. It also will hit you with an environmental message and a message about trusting too much in profit-driven entities and powerful corporations. Again, familiar themes from this director.
Go see Avatar. See it in 3D, on a huge screen. In IMAX, if you can. It is one of those movies that really should be seen that way. And that, as much as anything, is what will make Hollywood love Jim Cameron all over again. Because there is drama and subtlety aplenty on HBO, Showtime and even the networks. But Avatar is meant to be seen in a theater.
So go see it there.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sherlock Holmes An Enjoyable Romp
The latest cinematic version of the great detective is an entertaining feast. The menu it offers is rather standard and the film sometimes seems to have just missed a higher level, but you'll leave the theater with a smile and not just from the special effects.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law work well together on screen as Holmes and Watson. This film avoids the standard use of Watson as narrator and the result is beneficial. The relationship between the two, with Holmes showing a petulant side and Watson appearing fatherly at times, was one of the main appeals of the story.
The story itself reminds me of nothing so much as Batman Begins. Not because it is an origin story. It's not; we are thrown into this world with Holmes career in full swing. Because it seems to be a reboot and an updating of a franchise in the same manner that was. There is also an anticipatory moment at the end of Sherlock Holmes very similar to the Nolan film.
The Steampunk-influenced Victorian world of Sherlock Holmes London is extremely well done, with the scientific leaps both plausible and smooth. One never thinks to question the few anachronistic devices. Visually, the film is delightful, especially considering the sepia-toned color scheme. No bright lights, big city here. Holmes London looks and feels like it is constantly in the shadow cast by coal smoke clouds.
The plot is solid and serves to illustrate Holmes brillance without making the rest of us feel stupid. The eventual solving, which we know is coming, is accomplished complete with flashbacks to all the little moments we saw but may not have noticed. Yet it is done with an appreciable lack of trickery. We never feel like the camera, or more importantly the director, is responsible for us missing something.
I've never actually read the source material by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, yet I'm told that fans of the literary, as opposed to popular culture, character of the great detective are concerned about the updating of Holmes into an "action hero." I'd like to think they will find themselves pleased with the process. This Holmes may be more violent, but his violence is extremely intellectual and some of the movies strongest scenes are of Holmes thinking through the action.
My favorite parts of the story were more character than plot. The dynamic between Holmes intellectual eccentricities and Watson's earth-bound preparedness and determination is the driving force for much of the lighter side of the film and also gives the actors many of their best moments. Holmes caustic side and his jealousy over Watson's impending engagement are especially enjoyable.
Downey Jr. and Law were given a difficult task. Take a pair of iconic characters and make them work for a modern audience while avoiding the very genre cliches partially created by this exact team of detective and assistant. They accomplish this partly because of the writing and partially because of the talent and chemistry of the acting team. I would gladly see another film with them reprising these roles.
Overall, despite the nagging feeling that this movie just missed being stupendous, I think that Sherlock Holmes is well worth an afternoon jaunt. It's well-written, acted with wonderful flair and leaves me feeling far fonder of the characters than any other recent effort. It's definitely a cut above the toy-adapted and explosion dominated films it is designed to compete with and I find myself anticipating the already hinted-at sequel. Let's call it four out of a possible five stars.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law work well together on screen as Holmes and Watson. This film avoids the standard use of Watson as narrator and the result is beneficial. The relationship between the two, with Holmes showing a petulant side and Watson appearing fatherly at times, was one of the main appeals of the story.
The story itself reminds me of nothing so much as Batman Begins. Not because it is an origin story. It's not; we are thrown into this world with Holmes career in full swing. Because it seems to be a reboot and an updating of a franchise in the same manner that was. There is also an anticipatory moment at the end of Sherlock Holmes very similar to the Nolan film.
The Steampunk-influenced Victorian world of Sherlock Holmes London is extremely well done, with the scientific leaps both plausible and smooth. One never thinks to question the few anachronistic devices. Visually, the film is delightful, especially considering the sepia-toned color scheme. No bright lights, big city here. Holmes London looks and feels like it is constantly in the shadow cast by coal smoke clouds.
The plot is solid and serves to illustrate Holmes brillance without making the rest of us feel stupid. The eventual solving, which we know is coming, is accomplished complete with flashbacks to all the little moments we saw but may not have noticed. Yet it is done with an appreciable lack of trickery. We never feel like the camera, or more importantly the director, is responsible for us missing something.
I've never actually read the source material by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, yet I'm told that fans of the literary, as opposed to popular culture, character of the great detective are concerned about the updating of Holmes into an "action hero." I'd like to think they will find themselves pleased with the process. This Holmes may be more violent, but his violence is extremely intellectual and some of the movies strongest scenes are of Holmes thinking through the action.
My favorite parts of the story were more character than plot. The dynamic between Holmes intellectual eccentricities and Watson's earth-bound preparedness and determination is the driving force for much of the lighter side of the film and also gives the actors many of their best moments. Holmes caustic side and his jealousy over Watson's impending engagement are especially enjoyable.
Downey Jr. and Law were given a difficult task. Take a pair of iconic characters and make them work for a modern audience while avoiding the very genre cliches partially created by this exact team of detective and assistant. They accomplish this partly because of the writing and partially because of the talent and chemistry of the acting team. I would gladly see another film with them reprising these roles.
Overall, despite the nagging feeling that this movie just missed being stupendous, I think that Sherlock Holmes is well worth an afternoon jaunt. It's well-written, acted with wonderful flair and leaves me feeling far fonder of the characters than any other recent effort. It's definitely a cut above the toy-adapted and explosion dominated films it is designed to compete with and I find myself anticipating the already hinted-at sequel. Let's call it four out of a possible five stars.
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