# Avatar - Finally saw it.... I remain underwhelmed. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 8, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952 "2010-11-08T20:06:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/21 "2010-11-09T00:30:36Z")
Seeing Avatar in the theater is about escapism. If you go in there wanting to be entertained and willing to suspend your disbelief, you will enjoy the rich visuals and be caught up in the emotion and all that jazz. That’s how most people saw it. If you go in there with a critic’s eye and detach yourself from the experience, then you won’t be able to get past the mediocre plot and characters. I’m not saying that either approach is fundamentally wrong, but one will let you enjoy the movie and one will leave you wishing it ended sooner. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/22 "2010-11-09T00:30:45Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > Shouldn’t a movie be able to stand on its own whether in a theater or on a home screen. “2001” looks best on a giant Cinerama screen (or did, I guess there are no more Cinerama screens) but it’s also a fine film on any screen. To the best of my knowledge there are three Cinerama screens left: One in Bradford, UK (at the National Media Museum), another one in Hollywood, and a third in Seattle. There used to be one in Ohio, of all places, which Bill Bryson mentions in one of his books. ---
**Author:** ![HenryGale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@HenryGale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryGale)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/23 "2010-11-09T00:35:38Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Not all movies are created to serve the same purpose. Cameron has been pretty adamant that _Avatar_ was intended as a 3D spectacle, first and foremost. I understand the urge to compare a big screen experience to a home one, but I think this is more analogous to a black and white versus color experience. > > \*Avatar \*is trying to be to 3D what _Wizard of Oz_ was to color. I’m not saying the two movie are equally good and the jury is still out on how ubiquitous 3D will become, but you need to see the two films in their intended format to really “get it”. The wow factor of something so new is a fundamental part of the process. This, definitely. I think most summer popcorn fair has at least as many problems that people are describing with Avatar’s plot, characters, etc. What Avatar was really about, to me, was wiping the floor with its 3d predecessors. 3D has always been so… “oooooh! It’s popping out atcha! Waaaatch out! oooooh!” :rolleyes: to me, and Avatar was actually just… a three dimensional image. It added a lot to the visuals for me. Subtle and very well implemented. Ironically, it makes me want to see 3d movies even LESS because now the “Ooooh! It’s popping out of the screen!” has gone from :rolleyes: to :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: for me, now that I’ve seen 3d used well. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/24 "2010-11-09T00:48:30Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > This movie is Exhibit A of why some movies simply must be seen on a big screen, in a movie theater, as I stated on the other thread about how often I go there. I’m sure it was totally awesome in the theater, and attracted millions of kids and did the great business that it did. At home on TV or god forbid a computer screen - meh. NOT THE SAME! How about on an airplane in-flight entertainment system screen on the seatback in front of you? Maybe five inches diagonal? Because that’s where I saw it. It was OK. Nothing special. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/25 "2010-11-09T00:58:33Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > To the best of my knowledge there are three Cinerama screens left: One in Bradford, UK (at the National Media Museum), another one in Hollywood, and a third in Seattle. There used to be one in Ohio, of all places, which Bill Bryson mentions in one of his books. I actually saw 2001 on the Cinerama in Seattle when it was re-released in 2001. Fucking awesome. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/26 "2010-11-09T01:02:51Z")
We will never get great science fiction movies until people stop making excuses for mediocre science fiction movies. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/27 "2010-11-09T01:14:30Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > We will never get great science fiction movies until people stop making excuses for mediocre science fiction movies. :rolleyes: The vast majority of people don’t want Neuromancer, they want Star Wars. Can’t say that I blame them. I can’t say we’d be better off with the 5 obtuse, subtle hard sci-fi films that Indy film makers would churn out on a shoestring budget if you had your way. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/28 "2010-11-09T01:26:44Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > You may think you’re offering a defense… I just saw the painting “The Mona Lisa” printed on a postage stamp - what’s the big deal? I just heard Beethoven’s 5th symphony whistled by my neighbor - m’kay, so what? …ever heard the old saying " The medium is the message"? Sometimes works of art are meant to be experienced in a certain way. Granted many movies really don’t need a big screen - Avatar is a different story. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/29 "2010-11-09T01:40:36Z")
Well, it was nominated for Best Picture, not Best Spectacle, so those defending it should talk to The Academy. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/30 "2010-11-09T01:44:12Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Sometimes works of art are meant to be experienced in a certain way. Granted many movies really don’t need a big screen - Avatar is a different story. Perhaps you misunderstand me. It’s not the big screen that I have a problem with; for various reasons, I lament our trend away from real theaters toward home screens. But **Omniscient** said _the whole point_ is the 3D experience. Needing a big screen is fine; it’s the fact that they use it to _do so little_ that I find pathetic. I mean, come on, put all your high technology to _use_. Make this flash and thunder mean something. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/31 "2010-11-09T01:55:19Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Perhaps you misunderstand me. It’s not the big screen that I have a problem with; for various reasons, I lament our trend away from real theaters toward home screens. > > But **Omniscient** said _the whole point_ is the 3D experience. > > Needing a big screen is fine; it’s the fact that they use it to _do so little_ that I find pathetic. I mean, come on, put all your high technology to _use_. Make this flash and thunder mean something. Intending to make it a big, beautiful 3-D extravaganza in no way excuses the fact they didn’t write a remotely original script to go along with it. “It’s supposed to look great above all else” is a line trotted out to excuse the lack of adaquate story-telling in some pixar movies, and it doesn’t work there either. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/32 "2010-11-09T02:01:17Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Intending to make it a big, beautiful 3-D extravaganza in no way excuses the fact they didn’t write a remotely original script to go along with it. “It’s supposed to look great above all else” is a line trotted out to excuse the lack of adaquate story-telling in some pixar movies, and it doesn’t work there either. Exactly. [That excuse didn’t wash in 1985](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/), it damn sure isn’t gonna work in 2010. If **Legend** had been released with no dialogue except from Darkness, it would have been one of the most incredible movies ever. Instead it was a shitty story with atrocious performances.But damn! did it look awesome (for the time). ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/33 "2010-11-09T02:01:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Well, it was nominated for Best Picture, not Best Spectacle, so those defending it should talk to The Academy. It seems the Academy agrees with me. Perhaps you’re the one that needs to ring them up. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/34 "2010-11-09T02:08:10Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Intending to make it a big, beautiful 3-D extravaganza in no way excuses the fact they didn’t write a remotely original script to go along with it. “It’s supposed to look great above all else” is a line trotted out to excuse the lack of adaquate story-telling in some pixar movies, and it doesn’t work there either. It’s intended to be accessible for all ages and enjoyed by as many people as possible in order to expose all those people to a new type of film making. Being original and edgy would have put off a lot of the people who enjoyed it just fine. You seem to think your snobby biases are somehow the only valid ones. There’s a place and an audience for 2001. If this would have been as esoteric as 2001 it’d have been a box office bomb and no one would care about 3D. There are plenty of people who can accept that sometimes the story serves the medium and the best story is the one which doesn’t offend and facilitates the spectacle. There isn’t much in the world that’s original and I wager that 95% of your favorite movies aren’t in any way original. If you are holding out for originality you’re going to live a life filled with disappointment. At least Avatar was original to look at which is more than you can say for 99.9% of the movies made today. Original spectacles are rarer than original stories. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/35 "2010-11-09T02:14:12Z")
I only go to the theater 2 or 3 times a year. Partly b/c I’ve got so many DVDs on the shelf and with Netflix, well, I’ll never lack for a movie to watch. But the main reason is b/c there is hardly anything coming out of Hollywood I feel the need to see in the theater rather than wait for the DVD. I’d rather catch the newest film out of Korea than Hollywood. But I went to the 3-D IMAX three times to watch **Avatar**. I thought it was that good. I \*did \*lose myself in the 3-D world. It was like I was IN that world. If I had seen it on a computer or sitting on my couch, there’s no way I could have been so absorbed. And it wasn’t just me. You know that scene where the forest gets firebombed and all that ash and cinder is all in the air? Each time at the theater about half the audience started coughing. It doesn’t get any more realistic than that, if your body involunatrily thinks it is experiencing what it is just seeing on the screen. And here folks are saying that the home experience “wasn’t all that.” Well, duh. I’m making no comment on the story itself. I loved it and it totally worked for me to draw me into the film, but that’s just a matter of opinion and to each his own. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/36 "2010-11-09T02:19:15Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > The story itself was weak. Very standard stuff as far as plot goes. Good guy from EVIL world infiltrates GOOD world and realizes that the GOOD world is the place to be. Human falls for humanoid (and visaversa, of course), and somehow leads the small band of primatives to victory over EVIL world. Not too far from the Ewoks beating the Empire. All that was missing was the little people in bear outfits. Donald Kaufman: I’m putting in a chase sequence. So the killer flees on horseback with the girl, the cop’s after them on a motorcycle and it’s like a battle between motors and horses, like technology vs. horse. Charlie Kaufman: And they’re still all one person, right? [right]-- _Adaptation_[/right] Stranger ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/37 "2010-11-09T02:21:39Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > It seems the Academy agrees with me. Perhaps you’re the one that needs to ring them up. It wasn’t nominated for best Spectacle, as you are calling it. Best Spectacle deserves a nomination for Best Special Effects, nothing more. It was a mediocre film. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/38 "2010-11-09T02:27:11Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It wasn’t nominated for best Spectacle, as you are calling it. Best Spectacle deserves a nomination for Best Special Effects, nothing more. It was a mediocre film. It’s called Best Picture. Not best story or best spectacle. Obviously there are different paths to being a great “Picture”. I’m arguing exactly that, _Avatar_ was such a great spectacle that it was considered a Best Picture nominee. Plenty of movies with great stories weren’t. Some were. The haters and snobs that bemoan the story can’t seem to accept that there are other ways to entertain and impress. ---
**Author:** ![goldmund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a4c791/32.png) [@goldmund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goldmund)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/39 "2010-11-09T02:40:54Z")
Guys, the reference to “[Unobtainium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium)” is a bit of an in-joke: [QUOTE=Wikipedia] Since the late 1950s,[1][2] aerospace engineers have used the term “unobtainium” when referring to unusual or costly materials, or when theoretically considering a material perfect for their needs in all respects, except that it does not exist. By the 1990s, the term was in wide use, even in formal engineering papers such as “Towards unobtainium [new composite materials for space applications].”[3] The word unobtainium may well have been coined in the aerospace industry to refer to materials capable of withstanding the extreme temperatures expected in reentry. Aerospace engineers are frequently tempted to design aircraft which require parts with strength or resilience beyond that of currently available materials. [/QUOTE] It was also used in “[The Core](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Core)”, FWIW. That said, I enjoyed the movie. It’s important to ignore the hype machine and just treat it as entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952/40 "2010-11-09T02:43:21Z")
I was going to make a post on this Saturday night after I saw it on HBO. Originally, I saw it in 3D, which didn’t work very well for me due to my vision problems. However, I thought the CGI was great. So, I only got part of the experience. Now, after watching it on my TV, I sat there thinking what was all the fuss about it. The CGI looked slightly better than what you get from a Disney film. All the fluorescent colors didn’t help either, it made it more artificial. Both “Transformers” films looked more realistic to me as did “Toy Story 3” or “UP.” Yes, the medium is the message, but it seems some of us can only understand certain types. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-finally-saw-it-i-remain-underwhelmed/559952.md?page=3)