# Avatar: Now that you've actually seen it. No spoilers in OP **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2009, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626 "2009-12-17T11:32:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/542 "2010-01-05T01:10:52Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Who complained that Cars was childish? I say, I say, I say, it was a joke son! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/543 "2010-01-05T01:12:17Z")
So mick, tell me how you really feel? ---
**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:** [January 5, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/544 "2010-01-05T01:17:11Z")
> [@mickrussom](#): > > Anyone who defends this movie is simply a below average or nearly average mind that can’t see past visuals that are no more complex of a stimulus than a piece of string is as a cat toy. Argument by Categorical Attack; brilliant really. It takes someone as enlightened as yourself in order to provide such a fine working example. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/545 "2010-01-05T01:18:19Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I say, I say, I say, it was a joke son! But it didn’t evem make sense… Eh, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/546 "2010-01-05T02:32:05Z")
I think Mick got too caught up in trying to call this Apple an Orange, and totally forgot to have a good time at the movies. Oh, and only 3 posts? Yeah. Something doesn’t jive for me here. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/547 "2010-01-05T02:34:32Z")
Related, it would be interesting to plot out what Reviewers had what movie experience. I am willing to bet that those who saw Imax 3D rave about it more than those who saw traditional 2D. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/548 "2010-01-05T02:56:34Z")
Now that I’ve actually seen Avatar… my new “will I like it?” movie test is as follows: if there’s frothing-at-the-mouth Internet geek outrage, I’ll probably like it. New Star Trek: frothing outrage. Liked it. Avatar: _unbelievable_ frothing outrage. _Loved_ it. If Cameron puts an orbital bombardment subplot in the sequel and never actually has it deployed, the Internet will probably just melt down on the spot… and I’ll be too afraid to go see that sequel. Only so much enjoyment I can take. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/549 "2010-01-05T03:33:14Z")
> [@mickrussom](#): > > Anyone who defends this movie is simply a below average or nearly average mind that can’t see past visuals that are no more complex of a stimulus than a piece of string is as a cat toy. They are incapable of rational or critical thought and are very likely a wage slave heavily in debt working towards no particular end, lost in life, and movies like this are a form of escapism where they “want to believe” and become immersed in something because their own lives are basically mundane, insignificant and unimportant. MODERATOR COMMENT: Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **mickrussom** , glad to have you here. However, I suggest you read the Rules of the Boards and of this forum. We do NOT insult other posters or other opinions. Our philosophy is that it is possible for people to have different opinions about art/entertainment, and to discuss those differences, without the need for personal insults. Just become someone’s position is different from yours doesn’t mean that they are “incapable of rational thought” nor any of the other personal insults you so freely hurled around. You’re new here, so I’m going to extend benefit of doubt and not issue an Official Warning, but you are advised NOT to do this again. * * * ADDENDUM: It turns out that this person is apparently just roaming the internet and posting the same diatribe in many, many locations. A Google-search on “Avatar stunk to high-hell” produces many hits. I therefore believe **mickrussom** to basically be spamming, posting the exact same thing all around the internet, and I’m banning him. I’m leaving the posts because people have responded. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/550 "2010-01-05T04:04:05Z")
> [@mickrussom](#): > > […] Banned on the run. I went to see **Broken Embrace** s today and just out of curiosity I stuck my head into the 3:20 3D showing of Avatar. It was 3/4 full on a Monday afternoon! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/551 "2010-01-05T04:18:23Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Banned on the run. Epitaph or sig? You decide. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/552 "2010-01-05T08:39:37Z")
Epitaph, it would seem. Hey, I found [this interesting thread](http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=79195&page=1&pp=15) on another forum, started by one of the lead modelers(?)/3D texture painter(?). The OP has a lot of great pictures of the various avatars in progress, and a Banshee. I haven’t made it all the way through the thread yet, but I thought [this bit](http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=79195&page=17&pp=15) was particularly interesting, regarding the name “unobtanium.” [QUOTE=the poster named Patton] I guess maybe I should clear this one up,because I’ve heard it more than once. \*\*First off they never use the “real” name of the mineral that they are mining on Pandora, he just says “this Unobtainium here” \*\*. The term “Unobtainium” was one that scientists in the 50s used to describe the fantasy substance that that when discovered, would be a “cure all” for society, it was kind of a science geek joke. [/QUOTE] “he just says” refers to $cienoBoy when he plucks the rock from its floating container, so it would seem that Ribisi used the term sarcastically. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/553 "2010-01-05T10:37:15Z")
Saw it yesterday. Most of what I thought has been said, but one reference that I was particularly pleased with getting is the one to Apocalypse Now. I thought the colonel was modeled on Captain Kilgore (Robert Duvall) and that the helicopter scenes both visually and in terms of the music were like the bombing/surfing scene in Apocalypse Now. It was all confirmed when it turns out that one of the vessels that the colonel is directing goes by the name of ‘Valkyrie 1-6’ - the piece of classical music that Kilgore plays because it ‘scares the hell out of the gooks’ is Wagner’s ‘Ride of the Valkyries’. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/554 "2010-01-05T22:47:45Z")
Disclaimer: I consider Armageddon to be a way fun, neato movie that I would sit down and watch anytime. This thrusts me in a group of people that should not be trusted. I liked Avatar. Not the best movie ever. It was a sci-fi flick. A pretty sci-fi flick. One thing about CGI that bugs me is the flock of birds flying. I’m so sick of seeing it in movies. When the flock of birds flew by, I laughed, because usually it is a small flock of say, 3-7 white birds, and in this movie, it was hundreds. I took that as an FU to the cliche/trope/whatever. I just explained to my mother was unobtainium was the night before watching this. I laughed when I heard it. I thought it was a nod to geeks. I like nods to geeks. I did feel that Jake did not show why he deserved the attention he got. Not from the anemoseeds, not from the Na’vi, not from anyone. I felt like he was too stiff and we really didn’t get to know him very well. Someone upthread mentioned that JC should get an award for the least clothing that revealed nothing. I read it to my husband who responded “Yeah, I spent the whole movie trying like hell to see boobies.” I too was relieved the women weren’t ridiculously built. I’ll watch it again, maybe I’ll watch a double feature, Armageddon and Avatar, maybe even throw in a little Top Gun. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/555 "2010-01-05T23:10:38Z")
> [@Auntbeast](#): > > I’ll watch it again, maybe I’ll watch a double feature, Armageddon and Avatar, maybe even throw in a little Top Gun. That’s my plan for Thursday. Y’know, the day after tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/556 "2010-01-06T00:30:03Z")
> [@Auntbeast](#): > > I read it to my husband who responded “Yeah, I spent the whole movie trying like hell to see boobies.” Check with your spouse. I saw an areola peeking out from the moss, mistletoe or poison ivy. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/557 "2010-01-06T02:44:25Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > “he just says” refers to $cienoBoy when he plucks the rock from its floating container, so it would seem that Ribisi used the term sarcastically. The in-character featurette [Pandora Discovered](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBGDmin_38E) (narrated by Grace Augustine) uses only the term ‘unobtanium’ (starting around 2:20) to describe it. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/558 "2010-01-07T05:47:27Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > I think Mick got too caught up in trying to call this Apple an Orange, and totally forgot to have a good time at the movies. > Oh, and only 3 posts? Yeah. Something doesn’t jive for me here. > [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > ADDENDUM: It turns out that this person is apparently just roaming the internet and posting the same diatribe in many, many locations. A Google-search on “Avatar stunk to high-hell” produces many hits. I therefore believe **mickrussom** to basically be spamming, posting the exact same thing all around the internet, and I’m banning him. > > I’m leaving the posts because people have responded. May I never doubt the usefulness of post counts ever again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fatsdominum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Fatsdominum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatsdominum)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/559 "2010-01-07T14:38:19Z")
Just curious, has anyone seen it in IMAX and standard 3D? How big a difference was it? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/560 "2010-01-07T14:47:17Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I haven’t made it all the way through the thread yet, but I thought [this bit](http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?t=79195&page=17&pp=15) was particularly interesting, regarding the name “unobtanium.” > > “he just says” refers to $cienoBoy when he plucks the rock from its floating container, so it would seem that Ribisi used the term sarcastically. [No, it’s actually called “unobtanium”.](http://james-camerons-avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Unobtanium) The backstory is that it was originally called unobtainium as an engineering joke but the name stuck. Then they just changed it slightly to unobtanium to make it more “chemicall-y”. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626/561 "2010-01-07T17:00:15Z")
> [@Fatsdominum](#): > > Just curious, has anyone seen it in IMAX and standard 3D? How big a difference was it? I did. I saw it first in regular 3D (because the IMAX was sold out), then a few days later in IMAX 3D. It was a little hard to compare, because my seat was not as good for the IMAX, being more to the side where the 3D doesn’t work quite as well. (Especially during fast action scenes, it was sometimes difficult to see exactly what was going on due to blurriness.) This said, I would definitely recommend the IMAX as being more spectacular and immersive. Try to get there early enough to get prime seats in the center of the rows. I wanted to make sure I saw it in IMAX while I was in the US over the holidays, since there are no IMAX theaters in Panama. I think it was worth it, though I would love to see it from a better seat. I may go again here, since it is being shown in 3D (as well as 2D). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avatar-now-that-youve-actually-seen-it-no-spoilers-in-op/521626.md?page=29)