Movie Review: Avatar

Fantasy film epic.


"Avatar succeeds in immersing you to this rich, beautiful world that looks so real you'd wish it truly exists."

Me: "I'll be watching Avatar."

Friend: "Ava-what?"

Me: "Avatar. A film by James Cameron."

Friend: "Who?"

Me: "James Cameron. Director of 'Titanic'."

Friend: "Ahhh...'TITANIC'... Ok."

Titanic. Whether he likes it or not, James Cameron will always be linked to the "Numero Uno Blockbuster Movie of All-Time". On a positive note however, this helps as movies he'll direct from then on initially gives that "great movie perception" strengthened from his film portfolio, beginning of course with Titanic - the same film that catapulted actor Leonardo DiCaprio to mega guwapo stardom and the song "My Heart Will Go On" be played endlessly on FM stations unless we turn off the radio or set it on fire.

So after a decade of not directing any film since 1997's Titanic, Cameron gives us "Avatar".

"Avatar? "

The story goes that in 2154 AD, a human corporation mines Pandora, a lush, low gravity moon of Polyphemus, a gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, 4.4 light-years from Earth. The humans seek to exploit Pandora's reserves of unobtanium, a precious mineral. Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), head of the operation, employs former marines and soldiers as mercenaries.

Pandora is inhabited by an indigenous race of tall humanoids called the Na'vi and researchers led by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) create the Avatar Program, creating human-Na'vi hybrids in an attempt to blend in with the environment. A human who shares genetic material with an avatar can link to it, allowing them to control it while their own body 'sleeps'.

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a former Marine who was paralyzed below the waist in combat on Earth. His twin brother was a scientist working in the Avatar Program. When Jake's brother is killed, Jake takes his place because he is compatible with his brother's avatar. The research team lets him into the program, having him act more as their security rather than a researcher/explorer. But as Jake explores the world of Pandora and becomes involved with the Na'vi in ways he didn't expect, it leads to a situation which would eventually decide the fate of both the humans and the Na'vi in Pandora.

I'll get straight to the point: The groundbreaking technological advancements and innovative eye candy employed in this film is one of the best in years. Not since "Lord of the Rings" has a film been as absorbing and engaging as this.

Cameron wanted to make a lush and surreal new world taken out of the pages of 'National Geographic' in fantasy mode and the result is utterly breathtaking. There were a handful of moments during my THX 3D viewing when his creations seemed to pop out of the IMAX screen and looked so realistic that I found myself extending my finger for the desire to wanting to literally touch them!

The film has already topped the CGI department in all its breathtaking splendor with jaw-dropping effects, the pulse-pounding action is top notch, the engaging adventure infectious (God I wanted to ride one of those flying creatures and soar like Jake!) and the story of one man's journey of finding his place in the universe realized amongst a race he used to discriminate is enough to be backed up by the visuals.

Granted that Cameron took some elements from his past works such as "Aliens" and some scenes could have been shortened, but it's his way of paying tribute to past works and his penchant for the lengthy path is only because he wanted the viewers to stay around for awhile and be a witness to this incredible world that it leaves a lasting effect on the theme he wants to drive: to learn to appreciate the environment we live in and how imperialism could destroy everything we take for granted.

Sam Worthington's acting is good enough for us to cheer for him, and Sigourney Weaver's presence back to the science fiction genre is an added welcome. And lastly, the cinematic sound courtesy of James Horner is exceptional and heightened the viewing experience up another level.

Experts predict that Avatar will be the groundbreaking landmark and template for future blockbuster films to come, and it comes as no surprise. It's a fantasy film epic without a doubt and will remind you why you watch movies in the first place.

James Cameron. Director of Titanic.

And years from now, when another friend will come to ask about the next Cameron film? I plan on saying this:

"James Cameron. Director of Avatar."

And that, could very well make him nod in approval.

* FILM RATING: 5 STARS (out of 5)

Movie Review: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

"Sommer’s popcorn thrill ride"

Had to admit, I gave a slight groan upon learning that another 80’s toy franchise had joined the transition to the big screen after the success of “Transformers”. I wasn’t all that excited with this “joining the bandwagon thing.”

The biggest question I asked was “Wasn’t the transition done a bit too late?” Back in the 80’s they were on top of the cartoon world and its action figures sold like hot cakes, but could the same magic carry over to today’s movie audience?

But I gave it a chance, watched it, and my question was answered.

The answer came in the guise of the guy who called the shots.

Director Stephen Sommers.

Sommers, who gave film fans movies that featured thrilling action scenes with attached storylines (The Mummy, Mummy Returns and Van Helsing) was given the challenging task of reviving an old brand into something fresh and engaging.

And pulling it off he did.

Sommers retained the names of the G.I. Joe fan favorites (unlike in Transformers) and took advantage of today’s CGI to produce a good film for both casual moviegoers and diehard fans alike.

The result is non-stop action that does not slow down in narrative pace; even the flashbacks featured explosive thrills and spills.

The highlight in the film for me as a longtime fan of the franchise was when Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow first faced off. To me this was the equivalent of Optimus Prime transforming from truck to robot mode in 2007's "Transformers". The moment both characters' swords clashed, I immediately clenched my fist in satisfaction.

"Yes!"

A sequel is in order.

And thanks to director Sommers, the G.I. Joe magic is back in full force.

FILM RATING: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Movie Review: Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen

FINALLY!


After being prompted by fellow movie buff Clare to go watch it, (quote: “You MUST go see it!”) and getting news from many fellow critics that they absolutely hated it (quote: “DON’T go see it!”), I knew that I HAD to see “Transformers 2” this weekend and see for myself.

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” follows 2007’s “Transformers”. And so the story now goes that Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is entering college and promises girlfriend Mikeala Barnes (Megan Fox) that he’ll be in constant communication with her via webcam (Yeah right - since when did a long distance relationship ever really work? But then again “it’s a mooveee”, so okay.)

As for the Autobots, they have now teamed up with a secret organization called NEST – and together hunts down Decepticons hiding across the globe. That being said, there’s a question mark here: It gives us the impression that the general public are STILL unaware of the existence of the robots after 2 long years despite that major battle which took place in a city. Now, either the government could be labeled “geniuses” for doing an excellent job covering this up, or the public are too downright ignorant to even notice.

It’s almost impossible not to have expectations go much higher; after all, this IS a sequel. The creative team followed the formula and added more robots to the mix; including a new bad guy called “The Fallen”, along with Decepticon fan favorite Soundwave (his animation version is cooler though), Ravage, Jetfire and the goliath monster Devastator.

There were more robots alright, but some of them were practically useless in the film, and obviously meant to appeal to the kiddie audience, what with their behavior resembling that of Jar Jar Binks from Episode I of Star Wars, only this time we’ve got MORE THAN ONE “Jar Jar Binks”. Now try to stomach that.

Writers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Ehren Kruger tried to add more funny scenes to the film, but it did more harm than good. The over-reaction of Sam’s mom while in school? The pet dogs humping? Robot Wheelie humping Megan’s leg? Haha.

As for the acting, only one actor is worth mentioning here: John Turturro. (Bless him. Forget the rest.) Starring as former Sector 7 agent Seymour Simmons, Turturro’s a natural in eliciting laughter from the audience. From the moment we first get to see him onscreen, he simply aced his role as official comic relief. (am also reminded of Megan Fox’s first onscreen appearance here, whose pose almost made me feel as though I was watching an FHM photo shoot. Tsk tsk – no wonder the PG-13 film rating. But wait a sec – do I see a couple of seven-year old kids running around the theater? Haha.)

Any fan of the Transformers will enjoy the special effects and the fight scenes here between the Autobots, the meddling humans and the Decepticons. (Assuming of course you’ve got a box of Bonamine with you that can come in handy)

There are actually 3 major combat sequences which still reminds us why we wanted to fall in line and watch in the first place, despite the risk of having to be seated nearby a loudmouth and feeling gwapo boyfriend narrate and explain to his equally ‘bobo’ girlfriend on each single scene of the film as it progresses from start to finish.

Have to point out though, that these 3 thrilling action scenes come in too far from each other. A lot of scenes should have been removed so as to make the flick more cohesive, thus no letdown in the adrenalin department.

In summary, there are some good points found here: Devastator (though in the movie he looked more like scrambled pasta molded into a lumbering gorilla), a good enough back story, Optimus Prime, some of the new Autobots, John Turturro and unless you find her hot, Megan Fox.

If this was still Part One, it’ll be rated OK overall, with the belief that part two should be better. Unfortunately, this is ALREADY part two; the SEQUEL.

Expectations for sequels tend to go up higher. In the final analysis, overall this sequel slipped.

Oh well, there’s always Transformers 3 to look forward to.

And yeah – include the Dinobots please!

* FILM RATING: 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)