review by Scott Meinzer Patron
Avatar 2009
Reviewed Oct 28, 2011
Scott Meinzer’s review:
I wish James Cameron would make other people's scripts, or at least realize he can't do everything and hire someone to help with his crappy screenplays. He puts amazing images up on the screen and makes bank at the box office, but until he gets a great story his movies are just going to be good pop-corn flicks. It's really sad that for all the money spent (and the amazing technology created) they couldn't have just had someone sit down and give the script a good once over.
5+ = 3D, motion capture, rendering — 1 = "story"
Crew
I missed seeing this film on IMAX so I decided not to see it. I think I'll just watch Aliens instead and relive better days.
Why get a good script when you can have Pocohontas?
I'm gobsmacked that he can make Alien and then make drek like this. Was it a failure of nerve? Was he pushed into a shotgun wedding with a test audience?
And what's so infuriating... the thought and care that went into the world is completely undermined by a meritricious and -- worse -- lazy script. Have you heard what that big oaf (not Dr Evil, the alleged hero!) says to the compadres over the comms during the climactic battle sequence? No don't. Shut your ears, it's unspeakable. And as for his palefaced waspiness conquering the boss flying-thingy and showing the natives how it's done... I'm ashamed to be white and middle class. Thank God I didn't do any college football. Not even watching it with the sound off can offset the sheer awfulness of the characterizations. Talk about Dr Evil, I'll take Mike Myers' version any day. At least he was intentionally funny.
The closer to perfection a movie approaches, the worse the imperfections stand out. Weta: 10. Script: -2
Oh man, I was looking into you cuz of your Contact review, but really. Avatar? Really. Sorry, but the storyline/ plot will go into history as not giving a shit aka Enough Pocahontas themes already. Sorry, but. What? I agree with what you mentioned, but a film, without a "story" - that's like saying a book is 5+ yet it really didn't have any plot. I think you might enjoy the chapter on American Cinema in www.amazon.com/Consumed-Markets-Children-Infantilize-Citizens/dp/0393049612
Totally agree with you, except for your generous rating of 4 ! I would give it a 2 for the not-so-revolutionary 3D. I would be more generous if he'd done better use of it. Walt Disney would have done better with the scenario. Actually, I got out of the movie for the whole battle scene at the end : 45 minutes of the battle of the good vs the bad ! Bouh !!!