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[Loredoctor]

Umm...do you guys understand the plot?

These are alien/human hybrids that were introduced in the trailer.

Ummm . . . I said I do not like the designs and that I am sick of humanoid aliens. So now I should like them because there's a reason? The design is still bad.

No offense, but where is said that the aliens - the Na’vi - are that way because of humanity? Everywhere I check they are native to the world.

[Orlion]

Umm...do you guys understand the plot?

These are alien/human hybrids that were introduced in the trailer.

There are no alien/human hybrids, there are only aliens and humans. What you are referring to is the human's use of an "avatar", or disguise, to infiltrate the aliens. Kinda like how Kirk was disguised as a romulan once in Star Trek...

[Loredoctor]

I think Jacob doesn't understand the plot.

[Rigel]

Kinda like how Kirk was disguised as a romulan once in Star Trek...

I call Godwin's Law!

Oh, wait... wrong reference.



Seriously, though, there should be something like Godwin's law for referencing Star Trek or Star Wars.

[Orlion]

Kinda like how Kirk was disguised as a romulan once in Star Trek...

I call Godwin's Law!

Oh, wait... wrong reference.



Seriously, though, there should be something like Godwin's law for referencing Star Trek or Star Wars.

Agreed, how about we call it Rigel's Law for now?

[Cail]

Well, it's a blue-tinged Cameron film, so it's got that going for it.....

Once upon a time, there was a plucky young writer/director named Jim Cameron who made arguable the greatest low-budget sci-fi/action/horror movie ever made. Seriously, I think The Terminator ranks in the top 3 sci-fi and action films. Part of what made it such a successful film was that there was an actual human story to it.

Then came Aliens, which is also a terrific sci-fi/action/horror film. It kicks a tremendous amount of ass, but Jesus will someone keep that little brat from screaming so much?

The Abyss......In its uncut form, it's brilliant, but its heavy-handed preachiness makes the film a chore to re-watch.

I think Terminator 2 is hopelessly overrated. I can't sit through it anymore. OK Jim, we get it, war's bad, stop making movies about that.

True Lies is an absolutely delightful movie, and other than the moment of discomfort when Harry's interrogating his wife, I really have no complaints about it. Wish Jimmy'd make a sequel.

Titanic blew donkeys.

That said, I'll be front and center when this movie opens, and I'll probably hate myself afterwards.


At least the heavy-handed preaching's about the environment now.............

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

From wikipedia:
"Jake has unwittingly been recruited to become part of this encroachment. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrids known as Avatars."

[Orlion]

Damn, I've had my ass handed to me. Good show, jacob, I concede.... now, if you could just step over here...

After Aliens, I've always found Cameron's preachiness in films to be distracting and the bullet that ultimately kills the film for me. I saw the Abyss uncut...arg...I want to like Terminator 2, but as Cail pointed out, the preachiness of it! I didn't see the movie to find out if war is bad, I wanted to see robots from the future duke it out in 90s America!

I'll probably let this pass, I'm all ready set to see a bad movie this year (Saw VI, anyone?).

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

And what titles do you consider "not preachy"?

[Cail]

The Terminator.

Seriously, every other Cameron film has all but beaten me over the head with it's simplistic message. Seriously, there are some great moments in The Abyss and Terminator 2, but damn if I'll sit through either one of them again.

A film can have a message without insulting the audience, and it can have a message without stopping the narrative and all but breaking the fourth wall to explain it.

Every single piece of plot information given in T1 is given while there's something else going on. In T2, everything comes to a screeching halt so that the main characters can f*cking sit down and have coffee and f*cking explain the message to the audience.

Cameron should be kicked in the nuts for the last 20 minutes of The Abyss.

[Rigel]

Cameron should be kicked in the nuts for the last 20 minutes of The Abyss.

Totally agree! The movie was pretty good up until that point

That said, sometimes I like watching movies that treat difficult subjects that don't have a message, whether or not its preachy. Is ambiguity too much to ask?

[Loredoctor]

From wikipedia:
"Jake has unwittingly been recruited to become part of this encroachment. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrids known as Avatars."

Yes, but you argued that my criticism of the Na'Vi was in error because they were designed that way by humans. The Na'Vi are natives to the world, and then there are avatars. Thus my criticism still stands.

[Worm of Despite]

Aliens for the win, with Terminator 2 a distant second and Terminator kicking a can somewhere in the corner.

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

From wikipedia:
"Jake has unwittingly been recruited to become part of this encroachment. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrids known as Avatars."

Yes, but you argued that my criticism of the Na'Vi was in error because they were designed that way by humans. The Na'Vi are natives to the world, and then there are avatars. Thus my criticism still stands.

Fair 'nuff. Still, though. This story could not exist if the aliens were not humanoid. Your criticism is your own, but its not really that valid considering that the story cannot be done if they aren't humanoid-the pathos is lost. IMO, of course.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm almost wondering if this will be the film equivalent of Diakatana.

[Kevin164]

Already critics have compared Avatar as a expensive version of Delgo www.dailymotion.com/video/x6agav_delgo- ... shortfilms

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

It's really sad that producers don't seem to understand the two/three year window they have to create a game/film because the graphics will be eclipsed after that...

[Worm of Despite]

Well, if the story is good, I can suspend my disbelief for anything.

Yes, but Cameron specifically highlighted where this is the film--the technology showpiece--where you won't need to hide any disbelief and won't be able to tell CGI from real-life. Which is disappointing, since the trailer was blatant, rubbery CGI of the worst kind (blue, effeminate cat-people made by a committee of tree-hugging environmentalists). I just can't wrap my head around how the CGI won't suck, unless the projector and 50-foot theater screen makes the trailer's visuals markedly different.

[Cail]

Well, if the story is good, I can suspend my disbelief for anything.

Yes, but Cameron specifically highlighted where this is the film--the technology showpiece--where you won't need to hide any disbelief and won't be able to tell CGI from real-life. Which is disappointing, since the trailer was blatant, rubbery CGI of the worst kind (blue, effeminate cat-people made by a committee of tree-hugging environmentalists). I just can't wrap my head around how the CGI won't suck, unless the projector and 50-foot theater screen makes the trailer's visuals markedly different.

Actually, that's exactly what people are saying that saw the 16 minute IMAX preview.

[Worm of Despite]

Well, if the story is good, I can suspend my disbelief for anything.

Yes, but Cameron specifically highlighted where this is the film--the technology showpiece--where you won't need to hide any disbelief and won't be able to tell CGI from real-life. Which is disappointing, since the trailer was blatant, rubbery CGI of the worst kind (blue, effeminate cat-people made by a committee of tree-hugging environmentalists). I just can't wrap my head around how the CGI won't suck, unless the projector and 50-foot theater screen makes the trailer's visuals markedly different.

Actually, that's exactly what people are saying that saw the 16 minute IMAX preview.

It's over then. Two nut-kicks for Cameron (one for Abyss waiting in line). Oh well, at least he made one of the greatest action sequels ever made: Aliens.

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

(no tomatoes, please)...I thought Aliens was good but not nearly the film the first one was - though #1 is a little slow-moving. Titanic was very good. T2 was great, and is still good. T1 is good, though the visuals and effects are dated. I loved the Abyss, though the ending kind of sucked and felt a little rushed/forced. True Lies was entertaining.