Rj's Video Blog

What do you think of all these new advancements? 3D? CG imaging? Do the videos you just saw make you want to see Avatar even more or do they dissuade you from seeing the movie at all? If you have seen Avatar, tell us what you think of the movie and all the effects used?

I think, that the advancements not only in film; but also in technology is amazing. In our time; the advancement of technology is going at such an increased rate that something new is being created and distributed everyday! I think new advancements like 3d or CG imaging is a huge step ahead in filmaking. James Cameron has taken a huge step ahead with Avatar, almost as big a step as George Lucas did with Star Wars in 1977. After seeing the movie, i personally thought it was visually amazing, but story wise it was pretty generic. I went with my girlfriend downtown to watch it in Imax 3D, on opening day when it came out last December so we could get the full experience. I was in awe watching every second looking at the scenery and payed little attention at the story, because it felt almost like i had already seen it before or that it was in fact too boring. It felt more like one of those virtual rides in Disney Land than a movie.

Im more of a purist, i feel that the essence of a truly good movie is in its brilliant story telling and not solely on its visual style. If you wanna have that level of visual brilliance you have to back it up with a good story too like Star Wars or Star Trek. Visual brilliance is'nt even limited to sci-fi movies; the Godfather, Koyannisqatsi or even the end scene in "A death in Venice" captured natural beauty and made it visually amazing. I think the use of 3D technology is overrated. Not only does it dilute the color and imagery of the film but it also serves no special purpose, its more of a cheap gimmick than an amazing visual form of art. I heard that that around 20 or more 3D films have been green lit due to the success of Avatar. Maybe i'm just too old school; i mean i still like the old Star Wars movies compared to their CGI remastered counterparts or the new prequels with CGI Yoda, over Puppet Yoda. It all boils down to what everyone else as a consensus thinks, im just a minority.