James Cameron's:Avatar Movie Review

Well it has been a long time since my last movie review but it was partially because I was writing movie reviews for another site at the time. But I thought I would come back with a very special movie review for you all to read. This movie review being the latest film from the mighty directing vision of James Cameron, which brought us some epics back in the day (Titanic, T2 and Aliens). But after ten years of planning, filming and creating his vision we see the wonderful Avatar come to the silver screen. But does it live up to the hype behind its time of creation and the hype of a highly skilled director?

Before I start with the review as I stated above saying whether it lives to the hype or not, I hope many people do not go to this movie in search for another Titanic or Terminator 2 etc. His past epics had audiences believe the future came so soon and a new stage in emotional story telling. But before you see this movie I would recommend you go in seeing Avatar without thoughts of thinking it should be the same.

Avatar is a film that carries with it elements of Cameron's past efforts of success, but mainly this is in terms of their story structure. To me this movie looks to be a kids film but is overlaid with a political and historical message which brings in the wider audience and perspective on the movie. With that said it is also a Sci-Fi movie so you get what you see, Aliens, Gorgeous environments and many other elements. I found the story a bit shallow in places but it picks its feet back up again and tries immersing you into this world that James Cameron has created and I can say it works.
The story is something like we've seen before but this is how it goes (Spoilers Ahead) It is set in 2154AD so in the distant future. We are straight away put aboard a human spacecraft which is drifting through space and we are shown that we are to be following the character called Jake Sully (Sam Worthington). We all come to notice that he is in fact disabled and can't move his legs. After a 5 year long journey they land on Pandora which is located quite far away towards Neptune. Jake Sully is actually a former marine which could then explain his disability, but a quick flashback shows us why he is there.

Jake's brother died during his time on Pandora just before he was clear to return home, Jake was asked to take his place as he was a twin and carried the same genetic DNA as his brother was apart of the Avatar Project. On Pandora live a race of Aliens known as the Na'vi, these creatures stand around nine feet with tails and blue skin. They have lived in peace and are classed the local natives. On the other hand the humans are on Pandora to mine a mineral which is worth millions back home known as Unobtainium. The humans are trying to drive the Na'vi out of their homes in search for more of this mineral. The Avatar project comes into play which is run by Dr Grace Auginstine (Sigourney Weaver) the concept behind it was to mix DNA from a human which will be the host and the DNA of the Na'vi. This would mean they could control their Na'vi native look alike, this was perfect for infiltration and of a means to communicate peacefully for them to relocate their home.
They become this avatar by getting a machine in which you control it while u lay asleep via your mind. Jake met a few other people that had far more experience in studying what the Na'vi do, they land in the jungle in which Humans can't cause of the atmosphere would kill them in 4 minutes of being out there. Jake gets attacked by a large creature and looses communication with the party he landed with and then comes across a native. As time goes on Jake is able to discover the Natives home and discover that it was the daughter of the chief's that he had come across earlier on in which her name is known as Neytiri. As time goes on Jake has a struggle between the side he wants to be on, the Earth military that are wanting to destroy their home for the mining cause and his new home in which he has come to love.

He learns to become more like the Na'vi and plays along the ideas of trying to relocate them but the more he learnt the more he sided with the Na'vi. Jake fails to go with the human needs and so they go and destroy the Na'vi home which is located under a large tree (Very Large) for a safe mining passage for the Unobtainium. Jake has to convince them that he will help them after they discovered he wasn't one of them as he was ejected out of the machine meaning his Avatar collapsed. After a lot of struggle and fights, Jake manages to get the natives to go to war with the humans in an idea to claim back their world. Many people die and the Na'vi have victory which soon after they send the remaining humans back to Earth. Love is shared between that of Jake and Neytiri and I shall say that, that is the story in a slightly numbed way.

The casting I found to be great all around, we all come to know the newcomer Sam Worthington who played recently a terminator in Terminator: Salvation and his upcoming role in the Clash of the Titans remake. I come to know him as the character we the audience are tend to be drawn to and to care for the most. He plays a good part throughout and I can't put any bad points on his performance. The same applies to Sigourney Weaver, I haven't seen her in some time but it looks like she came back like she was in a film like last year and I found that really admirable. You had other lead members as well who done really well and in all I can't really say anything bad about acting but maybe if you go towards the Army Colonel played by Stephen Lang you may think he was a bit comical or the type of person that you would want to slap but for me, I found him funny to bring out some of the seriousness of the movie.

Moving on from casting, I will go into the area that is the biggest bit of the movie and that is the CGI. James Cameron stated that Avatar would be revolutionary and I don't quite think it has done just that. But I think it has also shown us that CGI can do so much more then what we have already seen. Films like Transformers 2 and Terminator: Salvation shown us what top of the range CGI done but with Avatar it went so much further. In fact looking at Avatar the movie is near enough 60%-70% is CGI, but to be honest the CGI is that good you would not believe that it is even CG. The environments are beautiful and have plenty of colour and the attention to detail is magnificent. If I had to choose a couple of areas to look for the visually best bits, it would be the ending or any scene at night. They carry so much rich detail and it is truely gorgeous, Weta Digital (The CG behind King Kong and LOTR) really did something unlike ILM which are also good and most common but haven't yet created anything that we could believe to think is real.
Avatar runs on for a long period of time, sitting tall at 162 minutes but many people find that a little to long and that it should be cut. I have a 50/50 opinion towards that, I believe it is long enough and delivers a non-boring experience where as there could of been some little bits that could of been removed. But as a film critic I will say that this film is plenty long enough and filled with enough visual candy and an immersing story structure to keep viewers going. But with it's 12A rating audiences may bring their little ones along to see this title, yes it shows blue aliens and that for the kids, but to be honest 162 minutes is a little long for say a 12 year old. Plus they would not understand the true story behind the movie which I said earlier about the political message etc.

As a conclusion to this review I will have to say that James Cameron has returned to form, he has delivered a simple story but then made it a slightly more complex and meaningful story. The CGI is the best I have ever seen and will prove that it can still go further then where it as at the moment. The acting is spot on and the whole movie is just a joy to watch and just doesn't get boring. As of the moment I think the public will enjoy it and it will certainly gain back the money that supported this long time movies budget.

Overall 9.5 out of 10
Or 4.5 out of 5

Bicentennial Man Movie Review

Bicentennial Man directed by Chris Columbus made in the year 1999, was one of the most emotional movies of that year. To me this movie is one of the trademarks of masterpieces when it comes to films. This is up there along side the others like 'The Dark Knight' and 'Transformers 1,2'

The story is very well written and if it drags you in well it could produce many tears. The story starts with a household family purchasing an android as they are the new ideal servant, they name theirs Andrew who is played by Robin Williams. After time the family discover Andrew's Uniqueness. They take him to his corporation to see what they think and they try to persuade them to give up Andrew but they refuse. They teach him the things in life that he hasn't had programmed into him, humor, jokes, love, hobbies etc.

Over time he grows attached to one of the families younger girls 'lil miss' over time it comes to the stage where she gets married and Andrew remains the same as he always did. Time passes on and Andrew wants to become free, but still serve his way in the family, he wants to be more independent and not ordered on what to do. Several more years pass and the father of the family dies, Andrew makes residence of his own on the beach nearby.

But after time they didn't really talk and Andrew was destined to go on a quest to find other robots of his uniqueness. His journey takes him all around the world only ending up in failure, but when he gives up he discovers a Android female in San Fransisco which in the end works for a guy named Rupert Burnes that makes androids look exactly like humans. (The female one just had a personality chip) Andrew with his vast money funds the research funds Ruperts research to try all his best to become looking like a human, the first stage being a full exterior change with skin and hair and eyes etc.

He goes back to lil miss's house and shows her but ends up seeing her daughter looking exactly like her, from then on Andrew feels love for her (Portia). The rest of the movie see's Andrew watching love one Lil Miss die. And making himself become more human i.e. developing organs and a central nervous system etc, he eventually stops her from marrying Charles. But as their time goes on he still is not considered human, so eventually gets a human brain and blood, which brought him into the world. He dies with his objective complete to become a complete man and die with dignity with the one he loves.

The whole experience is drawing you in and makes you feel sad as well as happy throughout the movie. It is one of the movies where it's that emotionally gripping that you can loose yourself in the world that their in. The cast does very well with Robin Williams playing the lead role along side fellow actor Sam Neil playing the father of the family Andrew is brought into. Both of these people do extremely well to bring the story to a gripping and emotional level, without them the movie would of never been as successful as it was. Embeth Davidtz who plays the old lil Miss and Portia, plays one of the most on screen roles throughout the film as she is playing two people. She brought the movie it's emotion and the love part to the movie and that is what I think made her great in the film.

My final verdict of this movie is that it is a must see when ever you get the chance go online, search for this film, grab some popcorn and sit on the sofa and enjoy a tear jerker full of passion and emotional for one Android wanting to become human to spend his life with a human girl he fell in love with. Chris Columbus has made a masterpiece and will always be watched by many people for its uniqueness.
Overall 5 Out Of 5

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

First up we know many countries and people have not yet seen this film. I saw it 3 days after launch here in the UK at the wonderful Odeon in it's biggest screen, which was by far huge. Anyways this review will possibly contain some small minor spoilers and well don't read this unless you really want to see the publics view on the film.

To start of with, is it better then the successful money-grossing predecessor? The answer is yes by far; Transformers 2 easily beats the shit out of its predecessor and demands a refund for seeing it. The robots are back bigger, badder and much more stylish then before. The films minor small longer runtime still makes it a much more I want this to continue experience. In all fairness I know some of the reviews have given this film a lower score then Transformers 1, but that is down to them and most of them either are critics to Michael Bay or they are some serious Transformer fanboy that don't like one thing out of place. I’m a very big fan of the franchise and I was like a little kid sitting in the cinema awaiting that to come on.

The story basically goes around Sam now heading to college and his parents upset that he’s grown up, Mikaela and Sam are basically now clinging to each other via a long distance relationship and Bumblebee is in his garage away from the human world. But in military terms the army and Autobots form the group known as NEST, which is basically an operation to destroy left over Decepticons on Earth.

Whilst in college now, Sam discovers a bit of the all spark, which fell, out of his Jacket, he looks at it and it imprints symbols in which his old grandfather once saw. This drives Sam insane and starts writing them all over the place. He meets a few new friends and especially strange ones linking to a new girl he comes across (I wont spoil till you seen the film) and finds himself back in the situation of Mikaela coming for Sam only for him and her being chased by robots and running for their lives.

We find that after several many great battles in to the film that they revive Megatron, which goes to a distant planet, to speak to his true master, which is 'The Fallen'. They have once been on Earth to try and destroy there sun to get energy from it, but the Fallen disbanded because a law was brought in by them to refuse to blow up a sun that brings a planet life.

After that is told it basically is like a treasure hunt trying to find this machine and destroy it before they activate it, this involves some intense and some of the most action packed scenes you will ever see in cinema. I have quickly digested the story because it would contain too many spoilers and I would rather you see it, in about 4 days I will post the official spoiler review of this movie.

Michael Bay...EXPLOSIONS.... that’s all I have to say to this director, he likes his action to be as real as possible. Well the action for me made Transformers look AWESOME, yes there may be some times where the robots transform so quick and you may not know who is who cause there moving so fast, but that’s due to have intense the scene is. For what I can remember Transformers had its fair share of action scenes, but mainly going towards the end of the movie. I would say like 12 Action scenes max and that’s off the top of my head. Where as in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that number could of easily hit 30 scenes.

Everywhere they were something exploded, and to me to get the audience into the movie to think it's good is the opening 10-15 minutes, which what made Transformers to me so good. Transformers 2 on the other hand blasts that out of the water and brings you jaw dropping action from start to finish. There were many new Autobots and Decepticons some in which I can't remember their names already. But there was no word that can explain the achievement this film deserves it was simply amazing.

The acting in this film wasn't an overall necessity because most of the film was action scenes. But one thing you may notice is that some of the Autobots and Decepticons had their voices toned down, I think it was due to the fact some people didn't quite understand what they were saying in Transformers, so toned them down so you could hear more English in Transformers 2. I think everyone did good acting wise at least there wont be any youtube videos of how many times Sam says the word NO in Transformers to a similar idea with Transformers 2. Most of the cast have returned, the ones who haven't weren’t really apart of the story so that is why they weren’t there but otherwise I loved it all.

The final verdict of the film for me is it was mind blowing, amazing and full of action from beginning to the end, yes it may of needed some work in small areas, but I'm not a picky fanboy of Transformers to care about it, all I wanted was more Autobots kicking Decepticon arse vice versa more. Michael Bay you have achieved it and I hope if you end up doing a Third installment, look at some of the peoples picky things with your movies and fix it, but I have no problem with the movie at all.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen gets a 5 out of 5 for its brilliance and it's definitely the blockbuster of the summer and a possible candidate for one of the best films I have ever seen, I just want it to come to DVD.

Overall

5 out of 5

The Mummy 3: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor Review

Ok second movie review this week, and I people reading this would be like this film is a bit old now, it was released like last year. Yes I know it was, but my little sister managed to pick up a copy of it on DVD cause I didn't bother to see it at the cinema. As I know already the first two installments of this now trilogy, I loved them both for their formula to blend comedy successfully around good action and to implement that much needed drama to the story. So how does this third installment treat its successful predecessors? well frankly it fails hard and burns.

The story is dull and boring and isn't anything special, it's all about an emperor who is played by Jet Li, who conquered lands and won wars and basically was aging and wanted to become immortal. He finds a witch to put a spell of immortality on him, which works, but then realizes that while she was finding it, got with one of his officers, he kills him in front of her and stabs her, she curses him and his army and they all turn into clay statues. Present day (I don't remember the time period but its the olden days) Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and his family have aged a couple years and are retiring quite young from their old life of espionage and starting somewhere fresh. They believe their son who is now a teenager is at college studying when in fact he is discovering the location of the dragon emperor. He finds him and brings him back to museum, whilst this is happening his parents have been offered to bring 'They Eye of Shangula' A Chinese crystal to them as a symbol of peace and good will.

There son Alex meets them after having a bar fight in Johnathan's China Bar. Alex takes them to the museum to show his discovery of the emperor and to give the eye back, only to be deceived by a China army, and they want to bring the emperor back with his army. A big chase and action scene in China town occurs and the emperor and the generals from China escape, they now all set on a quest to stop them from making the emperor whole again which will give him the power to manipulate elements and turn into any creature.

The journey takes them throughout snowy mountains and dessert landscapes but nothing as interesting as the previous two installments, to not spoil all things, basically they get there but can't defend it and the emperor raises his army to only go full out war with the undead workers, who were resurrected by a Chinese girl's immortal mother i.e. the witch dating year ago from that. All in all the goodies win, in all I couldn't really explain it all in detail as the story is so dull and nothing worth a clap about.

The entertainment level and action is average, and will keep you entertained to be worth half its ticket value, so you should all ask for half your money back. The action alone is good but it consists of very bland and straight forward predictable gun fights, with a little bang. There mainly dumping alot of comedy into the action which really waters down the tempo of it all. The CG in the film is sometimes worth a clap and at the same time bits would make the audience think, this is a top budget movie, that looks awful. Examples of the bad CG are at the beginning them turning into clay and towards the end with his transformations, alot more time could of been spent on it to make it a bit more real. But through action alone it was average at best.

The actors and all were all good and all the old favorite returned besides Rick O'Connell's wife who was played by an all new actress, who showed no compassion or interest into the movie what so ever, she didn't really try at all, maybe she knew the movie wasn't going to be good. Brendan did a good return and plays the part how he does with no error. Jet Li on the other hand the second big name in this movie, did a mediocre performance, which for him isn't good to his standards, and barely had actual screen time due to him being a CG clay man, he has seen better days in film, and I hope he comes back better then ever.

The final verdict of the film is that, just wait for this DVD to go cheap as I have done, because it was a waste of your hard earned money, even if your a very big fan of the previous films, this film has got disappointment written all over it. It was sad to see this film end up so useless to it's predecessors.
But what have we seen, they were just trying to milk the franchise and get some money out of it.

Overall
2 Out Of 5

Terminator: Salvation Review

Ok Terminator: Salvation the biggest so far summer blockbuster of the year has arrived to your local cinema, what is the verdict? it's a must see, it makes the previous films look like shit, besides T2 which it kind of just nudges further then. Welcome to my review.

The story:
TS's story is quite small and not very well thought of, it really doesn't feel like it's telling much of a story throughout the whole movie, it just chucks you into a war field and blows up around you. Basically if your new to the franchise you won't really be lost with all whats happening.
There are little hints to previous Terminator movies, most fanboys will welcome. The story is mainly wrapped around Marcus played by Sam Worthington as a convict being executed in 2003, but signing his body as a donation to cyberdyne research.
The story then skips into 2018 which we see the now full middle age adult John Connor played by Christian Bale. John really doesn't have much of an overall part in this film, but its fresh to finally kind of cast aside his role as a leading main character so Marcus and John share the screen. Marcus comes into the world again not knowing he is a terminator prototype.
The story continues on with the humans trying to find ways of destroying skynet and Marcus finding who did it to him. I will not spoil anything else, in all the story is very simple and bland but the action makes up for the limited lines.

The action:
Well there bigger, badder and more bad ass then ever before, these terminators make the originals look like toy figures. There are plenty of different model terminators in this film mainly of which being the T-600 and T-800 (700 makes one appearance). The T-600 consisting of a 7ft robot with a fully loaded mini gun strapped onto its arm? whats more bad ass then that?
The amount of terminator fights is satisfying and will make fans happy that were finally seeing a bigger conflict then that of just a terminator chasing a young John Connor. Director McG was normally accused of overdosing his films with CGI, the film did have some bits, but mainly all the explosions were surely real and he had confirmed they were with its $200 million budget.
The action sometimes carried away in some instances there would be a chase scene and what would make this better? blow it all up is his philosophy. But in some cases we fans have kind of wished for massive explosions, this is meant to be a war!. If your going in on action alone with blown up terminators, blown up scenery and blown up almost anything, this is the film for you.

The actors/actresses:
Well I won't say much here as well most of the actors and actresses films performed a solid performance throughout the entire film. There were some moments where it would like be a dull scene and more of an awkward silence but majority of the time it was solid.
Bale (John) was sometimes reminding me of his batman performance i.e. with his voice but either way we didn't want the old John Connor wuss, we wanted a more bad ass John and which he pulls of very well, even though his little importance throughout the film.
Sam (Marcus) is the main guy to focus on, an Australian born actor with very little experience as he was a brick layer making his US movie debut in a terminator movie. He did very well and he was the character I think the audience will bond to, he was a good character and a good actor.
Moon Bloodgood did well to bringing a very upbeat female as a soldier of the resistance along with Kate Connor's actor who did very well and far better then the previous actress in T3.

The Final Verdict:
Yes you will be a very large Terminator fan, and most will maybe go along the lines to say this is pointless installment, and some will say it was one big bad ass of a movie. For me and I've seen all of them including the series will say that Terminator: Salvation is one worthy of the franchise, it beats T3 hands down along with T1, and it is up along side or just in front of the masterpiece that is T2. If your new to the whole franchise, this is one action filled installment which won't throw you out in the terminator universe.

4.5 Out Of 5

-The Movie Review Blogger-
07/06/2009