I have finally seen James Cameron’s magnum opus, and I am still speechless after it. I know the criticism, that the film doesn’t really have a strong story line, and it probably is true. It’s the classic good vs bad plot which we have seen in films too numerous to be counted, from James Bond flicks to Mission Impossible.
But that would be like dismissing Titanic as just another story about forbidden love. Romance is at the heart of all love stories, and what will set apart one from the other, the good from the bad, is the treatment.
The same with good vs bad battles. It is the treatment, dummy!
And this is where Cameron brings to bear the $300 million (a whopping Rs 15 billion @ Rs 50 exchange rate) the studios were ready to spend on his long-pending dream project. One knows of so many turkeys that have guzzled up money and have little to show for it. That was at the back of my mind when I went in to see the film, in 3D, my last experience I think being 25 years or so ago with My Dear Kuttichathan.
And, the next 150 minutes or so became the most memorable cinematic experience of my life! How can one conceive of, leave alone execute, such a mind-bending project? Technology is at the centre of Avatar, even eclipsing its cast and story as the main character in the film. Yes, without tech enabling his vision, Avatar would be just another film; but not all films that ride on technological brilliance make for good watching. In most cases they degenerate into an inhuman experience.
This is where Cameron’s genius lies. While technology powers the film, it doesn’t overpower the narration or the characterisation. So you don’t have mindless mechanical robots facing off as we have seen once too often, but real people with real emotions, real feelings. Even if they are in Na’vi form. What Star Wars was to the previous generation, Avatar is to the present.
If all this sounds like hagiography then let it. If you watch the film, in 3D, you will agree with me. As I say these days, there are two kinds of people in the world: Those who have seen Avatar and those who have not.
Which one is you?
totally agree with you!
seems good from what you say, but then i have yet to see the “Avatar”
my friend also told me it was a fantastic movie. thanks for your recommendation too.