Avatar
USA 2009, 160 minutes
Dir. James Cameron
Rating: [M]
Genres: Science Fiction / Adventure, Epic
Topics: Landmark, Eco-friendly, 3D-animation.
Feat. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Joel David Moore
Aroview: James Cameron’s record-shattering 3D epic is a woozy mix of allegory and special effects (developed at Wellington's Weta studios), set on a distant alien moon where warmongering humans have set up camp with the intention of pillaging its many resources.
A watershed blockbuster with the perfect companion storyline to its high-tech thrills, its wow-factor in cinemas largely revolved around its premise of a disabled marine (Worthington) using technology to enter into the mind and body of an alien creature, thus mirroring the immersive effects of the 3D goggles audiences were clamoring to experience. Minus the extra dimension, however, the film can no longer disguise its clunky action-movie conventions and heavy-handed thematic concerns (environmentalism, imperialism, and so forth). Still, as an out-and-out sci-fi adventure delivered by groundbreaking CGI, this promises pure, unadulterated escapism – even on the small screen.
Member Reviews
Average rating 
(Good Try). Showing 1-10 of 10 member reviews.
1 star (Turkey) Atrocious. It's boring, repetitive, preachy and the 3D isn't really that good compared to Coraline. ~dr.strangelove
2 stars (Good Try) Despite Cameron's apparent 'game-changing' 3D environments (which is somewhat appealing in how vivid it is), the action inside his multi-planed world is painfully dragged out. The cast, flaccid; the symbolism, obvious; the themes, ethically dubious. ~Anon
2 stars (Good Try) It looks great but I'm not convinced by a film that feels recycled at best and at worst hammers home with all the subtlety of a brick the dangers of warmongering imperialism and man's destruction of the environment. ~The Myrka
3 stars (Good Enough) An epic sci-fi fantasy world with some stunning special effects (whether 3D or not), this Cameron film is both impressive and lacklustre, the script being utterly predictable (see "Call me Joe" and kids' story "Fergully") and the action unambitious. ~Tom H
1 star (Turkey) Cameron can wend genre tropes into good stories & direct action well. But not here. He even rips off his ideas from earlier films (eg exo-suit from Aliens). Risible dialogue, trite message, simplistic politics, tired & badly constructed plot. And dull. ~SteveParkes
1 star (Turkey) Pretty visuals do not make up for flat, uninteresting characters and an atrociously boring and unoriginal story. ~Wizzums
3 stars (Good Enough) Avatar generally gets a pummelling from film buffs (see above user reviews) who get all hot under the collar about it being formulaic etc. This film, albeit long, was a lot of fun and visually seductive. ~Sonamora
3 stars (Good Enough) Not a Cameron fan but the special effects are impressive if expensive - propose to watch on Blu-Ray. ~Tubbs
1 star (Turkey) I thought this movie was overrated when I first saw it. the more I thought about it, the more I disliked it. then I found out they're making four fucking sequels to this. why is this the highest grossing film of all time? ~Vesper Lord
4 stars (Very Good) OMG, get a life, you other reviewers. Heaps of fun, CGI to die for. Amazing cinematic experience. ~BabyJane
DVD Features
- aspect ratio: 16:9
Close Relatives
- District 9 (2009)
- Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- Moon (2009)
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- Abyss, The (1989)
- Avatar: The Way of Water (2023)
more matches…
| Rental | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blu-Ray | $6 |  |
| Blu-Ray (3D) | $6 | |
| DVD (R4) | $6 | |
Prices in $NZD (incl. GST)
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