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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
First review: Avatar - the 3-D blockbuster for grown-ups
By Amar Singh and Nick Curtis 21.08.09A trailer for one of Hollywood's most highly anticipated films was being shown in cinemas across the world today.
Avatar, a 3-D science fiction movie from Titanic director James Cameron, has been shrouded in secrecy since he began work on it more than 14 years ago.
Eye-opener: James Cameron's new film is said to have special effects that could change film-making
The movie, starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldaña, is not set for release until December.
But after a two-minute teaser trailer online yesterday, an extended 15-minute version was being shown at Imax cinemas.
Twentieth Century Fox gave tickets to Avatar Day screenings to fans who applied online. London's Imax cinema in Waterloo is among the venues.
The movie is said to contain pioneering special effects that could change film-making forever.
More pictures: Avatar - first stills from James Cameron's film
Click here to watch the Avatar trailer
REVIEW
Avatar
****
James Cameron's Avatar looks stunning. A sneak preview of the 3-D sci-fi fantasy was shown at the BFI Imax in Waterloo this morning, ahead of screenings later today in the US and the rest of Europe.
The director of Terminator and Titanic has pulled off yet another all-action visual extravaganza with a touch of saccharine sentiment, and he uses the cutting-edge film technology - which he himself pioneered - to maximum effect.
In the 22nd century, a group of marines arrive on the planet Pandora, a hostile jungle-world populated by saurian lizards and the blue-skinned, faun-like warrior race, the Na'vi.
Trailer: science fiction epic Avatar, starring Sam Worthington, will not be released until December
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic war veteran, has his mind transplanted into the body of one of these supple giants by Sigourney Weaver's sarcastic doctor.
Falling for the lithe, light-blue Neytiri (Star Trek's Zoe Saldana), he goes native and finds himself in a bitter conflict between humans and Na'vi. The parallels with the Pocahontas story are hard to miss, especially as the Na'vi use bows and arrows.
But it won't be for its symbolic dimension that most people see Avatar. The depth of vision and definition of the 3-D images are astonishing.
Actors mesh seamlessly with the amazingly detailed, computer-augmented landscapes and creatures. Raptors snap and leap out of the screen. Insects seem to hover before our eyes, shell casings to eject into our laps.
The Na'vi themselves are memorable creations - an idealised version of the noble savage. But broad dramatic and emotional brush-strokes do not necessarily harm box office, as the almost $2billion profits of Titanic proved.
In 2003 I interviewed Cameron about Ghosts of the Abyss, the 3-D documentary he had shot in the wreck of the Titanic. He said then the technology would never take off again as it had in the 1950s: "It's just the coolest toy."
Cameron clearly had not reckoned with the success of The Polar Express, Coraline, and Disney's Bolt. Or maybe he was just keeping his powder dry.
Avatar could become the first grown-up 3-D blockbuster.
More pictures: Avatar - first stills from James Cameron's film
Reader views (5)
Wow, it was just like Star Wars Attack of the Clones meets Pocahontas meets The Dark Crystal.
Except not as cool. Very poor conception of the Navys. I mean navy coloured things.
OK - technically, fantastic. Story? Could do better - a lot better. Much. Unless he does a great dark Empire Strikes Back follow up.. which is darker in tone like Aliens etc..
- Alex, Laaanden UK
I watched the trailer on Thursday and was so disappointed, but then I went to see the 3D preview today and it looks AMAZING. Literally, so much detail, you can see every small detail and expression of the characters. The landscapes are so realistic. I think the characters look slightly cartoonish because thats the way they were designed, any bright blue creature that goes around hunting in a forest is going to look odd. So I think in the future when this is applied to more realistic characters it will blend in better. But I think its definitely the future of film making. The trailer definitely does not do it justice at all, has to be seen on a massive digital 3D screen for maximum effect. But I'm sure the story will be compelling too.
- Josh, Brighton
OK, probably not the best way to judge, but from viewing the trailer it just looks like a CGI cartoon, not a bad thing in and of itself, but even the live action elements just look oddly rendered.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
I went to the special preview screening this morning and I have to say the trailer doesn't do the film justice!! The 3D was absolutly outstanding and I think this is a genre defining film that will change movie making forever, thats how good it was. Can't wait to see the whole feature in December, it's gonna blow our minds!!!
- Patchington, London
Yawn. After watching the trailer, it looks like this movie is going to need all the hype it can get! If that's the best contemporary HD CGI can do, give me Ray Harryhausen any day of the week!
- Paulo Uccello, London UK
