Avatar (2009)

When you state that you are the “King of the World” you aren’t leaving yourself much wiggle room for success with your next project. But it does leave the door wide open to your critics. With Avatar, James Cameron has given the critics (and fans) an opportunity to criticize (or praise) everything about this movie for what seems like years while it was in production. Writing a review seems almost passé now (even though the film has only been out for a week), but I’m going to throw my two cents in anyway.

For those critics that state that there is no storyline in this movie and/or that it is weak, should rethink that point. There is a story and it isn’t weak. The problem with the story is that it has been done a hundred times in movies – it isn’t original. It is the same story that was told in Dances with Wolves and The Last Samurai (to name two examples). Indigenous people are run off of their land by another group of people that are less than ethical about their reasons for wanting the land – oh, and there is a love story.

Putting aside the storyline, the real triumph of this film is the creation of new technology (the Pace/Cameron camera system). This technology will change the way 3D films can be made forever. James Cameron and Vincent Pace should be given props for that alone – regardless of whether Avatar is a good film or not. How many people (critics?) are visionaries in their fields of expertise that could create a new way to make movies after all these years? To come up with an original idea in an industry that occasionally seems all played out? That is the triumph of Avatar.

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Terminator Salvation (2009)

A year ago when I heard that “Terminator Salvation” was coming out, I was so excited that the movie would be a re-boot similar to “Star Trek”. However, after missing the premiere three weeks ago (and hearing all the bad reviews), I decided to lower my expectations and review this movie as just another summer blockbuster. With that in mind – the movie was entertaining. Some good effects, some bad effects. Below – my brief review.

Christian Bale was less than spectacular as John Connor – he wasn’t that impressive and his part was barely there. Sam Worthington’s character, Marcus, was much more compelling, but could have been more fleshed. And Mr. Worthington needs to work on his American accent – he slipped more than a few times into his native Australian tongue.

The part of the movie I loved the most is actually a spoiler alert – so I won’t give it away here, but I will say that there is a nice tie to the FOX TV show, “Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles”. In the “Sarah Connor Chronicles”, Sarah (Lena Headey) can’t understand why future John (Thomas Decker) would not only align himself with certain Terminators but also actually have feelings for one, Cameron (Summer Glau). This is explained at the end of “Salvation” that made it all worth watching.

If you didn’t enjoy “Terminator Salvation”, then maybe you should check out the now cancelled “Sarah Connor Chronicles” on DVD. To see my review of this show, click here.

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