Do you remember that gag your friends used to play about "running through a forest"? The one where they'd flail their hands around in front of your face until "you run into a tree" and then they'd bopped you on the head. Well, I just spent just under 2 hours in a film where I felt like I was just being played with before running head first into NOTHING. I know that 3D is supposed to be the IN thing because it's "so cool", but I'm sick of having to feel like I can't see straight when I'm paying upwards of $18+ per 3D film. And now, with the 24% increase in ticket rates I'm sorry to say, that it is becoming less and less likely that I would willingly go to another 3D film.
This weekend we are being hit with the Clash of the Titans in 3D and but, I have to tell you, I have never felt so confused while watching such a simple story line. This remake to the 1981 classic has so much happening on screen that I felt like I walked out of the theater cross-eyed. With the combination of 3D, visual effects, complicated battle sequences, and the outrageous number of monsters constantly flying at the screen I could barely keep track of what was happening. The picture looked like one big blur and about half way through the film I forfeited the 3D glasses and chanced watching the film without their aid and discovered, it really made no difference in the viewing and interpretation of what was happen and to who.
Clash of the Titans was cram packed with so much action that it did not leave time for much else. The story even left me scratching my head as there was no introduction to any of the character other than Perseus, Zeus or Hades. Regardless of how much I love Ralph Fiennes, I found his portrayal of Hades almost too “Darth Vader” like and the only thing that would have completely thrown the film would have been Perseus, I am your father" line spouted by Zeus. Liam Neeson's portrayal of Zeus was strong, and "shiny", which reminded me of the sparkling vampires. There was just too much going on in front of me (and I don’t mean those sitting in front of me) that I could not help but be distracted. The film, although action packed which normally what I'm looking for in a film, this one left me wanting a stop button with no repeat, since I couldn’t bear to see it again.
For me, Clash of the Titans is an adventure ride I'd rather they had stopped the ride so I could have gotten off. This film was a definite unnecessary remake to a classic that may be out dated but a much more enjoyable film to watch. I rate this 3D a epic fail. Maybe an attempt at the 2D version will allow me to rate the film. With the jumpy camera and unfocused picture, motion sickness is the only thing that I can register as the film achievement. So barf to Clash of the Titans and please don’t regurgitate it and make it into a 4D film next go around.
The long awaited James Cameron film Avatar hit theaters this past weekend. While opening weekend raked in an estimated $77 million in domestic ticket sales and an additional $159 million in ticket sales in 106 countries overseas -- excluding Japan and China who are still to come. This weekend Avatar did reach the #9 spot for All Time Worldwide Opening Records and the #2 spot for Top December Opening Weekend Records. However, some reports have come in saying that the blizzard that hit the east coast caused ticket sales to take a hit, but my Saturday experience at the theater proved otherwise.
I remember being bombarded by phone calls last week with several people asking me if it was worth going to see Avatar in theaters. I had heard mixed reviews regarding the film, with people commenting that it will be strictly eye candy with no substance in storyline and I felt compelled to share what I had heard. Even as I received a handful of calls on opening day from my father asking if it was something that he would understand, I still felt the need to share the mixed feelings I had quickly developed over the weeks leading up to its release. I was surprised that later in the day I had a voicemail waiting for me, practically screaming at me, that I had to go see the film this weekend. My father, who is of the older movie go-er generation, does not see eye to eye with me when it comes to movies as he is interested in the more intellectual and "family fun" style of films where as I enjoy blood, guts and insane amounts of action. To hear that he thought the movie was "awesome" and actually ended up using the word about a dozen times in a conversation that followed, I felt compelled to go out this opening weekend to see if it was really as good as he though. So Saturday morning, making plans with my movie date for the evening, I purchased tickets online to avoid at least one line and then ventured out into the first blizzard of the season.
Arriving at the theater 45 minutes before showtime, I stood in line feeling like a complete film geek, excited just to see what the film would look like since I had little expectations for there being a good storyline. My date for the evening seemed less than excited, standing in line in a bit of a stooper and neutral to everything that was going on. After finding seats in what was a much smaller screen that I was expecting the trailer began to roll. Unfortunately none of the trailers really stuck out, but once advised to put on our 3D glasses I sat in aw and awaiting what was about to happen.
With a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, I never once felt a lull or dramatic drop in the pace of the film. It held and captivated my attention for the entire screening and watching in 'RealD' you truly do get an experience unlike any other. I have watched plenty of other 3D shows and films with the classic red and blue glasses that give you such a horrible headache you seriously wonder why you ever bother to watch anything in 3D, but the translucent RealD glasses give you the 3rd dimension without the pain. From the opening scene straight through to the end, I fought the urge to reach out and "touch" the beautiful world of Pandora that James Cameron introduced us to. The world of Pandora is a beautiful place both in theory, vision and story, and no matter how fantastic the fantasy level became everything remained grounded in reality. From the space crafts the humans use travel in to the alien planet, to the military vehicles and weapons, to the plants, creatures and people of Pandora each element hints are reality. Nothing strayed too far from the line of what "could be".
As for the story, I was surprised by the level of depth it held. It was not your basic sci-fi/fantasy story, and it left me considering what under lying statements Mr. Cameron was making about our current standing globally. The story was thought provoking and left me thinking about social and political commentary that could be picked up and hinted at in some aspect or another. The film is visually out of this world, and the story will hold your attention for the entire running time. By the time you are ready to walk out of the theater, you will not feel like you have been sitting through a 3 hr film, unless you just downed a large coke.
If you are an Aliens fan, see if you catch the homage James Camera slips in. See if you can find the "Titanic moment". This film is a must see over the winter break. Even if you do not enjoy the story, I guarentee that you will not be disappointed by the visual effects. Although, as my movie date said, the Na'vi's skin may be a little distracting. But all in all the film is worth the sitting time. You will love Sam Worthington's performance, both in flesh and CGI. You will enjoy the grace and beauty of Zoe Saldana as her dance background adds to the Na'vi. Her movements are truly those of a trained ballerina and it made watching her leaping through the trees and during battle that much more amazing. The Na'vi, in their looks, movements, beliefs, and soul truly are amazing characters. Even the wonderful Sigourney Weaver will amaze you with the heart and soul of her character. Michelle Rodriguez players her typical "badass" self. She is just as much a fighter as she is in every other role she has played and it's fun to watch her keeping up with the "big boys" when it comes to a gun fight. Stephen Lang is that guy you will recognize but may not recall his name at the end of the film, but his performance as Colonel Miles Quaritch is everything you could ever want. And Joel Moore just makes you love him even more with each character he plays in his blooming career.
So if you want a film that will pull you right into the story and picture, go check out Avatar.
