James Cameron's "Avatar"

[Phobia]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

Just saw Avatar in 3D this Friday. Let me just say, I was blown away. The movie was not mind blowing amazing. But you combine a good movie, with some crazy tech and you got a hell of a experience.

I am going to see it again in the theaters for sure. James Cameron is the man!!!

Avatar = A-

Ohhh and Seymour I don't care what YOU think of the movie. Like Dale said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be a hell of a movie.

[elgreazy1]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

I saw it last night in 3D and I will have to eat my words in my thinking that this movie may have far too much cgi. I think the art directors & Cameron did an excellent job at blending both real life and cgi to the point where your mind can relax. There is something in the brain that doesn't allow for video images of humanoids to process well and this is where a lot of games/movies/etc fail. I think the team found a way to finally bypass it because not once did I ever think of whether the performers were a human in a suit, cgi, or a combination but merely as avatars. They also did the same with the surroundings, setting & objects (weapons, vehicles, etc). Everything from big drop-in mechs, bulldozing tankers, to projection display computer monitors really worked and if I were the guys at Epic Studios (GOW) I'd be pissed that some of my work got borderline ripped off.

[luv_mist]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

I enjoyed this movie. Didn't see it at the IMAX because I went with the family but my wife and I are going to check it out next week if time allows. It was truly a good movie. Thinking back, I think it would have been a great film if it wasn't 3D. It just really enhanced it though. It may be a dumbed down version of the same story but I'm not regretting that purchase or the future purchase for this.

Only thing I have a question about is when it comes it. Will it be in 3D and will I have to upgrade my display to take advantage?

[bkfount]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

I enjoyed this movie. Didn't see it at the IMAX because I went with the family but my wife and I are going to check it out next week if time allows. It was truly a good movie. Thinking back, I think it would have been a great film if it wasn't 3D. It just really enhanced it though. It may be a dumbed down version of the same story but I'm not regretting that purchase or the future purchase for this.

Only thing I have a question about is when it comes it. Will it be in 3D and will I have to upgrade my display to take advantage?

Assuming FOX releases a 3D home version anytime soon, yes you will have to upgrade your tv.

[Jonesy]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

So just to get this straight all part of footage with the Na'vi was cgi right? Did they just Mo cap the actors faces and add them it and the rest is cgi for those scenes?

The shot in the "human" scenes are obviously all real actors with the occasional cgi background etc but i'm curious how they did the Na'vi scenes.

[thaima1shu]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

So just to get this straight all part of footage with the Na'vi was cgi right? Did they just Mo cap the actors faces and add them it and the rest is cgi for those scenes?

The shot in the "human" scenes are obviously all real actors with the occasional cgi background etc but i'm curious how they did the Na'vi scenes.

Here's a decent article I found about it. You're pretty much right. I saw a couple of videos showing the equipment that the actors had on and whatnot but can't find it now.

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7898:are-the-navi-in-james-camerons-avatar-simple-computer-animation-or-are-they-more&catid=41:news&Itemid=71

[thaima1shu]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2_vB7zx_SQ

Freakin' awesome.

[bkfount]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

So just to get this straight all part of footage with the Na'vi was cgi right? Did they just Mo cap the actors faces and add them it and the rest is cgi for those scenes?

The shot in the "human" scenes are obviously all real actors with the occasional cgi background etc but i'm curious how they did the Na'vi scenes.

No, the na'vi scenes were CG rendered using the actual performances from the actors. They used a new method to captured the facial animations at the same time the actors were doing their scenes.

[spankdatazz22]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2_vB7zx_SQ

Freakin' awesome.

Thx; didn't know this was up on Youtube. HBO had a 15min making of Avatar that incorporated some of this footage and talked about other aspects of how the movie came together; was really interesting and cool. Looking forward to the dvd/blu-ray release (and may see it in the theaters once more before then)

[Jonesy]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2_vB7zx_SQ

Freakin' awesome.

Thanks that is pure awesomeness. I'm at work so could only watch it without sound but that seems pretty amazing that they can pull off that effect and don't need to apply makeup to the actors.

Thanks for the link.

[thaima1shu]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

The way they created this movie is almost as interesting as the movie itself. I can't wait for the blu-ray to come out. This will probably be the first movie that I'll end up watching all of the behind the scenes stuff that they throw onto the blu-ray. Should be awesome.

[CMH]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

James Cameron is not dumb. He just knows how to bring in the masses. And if that means using a recycled story and dumbing down the dialogue, then more power to him. Obviously it worked well enough.

So what you're saying is he should be applauded for making the movie dumb enough for everyone to enjoy. Wow you just gave a more stinging indictment of the viewing public than Cameron. I might be going out on a limb here but I bet you're a big Michael Bay fan.

You guys do know that you're on the same side, right?

[Brankles]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

You guys do know that you're on the same side, right?

I do, I just think Seymour is just in super defensive mode since everyone is jumping on him. Can't blame him.

[elgreazy1]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2_vB7zx_SQ

Freakin' awesome.

Wow. I will have to agree with alot of what the guys did on there and it further backed up how I feel about cgi vs actors performance/prostetics. Seems like the production company really has found the bridge in between the two. I believe Ang Lee attempted to do this with the Hulk about 5+ years ago and seems like Cameron & co one upped him big time.

As the actors stated, there is nothing truer to the craft itself than what they did in the movie because it forces the actors to use everything they've learned since day one of imagining, owning one's part, and improv.

[Phobia]

re: James Cameron's "Avatar"

The way they created this movie is almost as interesting as the movie itself. I can't wait for the blu-ray to come out. This will probably be the first movie that I'll end up watching all of the behind the scenes stuff that they throw onto the blu-ray. Should be awesome.

We were talking about this after seeing the movie. One of the first movies I want to watch all the extra stuff on the blueray.