I saw Avatar when it was first released last year. I loved the movie. Yes, I know that it has a very unoriginal plot (Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas and The Last Samurai) but there was something about it that I enjoyed. One of the things that surprised me was that I did enjoy the indigenous population beating the high tech invaders. I hated the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. Maybe it was because 8 foot blue chicks are hot.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
Avatar is the highest grossing movie of all time, beating out James Cameron’s other overpriced epic, Titanic and now the director and the studio are ready to grab some more of the movie going public’s cash. I hate when they studios put out different versions of the same movie just to double dip into my wallet but in this case I was happy they did. I missed seeing Avatar in 3-D the first time around so here was my chance.
I have seen many 3-D movies, the last one being Toy Story 1 and 2 and that was an ok experience. I thought that 3-D was a gimmick that added nothing to movies and the worst part are those scenes where it is in your face. You know the scenes I am talking about such as someone playing with a yo-yo and they do it toward the camera. It is just blatant and in your face (literally) to say, “Hey this is 3-D” as if you couldn’t figure it out from the Drew Carey glasses you are wearing. Avatar is not like this at all. 3-D was made for Avatar. This had to be the first time I saw a 3-D movie where the 3-D effect actually enhanced the move experience.
The most noticeable was the computer displays in the RDA facility. I was amazed how real it made them appear. Another point that brought the 3-D experience home were the scenes in the jungle with Jake and Neytiri. Whether it
was the bugs flying around or the ash from the destroyed Home Tree it felt like it was right in front of you. I was blown away. I think that every other 3-D movie has a high benchmark that they have to hit just to compete with what Avatar accomplished.
Yes I know that this was released in 3-D back in December but I hadn’t seen it in 3-D so this was my first time and I was affected. What you want to know is if the 9 minutes of extra footage really make a difference. I have to say that aside from the Na’vi sex scene I wasn’t 100% sure what was new. As for the sex scene all it entailed was Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) taking their hair braids and wrapping them together. I had read about it online, as I am sure others had as well so it wasn’t a surprise. There was also an extra hunting scene and a brief glimpse at the aftermath of a Na’vi attack on the human invaders. The biggest addition was the scene where Jake has to put the dying Tsu’tey (Laz Alonso) out of his misery. This was put in to tug at your heart and from the sniffles I heard it worked.
I really do not think that the additional footage added anything to the movie. This movie could have been released as a Special Edition DVD and skipped the return to the theater. Granted if that had happened I would have never seen it in 3-D. Bottom line the movie is still mediocre in the script area and amazing visually so if you haven’t seen it go and check it out. If you have seen it in 3-D before you can avoid paying the 14 bucks for the extra scenes.
Avatar the Special Edition is a limited engagement and is not playing everywhere so check listings to see if it is in your area. If you want to see it, I would suggest you not wait. It won’t be playing long in theaters.
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