Avatar

I've been wrestling with Avatar for quite some time. Long before the movie was released, before a trailer had been seen, I had heard Avatar would change things, perhaps the movie industry as a whole. Then the trailers were released, and then the movie itself, as well as reviews and award shows nominations and wins. Suffice it to say, the hype on this behemoth of a movie was big. Like really big. And, in order to manage my expectations, I tried to ignore the hype, to keep a rational mind. So how did it shape up to the hype? To my expectations? Well that's rather complicated.

I have a feeling that this review may read more like a criticism of Avatar than a praising of it. But the grading Avatar get will likely not reflect what is said here. More on all that later. First and foremost, Avatar is nothing more than a big budget, popcorn sci-fi flick. In terms of story, that is exactly what James Cameron's latest is. And it's a big film, akin to a Michael Bay movie, only better shot, acted, and received. But both those men love big movies. This is not a criticism, only a reminder that something we enjoy isn't always something that is truly great. On the page, Avatar is nothing remarkable. It is a fun science fiction story. But when you examine the film from a technical level, that's really where it shines.

The computer graphics and the application of 3D is amazing. There is so much detail, the characters and environments of the Pandora world (where the film is set), is at times perfect, and at others, really, really good. And let me say right up front that 3D movies aren't really my thing. They seem too gimmicky, and too much focus is spent on this aspect, rather than telling a decent story. Avatar tries to blend these two aspects with a little more care than your average animation or horror movie might. The universe of the film is designed for 3D, and is not meant to showoff an effect every couple of scenes. The Na'vi, which are the native species of Pandora, become more life like when you see them emerge from the screen, as if you existed in their world. The trees and bushes and other assorted vegetation almost pull you in deeper, gently blowing into and out of the screen. Cameron knew what he was doing here.

But then we get to the story. Now, I know it sounds like I'm about to rip on the screenplay, or even the acting, but that's not what I'm here to do. If this were any other filmmaker's movie, and done in a more traditional, 2D style, Avatar may get praise for being a fun, entertaining waste of a couple hours. But that is a fair label, because it is exactly that. I had fun watching Avatar, from the very beginning to the very end. There are moments of intense action, when you may find yourself not breathing, or laughing at a joke, or all sorts of other emotional reactions you have when watching a good film. But the only reason these emotions are enhanced is because of the 3D. Sure, there is a lot of good world building, and some really inventive creatures and alien dialect to be found, but these alone do not a good movie make. I appreciate the story I was told in Avatar, but do not for one moment believe it will change my life, nor do I think it was the most original work of the year.

And a brief note on the acting. Sam Worthington does a terrific job, and I'd pat myself on the back for saying he will likely be the next great star, if not for so many people already having said it first. The rest of the actors each performed at various levels under the heading of "good," but I wasn't blown away by anybody else. It just had to be said.

At the end of the day, Avatar is a good watch, and something that should be seen in 3D. But I'm not yet sold on the need for 3D in movies, or at least not as a standard. Every once and awhile maybe, but not every movie needs it, and even a few really don't. Cameron's movie recently won a Golden Globe for Best Picture, an award I don't think it deserved. It's made a ton of money, changed the nature of 3D films, but that's about it. There are better movies and there are worse. Let's just not get too out of hand. If Avatar wins the Academy Award for Best Picture, I don't know if I'll be able to control myself. But I guess we'll have to wait and see how history views Avatar.

Genre - Science Fiction (3.25)

Screenplay (3)

Acting (3)

Production (4)

Directing (3)

Soylent Green

There are many great arguments as to why remakes should be avoided, but there can be as many good reasons for remaking certain films. Sure, most remakes are of films that have reached a near classic status, begging the question as to why bother toying with it at all. But then you have a film like Soylent Green, a "classic" sci-fi tale featuring Charlton Heston. While I respected many aspects of this dystopic film, there are so many areas ripe for improvement, I think an updated version is almost necessary.

The story is limited by its insistence to follow a murder mystery plot that doesn't really matter. We have no need for it, as its only purpose is seemingly meant to lead to the uncovering of what the Soylent Green product is. That should be the mystery, but instead we are stuck with Heston's cop character interrogating people we don't really care for, and having a relationship with a prostitute that comes completely out of left field. And the film is disjointed, which I blame mostly on the terrible directing by Richard Fleischer. There are bits and pieces of a great story here, certain images, characters, ideas, but none of these are capitalized on, leaving audiences with an incomplete experience.

Sol (Edward G. Robinson), Heston's aging partner, is one of the better parts of the film. As a character, he is the heart, the one that keeps interest generated and the link to what we know we love, yet often take for granted. Then there is the dystopic vision of the future, where over-population and crowding has drained resources and space. How the government deals with the problems was captivating, yet we saw so little of this world. Finally, you have the signature twist ending, and an extremely famous one at that. Soylent Green, revealed to be (spoiler warning for the 36-year old movie) people, as a food product fed to the world, is iconic and shocking. The rest of the movie should be as shocking, the focus pinpointed on uncovering the secret and not some random guys death.

So, remake or not, Soylent Green was an interesting watch. Not only for its classic status, but for the promise this frightening world had to shock the audience into fear of what their very future held. It should not be dismissed, and hasn't, just because of its failures. There are more to films than simple "love it or leave it" critiques. Soylent Green has more to it than meets the eye.

Genre - Sci-Fi (2.5)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (2)

District 9

District 9 is a different breed of creature. Like the aliens showcased the film, District 9 is a movie that takes time getting used to. What kind of creature is it (action, comedy, drama), which is its real face (straightforward narrative or first person/faux-documentary)? In reality, it is a combination of all these, and the fact they are seamlessly stitched together makes the end product something fresh and new and exciting. So while the story itself is kind of thin, and typical storytelling techniques are used to tell it, the real power comes from the racial commentary the alien/human conflict generates. Some people love the aliens, while others hate them, wanting them segregated, even using racial slurs, like "prawns," to denigrate them. The first half of the film features a lot of these xenophobic relations, as the corporation, MNU, overseeing the aliens the last two decades decides to move them from Johannesburg to a facility some couple hundred kilometers away. But once our main "hero" becomes more deeply involved with the alien race, the action intensifies and some amazingly intense and raw footage is shown. The alien weapon technology is some of the coolest stuff you'll see on screen this year (decade?). It doesn't end where you expect it, but certainly where it should. District 9 is, for a lack of a better word, fun. And I mean ridiculously fun. Definitely one of the best of the summer. Blood, guts, and aliens. Is there anything better?

Genre - Sci-Fi (3.75)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Moon

I'm going to try and make it through this review using the least amount of space puns as possible, so wish me luck. Moon is a quiet little science fiction indie that you likely haven't heard of, even less likely to have seen, but is one you should seek out. Even for you non-sci-fi'ers, Moon features an amazing performance by Sam Rockwell, who mostly owns all the screen time, that is when the Kevin Spacey voiced robotic assistant GERTY isn't around. But even on the science fiction itself, there isn't much to alienate viewers unfamiliar to the genre, as the story is more grounded in human issues than space ones. Most will talk about the twist that takes place in the middle of the film, but there is more to the film than that. Moral issues of right and wrong are the focus, and that is what director - and son of David Bowie - Duncan Jones wants you to pay attention to. Moon has touches of other classic sci-fi films layered within, but it also subverts cliches by tweaking what you may think will happen. That is perhaps the best part of Moon outside Rockwell's stellar acting. As with any thoughtful science fiction movie, Moon demands to be digested, to ponder the implications of the events that take place inside the film. Warning: there are very few actions scenes, and many scenes of Rockwell going about his day, figuring out the mystery he has uncovered, so you Transformers/explosion oriented sci-fi watchers be wary. Other than that, you've got nothing to worry about.

Genre -Sci-Fi (3.25)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

Star Trek (2009)

Well, they were right, this is not your fathers Star Trek. That's what the trailers for the film claimed, and the statement holds true. Sure, there are enough connections to the old series to appease the Trekkies, but J.J. Abrams' Star Trek is a fresh reboot that is immediately thrown into high gear and never forgets how to have fun. And that's what I love about it. Sure, there is still room for the old Star Trek film series (including the Next Generation ones), but what Abrams gives us is a new take on old material, much like Casino Royale did with Daniel Craig's Bond. The cast is what holds this new Trek together, each of them fun or interesting enough to merit boldly going through the final frontier a couple more times. Abrams work behind the camera doesn't hurt either, including the little hints at his former television work (polar bears and time travel with Lost, a giant red ball of science for Alias). But, while the weakest characteristic - though that's not saying much in a nearly perfect blockbuster film - is the script, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman managed to create an alternate timeline for this new Trek series, without erasing the original. All in all, Star Trek is everything you could want from a big-budget summer extravaganza, and both cast and crew deserve full credit. Now I eagerly await the next entry in the Star Trek series.

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action (3.75)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Battlestar Galactica (Season 1)

Perfection is hard to come by. Especially in television, where an entire seasons worth of a show must work in order for the whole of it to succeed. Battlestar Galactica is one of those perfect shows, and the first season is a wonder to behold. Sadly, BSG is one of those shows that most wont watch based on solely its title, its premise, or its cheesy predecessor of the late-70s. That doesn't even account for those who tried it, but couldn't stomach the social and political commentary. Yes, BSG is a sci-fi show about spaceships fighting a race of robotic killers, but that is just surface stuff. Battlestar Galactica is not really about spaceships or killer robots, but about life, and what if means to live in a hopeless world (or universe, to be more precise). The show is serious, commenting on the state of world and politics, but also knows how to have fun. There are stunning scenes of battle, where humans shoot down enemy Cylon raiders, and vice-versa. Something about space battles will always be cool. But, again, the cast and crew are the real winners here. The writing staff is about the best you'll ever hope to assemble (and on the SCI-FI channel?). Then you have the acting talent of Edward James Olmos, who kicks so much ass as Bill Adama that you'd want to think twice about even looking at him wrong. Not to mention Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Katee Sackhoff, and Michael Hogan, who round out the amazing ensemble cast. Battlestar Galactica is not just another Star Trek, it is more. It is one of the finest television shows you probably never watched, and all I can hope is that someday you will.

Genre - Drama/Sci-Fi (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Equilibrium

George Orwell constructed one of the most frightening novels of all time with 1984. It is intense, dramatic, chilling, relevant. I love it. It is one of few novels that have actually infuriated me, to the point I wanted to scream. We're getting screwed by the government, and doing nothing to stop it.

That is the basic premise of Equilibrium. It is 1984, except with less brains and more brawn. Now, this isn't a bad thing, just a fact. When you compare it to Orwell's novel, it pales in comparison and leaves you wanting. But when you view it as an action movie that borrows heavily from 1984, and is not an adaptation of, then you can relax and enjoy yourself. Christian Bale is wonderful as always and Taye Diggs looks like a bad ass. The action, specifically the gun play, is superb. Kurt Wimmer, the director and writer, has made an interesting film. But one wonders what would have happened with a stronger story, one that echoed the message of Orwell's 1984. I guess that is for speculation only. Turn your brain off for a couple hours and enjoy Equilibrium.

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi (2.5)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (2)

Sunshine

Danny Boyle is a director that can do it all. He's done comedy (Trainspotting), horror (28 Days Later), even family (Millions). Now it's his turn for Sci-fi. Sunshine is hodgepodge of homage, with hints of Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and other classics of the genre. The mission Sunshine's space crew is out to complete is almost unimportant. Restart the sun with nukes, blah, blah, blah. That is not what the movie is about. It is about the crew itself, dealing with isolation and having the worlds fate placed upon their shoulders. It's about who can hold themselves together longest, while facing the most challenging of obstacles. When does the greater good give way to human nature? That is what Sunshine asks, and does so mostly with grace. The last act is hurried and, at times, confusing. It works, in the end, but not as smoothly as one would like. Cillian Murphy, and even Chris Evans, carry the film. As humanities last hope, Murphy and Evans are there for the audience to root for. Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland have worked together before, and the combination seems to work well. I'm sure there will be more from the pair in the future.

Genre - Sci-Fi (3.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (3)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Wall-E

Epic. How else can you describe Wall-E? As an animated movie, it is perfect. Now, most expect nothing short of great with Pixar films, but Wall-E exceeds all that proceeded it. Actually, I have it tied with The Incredibles, but that is neither here nor there. As a film apart from animated, it's just as perfect.

The best part about Pixar's lovable robot flick: Wall-E is just so damn cute. That's right, cute. You can't define him as anything but. The key to success here is the ability to connect with adults and kids. In fact, I think adults will enjoy Wall-E more than children. I've yet to meet the little snot with more enthusiasm for titular garbage collector. The script, by director Andrew Stanton, is most brilliant in the first act. As Wall-E tries to court Eve, the i-Pod looking female robot, the film turns suddenly romantic. It was before, in watching Wall-E innocently interact with the world humans so long ago took for granted, but nothing matches the love he shows for Eve. Sure, lots of praise for Wall-E, but it is hard to find anything wrong with the film, so I wont bother looking. If you don't enjoy this film, I question whether you have a beating heart.

It also goes without saying, the animation is stunning. Pixar, duh.

Genre - Animation/Sci-Fi (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Heroes (Season 2)

Sophomore slump is too gentle a term to define the atrocious second season of Heroes. After writing genius Bryan Fuller left the show after the first season to create the magical series Pushing Daisies, the show seemed to suffer from a case of the shits. Everything that made the first season special was gone. Storylines became too bogged down, characters too pathetic. A real letdown. The writing staff must take the majority of the blame, because they ceased being able to craft worthy stories, and made me quit caring about the super-human characters they created. On the surface, Heroes looks fine. But no matter how good that crisp, clean, HD picture is, a crappy story is still a crappy story. Fans are still waiting for a return to form. Let's hope Fuller rejoining the writing team will solve the problems that pale the show. That is a hefty burden we place on your shoulders, Mr. Fuller. Good luck.

Genre - Sci-Fi/Drama (1.75)

Screenplay (1)
Acting (2)
Production (2)
Directing (2)

Serenity

Poor Firefly, you will always be missed. Luckily, we have Serenity to comfort us. Poor Serenity sequels, you would have been missed if you ever existed.

Lets not get sidetracked, or lost in tears, or what-ifs like this. Serenity is Joss Whedon's film directorial debut. A god among television viewers (or at least those with good taste), Whedon has given the fans what they wanted. He gave us one last adventure with Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his misfit crew. I never thought I'd see Kaylee, or Jayne, or Wash, or Zoe, or Inara, or Simon, or River, or even Book again. Whew. But they were friends, or as much as fictional characters can be. This sci-fi space opera has the rag-tag crew travel the universe in order to undermine the intergalactic douchebags, the Alliance. Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, and Summer Glau all shine. It is to be advised that the best viewing comes after watching the Firefly series this film was based on. It was a short season, you can do it.

And may it be added, Chiwetel Ejiofor's the Operative is a fantastic villain. Also, keep an eye on the long shot that introduces us to the crew and ship.

Genre - Sci-Fi (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (4)

Plan 9 From Outer Space

Ugh... this movie is terrible. I know it has a cult classic status as tremendously terrible movie, but you can't respect that title until you sit through this mess. And not the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version, that would be cheating. Plan 9 From Outer Space needs to be watched on its own at least once, if you really want to appreciate how awful it is, which you do. Ed Wood's directing, and so-called script, seem to have no competency at all. I know this isn't surprising for some, but I know there are those out there who have been fortunate enough to avoid his name until now, but there you go. Ed Wood. Arguably (by who?) one of the worst filmmakers the world has ever seen. Nothing has been truer. While the hilarious MST3K version should be put aside for one viewing, it would be wrong to watch Plan 9 without 1, 2, 3... drinks in hand. If you don't drink, this movie will make you want to. Trust me, make a game of it.

Genre - Sci-Fi (1)

Screenplay (1)
Acting (1)
Production (1)
Directing (1)