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Avatar Premieres, World Goes Nuts

avatarpremiereIs it Titanic or Dances With Smurfs? Avatar looks so bizarre in short clips shown out of context that some have worried it could become the biggest flop of all time, taking all of Hollywood with it (as an attendee of Avatar Day at my local IMAX, I can say it’s a lot more immersive in larger doses). Even if it’s the second biggest movie of all time it may not turn a profit; most estimate that it has to earn in the $700-$800 million range before it’s in the black. All along the way, though, those of us at SPJ have believed James Cameron would come through, and judging by the first reviews out of the world premiere in London tonight, our hopes may be vindicated. Guess we’ll all find out in two weeks! A few selections:

The Times of London: An overwhelming, immersive spectacle… I would be very surprised if James Cameron didn’t have another sizable hit on his hands.

The Hollywood Reporter: A titanic entertainment — movie magic is back! James Cameron has proven his point: He is king of the world.

Variety: Delivers unique spectacle, breathtaking sights, narrative excitement and an overarching anti-imperialist, back-to-nature theme that will play very well around the world… Cameron delivers again with a film of universal appeal that just about everyone who ever goes to the movies will need to see.

KTLA: A rare example where the quality of the movie does indeed exceed the hype… Avatar will most certainly be among the 10 ‘Best Picture’ nominees for the Oscars… the key question, is Cameron able to deliver a movie that packs the entertainment value and emotional punch of ‘Titanic.’  The clear answer is ‘Yes.’

First Showing.net: James Cameron is a freakin’ genius! Phenomenal…

Still, no Avatar review will ever top Steven Soderbergh’s.

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  • Paul Starr

    I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get over the fundamental thesis of the film, which seems to be that what the indigenous people of the crazy SF planet really need to save them is a white man.

    I’m sure it’ll look great, though.

  • Paul Starr

    I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get over the fundamental thesis of the film, which seems to be that what the indigenous people of the crazy SF planet really need to save them is a white man.

    I’m sure it’ll look great, though.

  • http://www.scott-howard.com/ Scott Howard

    Actually, I think it’s the opposite: the white man invades the blue man’s land to tell him how to live, but the white man is CRUEL and NARROW-MINDED and wants to impose his imperial white ways on the blue man’s magical and mystical world!

  • http://www.scott-howard.com Scott Howard

    Actually, I think it’s the opposite: the white man invades the blue man’s land to tell him how to live, but the white man is CRUEL and NARROW-MINDED and wants to impose his imperial white ways on the blue man’s magical and mystical world!

  • Paul Starr

    Right, but the blue people aren’t capable of defending themselves until a white guy comes over to their side.

    At least, that’s how it’s played out in the past—but I will not judge the film until I’ve seen it! I’m just assuming it’s going to go the way such films normally do.

  • Paul Starr

    Right, but the blue people aren’t capable of defending themselves until a white guy comes over to their side.

    At least, that’s how it’s played out in the past—but I will not judge the film until I’ve seen it! I’m just assuming it’s going to go the way such films normally do.

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  • http://sodapopjournal.com Robert Cortez

    So good to see these kind of initial reviews. Even though I’ve been following Avatar’s development for years now, I’ve been cautiously optimistic about it all, especially since the last time I got behind a big anticipated movie (Speed Racer, you guys remember that right?) it tanked like, well, like the Titanic.

  • http://levelorange.com Robert Cortez

    So good to see these kind of initial reviews. Even though I’ve been following Avatar’s development for years now, I’ve been cautiously optimistic about it all, especially since the last time I got behind a big anticipated movie (Speed Racer, you guys remember that right?) it tanked like, well, like the Titanic.