District 9 vs Avatar

[wizardmirth]

I just rented District 9 and I have to say that I was utterly impressed by this film. Not the same kind of impressed when I saw Avatar on IMAX (and if you only saw Avatar in 2D I feel so sad for you). Avatar slams you over the head (even that sounds understated) with its jaw-dropping art and visual thrills, but the thin characters and unexceptional story gives you a sense that maybe instead of having just been on a rollercoaster you just got blackjacked instead, or maybe both. This made Avatar feel lopsided as a complete movie experience and any such regard I may have for that movie is apprehensive because of it. Ok so most people know this already on some level.... humor me, I don't post much here. Avatar made me feel like I was drugged. D9 made me feel liberated.

 

District 9 blends everything together seamlessly, from the art to the characters and acting to the story. The visuals aren't as shiny and stunning of course, but in D9 they are still perfectly conceived for this film--not lacking in any way and not overboard either, and beautiful in its own way. It was also refreshing to see so many international faces here and the social relevance that is paralleled. And the lead actor Sharlto Copely did such a great job playing a range of emotions that I'm really expecting to see him get more roles.

 

Actually I just did a quick search and it looks like he's going to play Murdock in the A-Team movie coming out next summer. Ok so that wasn't quite what I was thinking, but then again Liam Neeson is going to be in that one too. I'm pretty sure Copely will do a great job, and I can only hope the film itself will be well made. Anyway, I'm going to have put District 9 right up there with Blade Runner. If you haven't seen D9 yet, it's really that good. Overall it's an intelligent sci-fi piece with excellent dialogue that gives you everything you could ever hope for in a movie of this kind. Excellent range of elements in a progressive story that's seamlessly put together. Bravo to the people who put this together and were in it.

 

In case you're interested here's a good article I found about the possibilities of a sequel that could go either way. Even how they left the door open for a sequel was well done. Someone (microsoft?) wouldn't let this director do the Halo movie and that's too bad, but good for him that he now has his own franchise. Sorry for the rant. I just find it so reassuring whenever I find that current films can be made from talent and not from greed.

[wizardmirth]

Oh and I just want to clarify that of course he wants the movie to make as much money as possible (he got the entire budget back the first weekend it opened I think), he just did the marketing in a way that did not compromise the film.

[Retribution]

I think people hate on Avatar's story and characters a bit too much. I'm not a film critic, so I'm not very critical(pun intended) on the technical aspects of films, but I really liked Avatar's characters, and story. There were some things that if improved could have really increased the believability of the story, don't get me wrong. I can think of a good example. What's stopping the RDA from nuking the planet after they get word of what happened? Sure it would take a while for the ships to get there, but they would come eventually. However, that's just a small gripe, but it was the most glaring error I can think of. Oh, and I saw District 9 too. It instantly beats any other movie because of the lightning arc gun :P

[thrillex]

i've watched them both, i can't really say which one i like better.

 

but i think the acting was done better in District 9, Sharlto Copely did do a good job with the acting. i found Sam Worthington's (the actor of Jake) acting a bit emotionless in some parts of the movie.

[wizardmirth]

but i think the acting was done better in District 9, Sharlto Copely did do a good job with the acting. i found Sam Worthington's (the actor of Jake) acting a bit emotionless in some parts of the movie.

 

Of course the acting was better in D9. For one, Ribisi and Weaver were given sub-standard roles. If they asked for a percantage of the film then my faith in at least Ribisi has been restored. Friggin sell-outs, but maybe that's the state of the creative economy as it were, for which I don't blame them.

[Bridgepiece]

I'd have to vote for Avatar. I wasnt to impressed with D9 and actually left early :blink: I have not seen Avatar in 3D but hear it rocks.

 

Avatar was 'refreshing'. Many of the ideas used in the movie were new, creative, exceptional. The forest area was my favorite, esp. the areas of the ground that would lite up when walked upon. The Sacred trees were also well designed/played out. The bond they could make with the creatures was also exciting to see.. The movie is well written and directed and IMO, should win many awards if it hasnt already. Im sure there will be another movie as they had ended this one off perfectly setup to blend into the next.

[Illiad86]

seen them both, and really didn't find either of them all that great....just not very original which I look for in a movie. Avatar was like watching Dances With Wolves...but as a cartoon and not 3 1/2 hours long lol