[setanta]

Originally Posted by IheartBB

I repeat, how many films made in the past 10 years are 100% original? You're right to point out 'Toy Story', it really was the last original mainstream film made, and has been used as a template for many of the dreadful modern animations today. But going back to 'Avatar', I think that a simple storyline was for the best. It's set in such a complex world that a complex story would have killed it. It certainly wouldn't have been the success at the box office that it has been so far.

Cameron is a shamelessly mainstream director. I doubt he ever intended this film to be an Oscar contender. The fact that it is, despite the originality dispute, really says something.

As for the characters, I guess it’s all down to personal opinion. If you disliked the film as a whole, you’re bound to dislike the characters. Personally, I felt a great deal of loyalty to the Na’vi. I was devastated when they were losing the war towards the end. I felt sympathy for Tsu’tey, despite originally coming across as the villain. And I think Neytiri was beautifully acted by Zoe (lastname?) which made me believe in her character all the more.

You're not understanding me here. Of course every film can be traced back to an original, archetypal storyline, but unfortunately for Avatar it never deviated from that tired formula, with the end result being a thoroughly predictable movie that had nothing new or imaginative to say. Contrast this with District 9, a film that dealt with the same themes but used a totally new and interesting approach. That's what I look for in a film; not a hackneyed, preachy, single layered message movie that was basically an excuse for the visuals.

And criticizing a masterpiece like Toy Story is a no no in my book! lol