File puptcrit/puptcrit.1001, message 278


Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:52:26 -0500
From: Steve Abrams <sapuppets-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Subject: [Puptcrit] avatar


I saw Avatar yesterday

I am trying to recover from an overdose of adrenaline and testosterone. It
was definitely a roller coaster ride.

Technically it has the kind of wow factor that I remember when Star Wars was
released.

Star Wars of course had invented creatures, masks and robots that could
certainly be called puppets, but puppetry is NOT the first, second or third
thing that springs to mind for either Star Wars or Avatar. The stories are
have several similarities.
The overbearing over equipped over dressed bad guys- against the lighter
cuter more buff under-equipped good guys with a secret spiritual weapon.

Star Wars had something that I found lacking in Avatar. Star Wars had more
than occasional flashes of wit, irony and nuance.

It was great to see that Sigourney Weaver is holding up well. Back in 1982
 she starred in a really excellent puppet film "Year of Living Dangerously."

Writer-director James Cameron gave Sigourney nothing to work with.

In terms of acting- about 4 very basic facial expressions pretty much cover
the needs of the script. Even Keanu Reeves could have handled a role.

I am thrilled the film provided so many jobs for sculptors, designers and
techies of all sorts

In terms of story, characters and puppetry I enjoyed Coraline a lot more.

The next 3D film I see will be Tim Burton's Alice
_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005