Happy Days

Happy Days

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

AVATAR

I just saw 'Avatar' last night at an advance screening. I believe I agreed not to write about the film. However, I believe Fox will forgive the below.

'Avatar', in my opinion, is one of the three greatest films ever made. I will not attempt to describe why here. Or anywhere. While watching the film ('experiencing' is a better word-choice) I thought that a great poem cannot be described except by another poem. 'Avatar' is such a poem. It would take another to adequately describe it.

I will say that I was reminded of my first, childhood viewing of "The Wizard of Oz" which was overwhelming. That is 'Avatar'. In fact, at one point I almost left the theater, I found the experience (visual and emotional) too much for one viewing. But I soldiered on and was glad I did. To see it in two parts would have diminished it.

It is also a highly spiritual film, and I recalled how 'Star Wars' (with its invention of the 'Force') came to redefine the religious experience one could occasionally have in a motion picture ("2001" brings this to mind as well, as, indeed, "The Wizard of Oz").

Some will not have this exchange with the film. (See Rottentomatoes where the rating is 91% currently - not 100%) but for those who do, you will, perhaps, bless James Cameron and his creative team, as I did, for this utter gift to humanity.

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