Avatards, reassemble today!
James Cameron gives us 9 new minutes of his global phenomenon “Avatar” in 3D and IMAX exclusively today. Here’s what we’re getting:
Cool stuff. All cool stuff. There’s a big rousing sequence where they’re hunting these herd animals called sturmbeests. There’s another new creature that you haven’t seen before called the stingbat. There’s a really powerful emotional scene toward the end of the film where the leader of the Na’vi is dying after a battle. There’s a bit more in the love scene with Jake and Neytiri. There’s more bioluminescent stuff in the night forest. Little bits and pieces here and there.
He had me at “more in the love scene.” I mean, who wanted that scene to end SO soon?! (There’s a hint of facetiousness that I hope you picked up on.)
But seriously, 8 months for a re-release? It seems a bit soon, even for the biggest movie in recent memory. Cameron describes it as “a limited special edition. It’s just an experience you can have with your family at the end of the summer. The last hurrah in theaters.” Judging by the lineups at the theater this weekend, it’s probably the best thing out there besides “Inception.” Just the sad state of Hollywood this time of year.
I think that after the past 6 months have brought nothing but 3D controversy and argument, maybe “Avatar” will remind audiences of what good use of the technology looks like. Perhaps they will then apply that sentiment and make a ruckus for all the false 3D filling theaters recently. I can dream, can’t I?
I’ve been to two re-releases in my lifetime, “E.T.” back in 2002 and “Grease” in the ’90s. Both of those were fun to see with my parents because we were able to share in the theatrical experience together as they relived the wonder and the excitement of the first time they saw it. I feel like “Avatar” holds that same sense, and I can’t wait to one day watch the movie with my kids whenever its 3D technology and groundbreaking effects look like rubbish. But, in a purely hypothetical situation, if I had conceived a child the day “Avatar” was released, it would still be in utero for this re-release! So perhaps it is a little too soon, yet everyone could use the escape to Pandora in order to escape the dismal titles on the multiplex marquees.
Marshall and the Movies 
Saw it. Don’t waste your money. The love seen had 2 extra seconds in it. You can probably guess what those 2 seconds were. There are two extra “big scenes:” the hunting scene Cameron mentioned and then a scene where the 3 doctor/avatars go the destroyed school building they created when they first got to Pandora. And then the female doctor (her name slips my mind) picks up a copy of — what do you think? — Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. I think the re-release just emphasized how bad of a writer I think James Cameron is. It was kind of painful.
That’s too bad; maybe I’ll see “Get Low” or “The Expendables,” the only two movies out that I have any real desire to see.
I’m waiting until The Town gets to theatres, nothing else is worth seeing right now.