Comments on: Avatar: something looks familiar http://ricepapermagazine.ca/2009/12/avatar-something-looks-familiar/ Asian Canadian Arts and Culture Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:17:54 +0000 hourly 1 By: lence http://ricepapermagazine.ca/2009/12/avatar-something-looks-familiar/comment-page-1/#comment-30 lence Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:11:13 +0000 http://ricepapermagazine.ca/?p=504#comment-30 Maybe James Cameron used up his $500M budget for the special effects. Nothing left for a decent screenplay. Looks like a glorified screensaver to me. All flash, no substance. Maybe James Cameron used up his $500M budget for the special effects. Nothing left for a decent screenplay. Looks like a glorified screensaver to me. All flash, no substance.

]]> By: Patricia Lim http://ricepapermagazine.ca/2009/12/avatar-something-looks-familiar/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Patricia Lim Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:07:47 +0000 http://ricepapermagazine.ca/?p=504#comment-9 Thanks for your comments, Marisa and rabblerouser :). @rabblerouser I think my issue isn't just that the story was too familiar - I still enjoy my fair share of Disney princessy movies (altho Pocahontas isn't at the top of the list ;)). I think it was the fact that it's continuing a trend of storytelling that maybe we should move on or expand upon - a type of storytelling that's just a little bit racist. Here's another article that has a similar type of argument - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/opinion/08brooks.html Thanks for your comments, Marisa and rabblerouser :) .
@rabblerouser I think my issue isn’t just that the story was too familiar – I still enjoy my fair share of Disney princessy movies (altho Pocahontas isn’t at the top of the list ;) ). I think it was the fact that it’s continuing a trend of storytelling that maybe we should move on or expand upon – a type of storytelling that’s just a little bit racist.

Here’s another article that has a similar type of argument – http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/opinion/08brooks.html

]]> By: rabblerouser http://ricepapermagazine.ca/2009/12/avatar-something-looks-familiar/comment-page-1/#comment-8 rabblerouser Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:14:02 +0000 http://ricepapermagazine.ca/?p=504#comment-8 Personally, I have no problem with a story that has been "done before." It sounds like perhaps you are too concerned about its similarities to other movies.. which seems a little unfair to the movie as a whole. While the themes may be familiar, the execution is usually what truly counts. Did you find the characters hard to relate to, or unbelievable in their behavior? Were the themes too shallow for your taste? Or was your only major issue the fact that it just felt too familiar? Personally, I have no problem with a story that has been “done before.” It sounds like perhaps you are too concerned about its similarities to other movies.. which seems a little unfair to the movie as a whole. While the themes may be familiar, the execution is usually what truly counts. Did you find the characters hard to relate to, or unbelievable in their behavior? Were the themes too shallow for your taste? Or was your only major issue the fact that it just felt too familiar?

]]> By: Marisa http://ricepapermagazine.ca/2009/12/avatar-something-looks-familiar/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Marisa Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:46:23 +0000 http://ricepapermagazine.ca/?p=504#comment-5 I like your commentary, very interesting points. I like your commentary, very interesting points.

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