First ‘Avatar’ Reviews Say Movie Is a Masterpiece

James Cameron has been working on “Avatar,” his latest film for about 12 years. It is not only a very ambitious and personal project, but also the most expensive movie to date, with a budget estimated at $300 million (production and marketing) – therefore pressure is huge, the kind cinema has never seen. According to a Reuters piece, Cameron needs not worry about the success of the film, as the first reviews are positively “wow.”

“Avatar,” telling the story of how humans are destroying a magical-like planet inhabited by tall blue aliens for resources, and shot part with real life people and part made by CGI, premiered last night in London. It arrives in the US and many other territories on December 18 and, while critics who’ve seen it are barred from going public with their impressions until Monday, bits and pieces clearly hint that this is truly a masterpiece.

“James Cameron has proven his point: He is king of the world. As commander-in-chief of an army of visual-effects technicians, creature designers, motion-capture mavens, stunt performers, dancers, actors and music and sound magicians, he brings science-fiction movies into the 21st century with the jaw-dropping wonder that is ‘Avatar’.” prestigious movie publication The Hollywood Reporter says, as cited by Reuters. What’s more important, most critics feel the same about Cameron’s latest enterprise.

“Britain’s biggest-selling tabloid, The Sun, called it ‘the most dazzling film of the decade... The final battle scene is 20 minutes long and absolutely mind-blowing.’ Empire magazine gave the movie five stars out of five, calling it a ‘hugely rewarding experience’ whose new technology ‘will give directors... one heck of a sandbox to play in.’ Twitter lit up with comments from journalists leaving the tightly guarded premiere. ‘James Cameron is a freakin’ genius! I can’t say much but wow, I loved it,’ wrote Alex Billington of the movie website FirstShowing.net.” Reuters further says.

As we also reported on previous occasions, industry insiders were saying only weeks ago that, with such a huge budget, there was absolutely no way this movie could actually turn a profit. While Cameron himself was saying that fans would see it not once or twice but four times no less, analysts predicted one of the biggest flops – if not actually the biggest – the movie industry had ever witnessed. Judging by these first reviews, clearly this is far from the case.