Avatar, an Indian saga







Just 3 cinema halls in the whole state of Kerala were going to be decked out with all the gizmos for a 3D screening of Avatar. So yesterday we made it to Sree Padmanabha theatre (try pronouncing that, my Western readers!) for a first day first show. Since the cinema hall stands just shy of one of the biggest bus stands in Trivandrum, absolute chaos during daytime is assured. The queues were serpentine and exclusively male. When I finally huffed and panted there after 'parking the car' exercise I was told that all the shows for the day were cancelled. The queues were for the advance booking for the next day. My mom and sis got the tickets in a few minutes via the non existent ladies queue. Off we went again today, through the usual traffic horns and the absolute high that's driving in India. Sree Padmananbha was packed to capacity.

 As soon as the screen lit up the howling, clapping, whistling and liberal doses of wisecrack comments started. This is how we show appreciation to the arts here in Kerala;) After approximately 1 minute into the movie, the picture froze and remained that way for half an hour. The crowd was patient, and soon we put our 3D glasses on again.

It felt strange to be moved by a film comprising mostly of weird animated characters and the odd human. The special effects and the background score are awesome and the storyline simple and coherent. The 4 years of hard work that has gone into the making of this movie is obvious. Human nature at its obscene worst and its compassionate best is on show here. The central theme is man's failing relationship with nature and the price to be paid for greed.

 James Cameron seems to revel in telling tales of the heart with visually stunning special effects. He originally attempted to get this film made in 1999, as his  follow-up to Titanic. However, at the time, the special effects he wanted for the movie ran the proposed budget up to $400 million. No studio would fund the film, and it was subsequently shelved for almost ten years.

No plot to reveal here, it's a must see movie! Especially if you're lucky enough to be near an IMAX! Well worth the absent air conditioning and the parking ticket that greeted me outside.





Pan rating: 95/100 (3D version)
Ticket price: Rs.65/-

7 comments:

  1. crazy timing...my friends wanted to watch this today but i was debating whether to or not...guess its a go haha thanks for the review

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  2. hey thanks for the review. Haven't had a chance to check it out but the review has certainly given me enough incentive to do so.:)

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  3. OMG I watched it!!! And then I wanted to become an avatar myself coz they are way hotter than us mere humans anyway and fly those freakin awesome ikran thingies AND they respect Nature wayy more... :-/

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  4. PLUS!! the connection with the animals thing really got me sold :D

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  5. hmmm...wonder if i should see it again?!

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Thanks for taking the time to write :)