Escape into the wild blue yonder
FILM REVIEWS
Sunday December 20 2009
Avatar
Cert 12A
Who was said the future was orange? Or green for that matter? If Avatar, director James Cameron's sci-fi epic achieves the box-office sales it undoubtedly deserves, then the future is as likely to be blue.
In case you haven't heard, blue is the skin-colour of the indigenous tribe of humanoids known as the Na'vi that populate this exhilarating visual extravaganza. And in case you haven't heard, trust me, it's only a matter of time as the strong suspicion is they're about to go global. Or in the case of these eco-friendly denizens of the planet Pandora -- intergalactic.
The story centres on events on Pandora circa 2154. Mankind's need for natural resources has led to a militaristic Iraq-style expedition to Pandora to plunder its reserves of "unobtainia", a highly prized energy source. Needless to say, these forest-dwelling natives are restless at this prospect and a stand-off has ensued.
Enter Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) as a paraplegic ex-marine who has been recruited to become an avatar, basically, a double agent, who under a cutting-edge scientific programme run by Sigourney Weaver, has his mind transplanted into the 10ft body of a Na'vi genetically bred for the purpose. The hope is that Sully can go behind enemy lines and negotiate a diplomatic solution that will avoid a "shock and awe" approach, but things don't go according to plan.
Faster than you can say Kevin Costner or Dances with Wolves, Sully shows signs of going native, with the result that the mother of all showdowns becomes inevitable.
It might be over a decade since the director last wowed the movie world with Titanic but fans of high-octane escapism are guaranteed to feel it's been worth the wait. Stunning visuals together with mesmeric set-pieces combine to create a spectacle that is a veritable symphony for the eyes.
The story is a tad derivative, far from cerebral and obviously wears its PC credentials on its sleeve but these are minor quibbles. Prepare to be enthralled.
Avatar is now showing
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Cert G
Two years on from their first film outing, and animated animals Alvin, Simon and Theodore (Justin Long, Mathew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney) are world-famous recording stars. Still somewhat accident-prone, their "father" Dave (Jason Lee) finds himself in traction in a Paris hospital, the chipmunks are returned to the US where they will go to school like normal kids, taken care of by Aunt Jackie (Kathryn Joosten). But within minutes of the chipmunks' arrival, Aunt Jackie ends up in hospital too, meaning the boys will be under the care of hapless Toby (Zachary Levi).
In school Alvin befriends the jocks, thus compromising his loyalty to his brothers and their band's chances of winning the bursary that will save the school's music department. Meanwhile, disgruntled former manager Ian Hawke (David Cross) has found the Chipettes (Anna Faris, Christina Applegate and Amy Poehler) a group of girl chipmunks who he plants in the school and in direct competition with the boys.
With a new director in Betty Thomas, the Squeakquel maintains the spirit and tone of the first film. The animated chipmunks live among real people and the story follows a predictable formula, the boys torn between goodies and baddies, loyalty to friends or family, the near miss. Both they and the Chipettes sing well known songs -- Beyonce covered in helium tones -- which appealed greatly to the small girls in the audience, who also thought the Chipettes "soooooooo cute".
As you might expect it pitches humour, pathos and extreme cuteness at its audience. Not perhaps as good as the original, still there are no fear or tears in this one, it's perfect Christmas entertainment for younger kids.
AO'C
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel opens tomorrow
- Padraic McKiernan, Aine O’Connor
Sunday Independent
