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Film reviews

Avatar: Fire and Ash review

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Director James Cameron does not stop in his creative tracks to keep the mesmerizing world of the Avatar franchise flowing. With Avatar: Fire and Ash, the heat is in the moment as the world of Pandora hits territory with new revelations. At the same time, bad allies form—at the intersection of science, planet and people. It all comes down to whose side everyone is fighting for. Cameron keeps the momentum going in every fragment and in every detail. This fascinating film dazzles and shines boldly because the graphics of the vast areas of forests, skies, and seas are spectacular. The magical cinematics are uniquely blended which results in dynamics that keep this franchise getting better with each film. James Cameron knows what he is doing.

It has been three years since the events of Avatar: The Way of Water. This time, the uncharted territories on the lands of Pandora are the setting. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are still trying to protect their children from the many events of the previous film. However, the dangers caused by the corruption of Recom Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) are not over. Now, Pandora has more advanced scientific experiments, yet the war is not over. Political aspects abound as civilizations take their stance in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The creatures and the people stand together. As the saying goes, “This family is our fortress,” which describes the defense that weaves togethers both emotionally and technologically in Avatar: Fire and Ash.

In this film, mayhem is working more effectively since the battles have been fought since the first film. The key focus is the conflict between Sully and Quaritch. Quaritch wants to maintain control and utilize Pandora for other purposes once he has the chance to demolish it. For Sully though, it is his home. He will not give up the fight for his family and homebase, especially with a native who wants to be one of them. The boy Spider (Jack Champion) is connected to Jake’s family. However, no human can breathe on Pandora without a mask. What if he has the chance to become one of them? Science is what matters, but mayhem reinforces the main point of the film.

There is a continued, formulaic approach that broadens even more in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Cameron utilizes technological components to keep the film’s various conflicts moving to points of breach. The film is captivating in portraying the fight between good vs. evil. Jake is with his family and has joined the forces on Pandora, but many of those he started with still want to navigate the sciences to abuse and torment. The subjects of civilization and democracy are what Cameron so effectively tackles both cinematically and technologically.

Additional characters add much emphasis to the film includeRonal (Kate Winslet), Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), General Frances Ardmore (Edie Falco), and Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi). Ronal and Dr. Grace Augustine are on the same side as Jake and Neytiri, but General Frances and Parker Still remain on the opposing side. General Frances wants to bring the military back for execution, while Parker is focused on science for business. War, in this film, goes up several notches with a new creature Varang (Oona Chaplin) in the mix. She brings threats to Jake and his family, but also to the rest of the Na’vi. There are double the enemies, added chaos, and incredible cinematography which makes this Cameron film brilliant.

Looking back to the beginning, there is a pattern and tone to the writing which continues to become more immersive as these films continue. Scientific advancements in the world combine with conflicts between the humans and the Na’vi. Jake is in the middle and has become one of the Na’vi. Beginning as someone who cannot use his legs, the world of Pandora is where he stands. The people he began with are allies of both good and bad. Fortunately, there is much more to the planet that can be utilized for good. For Cameron, the journey towards acceptance and perseverance does not end without a rollercoaster ride. I was blown away by watching this movie in Dolby Digital. The flying and action scenes were enthralling. The things Cameron is known best for are all back again. As always, he takes this installment to new heights. Four out of four stars for Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Film reviews, Revisited classics

Titanic 25 Year Anniversary Review (Revisited in IMAX 3D)

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“The magic doesn’t come from within the director’s mind, it comes from within the heart of the actors.”

-James Cameron

These words from Cameron hold true due to his magnificent directing from his current success with Avatar: The Way of Water which was many years in the making to his anniversary re-release of Titanic. I had the privilege of revisiting Titanic in the IMAX 3D format at Seven Bridges IMAX in Woodridge, Illinois. I have seen Titanic two previous times on the big screen, but this new and immersive experience made me feel like I was watching Titanic for the first time. The backstory of the archives, the many journeys below the deep, and the magnificent technology utilized will take your Titanic experience to a new level.

I remember seeing a documentary, Ghosts of the Abyss, in IMAX 3D directed by James Cameron, which enlightened me on the main Titanic film. Those were the days when IMAX was not big with blockbusters yet, but now big studios use IMAX all the time. Cameron, however, really knows how to bring his previous projects back with a sense of excitement as he does this time with Titanic.

The mind of Cameron is one that surpasses many directors because he always links his works to his previous projects. He takes the time to think about how his audience will appreciate his films years later. Above all, he spaces out the time frames of when it is the right time for his projects to be launched. Cameron consistently rewrites until his films are on-point. That is because he wants his characterizations, plot, and concepts to all have meaning. In all his projects they truly do. With Titanic back in 3D, 4K formats, and IMAX 3D, his emphasis on cinematic brilliance shows.

The experience of Titanic in IMAX 3D is one-of-a-kind. The image is the sharpest ever, the technological aspects beyond wonderful which make fans feel they are face-to-face with the monumental performances of Kate Winslet (as Rose) and Leonardo DiCaprio (as Jack). Find your local IMAX location, get your tickets, and experience Titanic like never before. It is rewarding to experience Titanic in this format for fans who are in love with the movie as well as those experiencing it for the first time.

To recap the plot, Titanic is based on the true story of the Titanic, a ship that sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912, resulting in over 1500 lost lives. Bill Paxton plays Brock Lovett, an oceanographer who is researching the shipwreck when a drawing of Rose is discovered. An aging Rose (played by Gloria Stuart) is brought in for discussion and she elaborates her story of being a passenger on Titanic.  Above all, her beloved memory is falling in love with Jack (DiCaprio). Rose’s story is the film’s backstory and creates one of the most wonderful and engrossing stories I have seen on film in my life. All my experiences with Titanic have been unforgettable and I’ve cried each time.

Experiencing Titanic in IMAX is incredible and goes far beyond watching as the ship is destroyed. The scenes with Jack and Rose will dazzle audiences in IMAX, especially the famous scene when Jack asks Rose to have her hand so he can hold her up at the front of the ship to make her feel like she is flying. This moment is one of the most vivid and exhilarating in the IMAX experience of Titanic and left me breathless.

Titanic has lived with me. It has been a monumental cinematic example in my life and has fueled my passion for movies. It has always inspired me to take what I love in movies and explain my fascination in my own voice. Titanic is completely rewarding because of the depth of characterization, its technological effects, the skillful writing, and the outstanding directing by Cameron.

For those who are considering this experience, it is not to be missed. Seeing Titanic again is simply awesome and seeing it in IMAX is vivid and dazzling. Join the journey and get back in Titanic mode to celebrate this film’s 25-year anniversary. Four stars.

Film reviews

Avatar: The Way of Water Review

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Thirteen years in the making. Many rewrites and considerations. A budget in the hundreds of millions of dollars. And most importantly, a film directed James Cameron. And it is finally here, Avatar: The Way of Water.

Cameron has absolutely maxed out Avatar: The Way of Water out, bringing cinema to new heights. A truly breathtaking experience, it tops the brilliance of the first Avatar film. The technology behind the film is absolutely beautiful with many amazing concepts. Cameron makes each fragment of Avatar: The Way of Water have meaning.

In Avatar: The Way of Water, Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) has a family now with Neytiri (played by Zoe Saldana). Jake has lived the Na’vi lifestyle after the events of Avatar, and he has adapted to the Pandora rituals. Their children are Neteyan (played by Jamie Flatters), Loak, (played by Britain Dolton), Tuk (played by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), and Kiri (played by Sigourney Weaver). The enemy Quaritch (played by Stephen Lang) makes his way back into the realm and has returned for payback, putting Jake and his family at risk. They must find a place to keep safe. Jake and Neytiri meet other creatures like them and their habitat is the new home for Jake and Neytiri and their children. Their new friends are Tonowari (played by Cliff Curtis) and Ronal (played by Kate Winslet). But to survive Jake and Neytiri and their family must learn to live in this new environment—the sea. Hence the title Avatar: The Way of Water. Their new underwater life is exhilarating, but can Quaritch reach them in their new home?

Avatar: The Way of Water is a continuation film that is done faithfully and correctly. Cameron’s use of technology and his writing prove that he is a master filmmaker. His directing takes his audience to a vibrant world underwater, the most immersive experience yet: one with sea creatures, new worlds, new possibilities, and new connections.

The visuals with the character relationships are where Avatar: The Way of Water is the most magnificent. Jake has been with the Na’vi for a while, and he has grown to be true to the world he accepted in the first Avatar film. Also, with being married to Neytiri he has raised his family to be warriors like her. Avatar: The Way of Water makes its audience feel the vibe of protecting the ones we love in Cameron’s imaginative world.

The action sequences in Avatar: The Way of Water feel very real, thanks to the technologies surrounding the film. Cameron uses high frame rates in many moments that are above the standard limits for films, and it’s done perfectly. Cameron puts his directing to the test, and he passes with flying colors. Avatar: The Way of Water is pure adrenaline.

So the time that fans have been waiting for has finally arrived. Avatar: The Way of Water is here in all its 3D grandeur. The film can be seen in either real D 3D, Dolby Digital 3D, or IMAX 3D, and 3D is definitely the only way to go to get the full feel of Avatar: The Way of Water. I saw the film in Dolby Digital 3D, and I felt like I was scuba diving for hours. All these years I’ve waited I knew that Avatar: The Way of Water was going to be one amazing adventure, and it was well worth the wait. It was the most spellbinding and amazing experience I have had in ages.  Four stars for Avatar: The Way of Water.