New Avatar trailer is out

[SylasGaunt]

Why thank you. Thank you very much for that. Douche.

As far as I know the fact that the braid is a neural interface is not some plot point.

Please do elaborate more !

That's pretty much the extent of what's been presented in the supplementary material. Pretty much 'oh this exists' but as for whether or not it comes up in the film is anyone's guess.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I decided to have a little fun with one of my very good (but charmingly naiive) female friends after we saw this trailer. Thinking back to Atomic Rocket's page on Aliens and channeling the spirit of Shep, I reacted in the following manner.

Female Friend: "Well, another special effects movie. At least they put a good message in this one, though."
Me: "How so?"
Her: (slightly confused) "Well, I mean the whole plot...the aliens and the good guys teaming up to resist exploitation by soulless corporate overlords"
Me: "That's what you got from the trailer?"
Her: "I mean...yeah? You're not saying you think the humans are in the right, are you?"
Me: "I think they are. (cliffnotes version of ATMR argument)"
Her: ?!
Me: "Honestly, how can we value the wellbeing of another species more than that of our own? They should conduct sterilization campaigns on their villages. We should exterminate them to ensure our own needs are accomplished."

At which point I'm treated to a lecture by a group of righteously indignant New England college students. We were drunk at the time, naturally.

Seriously though, once this movie comes out and the internet wankage reaches a climax, somebody needs to publish an Atomic Rocket-themed take on Avatar where the Na'vi get neutron bombed.

EDIT: Bladed Crescent should write it.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Oh yeah, and Shroomy?

You know, perhaps a great way to deliver a hippie eco-message more effectively might be to actually portray the blue forest-spirit-tree-hugging cat people losing horrifically. Depict humans coming in with their PMCs, murdering the catpeople by systemic execution and have them line up rank and file for bullets to the brain, have the much criticized power armor go stomping little children and babies and using their power-knives to cleave pregnant cat-people open, have that Avatar guy and his other alpha-males used as underfed slave labor to mine unobtanium until they themselves waste away from starvation and heavy metal poisoning.

Do a montage, depict the complete and thorough sci-fi raping of an entire verdant world for human profit until there's nothing left but the dead husk of trees and those power armors using space-shovels to dig mass graves for the catpeople and using their flamers to make giant funeral pyres.

Use that fancy shmancy 3D shit to render shit so grotesquely realistically in glorious CGI, to make people vomit their popcorns out and make children weep like slaughtered pigs.

That would drive the message home very well. No sugar coating. No faux bullshit victory. Game over, man. Game over.

Gave me a boner.

[PeZook]

Me: "Honestly, how can we value the wellbeing of another species more than that of our own? They should conduct sterilization campaigns on their villages. We should exterminate them to ensure our own needs are accomplished."

Probably for the same reason why the US didn't just murder every Iraqi to have unobstructed access to oil. Because they're sentient beings, and thus we should attempt to minimize their suffering.

It's not like Earth is in such dire straits that it can't afford to tie down the RDA with regulations concerning the natives, so clearly it's not a "mine the bullshit mineral or face species die-off" scenario.

Seriously though, once this movie comes out and the internet wankage reaches a climax, somebody needs to publish an Atomic Rocket-themed take on Avatar where the Na'vi get neutron bombed.

Why? Other than fulfilling some nerd space-murder fantasy, why bother?

Gave me a boner.

...oh. I see. It is about fulfilling your space murder fantasy. Have you noticed the context of Shroom's post at all?

[Darth Wong]

From what I've seen in various trailers it seems that a sizable human faction is opposed to the actions of the military and wants some form of a peaceful solution. So it won't have to be the military being defeated, but just losing enough that the peace faction can revolt/displace the military faction/end the war/something.

That seems a lot more realistic than the "raaaar all of humanity would gleefully want to exterminate stupid blue savages and nobody would argue against it" bullshit that some people were peddling earlier (in the name of realism, ironically enough).

[Darth Wong]

I decided to have a little fun with one of my very good (but charmingly naiive) female friends after we saw this trailer. Thinking back to Atomic Rocket's page on Aliens and channeling the spirit of Shep, I reacted in the following manner.

Female Friend: "Well, another special effects movie. At least they put a good message in this one, though."
Me: "How so?"
Her: (slightly confused) "Well, I mean the whole plot...the aliens and the good guys teaming up to resist exploitation by soulless corporate overlords"
Me: "That's what you got from the trailer?"
Her: "I mean...yeah? You're not saying you think the humans are in the right, are you?"
Me: "I think they are. (cliffnotes version of ATMR argument)"
Her: ?!
Me: "Honestly, how can we value the wellbeing of another species more than that of our own? They should conduct sterilization campaigns on their villages. We should exterminate them to ensure our own needs are accomplished."

At which point I'm treated to a lecture by a group of righteously indignant New England college students. We were drunk at the time, naturally.

Seriously though, once this movie comes out and the internet wankage reaches a climax, somebody needs to publish an Atomic Rocket-themed take on Avatar where the Na'vi get neutron bombed.

EDIT: Bladed Crescent should write it.

Ooohhh, you're so cool because you tweak peoples' moral sensibilities by pushing the contrarian ethics of ruthless Nazi douchebaggery! Congratulations for you.

[mr friendly guy]

From what I've seen in various trailers it seems that a sizable human faction is opposed to the actions of the military and wants some form of a peaceful solution. So it won't have to be the military being defeated, but just losing enough that the peace faction can revolt/displace the military faction/end the war/something.

That seems a lot more realistic than the "raaaar all of humanity would gleefully want to exterminate stupid blue savages and nobody would argue against it" bullshit that some people were peddling earlier (in the name of realism, ironically enough).

Funny enough some of them were saying they disagree with such actions, but realistically thats what the humans would do. Which makes one wonder, what type of people do these guys hang out with? Throwbacks from the 19th century?

[Bounty]

Having just seen Avatar, there are three observations to make with regards to this thread:

- The humans in this movie are douchenozzles
- There is no motivation for the humans' actions other than profit
- This movie is less a confrontation between enlightened civilization and noble savages as it is one between scientists and ignorant milwankers.

And rest assured, the futility of fighting helicopters with spears is addressed graphically. If there is any sustained conflict at all it's due to clever tactics, stolen equipment and a string of well-used terrain advantages, not writers' fiat.

[D.Turtle]

Is it worth seeing?

3D movies are expensive, so I don't want to waste my money.

[Sarevok]

Gamespot review of Avatar videogame

Reviews seem to indicate Avatar the game will not match the greatness of the movie. Which is a shame really since the alien world of Pandora is a perfect setting for a game like the first Unreal or Halo game.

[McC]

And rest assured, the futility of fighting helicopters with spears is addressed graphically. If there is any sustained conflict at all it's due to clever tactics, stolen equipment and a string of well-used terrain advantages, not writers' fiat.

So, am I going to walk out of the movie thinking, "Okay, I can buy that" or "Goddamnit, another bullshit Hollywood 'nature beats technology' ending?" That's really the make-or-break for me here.

[Bounty]

And rest assured, the futility of fighting helicopters with spears is addressed graphically. If there is any sustained conflict at all it's due to clever tactics, stolen equipment and a string of well-used terrain advantages, not writers' fiat.

So, am I going to walk out of the movie thinking, "Okay, I can buy that" or "Goddamnit, another bullshit Hollywood 'nature beats technology' ending?" That's really the make-or-break for me here.

It's not a bullshit nature-beats-technology ending.
Spoiler

Technology "loses", in a way, but only because it had both hands tied behind its back. And nature is given every advantage. Rest assured though, in the movie it all plays out organically, pun not intended.

[mr friendly guy]

And rest assured, the futility of fighting helicopters with spears is addressed graphically. If there is any sustained conflict at all it's due to clever tactics, stolen equipment and a string of well-used terrain advantages, not writers' fiat.

So, am I going to walk out of the movie thinking, "Okay, I can buy that" or "Goddamnit, another bullshit Hollywood 'nature beats technology' ending?" That's really the make-or-break for me here.

1. If you can buy Ewoks beating some Imperial troops aided with well timed tactical moves by people with similar technology in RoTJ and without these moves they most probably can't win, you could most probably buy this.

2. Do you think captain planet beating machinery is bullshit nature beats technology? No, captain planet doesn't show up, but when the um cavalry arrives it reminded me of a captain planet episode where Spoiler

the south american kid summons animals to help them deal with insects with the power of heart.

[bz249]

One should not forget the settings. AFAIK there are no FTL transport, so whatever the locals doing it takes ten years for the Earth forces to try stopping them. So if the locals agree that doing a nuclear holocaust on the planet it is fait accompli by the time cavalry arrives. Any treaty worth as much as you can force it, and having a ten year long transit window means it worth practically nothing. The only thing preventing total destruction is that a good majority of the local force would not like to do so.

[mr friendly guy]

Is it worth seeing?

3D movies are expensive, so I don't want to waste my money.

I don't usually see 3D movies, but the cost today including the 3D glasses only cost me $3 AUD more than a regular movie. How much does it cost you?

[Bounty]

One should not forget the settings. AFAIK there are no FTL transport, so whatever the locals doing it takes ten years for the Earth forces to try stopping them. So if the locals agree that doing a nuclear holocaust on the planet it is fait accompli by the time cavalry arrives. Any treaty worth as much as you can force it, and having a ten year long transit window means it worth practically nothing. The only thing preventing total destruction is that a good majority of the local force would not like to do so.

Please refrain from talking bullshit until you have actually seen the movie. In fact, don't do it then, either.
Spoiler

The human presence on the planet is a few hundred guys with conventional weapons. They have no WMD's and no weapons in orbit. Just to bomb one site they had to jerry-rig a transport shuttle dropping mining charges out of the hold.

[D.Turtle]

I don't usually see 3D movies, but the cost today including the 3D glasses only cost me $3 AUD more than a regular movie. How much does it cost you?

Well, the last overlength 3D movie I saw (Final Destination 4 - I was forced!), cost me 14€. A normal movie costs about 8-9€.

[McC]

1. If you can buy Ewoks beating some Imperial troops aided with well timed tactical moves by people with similar technology in RoTJ and without these moves they most probably can't win, you could most probably buy this.

Yeah, I don't have a problem with primitives inflicting casualties on technologicals; I have a problem with them winning without being in possession of the same tech.

If you give primitives gunships, advanced weapons, and so forth, then it's a moot question -- it's not some bullshit about primitive tech overcoming advanced tech at that point. That's why Endor doesn't bother me. The Ewoks hurt the Imperials, but they were pretty clearly losing despite superior numbers, surprise attacks, and preplanned traps...until Chewbacca hijacked an AT-ST and neutralized the Imperial's armored vehicle advantage.

2. Do you think captain planet beating machinery is bullshit nature beats technology? No, captain planet doesn't show up, but when the um cavalry arrives it reminded me of a captain planet episode where Spoiler

the south american kid summons animals to help them deal with insects with the power of heart.

I think Captain Planet is a superhero. There's a reason superhero topics go in the Fantasy forum rather than Science Fiction.

[dworkin]

I know we're all suposed to be impressed by the '20 million a kilo' but how much is that really in 22nd century currency?

How much does a loaf of bread cost on earth in 2184?

[Anguirus]

If you give primitives gunships, advanced weapons, and so forth, then it's a moot question -- it's not some bullshit about primitive tech overcoming advanced tech at that point. That's why Endor doesn't bother me. The Ewoks hurt the Imperials, but they were pretty clearly losing despite superior numbers, surprise attacks, and preplanned traps...until Chewbacca hijacked an AT-ST and neutralized the Imperial's armored vehicle advantage.

Spoiler

This movie's battle is MUCH more reasonable than the ground portion of the Battle of Endor. This isn't a bunch of teddy bears, one of whom is killed onscreen to much sad music. These are twelve-foot-tall organic killing machines (superior numbers check, surprise attacks check, preplanned traps check, co-opted enemy war machines check) that still lose HORRIBLY to a bunch of naked apes who have machine guns and air support. There are shots where they get mowed down. See my spoiler-filled review in the other thread for more.

[mr friendly guy]

I know we're all suposed to be impressed by the '20 million a kilo' but how much is that really in 22nd century currency?

How much does a loaf of bread cost on earth in 2184?

Its set in 2154 according to Jake's video log. Not 2184.

[Shroom Man 777]

Gave me a boner.

...oh. I see. It is about fulfilling your space murder fantasy. Have you noticed the context of Shroom's post at all?

Yeah... I wanted to portray the militaristic aggressors as a bunch of morally reprehensible murderers whose disgusting acts inspire revulsion rather than any adoration, and who show themselves to be the kind of people who should be brought to a war crimes tribunal and hanged.

[adam_grif]

Reading his post didn't give me the impression he was literally popping a boner at the thought of space massacres, but rather at the emotional impact something like that would have, as opposed to what we got.

[Shroom Man 777]

You normally don't pop boners when faced with an emotionally touching tragedy that shows you the error and inhumanity of man, and the plight of oppressed people. A lot of the more rabid militarists do, however, sprout erections when they see depictions of mass carnage and overwhelming military might.

The guy's previous posts also had him supporting sterilization campaigns and mass extermination. So, no. I don't think he was really aroused at the emotional impact of my hippothetecel depiction of the plight of the Na'vi, but rather had a hard on for the atrocities I described.