The expectations are a result of the hype, which is usually hard to live up to.

We’ve been promised a revolutionary, ground-breaking, game changing film…….. for 10 years no less!

Unless the story is great and interesting, I’ll pass, thank you. The images and footage I’ve seen so far leave me limp. I don’t care if it’s 3-D, 2-D, or on my 19″ monitor. It’s still CGI effects done over human actors, still obviously so, and still unbelievable. Been there, done that, no thanks.

That being said, everyone that made Transformers a hit will see this as well and make it a hit. Oh well, that’s the state of film-making these days.

Some people have such ungodly expectations of this film (Best Picture nom/win, 400+ million domestic take) that even a year ago they were praising the film based entirely on a treatment he wrote a decade ago and hype that smelled like studio fabrication. I just don’t see how anyone can believe that this is the second coming in cinema, with nothing but the trailer and a 16 minute long promo.

I’ve heard all these arguments before with people calling an upcoming movie to be the “biggest” ever whether it was because of technical achievement (Final Fantasy, Beowulf) or because of a rabid fan-base (Watchmen). Hype only works so far outside of fan circles before it is rendered meaningless by people who just don’t have any interest in the project.

The film may be good, but I can’t imagine it really being the kind of success that some people claim it will be.

Just to add my two cents:

I’m not being a bitchin’ naysayer. I happen to love 3D. I’m just suggesting that effects aren’t everything, and I can’t understand this ectstatic buzz to a movie that hasn’t been released yet.

It doesn’t mean I’m judging a movie before I’ve seen it; in fact, I’d say that’s what everyone *else* is doing when they call “Avatar” a classic based on 20 minutes of footage. It may well be the greatest genre game-changer since “Metropolis,” I dunno. But I’ll decide for myself when I see it.

So, Colonyearth, go ahead and call me “clueless and confident.” By all means, suggest imperiously that “you will understand when you are meant to. . . ” Because, frankly, I’m glad to hear the Truth Will Be Revealed When I Am Ready. Thanks for that. I was worried.

(I take it you’ve actually seen “Avatar,” then? The entire movie?)

Um. What? Sure, he’s made more classics than many directors can claim, but it’s ridiculous hyperbole to say that he’s _always_ done it.

“3D is where the film and tv industry are moving…that you will have to get used to.”

Um. What? What makes you think I need to ‘get used to’ it? (A) it’s old news (B) I love 3D animation and (C) it’s old. news.

“Doing it right? That’s what AVATAR has done, changed the game.”

How do you know? What does “changed the game” even mean? What game?

“Until then, hold off the naysaying a bit.”

Um, what? What naysaying?

There’d better be some serious story and character substance if it’s going to overcome the goofy factor, and not to be completely judgemental of the film before it’s out, but the trailer they released (of their own free will) shows nothing in the way of an original plot — and it does make suggestions, so you can’t say it just shows nothing, period. To be honest, when I heard there was going to be an alien race involved, I was hoping they’d think outside the box and create a species that wasn’t so bound to human anatomy. Perhaps they were just too worried about limiting the characters’ relatability.

Personally I would love it if they made something like the Highlander where they jump between an (identical) younger Superman of the 1930’s who was fighting social injustice and smaller crime and a modern Superman who is a strong old soul, looking at it all. An aging, dying Lois (or a woman like Lois from before– maybe Lana) and a novel threat worthy of him and I think you could make a really reverend but enjoyable film. If you had a story line like the 1st act of Doomsday (but maybe with Braniac as the villain) could be pretty interesting but suggest it end more positively. The only remaining question is how you make a sequel??? You’d need some cursory love interest, heroin in distress to bring him back to life.