Perhaps it's a self-perpetuating thing. Everyone knows Avatar is going to do well, so they figure they're going to see or hear about it anyway, so they go see it even if they know it's meh at best. Which means it does well, repeating the cycle. It was a fluke that happened once, but now that fluke is an inherent law of movies and cannot be broken.
Look, man, we're all as baffled as you. Maybe they had a great PR campaign? I love movies, and we attend something every week at the Alamo Drafthouse, and I think I could name 20 movies from 2022 that I liked better. One of life's enduring mysteries. Perhaps it's the presence of unexplainium?
I think the popularity is due to the truly immersive 3D experience. I saw the first one in the 3D IMAX theater and was blown away by how real it seemed and how I felt like a part of the action. I actually paid again to see it in the 3D IMAX when it came back around in theaters for a second run. It was just so different than anything that preceded it, much like the first Star Wars in 1977 (which I saw 7 times in the theater). The story in Avatar was OK at best, for me it was all about the visuals. The second Avatar movie? Saw it in the 3D IMAX, thought the visuals were cool, can’t remember anything else about it, no desire to see it again.
Gravity is easy - matter doesn't like to be alone. Sure, every now and then it wants some space, especially from other matter that's got the same charge, and sometimes it loses its temper and blows it all up pushing everything away, but in the end it just wants to all be together.
I got nothing on Avatar. The first one was enjoyable to watch in 3D as long as you didn't think about the plot (or lack thereof). But the sequel? One of life's great mysteries.
I think I slept through the original to the annoyance of my wife. I didn't think of watching it with Rifftrax! Though - I have no urge to watch it again - with or without comedic expository.
As an aside, is there a word for when the audience talks among itself? My family tends to yell advice to the characters on the screen - they rarely take it, but we feel responsible for any good endings, and declaim any responsibility for the bad ones.
The first makes sense.. the sequel? Nope!
Perhaps it's a self-perpetuating thing. Everyone knows Avatar is going to do well, so they figure they're going to see or hear about it anyway, so they go see it even if they know it's meh at best. Which means it does well, repeating the cycle. It was a fluke that happened once, but now that fluke is an inherent law of movies and cannot be broken.
Look, man, we're all as baffled as you. Maybe they had a great PR campaign? I love movies, and we attend something every week at the Alamo Drafthouse, and I think I could name 20 movies from 2022 that I liked better. One of life's enduring mysteries. Perhaps it's the presence of unexplainium?
I think the popularity is due to the truly immersive 3D experience. I saw the first one in the 3D IMAX theater and was blown away by how real it seemed and how I felt like a part of the action. I actually paid again to see it in the 3D IMAX when it came back around in theaters for a second run. It was just so different than anything that preceded it, much like the first Star Wars in 1977 (which I saw 7 times in the theater). The story in Avatar was OK at best, for me it was all about the visuals. The second Avatar movie? Saw it in the 3D IMAX, thought the visuals were cool, can’t remember anything else about it, no desire to see it again.
Gravity is easy - matter doesn't like to be alone. Sure, every now and then it wants some space, especially from other matter that's got the same charge, and sometimes it loses its temper and blows it all up pushing everything away, but in the end it just wants to all be together.
I got nothing on Avatar. The first one was enjoyable to watch in 3D as long as you didn't think about the plot (or lack thereof). But the sequel? One of life's great mysteries.
I think I slept through the original to the annoyance of my wife. I didn't think of watching it with Rifftrax! Though - I have no urge to watch it again - with or without comedic expository.
As an aside, is there a word for when the audience talks among itself? My family tends to yell advice to the characters on the screen - they rarely take it, but we feel responsible for any good endings, and declaim any responsibility for the bad ones.
I bet my shoulder angel feels the same way . . .
Avatar + gravity = Atari = everything's a simulation.... er, or something...
Avatar's like Subway: it's popular even though nobody admits to liking it.
Maybe fans of blue commies think Avatar is a Smurfs reboot.