The LA Times reported that Cameron, who wrote and directed the film, sought the help of a linguistics specialist and USC professor, Paul R. Frommer, to create an entire language-- with proper phonology, syntax, and lexicon--for the Na'vi tribe that will be used by the characters in the story (Frommer is also now credited on IMDB as "alien language creator"). Considering the four years the language took for completion, the time devoted to such detail highlights the notion that Avatar intends to be something much bigger than a movie. The world that Cameron created is clearly something he's endeavored to represent substantial depth and complexity. Even the camera work done for the flick is hyped to be an integral part of the most sensational and realistic 3D film ever to be shown. Could this be the sci-fi movie that rocks a generation like Lucas' Star Wars did back in the 70s?
It's all impressive, and I have a feeling that it won't be long until we start seeing repeats of this guy... who thought it would be meaningful to raise his child to speak fluent Klingon (the popular original language created in Star Trek).
What a Skxawng.
a. I can't believe they actually created a language for the movie.
ReplyDeleteb. I've only seen previews and read a little about the movie but I feel like Star Wars was a whole legacy based on multiple movies. Based on the few previews, I don't know if this first movie will lead to a whole legacy like Star Wars.
Indeed, it's likelier that Star Wars will keep its crown. But don't be too quick to judge Avatar since you've only seen and read a little. While being careful to play their cards close to the chest, 20th Century Fox has made sure that they are hyping Avatar bigtime in every way possible. The first Star Wars was rejected in its concept stages, and young George Lucas had serious problems completing "A New Hope" because the studio backing from Fox (ironically) was pretty skeptical of any success whatsoever. But with Avatar, James Cameron has been given the complete freedom and support that Lucas wasn't entitled to in order to create his masterpiece. Avatar starts lightyears ahead of Star Wars in this respect; think about where it could go from here.
ReplyDeleteI heard that the budget for the film is now upwards of $500 million now. Thats insanity. My friend who works at FOX told me the producers had a meeting in which they were going over strategy to make this film the next Star Trek. The craze at ComicCon this summer really made me understand just how big this motion picture may be. I am definitely going to see this film on opening weekend even though I promised myself I would never see a movie in 3D. Thats saying something.
ReplyDeletePersonally, after seeing the theatriccal trailer of Avatar in 3D I see it's revolutionary potential. While it may not be in the same league as star wars, the integration of CGI and live action combined with Cameron's persoanlly developed 3D technology seems to be icing on the cake to an already techologically loaded film. Avatar appears to represent the measuring stick for all 3D films to follow and I am intersted in seeing whether or not Avatar can prove that 3D films are the next step in the future of filmmaking. Like star wars, Avatar is a film that no one has seen anyhting close to before and judging by James Camerons track record (Titanic, Terminator, Aliens) in creating film spectacles, I dont see why this movie should be any different, if not exceed his past works.
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