Human Nature

email this story
read comments (50)
post a comment

My honest-to-God first reaction to this latest Avatar poster was that the Na'vi looks like Michael Jackson during the Thriller period. I can see a lock of hair dropping down that reminds me his mid '80s coif. If Jackson had made a music video about a dancing alien cat man and wore cat-eye contacts, this is exactly how he'd look. I look at that face and I really don't see Zoe Saldana -- I see a gay cat boy.

Matilda<< previous | next >>That Voice

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 9, 2009 at 2:05 PM

comment #1

George Prager says ...

"coif"?

Did LexG write this post?

I see your point, though.

Posted by George Prager at December 9, 2009 2:18 PM

comment #2

Colin says ...

Any other movies that can be shit on this week? Precious, check. Avatar, check. Antichrist(in a roundabout way) check.

Posted by Colin at December 9, 2009 2:20 PM

comment #3

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

No way. Nose is faaaaar too wide to be Wacko Jacko. It does bear a passing resemblance to Robert Pattinson, however, IMHO -- that is if RP was an alien being. Come to think of it, he probably is.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at December 9, 2009 2:22 PM

comment #4

Ponderer says ...

I don't think that's supposed to be Zoe, is it? I thought it was supposed to be Sam's avatar.

Posted by Ponderer at December 9, 2009 2:25 PM

comment #5

Stringer Bell says ...

looks like a poster for a disney cartoon.

Posted by Stringer Bell at December 9, 2009 2:30 PM

comment #6

Jeffrey Wells says ...

I'm not shitting on Avatar -- I honestly saw MJ in that Na'vi face. Put a red jacket on him, narrow the nose and take out the cat-eye contacts and he's the guy in that John Landis-directed Thriller video.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at December 9, 2009 2:36 PM

comment #7

DeeZee says ...

More clips. http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2009/0-9ABC/Avatar/trailer.php

Posted by DeeZee at December 9, 2009 2:38 PM

comment #8

Colin says ...

I apologize I misunderstood the point of the post. But the him you refer to is actually a her, Zoe Saldana's character.

Posted by Colin at December 9, 2009 2:40 PM

comment #9

lazarus says ...

I'm still laughing at "gay cat boy". I think Jeff is right on the money here.

Posted by lazarus at December 9, 2009 2:48 PM

comment #10

Jeffrey Wells says ...

Wait...Ponderer said the MJ guy isn't Saldana -- it's the face of Worthington's Avatar. That's my point -- it doesn't look enough like either one so your mind starts asking right away, "Then who does it look like?"

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at December 9, 2009 2:48 PM

comment #11

DeeZee says ...

A mash-up with Team Ameria for some reason.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/15883/viral-vid-avatar-team-america-style

Posted by DeeZee at December 9, 2009 2:54 PM

comment #12

Josh Massey says ...

The more I see, the more I think they should have hidden the Na'vi in the ads, Cloverfield-style.

Posted by Josh Massey at December 9, 2009 3:00 PM

comment #13

Sams says ...

To me, the lower half of the Na'vi's face looks like it was modeled after Angelina Jolie.

Posted by Sams at December 9, 2009 3:19 PM

comment #14

Moises Chiullan says ...

The first thing that came to mind for me was Thriller Zombie MJ as well. It looks like the poster for a sequel to the Jackson-starring Captain EO. Avatar: The Return of Captain EO

Posted by Moises Chiullan at December 9, 2009 3:32 PM

comment #15

markj says ...

I'm the biggest Cameron fan going but I have to admit the marketing for this film has been a disaster, apart from the second trailer, which hit all the right notes.

Posted by markj at December 9, 2009 3:43 PM

comment #16

Telemachos says ...

The first review (of sorts) is in, from German TV (ZDF). It's quite positive.

A rough translation:
"Even though the showdown is a bit too long, Cameron has produced a work of art - a mixture of fantasy, emotion and high standard. Filled with critical quotes of the Vietnam and Iraq war, this movie also works as pure entertainment - as an SF adventure for the popcorn cinema. This way or that way - it's worth it - especially the 3D version is simply an astonishing experience. At the end the spectators just want an avatar of their own."

Posted by Telemachos at December 9, 2009 4:03 PM

comment #17

Ponderer says ...

Wells, normally I disagree with your "this person looks like that person" analyses, but goddamn if you're not right about the Thriller comparison in this rendering.

You know, without the giant heads, I think this had the makings of a wonderful fantasy poster.

Posted by Ponderer at December 9, 2009 4:18 PM

comment #18

Gordon27 says ...

It's not a perfect match, but the eyes and the cheekbones are pretty MJ, yeah.

This poster looks like it has something to do with a Sci-Fi Channel production of one of Frank Herbert's son's Dune sequels.

Good things nobody pays attention to posters.

Posted by Gordon27 at December 9, 2009 4:21 PM

comment #19

Gordon27 says ...

Actually, my first thought is "They did another Firefly/Serenity comic?" because Worthington looks a whole lot like Nathan Fillion.

Posted by Gordon27 at December 9, 2009 4:38 PM

comment #20

Chicago48 says ...

I wonder if the producers/director did a focus group for the images because like you, it's freaking me out. I hope it looks better in 3D.

Posted by Chicago48 at December 9, 2009 5:17 PM

comment #21

LexG says ...

I wish we could all stop unironically referring to these blue creatures as "the Na'vi," like it's real or something. It's just some phony nonsense for a movie that Cameron made up out of thin air; People are saying "Na'vi" as if it's in any way serious or legitimate, and not just embarrassing.

Posted by LexG at December 9, 2009 5:34 PM

comment #22

Ponderer says ...

Fuck's sake, LexG. Everything has a fucking name whether it's made up or not. It's certainly no less valid then the trollrific moniker LexG.

Posted by Ponderer at December 9, 2009 5:53 PM

comment #23

Travis Crabtree says ...

Jesus H this movie looks gayer by the minute.

Posted by Travis Crabtree at December 9, 2009 6:06 PM

comment #24

televisiontears says ...

It annoys me too, Lex. It's one thing if we've actually seen the film, but this just strikes me as odd. Just call them aliens. Or "gay cat boys".

Everyone sounds like Alien fanboys who insist on using "xenomorph" instead of alien.

Posted by televisiontears at December 9, 2009 6:13 PM

comment #25

televisiontears says ...

I genuinely cracked up at Crabtree's comment.

Posted by televisiontears at December 9, 2009 6:14 PM

comment #26

corey3rd says ...

I'm waiting for the credit: Music By Tangerine Dream!

Posted by corey3rd at December 9, 2009 6:21 PM

comment #27

corey3rd says ...

do the theaters provide 3-D glasses and polyhedral dice?

Posted by corey3rd at December 9, 2009 6:25 PM

comment #28

The Bandsaw Vigilante says ...

"The first review (of sorts) is in, from German TV (ZDF). It's quite positive.

"A rough translation:
"Even though the showdown is a bit too long, Cameron has produced a work of art - a mixture of fantasy, emotion and high standard. Filled with critical quotes of the Vietnam and Iraq war, this movie also works as pure entertainment - as an SF adventure for the popcorn cinema. This way or that way - it's worth it - especially the 3D version is simply an astonishing experience. At the end the spectators just want an avatar of their own."

So...this is really a sci-fi Hurt Locker?

Posted by The Bandsaw Vigilante at December 9, 2009 6:42 PM

comment #29

Glenn Kenny says ...

Wow, now that you've decided that "The Lovely Bones" is kinda/sorta okay, you're devoting your full destructo-hard-on for this. Well, we'll see how that works out, I guess.

Posted by Glenn Kenny at December 9, 2009 7:19 PM

comment #30

Krillian says ...

Shoulda given her long hair. After looking at the lips to see if they're Saldana's I noticed the planet looks like Bib Fortuna's tentacle that wraps around his neck.

Posted by Krillian at December 9, 2009 7:41 PM

comment #31

raygo says ...

Na'vi = narf

Posted by raygo at December 9, 2009 7:52 PM

comment #32

RSBrown says ...

This is the news? I'm'a see what Finke's up to.

Posted by RSBrown at December 9, 2009 8:07 PM

comment #33

Fortunesfool says ...

Gotta agree with MarkJ, Fox have really dropped the ball trying to market this thing. Just goes to show how reliant marketing people have gotten on 'known properties' and 'built in' audience awareness.

I feel sorry for Cameron. He's trying to do something new and interesting, with a bit of intelligence, and he's gonna get a slap in the face for his troubles.

Posted by Fortunesfool at December 9, 2009 11:53 PM

comment #34

Cde. says ...

Wow, now that you've decided that "The Lovely Bones" is kinda/sorta okay, you're devoting your full destructo-hard-on for this. Well, we'll see how that works out, I guess.

What makes it really sad is that Jeff was initially extremely positive about this film after seeing footage at Comic-Con, but after fanboys started picking apart the teaser trailer he seems to have done a 180 on his earlier position, almost as if he feels he has to keep up with the younger generation's perspective on pop-culture.
Now he's the only person still comparing it to Delgo.

Posted by Cde. at December 10, 2009 2:38 AM

comment #35

markj says ...

Early word is very positive. Looks like Jeff is going to have egg on face. Again.

Posted by markj at December 10, 2009 3:00 AM

comment #36

DeeZee says ...

Cde: Jeff did like what he saw, but he thought he'd get more than that, and came off disappointed like the rest of us.

mark: WOM does not sell these things.

Posted by DeeZee at December 10, 2009 4:01 AM

comment #37

Jeffrey Wells says ...

You know...I try to offer observations and thoughts as clearly and concisely and rationally as I can, and then guys like Cde. come along and say it's an old-hat thing to bring up comparisons to Delgo. Let me explain something -- it will be totally valid and legitimate to compare the visual similarities between Avatar and Delgo next week, next year, eighteen months from now and 175 years from now.

Reading guys like Cde. is like standing around and listening to kids you don't like during fifth-grade recess. They're saying things that are coarse and imprecise and tedious.

To honestly share reactions to the various Avatar images, trailers, and one-sheets -- i.e., reflections & fragments & impressions of the whole -- is not the same as being in "full-destructo" mode. I won't see the film until this evening, and then I have to sit on my hands until the 12.15 embargo data after that so all good things in their time,

My reaction to the Avatar package diminished after the initial high of the ComicCon exposure because the Avatar Day reel, as I explained after catching it at the Lincoln Square, felt like a mild lessening -- the celluloid IMAX 3D didn't look as vivid as the digital 3D at ComicCon, and the content of the reel, which was more or less the same material I saw at ComicCon, just didn't throttle up like it did with the first exposure. I needed more at that stage and the reel didn't kick things up to the next level -- instead, they sank down a bit. The ComicCon reel was basically a visceral appeal to everyone's inner twelve to fifteen year-old. When I saw it a second time I was more in a mood to absorb stuff that might appeal to a 19-to-21 year-old.

Guys like Cde. have difficulty with upticks and downticks but they happen. Stuff that plays briskly, vividly and engagingly will sometimes lose its punch and potency upon a second viewing, especially if the content is mainly "wow!"-level stuff in the first place.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at December 10, 2009 4:37 AM

comment #38

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Yeah, but the problem is you're speaking about upticks and downticks without even having viewed the proper film yet. This is all rampant speculation at this point (but not for much longer!) on everyone's part. In a lot of ways, I think showing reels and trailers early is about the worst thing marketers can do because showing quick, blinking images disconnected from character interaction, narrative pull, mood-setting, orchestral score, etc. etc. can be potentially misleading (Phantom Menace trailer anyone?), if not downright inaccurate.

Saying, "I don't like the way the Na'vi look" is a pretty useless criticism to me. What matters most is how the film makes you FEEL while watching it, not if you think the alien should be a different color, more humanoid, or "less gay." Are there really that many frustrated CGI-designers out there?

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at December 10, 2009 8:36 AM

comment #39

George Prager says ...

Who's going to be laughing a year from now when people start having Na'vi weddings?

Posted by George Prager at December 10, 2009 9:12 AM

comment #40

Stringer Bell says ...

I studied 'Na'vi' in Hebrew School.

Posted by Stringer Bell at December 10, 2009 9:43 AM

comment #41

Baron Munchausen-by-Proxy says ...

George: the caterers, the hired help, the minister, and everyone not in the wedding party, for starters.

Posted by Baron Munchausen-by-Proxy at December 10, 2009 10:48 AM

comment #42

arentin says ...

Great post nice info, thank you for post it

Cerita Campur Aduk Arentin

Posted by arentin at February 1, 2010 1:31 AM

comment #43

teayneverdie says ...

Acer AO532h-2730 Acer AO532h-2588 Acer AO532h-2223 Gateway LT2108u VPCF114FX H - Review Loest Price for Sony VAIO VPC-F114FX/H VPCF113FX B - Review Sony VAIO VPC-F113FX/B VPCCW21FX/L Acer AO532h-2406 Acer AO532h-2964 Acer AO532h-2309 Axion AXN-8905 Coby TFTV1212 LG 32LH20 Panasonic TC-L26X1 Panasonic TC-P50G10 Samsung 2333HD Samsung LN19B361 Samsung LN22B360 Samsung LN26B360 Samsung LN26B460 Samsung LN32B360 Samsung LN32B460 Samsung LN40B630 Samsung LN40B650 samsung LN40B750 Samsung LN46B530 Samsung LN52B550 Samsung LN52B630 Samsung PN58B650 Samsung UN32B6000 Samsung UN46B8500 Samsung UN55B8500 Toshiba 15LV506 Toshiba 19LV610U Toshiba 19LV610U Toshiba 26LV610U Viore LED22VF60 VIZIO VM230XVT

Acer Laptop
Acer AO532h-2382 Acer AO532h-2406 Acer AO532h-2964 Acer AS1410-2954 Acer AS3810T-8737 Acer AS4810TZ-4183 Acer AS7540-1317 Acer AS1410-2990 Acer D250-1413 Acer AS1410-2920 Acer AS1410-2706 Acer AS5740-5513
Asus Laptop
ASUS 900HDB-BLK003X ASUS 1001P-PU17-BK ASUS 1001P-PU17-WT ASUS 1005PE-PU17-BU ASUS G72Gx-A1 BenQ W6000
Gatewat Laptop
Gateway LT2106u Gateway LT2110u Gateway LT2113u Gateway LT2114u Gateway LT2118u Gateway LT2119u Gateway LT2120u Gateway EC1457u Gateway NV5923u
HP Laptop
HP 210-1080NR HP 311-1025NR HP DV7-3160US HP TouchSmart 300-1020
Toshiba Laptop
Toshiba NB305-N310 Toshiba NB305-N410WH Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q880 Toshiba T115D-S1120 Compaq CQ61-410US HP Pavilion DV6-2150US
Sony Product
Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/W Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/T Sony VPCF111FX H Sony HDR-XR550V Sony HDR-XR150
Canon Cameras
Canon A3100 IS Canon A3100 IS Canon A495 Canon VIXIA HF M30 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder
ViZIO Product
VIZIO SV422XVT VIZIO VF552XVT VIZIO SV472XVT VIZIO VBR200W Viore LC24VXF60PB
Kodak Product
Kodak EasyShare C142 Kodak EasyShare D825 Kodak EasyShare M530
JVC Product
JVC GZ-HM550 JVC GZ-MS230
Other Product
Lenovo S10-3t Casio EX-FH100 Samsung HZ25W Sharp LC22DV27UT

Posted by teayneverdie at February 27, 2010 1:27 AM

comment #44

jimb12345 says ...

I do not see an issue with the poster at all. I thought it looked good.
jacksonville beach implant dentist

Posted by jimb12345 at March 6, 2010 12:50 PM

comment #45

free online games says ...

Would you pleasee supply a lot more info about this area??? By the way your website is glorious. Best regards!!

Posted by free online games at March 18, 2010 1:18 PM

comment #46

yokek says ...

goih huyu balenciaga purse,balenciaga sale,Up to 70% off balenciaga handbags,latest balenciaga handbags clothes style,Free gift and Fast ship.
balenciaga purse

Posted by yokek at April 10, 2010 5:22 AM

comment #47