Finally saw Avatar - What is Disney thinking?

[disneysteve]

We didn't see Avatar when it came out. We weren't particularly attracted to it from the commercials and previews. When Disney announced Avatar land, we figured we'd have to see it eventually. Now that they've actually started construction, we figured it was time.

Our first thought after seeing it was, "what the heck is Disney thinking?" This is a war movie. It has lots of violence and some fairly intense stuff. Families are going to visit Avatar land and the kids are going to want to see the movie. It most definitely is not a movie I would recommend for kids. Even younger teens might find it disturbing.

I get the whole 'living with the land' thing but that isn't what the movie is about. I've gone back and looked at the concept art and a couple of videos and other than miles of fiber optics lighting up the forest, I'm really curious what the story will be. It can't be the story from the film because that is very un-Disney. It looks to me like they're just going to pluck the pretty stuff out, have a nice boat ride, and ignore the whole storyline.

Am I missing something here?

 

[OKW Lover]

Two words; Star Wars

Ok, a few more words. You could say the same thing about violence and wars in the whole Star Wars series.

 

[rteetz]

We didn't see Avatar when it came out. We weren't particularly attracted to it from the commercials and previews. When Disney announced Avatar land, we figured we'd have to see it eventually. Now that they've actually started construction, we figured it was time. Our first thought after seeing it was, "what the heck is Disney thinking?" This is a war movie. It has lots of violence and some fairly intense stuff. Families are going to visit Avatar land and the kids are going to want to see the movie. It most definitely is not a movie I would recommend for kids. Even younger teens might find it disturbing. I get the whole 'living with the land' thing but that isn't what the movie is about. I've gone back and looked at the concept art and a couple of videos and other than miles of fiber optics lighting up the forest, I'm really curious what the story will be. It can't be the story from the film because that is very un-Disney. It looks to me like they're just going to pluck the pretty stuff out, have a nice boat ride, and ignore the whole storyline. Am I missing something here?

well one of the messages in avatar is conservation which is one of the point AK was built on. Avatar land or Pandora is going to show off that immersive technology that the movie did. James Cameron the director took 20 years to make this movie because the technology wasn't there yet. He is not going to settle for something easy in WDW. He wants an immersive land that puts the guest in the actual world of pandora like cars land the guest is put in radiator spring Disney wants that same affect. Disney and Cameron could really do some amazing things if they put their minds together and use their abilities.

 

[disneysteve]

Two words; Star Wars

Yes, I thought of that. It's been a while since I've seen Star Wars but I think of it as more ships shooting ships kind of violence as opposed to people stabbing each other. Avatar just seemed more visceral in its violence. Again, definitely not a movie I would want younger kids seeing.

He wants an immersive land that puts the guest in the actual world of pandora like cars land the guest is put in radiator spring Disney wants that same affect. Disney and Cameron could really do some amazing things if they put their minds together and use their abilities.

Absolutely. No debate there. I can't wait to see what they actually do. But you certainly can't compare Cars to Avatar in terms of being family-friendly films. Avatar just isn't in my mind (or my wife's mind - she didn't like the film at all). I thought it was okay but I suppose that's because I'm a guy. It definitely is more of a stereotypical guy's movie. I didn't like all the violence but it didn't bother me as much as it bothered her. I don't like war movies but this had enough other stuff going on to make it tolerable.

 

[rteetz]

Yes, I thought of that. It's been a while since I've seen Star Wars but I think of it as more ships shooting ships kind of violence as opposed to people stabbing each other. Avatar just seemed more visceral in its violence. Again, definitely not a movie I would want younger kids seeing. Absolutely. No debate there. I can't wait to see what they actually do. But you certainly can't compare Cars to Avatar in terms of being family-friendly films. Avatar just isn't in my mind (or my wife's mind - she didn't like the film at all). I thought it was okay but I suppose that's because I'm a guy. It definitely is more of a stereotypical guy's movie. I didn't like all the violence but it didn't bother me as much as it bothered her. I don't like war movies but this had enough other stuff going on to make it tolerable.

I understand I didn't compare them as to being family friendly films all I did was say they want to have that same immersive effect on the guests as those who go to DCA and experience that land. Cars has been a great success for DCA they want to have that same affect with avatar. Most people say they don't like the film which it's was just ok in my opinion but it was one of the highest grossing films of all time.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Bottom line they are thinking $$$. Aside from that I hope they do a not just a good job but an amazing job. If they focus only on the conservation and connectedness of life theme it really could be great. That being said, the movie itself is not a great fit in my opinion. I would rather see something like this over at DHS. Avatar is not a finished series so for Disney to use this as a new (non Disney) movie themed area seems a bit premature to me. Like I said though I have hope that they stick with the conservation and connectedness of life theme and stay away from the characters and other themes of Avatar.

 

[rteetz]

Bottom line they are thinking $$$. Aside from that I hope they do a not just a good job but an amazing job. If they focus only on the conservation and connectedness of life theme it really could be great. That being said, the movie itself is not a great fit in my opinion. I would rather see something like this over at DHS. Avatar is not a finished series so for Disney to use this as a new (non Disney) movie themed area seems a bit premature to me. Like I said though I have hope that they stick with the conservation and connectedness of life theme and stay away from the characters and other themes of Avatar.

Star Wars will eventually go to DHS. Avatar is best fit for AK because of the fantasy world that it is in. They are making up for beastly kingdom.

 

[disneysteve]

the movie itself is not a great fit in my opinion.

I guess that's really my point. To theme an entire land off of a non-child-appropriate movie just seems like a really strange decision on Disney's part. I'd have no problem showing Cars to the kids after visiting Cars land but I certainly wouldn't show Avatar to kids who had visited Avatar land. Maybe if it was at Busch Gardens or a Six Flags park but I expect things at Disney to be based on family friendly source material.

 

[mill4023]

What they were thinking was:
Oh no, Universal built something awesome and immensely popular. We need to build something.
I still think Avatar was a terrible idea, for a variety of reasons, although I'm sure it will end up being a very cool place.

 

[sonofanarchy]

What they were thinking was:
Oh no, Universal built something awesome and immensely popular. We need to build something.
I still think Avatar was a terrible idea, for a variety of reasons, although I'm sure it will end up being a very cool place.

This.

The difference being, people will want to continue to visit Universal for it's "something awesome" for years to come, and will make trips just for it. I don't think the same will be said for Avatar.

 

[rteetz]

This. The difference being, people will want to continue to visit Universal for it's "something awesome" for years to come, and will make trips just for it. I don't think the same will be said for Avatar.

I don't think that's necessarily true three more movies are set to come out for avatar and that would also promote the land. I think the land will be better than the movie. James cameron+ imagineering= great things

 

[mill4023]

I don't think that's necessarily true three more movies are set to come out for avatar and that would also promote the land. I think the land will be better than the movie. James cameron+ imagineering= great things

If they do it right, it could certainly have some longevity, but even with 3 more movies, Avatar will never come remotely close to having the same kind of passionate following that HP or Star Wars has.

I'm obviously not optimistic, but I'm still crossing my fingers for the "Galactic Kingdom" 5th park, featuring 5 or 6 lands from the Star Wars universe.

 

[carmelhp]

Avatar is just Pocahontas in space.

 

[BrianL]

Avatar is no more violent than Star Wars. Lightsabers routinely take off limbs and heads in the movies and while there isn't much blood, there is violence. Avatar is only slightly moe graphic in its depiction and also minimizes seeing much blood. What about Pirates of the Caribbean? That is PG-13 violent too (as is the ride, really). I think of it all as family friendly, just not completely squeaky clean. Disney never really has been that, and I think Avatar (and Star Wars) fit in just fine.

 

[rteetz]

If they do it right, it could certainly have some longevity, but even with 3 more movies, Avatar will never come remotely close to having the same kind of passionate following that HP or Star Wars has. I'm obviously not optimistic, but I'm still crossing my fingers for the "Galactic Kingdom" 5th park, featuring 5 or 6 lands from the Star Wars universe.

I don't see Disney building a 5th gate on one single movie franchise none of the other parks are that way so I wouldn't expect that. I would definitely see a section in a park but I highly doubt a only Star Wars park on its own.

 

[chirurgeon]

From everything I've seen they are building the Pandora of the Navi. And Joe Rohde is involved. Avatar as a movie didn't thrill me. But I can see the potential of a land built around Pandora. I am a big Star Wars fan. Well first trilogy at least. I hope Star Wars does get its own land at DHS soon. DHS need something. That is my 1/2 day park.

Kim

 

[rteetz]

From everything I've seen they are building the Pandora of the Navi. And Joe Rohde is involved. Avatar as a movie didn't thrill me. But I can see the potential of a land built around Pandora. I am a big Star Wars fan. Well first trilogy at least. I hope Star Wars does get its own land at DHS soon. DHS need something. That is my 1/2 day park. Kim

completely agree

 

[mill4023]

I don't see Disney building a 5th gate on one single movie franchise none of the other parks are that way so I wouldn't expect that. I would definitely see a section in a park but I highly doubt a only Star Wars park on its own.

It may be only one franchise, but it's a franchise that has had a huge global following for almost 40 years. And it's an entire universe of planets, environments and characters that would provide more than enough material to create an entire park.

But no, I don't see them ever doing it either. Not unless I go to work for Disney and work my way up to CEO.

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

From everything I've seen they are building the Pandora of the Navi. And Joe Rohde is involved. Avatar as a movie didn't thrill me. But I can see the potential of a land built around Pandora. I am a big Star Wars fan. Well first trilogy at least. I hope Star Wars does get its own land at DHS soon. DHS need something. That is my 1/2 day park.

Kim

Exactly!!

Only thing is a kinda enjoyed Avatar, but I also really liked John Carter.....not sure what this says about me. Lol

 

[Jafar30]

The first movie made 2 billion worldwide. The next two will make close to that. That's what they were thinking