Original and CE openings

[GhostTiger]

Originally Posted by txim_asawl

Hmmm, it feels like there's a poll missing for this topic.
Comparing the two openings, the CE opening struck me as "ah, so that's what Earth looks like", nicely (or rather, terrifyingly) corresponding with what I read in the introduction of the Activist's Survival Guide.

I also read the 2007 version of the screenplay, where I could envision the scenes from the text. I think that the CE opening serves well as setting the counterpart to the wild and beautiful nature setting of Pandora. It also reinforces my sentiments when seeing the Valkyrie glide over the giant wound of an open-pit mine struck in the moon's surface to the landing site at Hell's Gate, where the otherwise clean air is polluted by the unobtainium refinery chimneys: typical Earth behaviour, there - wherever greedy humans go, they bring their filth and destruction with them.


The small scene of Jake in his less-than-comfortable apartment was also interesting, since the voiceover from the giant-sized video wall told us about tiger cubs being cloned back into existence... such a possible future is a warning call (as has already been discussed in "Would you give up your life on Earth for Pandora?" thread).

The bar fight might seem unneccessary (and it's a nice addition to see Alicia Vela-Bailey in her human form, too), but it serves as a means to further present Jake's character as someone who still believes in fighting for things worth fighting for - which he ultimately does, siding with the Na'vi.

Jake's Pietà pose when lying on the street outside the bar, with the "suits" (the RDA agents) standing over him had a very nice ironic touch, making Jake look like some sort of redeemer-to-be.

At the crematorium, Jake's slowly spoken "The strong prey on the weak", reprising the cause of the bar fight, as he sees his dead twin brother in the less-than-compassionate cardboard coffin adds a strong emotional element that was missing from the original opening. And the match cut of the two brothers' faces (Tommy, burning, to Jake, lying in the cool blue cryo chamber) was a genius' piece of work!

To make a long story short: I'm a fan of the CE opening.

Wiggling bare toes (still at work, thank Eywa the big boss is out of the office...)

~*Txim Asawl*~

This is exactly how I feel. CE for sure.

I also agree with the comment about the drinking in the bar scene on earth needing it's hunt party counterpart. I think it's a funny way of showing no matter where you go, people are just people.

[auroraglacialis]

I think the dreamhunt and the hunting drinking ferstival would really have been important elements as the dreamhunt explains why Jake becomes toruk Makto and the hunting festival gives a more "comfort" feeling in respect to the NA'Vi ("They also have parties and fun") - especially together with the CE opening and the bar scene

[Eltu]

Hm, I've only seen the original, so...

[Human No More]

FAIL.
Seriously, you're missing out, there are some great scenes in the rereleases...

[LOVEavatar]

As long as I remember, Eltu made an oath (or whatcha call it) to never watch Avatar ever again. Might be hard to watch those scenes with an "oath" like that HNM

[Eltu]

You know I don't care for any scenes, I care for the experience as a whole - and no additional scenes can change that.

EDIT: And aye, LOVEavatar is right.

[tm20]

it's been a long time (since the special edition came out) that i've seen the original. i might see the original next time just to try and expirience that feeling of the first viewing.

[Raptor]

I agree with Eltu. I like the experience as a whole.

It's not that the CE intro is bad. It's an interesting scene by itself, but it doesn't cut it as intro to the movie, unfortunately.

[LOVEavatar]

Yeah, I prefer the Original opening as well If JC would've used those ~4 minutes to add other scenes, then my dreams would come true, so to say.

[misstammie]

Originally Posted by LOVEavatar

Yeah, I prefer the Original opening as well If JC would've used those ~4 minutes to add other scenes, then my dreams would come true, so to say.

This! I totally agree with you on that 100%!

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by LOVEavatar

Yeah, I prefer the Original opening as well If JC would've used those ~4 minutes to add other scenes, then my dreams would come true, so to say.

Indeed... they should have gone for the dreamhunt and Max and the avatars at Hell's Gate instead