Avalon (2001)

dreamlike visuals

don't let the subtitles drive you off, there is very little dialog here & the story is told visually. the only thing that i don't like about it is that it's a shoot-em-up, but there is a thoughtful level as well & all in all a very interesting movie. June 17, 2008

Another miss from Mamoru

Here is another miss. I'm sorry but Mamoru is just not a good director. He's had more failures than Elizabeth Taylor has had marriages. Anyone going to watch this or any of his other movies expecting much will be sadly disappointed, he's just not a commercial. This movie drags and will bore the hell out of you like most of his endeavors. I recommend this and any other of his films for insomniacs. The only film I can actually recommend by him is Angels Egg, which is presented as an art film than a Sci-Fi blockbuster, if you think that's what you're getting here. June 1, 2008

Buy it Just for the Music

This movie is a strange combination of mystical Japanese computer art with a brooding Polish mythology that no matter how creative and determined you are, your lives are controlled by others. An interesting story that has just enough clues to make it possible to follow, but with a few surprises and a few unanswered questions. But the best part of this movie is the music of Kenji Kawai that has a life of its own and will keep you rewinding the credits to hear it again and again. It appears that the Warsaw Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra played much of the background music, and the quality is stunning. There is much to criticize in this film too, as there are too many unanswered questions left to the imagination of the viewer. When do we leave the game and reenter reality, or is reality the game, and Avalon is the only way to find a world worth exploring. And how can the main character go on for days without eating? Welcome to Avalon.

The DVD of the movie is cheaper than the CD of the movie music. Cant quite figure that out, but if you get it just for the music, it is well worth it. This is Kawai's best work and for me it makes the movie. March 31, 2008

Oshii blurs the lines of reality again.

Avalon is a tough movie to review. On the one hand its a slow, methodical sci-fi movie that is visually stunning, but seems to be overly long and unnecessarily obtuse. On the flip side its measured pace and ability to present themes and questions but no answers make is a intriguing movie, one that can provide a viewer with multiple viewings.

Even someone who is bored or confused by the film will agree that it is visually unique and leaning toward beautiful. Oshii's ability to capture images, and create moods with his visuals is in full force here. As others have noted, this film captures the visual coolness of Oshii's animation. The use of color is clever and delivers a solid (but not unexpected) punch at the end of the movie. In addition to some interesting effects work for the game world, the movie also creates an intricate real world that Ash inhabits. The location filming in Poland adds to the overall feel of the film.

The acting is a mixed bag. Foremniak plays Ash as supercool ice goddess. She's tough, silent and stone faced. However this makes her difficult to read and can pose a problem for an audience looking for clues in her acting. On the flip side Gudejko as Murphy seems a bit over the top in most of his scenes. Sometimes it works, other times, it misses. I'm sure that most of this is intentional, but as I mentioned it might put more viewers off than draw them in.

Sound and music work hand in hand to create mood and deliver some great moments. I think the music impressed me the most. It seems to be given quite a focus in this film (especially in the final third of the movie). Kenji Kawai does a great job with the score and uses his minimal approach and combines it with some excellent work by the Warsaw Philharmonic. The result is a score that fits the movie pretty well, but I think would work wonderfully on it's own.

As for the script it's a difficult beast. Dialogue (in the Polish version) is streamlined to the point that confusion will occur for any viewer not paying attention. On top of that is Oshii's tendency to layer theme after theme in his movie. Those looking for easy answer to "what it all means" are going to be disappointed. This is a movie to viewed, absorbed and reviewed. It's not an action movie. It's more of a pure sci-fi movie, full of ideas and questions, but leaving it up to the audience to come up with answers if they need them.

I recommend the movie. It's not as dense and visual as "Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2" and it's not as streamlined as the original "Ghost in the Shell". It falls somewhere in between. But fans of Oshii's work and fans of unique sci-fi films should check this one out.

**A Note**
I hear that the region 1 version of this film has been altered. Mostly it's in the color scheme of the film and the English Dub (which goes to great lengths to explain what doesn't or shouldn't be explained). These are minor irritations, but valid ones for people who insist on pure version of their movies. I enjoyed the region 1 (at least they gave you the option of watching it in Polish), but would like to know for certain if it was tampered with in the color department. June 5, 2007

Style Over Substance: "Avalon" Renders a Gorgeous Virtual Reality Environment, Then Kills It With Clunky Pacing And Dialogue

Having heard numerous good things about "Avalon," from "Ghost in the Shell" director Mamoru Oshii, it has been on my essential viewing list for quite some time. With an intriguing premise and a stunning appearance, it seemed like a "can't miss" opportunity. I was so positive that it was going to be enthralling, I invited several people (who are fans of this genre) over to see it. And while we all agreed there was much to admire within the technical aspects of "Avalon"--man, were we ever glad when it ended! The pacing is so slow and the performances are so leaden, you become numb to the film's visual splendor.

Centering on an action virtual reality game called "Avalon," the picture is set in a future where gamers can take on a celebrity status. Ash (Malgorzata Foremniak) is one of those "stars." Isolated in the real world, she only comes alive in the war-torn landscape of the game. Hearing of a secret level within the game's program, she becomes increasingly obsessed with knowing more. It appears that several players who have found the entrance have mentally disappeared within the confines of the experience leaving their bodies empty shells in the real world. When one of her friends gets caught in the game, Ash decides to face her troubled past, form unlikely alliances, and pursue him into the heart of the unknown.

Adeptly combining live action with digital effects, "Avalon" does create a gorgeous environment. The scenes in the "real" world are drained of color and beautiful to look at--everything is infused in a sepia tone. The sequences within the virtual reality game are executed well with good effects. Technically, "Avalon" had the potential to be a real dazzler. The overall plot was interesting, the concept sound--it's just difficult to describe how flat the actual execution is rendered. An absolute lack of emotion, clunky dialogue, monotonous performances, and many long scenes of dragging silence really do zap any energy out of "Avalon." And it's a shame. The picture, however, did surprise with the ending--an alternate reality that's quite a shocker! But my hopes were soon dashed again as the big payoff still lacked emotional significance--and worse, it was much too literal and much too obvious.

By all means, check out "Avalon" if this type of entertainment appeals to you. Obviously, I am in the minority in my assessment of this movie. I do recognize the many noteworthy aspects of the film--but ultimately, it's the argument of style over substance. "Avalon" teases with a daring and bold world, is a challenging and methodically paced film, and then (even when you have the patience to stick with it) disappoints with an "easy" ending. A visual treat, "Avalon" ended up dulling all my other senses. About 2 1/2 stars--1 star for narrative, 4 stars for technical merit. KGHarris, 03/07. March 27, 2007

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