A Sign of Things to Come?

I remember 12 years ago when James Cameron took to the stage at the Golden Globes numerous times when his film, "Titanic" raked in the awards in what is generally considered a precursor to the outcome at the Oscars (to be held in March I believe). At that time "Titanic" managed to beat out other films that many considered to be superior films in terms of acting and story ("Good Will Hunting" among them... the film that made Matt Damon more or less a household name). Many people felt that "Titanic" was simply riding the wave of public popularity and that it didn't truly deserve the awards that it had won. Now over a decade later, James Cameron's film "Avatar" appears to be on the verge or repeating that feat.

After taking home the Golden Globe for Best Director and Best Picture last evening, there is a strong chance that Cameron and the film will earn nominations in the same categories come Oscar time. Not only that but I'm quite certain that it will earn many nominations in technical categories along with some of the more traditional ones including music, sound, set design and editing. Whether "Avatar" deserves the awards or not is something the voters will determine but one thing remains certain, that Cameron has once again managed to change the way we look at films and how films will be made into the future.

While Martin Scorcese was honored for the work that he has done over the past decades not only in terms of filmmaking but preservation as well, I couldn't help but wonder if Cameron would share in these accolades years hence. While his movies have never been high people's lists as having acting tour de force performances, there have been the occasional portrayals that have earned praise (Sigourney Weaver for "Aliens" in 1986 for one). But when I think of Cameron's lasting legacy I can't help but think of the technical achievements that he helped usher in that have changed movies. Much the way in which George Lucas helped revolutionize special effects in 1977 in "Star Wars", I think Cameron has similarly pushed the envelope in terms of technical superiority and that has made tremendous difference in how movies are seen.

Anyone who has seen "Avatar" in 3D will tell you that more than anything, the experience helped bring the story to life in a way that it had never been done before. Gone were the old tricks of 3D where something came flying at the camera so that the audience would be reminded, "Hey, we're watching a 3D movie" but rather the effects were kept subtle so that the focus did not go away from the characters and story. Just as "Titanic" literally sunk us (excuse the pun) into the world of the doomed ocean liner, "Avatar" takes us to the future and brings it right before our eyes (again... excuse the pun). And to me that's what makes Cameron's contributions so significant and worthy of the honors he's earned thus far.

When he began using special effects in his films such as "The Abyss" and "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" people stopped and took notice. With "Titanic" again the special effects were in the background and helped to convey the story, not be the story. Similarly in "Avatar" the effects and 3D visuals help carry the story, not detract from it. Perhaps it is a sign of how movies will be in the coming years. And why not? Think of the last time you've seen a movie where visual effects weren't incorporated in some shape or form. So then perhaps the detractors to Cameron's awards should remember that these awards not only honor the movie but also in the way they push the entire art. There may be other movies out there that deserve more praise than "Avatar" but "Avatar" has certainly changed the way in which we see movies.