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SvennoJ on 03 March 2014
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nitekrawler1285 said:
SvennoJ said:

http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasymovieguide/a/KingAvatar.htm

Even a great film doesn't automatically do business, and the debates are not engaging mainstream America. What's really impressive about Avatar, ultimately, is the fact that it's drawing in scads of people around the world, without setting the world on fire. It's the ultimate eye candy, "a sumptuous feast for the eyes" in the words of Christopher Goodwin, a journey that wraps us up and takes us somewhere. It's the most profound of dreams. James Cameron has created a film in which moviegoers share the same desire as the characters: to live a different life. And through his craft, that dream is fulfilled.

Not the sole reason, but without the eye candy the other reasons wouldn't work. Many people went to see it multiple times for the experience indeed, graphics had everything to do with that.

I hear things like "a sumptuous feast for the eyes" being said of films that don't cost nearly so much to boot.  You can say the same with all of the other things Mr. Goodwin says as well. 

I think when people are discussing the film there are a few things that never really get called to attention because it's socially inappropriate to discuss. This is going to sound very racist but this is why I believe Avatar is "drawing in scads of people around the world, without setting the world on fire" I feel that Avatar has more appeal world wide than any other film because it appeals to non caucasion on a cultural level so well.  If you like I can go into more detail if you desire I just hesitate because as I said earlier it will sound REALLY Racist.  

Films can hit 3-500 million without that kind of graphics height.  I don't think graphics so much as subject matter of the film caused that extra appeal.  

I think what he meant by not setting the world on fire has more to do with this:
Avatar, however, is hardly setting society on fire at Star Wars level, or even at Pirates of the Caribbean level. The dialog is not all that memorable ("There's no such thing as an ex-marine!"). Even the excellence of the soundtrack (with its score by James Horner) is praised as a repeat performance of Titanic's, but Leona Lewis's "I See You" isn't doing a Celine Dion in terms of being a constant companion (welcome or not) in everyday life.
It hasn't found it's way into pop culture like other high grossing classics.

And sure you can make a sumptuous feast for the eyes by pointing the camera at something beautiful, it's more the fantasy and new kind of spectacle made possible by the cgi that was the attraction.

Anyway Gravity just won 7 oscars, all for visuals and sound. No screenplay, or acting, or best picture. Why do you think so many people went to see it, for the experience made possible by the graphics and sound editting or to watch a grieving mother rediscover her will to live after facing certain death.