A family movie trip enjoyed by the four of us. I could happily go again just to soak in the images.
It's a must see for Wellingtonians. See what all those people are doing out there in Miramar and Seatoun, eulogised in yesterday's DomPost. We sat through all the credits delighted that talent so close had the world beating a path to our door.
The DomPost also explained how they've protected Wellington from recession. Apparently they've added "$100m plus economic benefit to Wellington" with "1500 plus people [having] worked on Avatar in New Zealand".
This morning (24 January ) I find that all New Zealanders have a financial interest. Matt Nippert in the Herald reports that James Cameron got a $45m NZ taxpayer subsidy:
"Asked in December why New Zealand was chosen as the film's production location, Avatar producer Jon Landau said: "To be honest, we went for the tax credit."
So go also to see what you've got for $45m of our taxes (or the $200m per week we are borrowing from China and the Arabs). I wonder whether the tax collected from the people working here on the film does pay for the grant after taking account of the other costs government incurs for them (along with other taxpayers). Is Wellington's gain New Zealand's loss? Untangling the net effect of such subsidies is notoriously hard. I hope someone is doing it, and taking into account the temptations it creates to throw grant money into structures that do not deliver as Avatar has.
The Herald also covered this week the Auditor General's report on the ARC's disastrous spending on a David Beckham soccer match. It's a warning. Wellington City Council goes in for these civic bread and circus bids in a big way, apparently successfully. I hope they're cherishing their Midas, because politically sponsored competitive bids to promotors are high risk stuff.
But go to Avatar soon. The film will not keep, for intelligent adults. I suspect it will earn nearly all of its revenue this year and next. There will be little interest after the next great Weta digital animation. Except perhaps for Russell Norman. He'll be delighted as teachers show it in schools, adding to our kids' soaking in intelligence-free politics ("Yes Rangi there is a father Christmas, and Sophie, Mr Burns does live in the Beehive")
Avatar will be long studied by film nuts, but as a way point for the progress of digital creation.
It will not keep because those incredible talents are applied to a story line of such awful pap that to future audiences for whom such digital creation is commonplace, there will be too little to compensate for sitting through the stereotypes, the moralising, the childish noble savage drivel.
I'm with Spectator reviewer James Delingpole who recommends forgetting Cameron's preaching. Just enjoy the art
Ever thought of running for mayor?