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James Cameron and the Test of Time

film
By Shelagh Rowan-Legg
December 22, 2009
James Cameron on the set of Avatar

James Cameron on the "set" of Avatar

What makes a film (or any work of art for that matter) memorable for years after it first appears? What are the films that we go back to again and again? The ones with the amazing special effects? The big stars? Or the ones with the great stories that still resonate?

James Cameron makes blockbuster hits. He didn’t necessarily set out at the beginning of his career to do so, but that’s what it has become. From Terminator to Avatar, most if not all of his films have engaged the most up to date effects and techniques and have made (and cost) substantial amounts of money. Despite lukewarm reviews (for the story at least), I expect Avatar will end up being the hit of 2009 (though even its substantial tickets sales will probably barely be enough to cover the costs).

So his movies are popular in the moment. And a few of them have continued to be popular years later. Terminator and Aliens are considered (rightly so) classics of their genre. The Abyss has a loyal following, and even True Lies is shown on television now and again (and personally I do like it).

But with the exception of the first two mentioned above, what will Cameron be remembered for? Mention Titanic, and mostly you will hear about what it cost to make and the ‘King of the World’ Oscar speech. And considering the praise for Avatar has been about its effects, will that be remembered much in the future? Better special effects always come along and the old ones are forgotten (remember the fuss over Tron or Who Framed Roger Rabbit?)

I have not seen Avatar and am not sure if I will. I know if I do see it, I must see it at Imax or there is no point. This is a good thing to me; I appreciate films that embrace the medium for which they were intended. Still, if I’m going to spend that kind of money, I want more. I want a story, and a good one, because that is what we remember.

Yes, when Robert Patrick liquified his body around prison bars it was cool, but we remember a mother trying to protect her son. We remember Ripley kicking alien ass because Ripley is one of the greatest science fiction characters ever created. We remember Ed Harris pounding on his wife’s chest willing her back to life. It is these moments that we go to film for, long after the special effects have worn off.

So in decades to come will Cameron be remembered? Well, of course he will. But for what? I doubt he will care, he’s rich and his name is in the history books; for creating some of the most expensive movies of all time; For creating some gems early in his career; And for utilizing the best technology had to offer. But technology improves and the story fades. And when we all sit around the campfire, there are no special effects, just the story. That is what we remember.

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  • http://Website Gavin

    I would submit that reception of his movies as they stand now is a testament to how Cameron’s movies have withstood the test of time.

    I think that of his movies that have been out for long enough for us to reflect on, Terminator 2 was most reliant upon special effects (T-1000 really made the movie). If you watch that movie now, you see that it has aged remarkably well. The production is still slick, the acting holds up, and the special effects don’t look dated.

    When I think Titanic, I don’t think about the cost and the cheesy Oscar speech. I think of the movie that cleaned up at the Oscars and sits atop the world box office record, despite the nerd outrage on behalf of The Dark Knight.

    The fact that so many of his movies are considered “classics” speaks to how he stands the test of time. Has he ever made a major movie that could be considered dated? His most tongue-in-cheek movie, True Lies, is still very well received and as you mentioned, still receives tons of airplay. 15 years in and the jokes are still good, the action is still fresh, and the plot is no more ridiculous than it was intended to be.

  • http://dorkshelf.com/ Joel

    I just saw Avatar, 3D. As a guy who cringes at bad dialogue and story problems first and all other aspects of film-making second, I’d say this about the ‘resonance’ of Avatar.

    There is a big difference between a poor story and a simple story. Avatar is simple.

    If you can accept that the story is traditional, it frees you up to enjoy everything else in the movie – all of which the movie excels at.

    As for being memorable, I submit this:

    Independence Day. Does it hold up? Probably not. 2012 probably makes it look like crap. But who cares about 2012? No one. It’s just yet another Independence Day rip-off. So while technology may have outpaced a movie (with terrible dialog and story to boot) it is still better remembered than Deep Impact, 2012, The Day After Tomorrow or what have you. Those were followers. Independence Day was a leader, and as such is remembered so. Avatar is a leader.

    Maybe it works the other way? Maybe all the upcoming 3D movies with slicker and newer CG will seem lame. We saw it all before in Avatar, after all. Until someone reinvents things again.

  • http://www.thehorrorsection.com Jay Clarke

    What will people remember about Avatar? Pandora, the world that you visit and are completely immersed in for two and a half hours. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t experience this in the theatre.

    And I agree with Joel, it’s a simple story, not a bad one.

  • http://www.shelaghm.blogspot.com Shelagh

    Apparently I’m not the only one thinking along these lines: http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/27/avatar-and-the-death-of-storytelling/

  • http://www.kortr4.se dsi r4

    Surgindo como uma espécie de western sci-fi (ou sci-fistern?), Avatar surpreende ao se revelar uma espécie de Dança com Lobos via Matrix e com amplas pitadas de A Missão, numa combinação inusitada que acaba funcionando muitíssimo bem.

  • http://Website Alan

    Shelagh, don’t say that you’re “thinking along these lines” unless you’ve seen the damn thing.