Author: Ruth

At last! The long awaited return of Avatar has arrived.

I’ve always been excited to view any project produced by James Cameron and Avatar holds a very special place in my heart. I have to say that it might just be my favorite James Cameron film on account of the lengths taken to create the world of Pandora. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) and visual effects technology in the film industry has made leaps and bounds over the years. Part of Avatar’s original 2009 success was due to the use of revolutionary CGI methods so I was excited to see how far the technology had come in the last 13 years. I was also looking forward to seeing how the film would explore Pandora further, especially since the film was centered around the moon’s oceans.

The film did not disappoint!

As Darryn King describes in his New York Times article: “How ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Solved the Problem of Computer-Generated H2O” (article link included below), James Cameron developed the next leap forward in visual effects technology; creating a way to capture the performance of an actor underneath the waves. Cameron accomplished this by simulating an ocean environment through a 90000 gallon tank, outfitted to produce waves and currents just like a mini ocean.  The effort to create these visual effects paid off. The imagery of the film is stunning. Watching the performance of the actors as they spin amongst glowing minnows and frolic amongst the coral is just beautiful. The Na’vi have been brought to life in a whole new light!

The story line is complex and entertaining. I wasn’t sure how the sequel could do anything other than copy the same premise of its predecessor (humans trying to destroy Pandora and the Na’vi defending it). In some respects, the sequel does follow the same premise. Humans have returned, but they’ve grown far more fearsome, using new scientific methods to create the perfect soldiers. This new danger is the storm that spurs  Jake Sully and his family to seek shelter with the Na’vi clan called the Metkayina; a semi aquatic group that inhabits the remote island villages of Pandora.

The attention to detail of the Metkayina clan is beautiful. As they are semi aquatic, they have wider forearms and tails in order to help them cut through the water with ease. The aquamarine sheen of their skin matches the ocean water perfectly and their eyes have an inner lid to protect them from the water. Jake Sully and his family have to learn to adapt to this semi aquatic lifestyle, protect themselves from their new enemies, and navigate the inner struggles of family. It’s a compelling story that’s reminiscent of it’s predecessor in all the right ways.

If you haven’t seen it already, I would highly recommend it!

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/movies/avatar-2-fx-cgi-.html

There was already a line of anxious concert goers waiting to get into the Michigan Theater when I arrived a half an hour early to the event. I joined the bundled up crowd as we slowly made our way into the theater to escape the cold. There was a line inside to take a photograph with Totoro, one of the main mystical forest creatures from the animated film, My Neighbor Totoro. Totoro looked positively adorable in his little round, gray and white costume, happily posing for pictures with the audience. Needless to say, I had to get a picture myself before finding my seat. The stage was set up with three movie posters suspended from the ceiling, showcasing what soundtracks would be performed  that night. I was particularly excited to listen to Spirited Away. 

I expected the orchestra to perform admirably, as it was the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra after all. However, I wasn’t expecting the music to sound like it was a professional recording of  the movie itself. As the orchestra played, I could imagine every scene of the film as it unfolded and if I closed my eyes, I could almost believe that the film itself was being projected onto the stage. It was an amazing performance, made even more so by the quick comedic quips from Wilbur Lin who conducted the symphony that night. Lin also took the opportunity between soundtracks to give a little history about each of the pieces  that the symphony was performing, which I’d never experienced before. I found it fascinating to learn a little more about the music behind Studio Ghibli.

The best part of the night however was just before the final piece of music was performed when Lin suddenly left the stage. The audience was perplexed to say the least. There were murmurs all around the room questioning what was happening. There hadn’t been an intermission listed on the brochure, but that was the only possible reason I could think for the conductor to have walked off stage. However, it wasn’t long before someone returned, not Lin, but Totoro! The rotund creature clambered his way up to the stage, baton in paw, before taking his rightful place in front of the symphony. He lifted his arm dramatically as the audience instantly hushed and then…chaos ensued. Totoro tried his absolute best, much to the audiences enjoyment, but it turns out that forest spirits probably aren’t the best suited to conduct a symphony orchestra. Totoro was soon dragged off stage and Lin returned to finish out the concert, though it took a fair moment for the audiences giggles to subside.

It was a fantastic experience, the conductor and the symphony, but Totoro stole the show.

If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli or the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra this event is for you!

The Music of Studio Ghibli event takes the whimsical soundtracks from some of Hayao Miyazaki’s most famous films: Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro and recreates the full soundtracks on the Michigan Theater stage for a live audience to experience.

Studio Ghibli has held the hearts of many throughout childhood, including my own and I’m so excited to be able to experience these films in a new way. Even if you aren’t familiar with these films or Studio Ghibli in general, I would still recommend purchasing a ticket. The music of these films is like a warm hug; comforting and bright. It automatically brings a smile to your face.

The event is this Saturday, November 19 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm.

It’s your choice of an evening concert or matinee! Tickets are going fast and can be found at the link below!

THE MUSIC OF STUDIO GHIBLI

The story of the Black Panther has always been more than just the origins of another superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film itself has become a symbol of grace and beauty; a wealth of black pride that celebrates African culture through the fictional country of Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman was the face of that country; the perfect embodiment of what the Black Panther was meant to be. As an actor, he possessed such a quiet, gentle, yet commanding presence. He could convey so much with the slightest movement or expression and when he entered a room you knew you were in the presence of a king.

I’ll admit that I was a bit apprehensive to watch a Black Panther film devoid of Chadwick Boseman. At the same time, I was curious to know how the film could honor his memory while passing along the mantle of the Black Panther. I can say that the film achieves both tasks beautifully.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever  begins with Shuri (T’challa’s younger sister) pleading internally with whatever powers that be that her brother be saved, only for her prayers to be met with silence. In the first five minutes of the movie, it’s made known that the Black Panther, the protector and king of Wakanda, has passed. It’s heartbreaking enough when it’s purely a fictional death. However, both the audience and cast aren’t simply mourning a fictional character, but Chadwick Boseman. The film portrays a hauntingly beautiful funeral ceremony in remembrance of their leader and then the screen transitions into the Marvel logo. However, instead of the usual frames of marvel movies appearing in the lettering, all the frames were of Chadwick in the original Black Panther film. It was a beautiful tribute that assured the audience that this film would not be brushing past the death of it’s hero.

Throughout the film, we see how different characters struggle and process the grief of losing such an important figure in their lives, however it’s made clear that as important as the Black Panther is, Wakanda is not any weaker because of his absence. The entire world is after vibranium and certain powers believe that they can simply walk into Wakanda and take what they want. However, they are brought to justice swiftly and easily. It’s a beautiful scene in which the audience realizes where Wakanda’s power lies. It doesn’t exist in one person alone, but in all of Wakanda. The country is in mourning, and there is no weakness in that grief. The film makes a point of Shuri not taking on the mantle of the Black Panther until the very end of the movie.

Wakanda is clearly the most powerful country to exist. And yet, a new power lies beneath the depths of the sea, a power that may rival even Wakanda; the civilization of Talokan. Talokan is another Vibranium rich civilization that is deeply inspired by Mesoamerican peoples.  There are beautiful parallels shown throughout the film that tie Wakanda and Talokan together. Both are proud civilizations and both have reason to despise the rest of the world. There is turmoil, there is anger, grief, and human weakness, but there’s also a strength that persists; a strength that exists in seeing the suffering and pain of those around you, having the ability to seek retribution and choosing mercy despite it.

It’s a beautiful film that touches on aspects of material power; what people will do to obtain it and what people will do to protect themselves from others greed.