An Open Letter From An AVATAR Team Member To CHUD's Devin Faraci

**UPDATE - July 26: Here is Devin's response to the letter. Also I would be remiss in not linking to his original video post.

Jim here. Wondering if I should post this email I received from one of my key inside AVATAR sources - but what the heck - this is the Internet baby!

Now let me be clear here - most people who saw the 24 minutes of AVATAR at Comic-Con were suitably impressed - nothing has really changed in that regard. But there are always exceptions to the rule for one reason or another. Needless to say the guys working the hardest on AVATAR have been amazed at some of the few 'less than stellar' reviews of their work in progress. Let me be clear here as well - these reviews did NOT pan AVATAR or even hint at panning it; rather they think that it is not living up to its hype. "Evolutionary, not revolutionary" as one put it.

That one person is Devin Faraci of CHUD. Prior to his review of what he saw of the AVATAR clip, Devin was clear to point out that Fox hates him. Does this color his review? I believe so, but that is my opinion - and I have supported AVATAR from day one.

But of greater importance I think is getting the opinion of the guys working hard under Jim Cameron to get this epic movie done on time. To hear from ALL parties. And in particular this one source, who while conferring with others on the team wrote this open letter to Devin and felt comfortable enough to send it through me to the viewing masses.

One final note before I post his letter: I trust him. He is indeed a valued source not by what he has given but by what he has vetted for me. You see I have sources that really want to share exciting developments with everyone about AVATAR or other projects, and others who simply want to authenticate the multitude of tips and photos I receive on a daily basis. This source checks facts for me in other words. That said, I did have to edit out some expletives as of course these guys are close to the project.

So - here is an AVATAR team member's response to CHUD's Devin Faraci:

Dearest Devin Faraci

Everyone is entitled to views, yes even you Devin. which as colleagues point out you share endlessly on "Attack the show" or whatever the title may be. and all this was before a friend shared with me your views on Avatar...

Devin in your words " The story that I could gather looked very bleh" is that right Devin ? ok. "In the end I think this would have been better without all of the 'THIS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD OF CINEMA' stuff that comes right from Cameron's mouth (I heard him say essentially that at the IMAX presentation yesterday). This is an impressive step forward, but I don't think it's Jurassic Park when it comes to breathtaking new visual stuff." Now lets look at context as to what mr Cameron meant with that statement shall we

Well as you should know being an internet blog king, you understand the aspects and research and development that has to go into the pre planning of a movie. you understand that time and time again, budgets are slashed, scripts butchered, and visions compromised endlessly in favour of cheap substantial routes, which sometimes can even be a good thing. James Cameron has a vision, James Cameron has a cause, and that cause is to make the viewing experience of watching a film, better for the movie going people, not to mention the home market. James Cameron doesn't compromise. so when i read shitty statements like "The story that I could gather looked very bleh" it really f**ks me off. this movie is coming from the best people in the industry headed up with the most successful and competent director of all time. "THE STORY COMES FIRST" "THIS IS NOT A WETA DIGITAL SHOW REEL" that insults everyone involved. Avatar, is the best of everyone, and every department. No stone has been left unturned to make this the ultimate movie going experience! and that includes making the story the absolute best of its kind! so don't compare this with a Kevin Costner bore fest ok ? this is Avatar, NOT dances with wolves in space. and further more it will be a CLASSIC. and what movies are ever classic just for CGI ? so are you aware that this movie IS going to change the face of cinema ? its already started. and when the change hits home for you, lets have less bitching and whining, and have more for the people striving to make you movie going experience a better one! after all isn't that where your bread and butter is made ? unless of course you still want to be watching movies in 20 years time the way you are now ?

Any scene viewed out of context, on an alien planet without cohesion from previous scenes, will be jarring. Avatar IS photo real. and you will believe it is a real place once you have seen it in its final form. you Devin and the rest of the negative druids will eat everyone of your words come December 18th. and if fox hates you, who could blame them. you come across as a hateful person. with very outright negative judgemental hatred ready to spew forth into this miserable world. "your walk of shame speaks volumes for the real you" while there may well be people who hate Avatar when they see it, i promise you they will be the minority, anyone who knows anything about movies in a professional light is going to be as swept up as the person next door, who goes once a year, and owns scary movie on DVD.

yes i agree we are far more advanced then WATCHMEN. lmao

but still Devin you can comfort yourself with the fact that you have The Final Destination coming soon. oh and not to mention your favorite movies of all time "which are due for further butchering" Planet of the apes. seriously... you have all the time for grown men in ape suits. and will actively try and hock the ultimate apes movie compendium or whatever its called to your "CHUDS" :-) ?
and you want to rag on 10ft tall natural blue born killers ? CGI or not, what gives ? are you for real ? what kind of movie knowledgeable journalist can look at what they saw and say its nothing short of a technical miracle. and what you saw was most assuredly the tip of the iceberg.

forgive me for the ranting, im sure i will get lampooned for being so outright in my displeasure, but hey i guess that just means we are both passionate.

keep up the witty wise journalism, it will get you places, maybe not where you want, but it will get you noticed.

i will be sure to tune in for "Attack of the BLOGGER.

and as for the rest of you, real movie fans with no hidden agenda. have faith in us and show up. we will not let you down. we promise.

you will see things never seen before, in ways never considered before, made for you by one of the last great gunslingers of our times. oh and there wont be a talking ape in sight :-) sorry Devin. we like our talking guys and girls tall and strong.

what is the in word for the online community ? EPIC FAIL ? NOT US :-)

I think my source makes some pretty darn valid points here. I happen to agree 100%.
Mr. Faraci? You have a comment on this? :-) And of course MarketSaw readers' comments are ALWAYS welcome!