The script is amazing and really, if more of the scenes had been included, I feel that the issues of giving more 'character time' on screen would be [at least mostly] resolved.

The script is not that bad. Come on - the movie was 2 1/2 hours and it sure wasn't a bore even if it was clear as day from the get go where the story was going. Character development is a bit of a problem, mainly because Jake was missing an arc - you didn't care for the guy at the beginning and started to emphasize only in the second half. Also there was not as much desperation as one might wish for when they made their last stand. The full script fixes some of it - I really liked the addiction subplot that was only hinted at in the movie. Much of the story was built around the setpieces and compared with other films that have the same problem, this one really shines (Just think of "The Phantom Menace" or "X3"). Cameron is a very good writer, check out his script for "Strange Days" if you have the chance.
Some lines stink, but the construction of the piece is really solid.
Now I'm going to put on my asbestos...

bores me how people on here are such movie snobs, anything thats popular in the mainstream gets ripped because its cool to do so. it was a ver entertaining film with only a few slight problems which i bet most people never picked up on till coming on forums like this, for god sake just stop being negative.

THANK YOU! At last, someone else that understands.

i just know this thing is gonna win for best screenplay and im gonna need some serious hardcore medication.

Don't worry. it won't.

I liked Avatar but the weakest element is not so much the story - in which some may say is classical - but the character development. You got to know maybe..2 characters and that's it.

that's not true, i liked the corporal guy with the white hair. i got to know him plenty. when he was chip hazard in small soldiers.

I have seen the movie and I thought if they developed a bit more on the hero on the beginning then it would have been great... like how he lost the ability to walk .. etc. Still, would love 2 c the director's cut on the big screen.

anyone else look for the full sex scene right away??

some pretty interesting scenes and character beats in the script that weren't in the movie.

Hopefully we some of this stuff in an Extended Cut

This is more like the shooting script, given all his camera directions... or that's just how he writes. Still, it's interesting to read what he imagined.

I'm not a fan of the voice over elements. They'd be more effective as book ends.

If only Avatar had transforming robots in it. Then it simultaneously would be the worst script ever and the highest grossing movie ever.

for Christ's sake... Really? That's your analysis? {Sigh} Let's see one of your scripts.

I'm so tired of everyone ripping the script a new asshole. Yeah, it had JUST A FEW lines that were clunkers, but the other 99% of the dialogue was just fine. Get a fucking life people.

A script is more than just dialogue, chief. If you'd had much of a fucking life, you'd know that. I would never write a Smurfy remake of Dances With Wolves.

Glad to see that you watch South Park; echoing others' sentiments is sooooo original. Maybe you should write a script about that.

And yes, there's a lot more to a script than just dialogue, CHIEF. I was pointing out that all the script bashers in general are only pointing to the dialogue. The few that point out similarities to other stories, are also seeming to forget that it's damn near impossible for a story to be wholly original anymore. The trick is to take what's familiar & put your own spin on it. If YOU had much of a fucking life, YOU'D know that. I dare you to say that Cameron didn't put his own spin on the story.

The dialogue is far from the only problem with the script. It may have good visualization, but it's poor writing in most respects. People may look back at Avatar the movie as being groundbreaking or whatever, but the script is nothing special if subpar (in terms of writing-- many scripts are well liked despite poor writing. This may be one...)

More than 1% of the dialogue was awful, and I don't think you have to be a writer to notice that.

You're right, it's a much more respectable use of your time to criticize other peoples comments. That shows that you have a full and fulfilling life.

@Malaguy Don't get in a huff, I was just pointing out the hypocrisy of telling him to "get a fucking life".

No harm done.

I actually do have a full & fulfiling (nice redundancy btw) life, which is why I don't comment too often. I just notice a lack of anyone actually defending the script, since it's apparently in vogue to bash the script. So, I DO figure it's a respectable use of my time to actually voice MY opinion rather than jump on the bandwagon. Hows that for concrete logic?

It's the script that makes it a forgettable movie. Everything else does a good job. As soon as we have new technology nobody will even mention Avatar.

Oh yeah, no one will ever mention a $2B worldwide grossing movie ever again...

that i disagree with. No matter what, Avatar did change CGI. but that's it.

Nevertheless, it has left its mark in Hollywood.

Wow, horribly late with this. The final draft of the script has been available online at least a week or two.

Will we be hearing dramatic readings of Avatar from David Chen?

NEYTIRI Why save you?
JAKE Yes, why save me?
NEYTIRI You have a strong heart. No fear.
She leans closer --
NEYTIRI
But stupid! Ignorant like a child!

"You are liek a baybee! Making noise, dun know wut to do!"

The whole "strong heart" thing always irked me in the film, it seems to come out of nowhere.

I thought it was the best part of dialogue in the film.

Thankfully they changed some things like Neytiri's earlier ridiculous name which in the script was ZULEIKA TE KAHA POLENOMA!

Wow, that dialog stands out as even more ridiculous when you actually read it. Thankfully the SFX were sufficient to distract me from some of these lines.

Wow, somebody complaining about the dialogue in Avatar.

Oh hey, by the way, the sky is blue.

Haha, you obviously don't know freemachine very well. If ever there was a completely dedicated Avatar apologist it would have to be freemachine. Not that I'm any different.. but if freemachine is pointing out an issue with the script, it must be a BIG issue.

The script itself is the "big issue".

Wasn't that bar scene in a couple of the trailers?

Yep.

Avatar! Every time I think you're down you pop up again. Why won't you DIE?!

But it has only just begun....

community.livejournal.com/tothehometree/

What is this.....I don't even....

Mankind's stupidity will never cease to amaze me.

brilliant!!

Mother of God....
Is this real?
These people can't be serious.
I'm so confused right now...

Yes, awesome hope to see a directors cut soon... interviewed at the critics choice awards yesterday he said if a directors cut comes out it will be something like 10-15 minutes longer. Also as side note he will not be doing Spiderman reboot because he does not want sloppy seconds.

Did he actually use the phrase "sloppy seconds"?

That would be hilarious.

check that its 10 or 12 minutes*