To me, James Cameron is the ultimate filmmaker. Who else has shaped the way films have evolved in special effects to stories, to how we actually watch and embrace films. Cameron is solely responsible for the evolution of 3D film making which ever director is now incorporating into film. The man has taken the way we watch movies and has flipped it around making us now feel more involved when we watch them. The man literally built new technology so that the 3D movement could happen for films. The man to me is a genius. He may be known for his grouchy and perfection obsessed attitude on-set, but the man has a vision and has his reasons. He not only writes, but directs and produces all his own movies as well. Who else has both the number one and two highest grossing movies in the world? Umm Speilberg? I don't think so. It could have been maybe in the 90's, but have a think about it,when was the last time Speilberg had both a financial and critically successful movie? I can't off the top of my head, but I can list Camerons'. Let me explain my reasons for Cameron being the genius that he is. James Cameron burst onto the scene with Terminator (sorry I know his first film was Pirranha 2, but I am not acknowledging that). The movie captivated audiences about a machine coming back from the future to kill the mother of a soldier of the resistance. The movie was a huge hit and gave Cameron the mark that he deserved in Hollywood. Not only was it filmed on a tiny budget but it showed that this talented filmmaker could bring both a story as well as CGI to great new levels. Next up, Cameron embraced the Alien franchise (and my personal favourite) by writing and directing Aliens. As many people wondered where he could go with the franchise after the hugely successful first film, Cameron turned it on its head and made a full on kick ass hero out of Sigourney Weaver by making the movie about a group of elite soldiers rescuing survivors on a planet infested by Aliens. Aliens was a huge hit and many people including myself, believe it is still Cameron's best movie to date. Next up was The Abyss. Okay I have to admit, Cameron went on a different journey for this one, but still it was interesting, but really his only financial failure. One film did not get him down, as he returned to The Terminator franchise with T2 and once again wowed audiences with his story, CGI (that had never been done before, a man made out of liquid only Cameron) and once again, flipped the franchise upside down, (and also made Sarah Connor a kick-ass chick, is anyone else noting this that Cameron writes empowered women very well). The movie was a huge success. But where to go from here? Why not try the spy genre with your favourite action man Arnie in True Lies. It was a mediocre success for Cameron (though would be a huge success for any other filmmaker) but still it was a lot of fun, but not up to the Cameron we have come to love and expect. Following on from this is the movie we all know about, Titanic. The movie which made us go back to where it all went wrong for the passengers on that unforgettable night. It was a huge huge huge success, (even though I don't care one bit for it). It gave Cameron the directing Oscar he very much deserved as well as picture and many visual awards. It is still amazing how the man takes an idea but then takes it to the next level beyond people's expectations. The movie became the highest grossing film ever until... AVATAR. It took 12 years for this visually stunning movie to come about. Of course only Cameron could suppress himself in both the film making, writing and box office receipts. Avatar has changed the way we watch movies and became an instant classic in many peoples book. Avatar is Cameron back to his best. The action was amazing, the story line emotional as well as engaging and the direction like nothing seen before with his new technology. So there you have it. I think that gives you enough evidence to why Cameron is the best. I know you have all seen at least one of his movies. If not, what are you doing? Go rent them now and witness the genius that is inside this brilliant man.
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