''Avatar'' () is a 2004 English-language Singaporean

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

action film The action film is a film genre that predominantly features chase sequences, fights, shootouts, explosions, and stunt work. The specifics of what constitutes an action film has been in scholarly debate since the 1980s. While some scholars such as D ...

directed by Kuo Jian Hong and written by Christopher Hatton.

Plot

In 2019, nearly everyone is identified by an implanted

microchip An integrated circuit (IC), also known as a microchip or simply chip, is a set of electronic circuits, consisting of various electronic components (such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors) and their interconnections. These components a ...

and connected to the cybernet. Criminals use fake chips, known as "SIMs" (Simulated Identity iMplants).

Bounty hunter A bounty hunter is a private agent working for a bail bondsman who captures fugitives or criminals for a commission or bounty. The occupation, officially known as a bail enforcement agent or fugitive recovery agent, has traditionally operated ...

Dash MacKenzie is looking for a man who bought a SIM, and uncovers a game played by corporation heads to manipulate society.

Cast

Genevieve O'Reilly Genevieve O'Reilly (born 6 January 1977) is an Irish-born Australian actress. She is best known for portraying Mon Mothma in the '' Star Wars'' franchise beginning with ''Revenge of the Sith'' (2005), a role which earned her a Saturn Award nom ...

as Dash MacKenzie *

Joan Chen Joan Chen (simplified Chinese; 陈冲; born April 26, 1961) is an American actress and film director. She made her film debut in the Chinese film ''Youth'' (1977) before starring in the film (1979). She came to the attention of American audien ...

as Madame Ong * David Warner as Joseph Lau *

Wang Luoyong Wang Luoyong (; born 24 December 1958) is a Chinese actor who has appeared in American films. He first appeared in ''Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story'' as Ip Man. He had recently appeared in CCTV's ''The Legend of Bruce Lee'' as Shao Ruhai, a master ...

as Officer Victor Huang * William Sanderson as Riley * Lim Kay Siu as Julius * Kumar as Zai * Richard Low as Uncle Ban *

Michael de Mesa Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann (; born May 24, 1960), known professionally as Michael de Mesa (), is a Filipino actor and director. Early life Born as Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann to performer Eddie Mesa and actress Rosemarie Gil, he and his si ...

as Davinder Sandhu * Gerald Chew as Edward Chan * T. Sasitharan as Minister *

Robin Atkin Downes Robin Atkin Downes is an English actor. He is known for his work in animation and video games. Early life Downes was born in London. He earned an MFA from Temple University in Philadelphia. Career Downes has voiced characters in animated f ...

* Kate Wilson as Lt. Crowley

Production

''Avatar'' was the first English-language film produced in Singapore. Filming took place in Singapore from April to May 2001 with the

working title A working title is a preliminary name for a product or project. The usage is especially common in film and TV, gaming, music and publishing. It is often styled in trade publications as (wt) and is synonymous with production title and tentative ...

''Avatar Exile''.

Release

The film was first released on Russian television on 15 September 2004 before seeing a theatrical release in Singapore on 7 March 2005. Under the title ''Matrix Hunter'', Pand Co. Ltd. issued a

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any ki ...

on 7 June 2005 and, as ''Cyber Wars'',

New Line Home Entertainment New Line Home Entertainment (formerly known as New Line Home Video) was the home entertainment distribution arm of the film production studio of the same name, founded in 1990. It was responsible for the distribution of all New Line Cinema the ...

released the film on region 1 DVD on 11 April 2006.

Reception

The film received generally negative reviews. Cheah Ui-Hoon of '' The Business Times'' rated the film C−. Ong Sor Fern of ''

The Straits Times ''The Straits Times'' (also known informally by its abbreviation ''ST'') is a Singaporean daily English-language newspaper owned by the SPH Media Trust. Established on 15 July 1845, it is the most-widely circulated newspaper in the country and ...

'' gave the film a negative review.

References

External links

Review at Beyondhollywood.com via Archive.org
* * 2004 films Films set in the future Films set in 2019 Films shot in Singapore Singaporean science fiction films Cyberpunk films Films about holography 2004 science fiction action films Films about telepresence 2000s English-language films Films set in the 2010s English-language science fiction action films {{2000s-sf-film-stub