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

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

directed by Kuo Jian Hong and written by Christopher Hatton.

Plot

In 2019, nearly everyone is identified by an

implant Implant can refer to: Medicine *Implant (medicine), or specifically: ** Brain implant ** Breast implant **Buttock implant **Cochlear implant **Contraceptive implant **Dental implant ** Fetal tissue implant **Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ...

microchip An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or "chip") of semiconductor material, usually silicon. Large numbers of tiny M ...

and connected to the

cybernet ''Cybernet'' (also known as Interactive) was a weekly video gaming magazine programme, originally broadcast overnight on the ITV network in the United Kingdom. The programme was commissioned by ''Yorkshire Television'' and produced by ''Caprico ...

. Criminals use fake chips, known as "SIMs" (Simulated Identity iMplants).

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

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 actress. She is known for her work in the ''Star Wars'' franchise as Mon Mothma, having portrayed the character in ''Revenge of the Sith'', ''Rogue One'', and the Disney+ series '' Andor'', ...

as Dash MacKenzie *

Joan Chen Joan Chen (born April 26, 1961) is a Chinese-American actress and film director. In China, she performed in the 1979 film and came to the attention of American audiences for her performance in the 1987 film ''The Last Emperor''. She is also ...

as Madame Ong *

David Warner David or Dave Warner may refer to: Sports * Dave Warner (strongman) (born 1969), Northern Ireland strongman competitor * David Bruce Warner (born 1970), South African alpine skier * David Warner (cricketer) (born 1986), Australian cricketer Oth ...

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 James Yim Lee. He had recently appeared in CCTV's ''The Legend of Bruce Lee'' as Shao Ruhai, ...

as Officer Victor Huang *

William Sanderson William Sanderson (born January 10, 1944) is an American retired actor. He played J. F. Sebastian in the feature film ''Blade Runner'' (1982), and had regular roles on several television series such as Larry on ''Newhart'' (1982–1990), E. B. ...

as Riley * Lim Kay Siu as Julius *

Kumar A coin, around 200 BCE, of the Yaudheyas with depiction of Kumāra Karttikeya">Yaudheyas.html" ;"title="BCE, of the Yaudheyas">BCE, of the Yaudheyas with depiction of Kumāra Karttikeya Kumar (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: wikt:कुमा ...

as Zai *

Richard Low Richard Low (; born 19 June 1952), also known as Liu Qianyi, is a Singaporean actor. He is best known for acting in many Chinese-language television dramas produced by MediaCorp Channel 8 and its predecessors. He also acted in some of Jack Neo's ...

as Uncle Ban *

Michael de Mesa Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann (; born May 24, 1960), better known by his screen name Michael de Mesa (), is a Filipino film and television actor, and director. Early life Born as Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann to performer Eddie Mesa and actress ...

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

Robin Atkin Downes Robin Atkin Downes is an English actor 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 films s ...

* 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, which may be abbreviated and styled in trade publications after a putative title as (wt), also called a production title or a tentative title, is the temporary title of a product or project used during its development, usually ...

''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 kin ...

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 New Line Cinema, founded in 1990. According to New Line's website, ''Misery'' was the first New Line Home Video release. It was ...

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'' is an English-language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore and currently owned by SPH Media Trust (previously Singapore Press Holdings). ''The Sunday Times'' is its Sunday edition. The newspaper was established ...

'' 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 Holography in films 2004 science fiction action films Films about telepresence 2000s English-language films {{2000s-sf-film-stub