Review: Avatar

When you think of director James Cameron, the words "epic" "expensive" and "effects" (special, that is) come to mind. This is the man that brought us 'Titanic'. The highest grossing movie of all time. He obviously knows he has a wide audience, so naturally his latest film, 'Avatar' plays to a number of different people. This 3D spectacle is visually stunning, however it's length (3 hours) and it's minimal story hurt it more than help it.

'Avatar' is about Jake Sully (Sam Worthington. Terminator: Salvation, Sommersault) he's a paraplegic marine that takes a mission to the far away planet of Pandora. Earth is suffering an energy crisis, and they want whats underneath the people of Pandora, the Na'vi's home to solve it. Jake wasn't originally supposed to go, his twin brother was. In the wake of his death, Jake is sent because his DNA matches that of his brother, so be will be able to operate his "avatar", the mirrored creature that they are going to use to get closer to the Na'vi. While he is out getting used to his avatar, he is saved by Neytiri (Zoe Saldona) the daughter of the leader of the tribe. She shows him the ways of the Na'vi, and he eventually becomes one of them. He's now torn on whether to save these people, or go along with his country's orders.

Avatar IS visually stunning. Great CGI, the 3D wasn't that noticeable, but I can see how it added to a few things for some viewers. I don't doubt the cinemetography of this movie at all. They obviously put a lot of time (and money) into it. What is really wrong with this film is the story. It is the EXACT same story line as Pocahontas.  There is absolutely nothing original about this at all. It's horribly predictable and overused. I would've liked to have seen something a bit more original coming from a film that's on it's way to becoming one of the highest grossing films of all time.

Recommended: No. 2/5 stars

Memorable Quote: "Your not the only one with a gun, bitch" - Trudy (Michelle Rodreguez)