LlamaLAN

'Avatar' is staggering in quality. First thing I noticed was the depth of resolution - after the standard ads were done with, suddenly the pictures on screen turned massively high-res. This was also in 3D, and this is like no 3D I've ever seen. Apparently Dolby had a hand in its design, but whoever is responsible for it I am grateful because it makes a huge difference. The imagery of this film is also astronomical in ambition and it meets its lofty target, easily. The natives of Pandora move with a humanness I thought impossible with CGI, especially in their faces, giving me the connection needed to be empathetic with a people under threat from my own species.

I've seen several reviews complaining that the storyline is a bit thin. This is not a film looking to wow us with an in-depth multi-layered storyline. Some of the greatest movies don't try to, deeming that pitting good vs evil is enough. But I'm not about to say the graphics make this movie what it is either. There is story but it's not in-your-face. For one thing, the film contains the story of the native Na'vi and their coexistance with, nay, dependence on, their ecosystem. There has been some serious imagination behind the world of Pandora. But I think the true magic of 'Avatar' is in the conflict of taking sides because it is a story that effects all of mankind every day. How on Earth (or, on Pandora) did James Cameron manage to get us to root for the alien race and view our own as the badguys? I think this is because it's not about Na'vi vs Human. It's about our two sides of human nature at war. The Na'vi, and certainly the protagonist Jake Sully, represents our innate caretaker, the gardener, the nurturer, the protector, the defender. That part of us that wants to sow, to care, to reap, and sow again. Meanwhile, the majority of the human cast flying and marching in in their war machines represents the sinful aspect of our nature - the one that steals, that wants, that greeds, that seeks its own interests. Clearly, there are also strong messages about Western foreign policy in our unending need to 're-educate' natives of other lands and take their valuable resources while we're out it, scoffing at any suggestion that our way isn't the best way. Whoever is not understood is deemed primitive. Whoever defends their land is deemed a savage. Along the way, we sacrifice the one thing we cannot lose - our own planet. Such terms as "shock and awe" and "fight terror with terror" were rather deliberate. I wonder if this would anger particularly patriotic types, but sentimentality is no excuse - film makers are allowed to make statements through their medium just like any other kind of artist can.

Yes, I cheered when the Americans got tossed into cliff sides and blown up.

I still feel strongly emotional tied to this film even hours after seeing it. I feel like I want to get back in there and see more, despite it's lengthy 2 hrs 40 minutes (and I should mention, not once did I feel any of it dragged.) Maybe I too have grown fond of this fictional planet! This is one of the best movies of this year; it has a most fantastic soundtrack (that includes the effects), gorgeous visuals, moving and gripping story and action sequences, and the technology behind every aspect of this film has been put to stunning use.

You should not leave this till it hits DVD or the telly. Do not download a rip and watch on your home entertainment system or PC or whatever. Cameron intended us to go see it at its best. I fully anticipate I'll be making a return journey before it leaves the theatres.

It's stunning in 2D and so it's good enough to revisit and seen in 3D as well ... how good does a film have to be to make me want to pay twice to see it? ... AVATAR GOOD!

I now get why the episode on Bones where they were queuing to see it was so funny ... no spoilers here

I don't 'buy' all the hype around such films when every source of media claims 'super duper effects to rock you off your seat' about the film. As good as you guys say it is, I feel I'll be disappointed. I found Jurassic Park majorly disappointing.

Nor do I sir, Sarah has to put up with one of my minor rants every time I see the cheesier Avatar ads on telly ("Bring your family!", or "a new dimension in entertainment!") yet I certainly would recommend this to anyone. Ignore the turdy PR and don't go in expecting to be disappointed.

I know. I'd like to be that objective. But I don't even like the look of the blue "avatars" from the trailers. Looks too .......... gimmicky? (Don't anyone knock Star Wars, at least the original trilogy. That was not gimmicky. Just pure gold).
Hell I played the game at Eurogamer Expo and I could not see anything about it that lived up to the hype.

Being an animation student, it's one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a long time... o:
I was super amazingly impressed by the colours, and the visuals.
Super amazingly depressed because it's practically the same as the idea I had to make millions.

So, whilst my wallet is a million pounds lighter, I am happy that it was done so well..

Honestly though, just go and see it. It's very well put together.