Devon's Movie Review: James Cameron's Avatar

Beautiful. Astonishing. Hypnotizing. Smart. Breathtaking. Spectacular. Stunning. Epic.

These are just a handful of words one could use to describe James Cameron's science fiction magnum opus, the long-awaited and critically acclaimed, Avatar. Without a doubt in my mind, every one of the words I listed is accurate to a fault, with the only downside being that when I walked out of the film, I couldn't even put it in to those words. I was essentially speechless. In fact, I made an ill-fated attempt to watch a second movie later at home, but could not concentrate on it at all, due to the fact that my mind was still back on Pandora... the beautiful Earth-like planet on which this film takes place.

From the opening shot you're rewarded by finding the characters of this story en route to Pandora, leaving behind a desolate Earth we're never subjected to seeing. Pandora appears to actually be a moon revolving around an enormous gas giant, and I can't recall if they ever actually say it's a planet or not... although I guess that's the definition of a hunk of space matter in which life is ever present. Pandora is as much a character of the film as anyone else, and for me it's what I came away from the movie remembering the most. I was fortunate to see the film in IMAX 3D, and I have to recommend to you to do the same, or at least see it in 3D. Avatar is not like other 3D films in the way that things come flying out at you or pop out from the screen, but rather you see that Cameron used the technology to make you feel like you're IN the movie. I believe he wants the viewer to feel as if they are standing on the side of the action on screen, watching as it all unfolds. I also believe that James Cameron wants the viewer to grow attached to Pandora, as it is his masterpiece, and you should! You should grow attached to this planet, you should feel what it's natives feel, and it's in that notion that the magic of Avatar really comes to life.

Pandora is an incredibly lush paradise, full of creatures the likes we've never imagined. The Na'Vi are just a small part of what makes this planet so different. The flora and fauna on the other hand, are the big part. Cameron and his team not only created the most beautiful planet you'll ever see, but they created literally thousands of species of plants and animals, unlike anything we've ever seen on Earth. I tried at times to see what certain plants reminded me of, just out of curiosity, and time and again it was like he created something brand new, unlike anything we know.

I know I'm 4 paragraphs in and haven't even talked about the cast yet... and they do deserve the accolades. While the plot of the film in general isn't exactly new (it's been compared to the likes of Dances with Wolves, and Ferngully) it is deeper than most people expect. The actors picked to star in this film are both well-known and not so, but they are equally committed to the job, and in such are what bring this film together. Sam Worthington again proves to me that he has the acting chops to be the next big action star, after Terminator Salvation and now this. Zoe Saldana is stunning, as Neytiri, the Na'Vi princess Worthington's character, Jake Scully, falls in love with. Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi, and Michelle Rodriguez all round out the supporting cast and did an excellent job. I was especially impressed with Sigourney Weaver, whom I've enjoyed for many years and was glad to see back in the sci-fi genre. She's a beautiful woman, and a wonderful actress. CCH Pounder and Wes Studi were excellent picks as the "king and queen" of the Na'Vi, I recognized both of their voices as soon as I heard them, and I think they were perfect picks for the roles. Lang and Ribisi play the "evil" human enemies, Lang as the head of "The Company's" security, and Ribisi as the general overseer of operations on Pandora. If you don't know by now, Avatar takes place in the 22nd century, the years 2144 and 2145 to be exact, and we learn that The Company is stationed on Pandora to mine a very expensive and valuable mineral, that apparently has become a major fuel source for Earth.

I really don't want to give away any other plot details, because it's the DETAILS that make this plot not as cliche as the internet-fanboys would have you believe. Sure, it shares some traits with Ferngully or Dances with Wolves, but this is not those movies. This is not anywhere near those movies. This is Avatar, and it's unlike anything you've ever seen. If you can see Avatar in 3D you should. If you can see Avatar in IMAX 3D you definitely should. It's worth the price of admission, twice and that's why I'm going to see it again tomorrow. I were to do a Best of the Decade list, this film would surely sit atop. I give Avatar a resounding 10 out of 10.