Dances with Smurfs

Rating: 8/10 (16 December 2009)

James Cameron has been quoted as saying that Avatar will "change the way we watch movies forever". He's right. Avatar is easily the greatest visual feast that has ever graced the screen. This was my first 3D film and I must admit that I thought 3D was no more than a cheap gimmick that movie studios were pushing to get butts into seats. I was wrong. 3D, in this form, is here to stay. It may not be perfect yet, but the first talkies and colour movies weren't either. What's especially impressive is *how* the 3D is used. Most 3D films throw a couple objects at the screen hoping to woo the crowd. Sure, there's some of that in Avatar, but for the most part Cameron uses the 3D to immerse us in his world. There's some impressive stuff outside that too. Picture a room full of people. Why would anyone use 3D for that? Incredibly it works. The depth perception here isn't used for cheap effects but to demonstrate the distance between the person at the front of the room and the person at the back. Subtitles in 3D? Surprisingly, more legible than 2D subtitles.
Unfortunately, the movie falls short of perfection. Weeks ago South Park called the film "Dances with Smurfs". A more apt comparison for the plot cannot be found. The movie borrows liberally from Dances with Wolves. Even the diary plot device plays out the same way as it did in Dances with Wolves. It's also disappointing that the trailer manages to reveal the entire plot. I had hoped for a few surprises, but unless you count the theological aspects none were really forthcoming.
At this time it should be mentioned that those looking for a James Cameron balls-to-the-wall style action movie will be sorely disappointed. Sure, it ends with a spectacular battle, but there's precious little conflict before. For the most part, the first two hours are all about introducing us to the world of Pandora and its people, flora and fauna. Personally, I was quite happy that some action was eschewed to develop the world, but those with little patience are forewarned.
With Avatar, James Cameron has crafted another fine film. It could never have lived up to the massive hype, but it does come close. The technological breakthroughs made for this film will serve cinema well in the coming years. Avatar represents an evolution of cinema. It's just not the revolution it was made up to be.