"The visual is not everything; it's the only thing", Vince Lombardi

Rating: Null/10 (8 January 2010)

With apologies to the great coach.but it does seem that visual is the only thing in Avatar, given a plot that is simplicity itself and the un-subtlety of the allegory and messages. Even with the credible performance of a good cast, I find the overwhelming reaction (audience and critics alike) somewhat puzzling. Roger Ebert's comparison of the "new language" to that in LOTR, in addition to demonstrating the gentleman's total ignorance, tantamount to an unforgivable insult to J.R.R. Tolkien.
First, on the visual, after watching "Beowulf" (2007), I was filled with absolute detestation at an abomination called "motion capture". The outright rude transformation of an actor's real performance into an animation on screen is a technology-spawn sin that is surpassed by only one thing in human history – the atomic bomb. The obscenely glossy figures in that movie were positively vomit-inducing. That alone almost kept me away from Avatar. I am happy to say, however, that the motion captured characters therein are quite acceptable, partly because Cameron commands a better technology and partly because the motion captured characters are from an alien culture and therefore not expected to look exactly like the human race. The 3D effect, on the other hand, is no more than an excuse to make me pay double for my ticket. Having seen what REAL 3D is supposed to be like, some 30 years ago, at the EPCOT when it first opened, I have found everything that I've seen since with that label nothing more then mere child's play. Avatar is no exception.
The sci-fi basis for this movie is conceptually simple, especially if you have seen "Surrogate" (2008). When a protagonist is put into a state of deep sleep in a not-too-sophisticated-looking device, his mind embodies a surrogate body, going about whatever business at hand. The only difference is that here in Avatar, the surrogate body is from an alien culture resembling, in appearance, human in some ways but not others. What follows are familiar plot elements: assimilation of an individual into a new culture, a cross-culture love story, heroic uprising against oppressors.
The cast is well chosen and performs well. Sam Worthington coming off "Terminator Salvation" (2009) plays a relatively younger hero, especially in his alien persona, one of his two roles. Unlike Worthington, Zoe Saldana his female co-lead has only one identity, the passionate daughter of the alien chief. Those who have seen how beautiful she was in "Vantage point" (2008) will be happy to know that even under the entirely alien appearance, her beauty is not lost. Sigourney Weaver (who happens to have also appeared in "Vantage point") is a welcome addition to any cast. Personally, I am most happy to see my favourite Giovanni Ribisi, prolific actor and best remembered acting opposite Cate Blanchett in "Heaven" (2002). He plays a scientist rudely awaken to the reality that science is not the only thing, not just an end in itself. Stephen Land and Michelle Rodriguez complete the very respectable cast.
Avatar is a good movie, but not a great one.