Modern day epic with a heart.

Rating: 7/10 (19 December 2009)

I must say that my hopes were not that high for Avatar after I saw the trailer (I thought that the CGI looked clunky!) but having just seen a 3D screening (not on an IMAX screen though) I must say that my initial cynicism was most definitely quelled. The story is a somewhat familiar one, but it is rendered here in a very loving manner and the world that Cameron has brought to life for us to behold is an extraordinarily beautiful one. The colours! The world of Pandora is populated with all kinds of spectacular flora and fauna - an early confrontation with a particularly vicious and razor toothed beast is particularly exhilarating, and the luminous overtones of the landscape are very warm to behold. I didn't find the long running time to be too much of a problem but I will say that I found that the 3D glasses make everything a touch too dark for my tastes.
The CGI is very nice and clean looking.....however I did notice that the character of Neytiri looked the best of all of the natives and Grace's Avatar looked the least good, IMHO. It seems like the most attention to detail was given to Neytiri's eyes? They did look amazing. Also, great to see Sigourney Weaver back in the fold. Plus she got the best lines of the whole film. Joel Moore's character has the worst lines in the film!
Compared to Cameron's other films....I'd probably put this one in the same bag as 'The Abyss'. Similar themes and a real sense of technical pioneering... but perhaps Cameron's next film will be his real latter day masterpiece? T2 did follow 'The Abyss' after all. Let's just wait and see....
Oh! And one last thing - I think that Michelle Rodriguez is hot.