It's triumphant but not emphatic

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2009)

Avatar is a movie years in the making and that itself is sufficient enough for a movie to carry a baggage of expectations. Does it live up to them? Yes and no.
The visuals are spectacular, reminded of the time when I first saw 300 and the sight of Leonidas and his men slashing through the Persian armies in slow-mo was a jaw dropping sight to say the least. The Panorama and action in Avatar induces the same awe. It'll take your breathe away, and if you're as tuff as Quaritch you'll at least take a small gasp.
As for the movie on a whole, where it excels on a visual parameter the story and content leave a bit to be desired. Because it is a James Cameron movie (The Terminator, Terminator Judgment Day, Aliens) you expect a line of logic in the narrative which was absent in this movie in parts. Like the most obvious being, the explanation of why unobtainium (the reason humans want to invade the Na'vi village) is so precious back on earth. Mind you I might have missed the explanation somewhere in the movie, correct me if I am wrong, but that's the way I saw it.
Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver are good. The Na'vi people's expressions are worth a mention. May be it's just me, but in spite of being entertained by the movie, I felt I wanted more from a Director like James Cameron.
Having watched both 3D and 2D versions of the movie, I'd recommend not spending time on the 2D version and just endure the 2hr40min 3D roller coaster ride.
Definitely worth a watch.