James Cameron's Avatar

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2009)

Upon entering the theater to view Avatar, I had little to no idea of what to expect save a CGI-riddled "epic" that may have rivaled a Michael Bay film in terms of a shallow plot with less than memorable characters drowning in a pool of fantastic computer-generated fodder. However, as I was thrust into the lush, vibrant world of Avatar I found myself absolutely entranced and am still at a loss for words regarding the experience that Cameron has created.
Someone said once that great art changes the people who experience it, and this film is no exception to that statement.
The amazing, engulfing world that Cameron has spent so many years creating is a work of art that becomes a character central to the film. Cameron contrasts this with the characterization of humanity's technology- lifeless monochrome steel surrounded by the brilliant hues of an organic palette.
For those who wish to criticize the film's character development; the sentient characters that inhabit the film are direct results of the environment from which they hail. This film is not so much about a small group of people as it is about the clash of two cultures, each of which has been sculpted by Cameron into characters just as important as the individuals of which they are composed.
Overall, the story is a bit unoriginal, but this is made up for by the way in which the story is told. The technological successes in making this film seem so organic are unparalleled and will no doubt be ripped-off and misused in the future; but for right now, Cameron has succeeded in creating what I believe far transcends any of his previous achievements and has given his viewers an intensely emotional, beautiful experience that states very blatantly his view of the direction in which our race is headed. Ultimately, Cameron has succeeded in using technology to show us the need to become more in touch with the natural world that surrounds us, and for this reason I believe this film is a towering achievement in cinematic storytelling that will not be rivaled for years to come.
Run, don't walk, to experience Avatar.