Grand and Glorious Adventure

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2010)

Having just returned from the theater, we are just positively stunned by what we have just witnessed. Avatar is a grand and glorious adventure, breaking new ground in many segments of the movie-going experience. It's 3-D adaptation was seamless and flawless, adding great depth and feel to all aspects of the film. Just walking through the jungle became a wonder, with seemingly touchable grasses, insects flitting and grand inner depths to the longer shots. The world itself was an ingenious revelation, alight with creatures and plants and, yes, humanoids, fresh from Cameron's imagination. Luminescence is everywhere, from the ground moss to floating jelly-fish-like floating seedpods, to spiral plants and the most ethereal of glowing willows. Cameron's animals were crafted with skill and grand vigor, especially his hammer-headed rhino-like beast, wee feral-like out-world dogs, giant cats merged with beetles on steroids, and our favorites, the winged dragon-like beasties ridden by the hero and heroine alike. The story-line echoed any number of struggles between indigenous populations and invading ones (American Indian vs. settler/Gov't; Irish/Scottish/Welsh/South African/Indian/etc. versus British Empire; Mayan/Inca versus Spanish dominance) but told in a new-twist manner, with a backdrop of nicely developed characters and intricate world one comes to care about. I did not read any reviews before seeing the movie, not wanting to color my feelings. After reading a smattering upon our arrival back home, I see the vast majority are positive or more so, with just a few in the negative range. I applaud those who saw this ground-breaker for what it is -- and wonder what need be produced on the big-screen to better please those who could not find outright wonders in this creatively stunning film. See it at your single screen, the local multi-plex ... on IMAX ... but SEE IT at all costs!