A Skeptic Won Over

Rating: 9/10 (27 December 2009)

I am happy that I schlepped out to the IMAX to see this movie. As skeptical as I was, thinking that it would be another badly animated, loud, overly effected, rushed, sci-fi, story. I put on my 3D glasses thinking it would be fun to see the 3D effects at least, not expecting much more. The story launched rapidly without a lot of slow character development. Pretty quickly I got the just of exactly what the basic story line was and what to expect, but had no idea it was about to be pulled off so beautifully. The avatars were much more life-like and smooth maneuvering than any animated characters I had ever seen. A few minutes of a couple of the early scenes were a bit cartoonish, but not long after the main character, Jake Sully, became his avatar on Pandora everything about reality was forgotten. I was completely sucked in. The main story line was one we have all seen in other movies, the evil, greedy human race wants what they should not take from the rightful guardians and all manner of chaos ensues. My excitement was in the details. The planet with its floating mountains and soul tree is somewhere I left the theater feeling like I wish I could see before I die. My gorgeous local surroundings on the drive home, which normally bring the wonder of nature into my heart, seemed drab, boring and adventure-less compared to the world I had just visited in the film. The length of the movie didn't even register with me. I felt like it could have easily gone on longer and I would still have been riveted and happy. Almost euphoric actually. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes science fiction and has a love for the natural world.