done before plot, amazing graphic effects.

Rating: 8/10 (3 February 2010)

What I now consider was an over-hyped experience.
But I still give it 8 out of 10... why ?? The whole point of cinema is to take you to a place you have never been, open your mind to new ideas or see old events in a new light.
Suspension of disbelief is required for this movie.
Some have sugested this is Cameron attempting to reflect on the current situation in Iraq (or any number of other countries where the western 'democracies' help maintain 'unpleasant' heads of state for their own gains), or his reflection on past conflicts? As I say in the summary, this plot has been done previously, so no real surprises. It is the movie equivalent of "western music" (you must know the old joke... "boy meets girl, falls in love with girl, breaks up with girl..... blah blah blah").
For a movie try, soldier infiltrates enemy, falls in love with a resistance fighter, realises that his superiors are probably worse than the "freedom fighters", eventually joins freedom fighters and overcomes the technically superior force.
What really grips about this film is the animation.
And what really got me about the animation was the colour saturation, all the colours seemed impossibly perfect and vibrant. I wish I could get this in my digital photo's! I also saw this film in a 3D equipped theatre, which was impressive. Maybe not as 'into your face' as I was expecting (this wasn't an IMAX theatre, so maybe that is why).
I remember a friend quiping about another film "the most amazing thing about this film is how it has been able to scam me out of £20 to go and see it with my girlfriend" (he was talking about the 'blair witch project'), and I can see that if you are going to see avatar and expect a hot original story line you will be disappointed.
If you go to see if for the effects, you may also be disappointed. Not because they aren't incredible, but because they are done so well you hardly realise you are watching a partially animated movie. That is a testament to the vision and dedication of Cameron and the production team. The flip between real actors and animation is so slick, that unless someone reminds you "they aren't actors dressed up in funny suits" you may just forget for a while.
And as I say at the start, that is the whole point of cinema. To take you to a place you have never been, open your mind to new ideas and see old events in a new light.
If you go to a cinema for a "suspension of disbelief" type experience you will come away very happy.
But don't expect to be moved to tears (as you may have been with Schindler's list for example). As I say this is a "suspension of disbelief" type movie.
If you haven't seen this film yet, my advice is as follows.
Ignore the review, get a large tub of popcorn (or your preferred confectionery), sit back, relax and enjoy.
I guess the final mark is will I rush out to buy this when it comes available on DVD / BluRay ?? ..... hmmmm... I'll probably wait until I see it sitting in the "cheapy bin".