Aliens / Jim Camercon meets Princess Mononoke / Nausicaa. Visually Beautiful.

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2010)

Spoilers: I don't think it is a copy of Dances with Wolves / Last Samurai so much, I think that is missing the essence of this film... I think the movies it is actually most similar to are some of Hideo Miyazaki's movies, I think if anything, James Cameron borrowed most from Miyazai animations like Princess Mononoke (the man vs. nature, technology and industry vs. the magical wilderness theme, love between the main characters, a woman from nature, and the man who is from the mankind society, but is caught in between the two worlds, giant forest creatures, the spirit of the forest, the nighttime glowing creatures, giant wolf steed, etc.) Other Miyazaki films that this movie is borrowing from: My Neighbour Totoro, the environmental theme, the Giant Tree in the forest... Nausicaa, similar to Princess Mononoke, same themes but slightly more futuristic I think, imagery etc... Man vs. Nature, etc...
It may be a bit predictable but it's visually stunning. The night scenes in the forest which are illuminated by the glowing vegitation, the floating rocks and spirit trees / big glowing willows and seed things... Flying scenes on those creatures, the big battle at the end... While I think the graphics are not spectacular, they are impressive due to the cinematic fluidity. I think what people are impressed with, and what people mean by the realism, isn't the still images, it's the organic feel of the action, movement of the camera as for example we dive in the flight scenes, etc. Cameron knows how to tell a story visually...
I think it's a great movie... I don't think it deserves a 10 out of 10, that's a bit much, but it's probably an 8... Visually stunning, creates a world that the viewer can be immersed in... I understand where some of the critics are coming from, saying this is not THAAT good, not THAAT creative or original etc... But common, there is no way that this movie should be getting 1 star...
rue the story wasn't that original, but then, what is? I don't know, I am not hailing this as the holy grail of movies, but it is certainly at least a 7 or 8. I think people are overreacting either way because when something is too successful, you get cynics and fanboys. Reality is, who cares about that... Go in without preconception or expectations, and just enjoy the movie! (IN 3D)