Special effects - Awesome. Story - Shallow and Cliché.

Rating: 6/10 (20 December 2009)

I was very hyped for the opening of Avatar, expecting a high caliber movie. As an avid follower of 3d titles I was especially looking forward to this movie. In short I thought the creativity in making Pandora come to life breathtaking but found the story full of Cliché.
To me it was evident that Cameron had all the new tools of the trade to make Avatar, but just because a director has all the tools to envision a story does not mean he should. Am I saying Avatar should not have been made? No. But what I was surprised about Avatar was the extensive creative work put into a story that seemed to lack any kind of heart and had little character development. Why was the head of security a complete psycho with a destructive bent? Why did the company mining in a far off galaxy lack any kind of human ethic? Why would the military be a part of this operation? I could go on and on.
The 3d part of the movie was OK at best. I feel that movies that are going to utilize 3d should really use that aspect to "immerse the audience" by exploiting the 3d technology. With Avatar there were moments where I felt like the experience would have been the same with or without 3d. The depth to the 3d was shallow and not very intense.
Without being too critical I will finish by saying that I was entertained, and that's what I payed for with Avatar. Was my mind or heart provoked much? Not really. I would see this one at the theater but not own it in my personnel collection.