Huge spectacle and good message but a little corny

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2010)

This will probably be remembered as the first vaguely "serious" CGI film and the visuals are absolutely stunning. It probably is worth watching in 3D if you haven't already seen the film.
The acting performances are good, with Sam Worthington and Stephen Lang in particular turning in good efforts.
As a feat of imagination and a serious effort to make a point about environmental catastrophe, it probably succeeds quite well.
The plot is probably the weakest area, both because it is a bit cheesy and the film is too long. It didn't completely grip for me the entire length, especially with the 30 minutes of adverts and trailers beforehand.
I am not sure it justifies the amounts spent. If the studio just spent the money helping indigenous people in real life some people might argue that would be the best way to make a difference. Most of us would say that Hollywood isn't in the aid business and are in the business of (sometimes) making movies.
Leave your cynicism in the foyer and you'll enjoy it.