Aving a ball

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2013)

Having not made a feature length movie since his 1997 box office hit 'Titanic', James Cameron returns to the directors chair for his most ambitious movie yet, the CGI spectacular, Avatar.
Origionally planned during post production of Titanic, Cameron was told the technology was simply not available to make Avatar and its easy to see why. Every scene is a visual treat, from the opening sequence to the ending credits.
Sam Worthington (Clash Of The Titans, Terminator Salvation) stars as paralysed ex-marine Jake Sully, who takes up a once and a life time chance to travel to Moon planet Pandora after the murder of his scientist brother Tom. After arriving at the humans marine base Sully is quickly thrown into the world of science as he meets Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) the scientist that went through Avatar training with Tom. From there Jake has run ins with Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) the head scientist of the Avatar Programme who is non too happy about the last second switch between Tom and Jake. Then Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who wants Jake to use his marine skills in his alien body to infiltrate the natives home.
During his mission Jake is taught the ways of the locals by their future leader Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) which leads Jake to question his allegiances and his morals, which ends in a fantastic final battle between a less advanced alien race and the gun ships and technology of the human marines with special effects that will leave you feeling like a child again, but then thats what you'd expect from a James Cameron film. despite its near 3 hour running time Avatar never gets boring.
The special effects, as well as groundbreaking, are absolutely stunning, especially when you consider that its really motion capture and a lot of green screens. Also a lot of that is down to the cast who put in memorable performances both the Avatars/Na'Vi and Humans making this a fantastic journey which really makes you care for the characters. Sam Worthington puts in a breath taking and emotional performance, as well was Joel David Moores underrated performance as Norm, and it must be said Sigourney Weaver makes the slow transition of villain to hero during the movie.
Helped by a supporting cast that includes; Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Dileep Rao and Laz Alonso, Avatar proves to be one of the best Sci-Fi in recent memory and for once a feeling of originality in the script, as well as a director passionate about his movie. Avatar ticks all the boxes as a fantastic movie, Welcome back James.
Best quote in this movie:Jake:"I was a warrior who dreamt he could bring peace. sooner or later though, you always have to wake up."
If you enjoyed watching: Aliens, District 9, Planet Of The Apes, you'll enjoy watching Avatar.