Truly an epic adventure film

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2010)

I guess I just have to write a small review of the biggest movie of the 2009. After some two weeks from watching it, I still remember most of the details, so I guess that marks it as a very good movie. The main thanks of that course belongs for the breath taking visuals which current 3D technology complimented quite well although the 3D effect taxed the overall picture sharpness.
As the movie got poured a vast amount of money to get the aesthetics to a new level the the story itself wasn't that unique. Of course it is understandable when a movie is weighting heavily on the visuals with big budget it has to make compromises for deep character development and plot originality. Film's pacing was solid, there were emotional lows and highs, no dull or unnecessary scenes. Some say Avatar is a rip off from Pocahontas, Bravehart, or whatever similar movie, and they are in a way correct but that didn't bother me so much. It's a basic conflict story between "bad" advanced civilization clashing with "good" primitive civilization with added love drama of course. The "avatar" concept although is, if not previously entirely unseen, a fresh one. Avatar is "The New World (2005)" in an alien planet if you will.
Acting was solid as it should be in this class of film. Only thing worried me a bit beforehand was scenes with arrogant "strong women" spitting their lines in some sneak preview clips. In real world if some skinny scientist woman calls hard boiled marine dumb and worthless with nasty attitude, she would find herself pretty soon collecting her teeth on the floor even if the guy is in a wheelchair. Of course Cameron's own Sigourney Weaver has to portray "bad-**s" (again) but in this time she only manages to annoy and gain zero sympathy. Particularly the very presence of Michelle Rodriguez, who was very annoying in Lost, made me worried but luckily she didn't play that tough invincible bitch role again. She was alright. Our lead star Sam Worthington was somewhat uncharismatic and lacked seriously balls (as a marine) but no big complaints from me. Zoe as a primitive alien did well but i would given her less screen time. But who would definitely had demanded more screen time was Giovanni Ribisi as the leader of the whole mining expedition. Truly a talented guy. Too bad he had so few lines.
Avatar is no Citizen Kane. Despite lacking somewhat story wise, all other production values were top notch which makes Avatar a must see on the big screen. Small TV-apparatus without 3D setup won't make the film justice. Go and see it on the big screen while you still can!
9/10