redefines what film can be

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2009)

I just saw the film today in IMAX 3-D. Cameron has an intrinsic understanding of what film can be. People who criticize the story (or lack of one) and the superficial characterizations are missing the point. Film is a visual medium first and foremost. It tell it's story through pictures not words. Filmed science fiction has been notoriously hard to do well because generally our imagination can't catch up with the authors. For the first time I felt like I was truly transported to another place and time which is what the best films do. The 3-D was seamless and unobtrusive and the cgi ranks as some of the best I have ever seen. Interestingly enough when Star Wars came out everyone called it groundbreaking because of the visual effects. But it's story was no better than avatar's. Yet 32 years later it is still a classic ranked as one of the greatest films ever made. Why? Because it does what films are supposed to do brilliantly. It transports you and enthralls you and draws you into it's make believe world. Cameron's films have never been known for their subtlety but for being stunning visual experiences. Avatar redefines what film can be. Seeing it in any other format than IMAX you will be doing yourself a disservice. This is one of the best films of the year.