Familiar plot combined with stunning visuals= Enjoyable yet not revolutionary.

Rating: 7/10 (27 December 2009)

Avatar is the most sublime piece of CG film making I have ever witnessed. All the doubts I had going into the film about how the visuals were geared to revolutionize movies were quickly quelled when witnessing the lush forests and amazing diversity of organisms within Pandora. The tidbits of the trailer do not do justice to the big screen and once you pay for your 8$ ticket and witness it for yourself, you will see exactly what I mean. That being said, I cannot help but to criticize the familiar story and exhausted plot elements. Every twist and turn in Avatar is expected through the familiar formula we have all seen through Dances With Wolves and The Last Samurai. I could not help but to think of the South Park episode "Dances with Smurfs" every time the movie took a conventional turn (For everyone who has seen that episode you know exactly what I mean). Yet regardless of the orthodox storyline I still found myself drawn in to the world of the Navi and their plight against the humans. The characterization is strong enough to make you care for them and the pulse-pounding action doesn't hurt either. I would also like to commend the several allegorical undertones that this film incites. Avatar is a critique of the evils of imperialism as well as several political themes that run profoundly through contemporary times, such as the war in Iraq. Granted it is not the first film to do this, it never hurts to remind movie-goers of the malicious purposes of many of those who hold power. Crap I am almost out of room. This movie is fun just do not expect Shakespeare. 7/10