James Cameron is now the "king of another world"!

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2009)

Say what you will about AVATAR, but there is no avoiding it. It is truly one of the best & most unique movie experiences I've ever had. Of course this was the 1st time I've ever seen a movie in 3-D + IMAX combined.
I still think that THE HURT LOCKER is the best film of the year only because it is THAT good. Both are (& will become) classics.
AVATAR stands in a class completely by itself. More than 2 days later I'm still buzzing about it. Comparisons to the rush that STAR WARS gave you are entirely accurate.
The best thing that Cameron did with the 3-D is that he never shoves it at you. He (+ the 1000 or so other magicians who worked on this movie) allows you to wander into each frame (is that word even applicable here?) & become surrounded by it. It is a totally immersive feeling. The camera movement is not content with being locked down. It moves to give you further perspective of the amazing world before you. The tech achievements are astounding & I could on & on about "performance capture" & its success only to say that I felt that the Na'vi --the blue people-- were every bit as real as the humans.
The story is somewhat predictable & there's nothing in the performances that'll rock you like Jeremey Renner's work in "...Locker" (although Stephen Lang is quite good as the hard core military guy). But the actors & the script rise enough to make you really care about what happens to them. Zoe Saldana's Na'vi beauty & spirit is quite something to marvel at (what a year she has had with this & Uhura)when you later think that she was basically digital.
It may not be the "movie of the year" but, contrarily, make no mistake about it AVATAR is the movie EVENT of the decade.