Audio/visual splendor but without character development expected of Cameron

Rating: 7/10 (13 January 2010)

I was quite impressed with the audio/visual aspects of the film, the creatures and scenery, but I was really let down by the story. I mean it sort of had a "The New World" feel to it in my eyes (which I liked) but the characters never got the chance to develop very far, and seemed to get lost in the physical action. The ex-Colonel was as shallow a meat-head as they come, and it seemed a little contrived how far he went with his vendetta against the Na'vi. I guess it does make more sense if you realize that they are contractors, not military, and have a mercenary mindset.
Overall, my greatest satisfaction was in seeing that the animated characters displayed excellently the actors' facial expressions and gestures. My biggest fear was that (as in many CG films) the characters would have action figure syndrome, and look goofy. However, I found that it wasn't hard not only to sympathize with, but to actually feel an attachment to these characters who were completely animated and not even human.