Great effects do not make a great movie... or even necessarily a good one

Rating: 4/10 (21 June 2014)

James Cameron chooses style over substance for his self declared magnum opus. Obviously there is some value to this science fantasy film, but I feel Cameron's "Avatar" was a huge missed opportunity. Despite the blue beauty of the CG world, there is nothing interesting happening in it. The protagonists are bland, its side characters unnecessary, and the science of "Avatar" is as illogical as the plot is unoriginal.
The story (what there is of one) is plagiarized from "Dances with Wolves" among other things yet was nominated for a total of nine Oscars winning three. I'm willing to go along with the film taking the best visual effects and art direction awards but I don't understand how a film can win best cinematography in a space that is 99% computer generated.
I have hopes for the sequel, but unless you have a fetish for ponytail sex between stereotypically characters, save yourself the three hours or watch a different Cameron film.
Pros

Computer generated world and visual effect

Cons

Stale stereotypical dialogue - Undeveloped stereotypical characters - Unoriginal script and story - Science Fantasy NOT Science Fiction

4/10