What good is a movie with a great technology if it holds an average script?

Rating: 6/10 (17 December 2009)

I must apologize if i mentioned AVERAGE here but after having high hopes on this movie, AVERAGE is the word i get. James Cameron is a film maker who is known for Titanic and Terminator 2 though he gave great action flicks like Rambo, True Lies and Aliens. He is a film maker known for great Visual effects. Of course Titanic had brilliant visual effects. It was so real that we didn't noticed the use of it. And now here again, this movie holds the greatest of the technologies. But wait, didn't we had this same technology in king kong, lord of the rings(gollum). Yes. But here Cameron has tried to use the same technology more meaningfully - Now script writers could think widen, come up with more imagination. Cameron has proved that every imagination could be given life. No kiddy animations anymore.
Now what is this great technology? Its the use of CGI characters. Not so long back, film makers used visual effects and graphic technologies to animate characters. Its the same here but there is one huge difference. Previously animators were used to move every single physical movement, facial emotion, speech and wrinkles using software. But here real actors were involved to make physical movements and facial emotions. Its called the motion capture technology where an actor's movements are translated digitally. Also the facial expressions and the finger movements which is known as performance capture. The actors wear markers in the face and the body joints to reflect every micro movement digitally and graphically. Thus, giving life to the imaginary CGI characters.
The movie majorly involves a species called Na'vi and their World - Pandora. The Government along with the army is in process learning Pandora and access its resources. Sam wothington who is paralyzed waist down participates in the Avatar Program which lets him control a genetically developed Navi(A Pandora Species) body. As a Navi, he inhabits with the Pandora and analyzes their world. In this process he starts loving the Pandora and their species and finally fights for their race against the human. Well doesn't it feels like Matrix meets District 9. Whatever, the screenplay is not so good - at least from this great film maker.
Its a great concept to present a visual treat. Like Cameron's previous movies this movie will shine for its visual effects. All this movie holds is for its visual effects. You couldn't feel even a single glitch. Bravo! The use of CGI characters is a real necessity of the film or the so called script. This movie is almost pictured using the CGI Characters.You see an imaginary species showing perfect emotions that an animation couldn't present.
Sam worthington was good. Real good. He has a good future after Terminator and Avatar. Other actors were also good. Especially the one that played the Navis.The Navis physical appearance has been designed so good that they look real and good. Especially good in emotional scenes. All the actors who were used for the CGI has done a wonderful job. To mention, the facial expressions were presented so real that the emotional scenes felt good. Background Music is good. 3D could have been used better. 3D just feels ordinary. IMAX could be better
The final 40 minutes is good. Its all about breathtaking action. And here we are talking about the guy who made big action Blockbusters like True Lies and Terminator 2. Supposed to be good.
Although there was a lack of good script, Cameron has given a good start for the futuristic film makers- the use of CGI characters. Now we could see great fiction movies that will look real. Forget the animations. Its old age now. Thanks to the great Cameron.
So just a good time pass movie. But that ain't James Cameron. And that ain't we expected.