Avatar - Reality check .............

Rating: 7/10 (2 March 2010)

Having just seen "Avatar", I wanted to report the experience as it relates to entertainment, rather than just expounding upon the "wow" factor. There is no question that the special 3D effects are spectacular. Most movies make the story the primary form of entertainment, with special effects taking a secondary role. With "Avatar", this sequence is completely reversed, as the 3D effects overwhelm the simplistic story. This brings me to the most glaring flaw with "Avatar". If the storyline is deep and involving, there is little problem with a film running 100 minutes or even a little longer. Unfortunately, "Avatar" at 162 minutes becomes redundant and ultimately somewhat disappointing, because as wonderful as the effects are they cannot maintain interest for such an unrealistic time frame. - MERK