Leaves you wanting more

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2010)

I went to see this movie this afternoon(in an almost empty theater).
I do not know if it helped to get sucked into the story, but for as long as the movie lasted, it felt like I was there. The 3d experience is very cool, funny at times(!), breathtaking in others. The world is beautiful, poetic... The amount of detail put into the environment of the world, the behavior, customs and appearance of the Na'vi and other creatures makes it very convincing. From the moment the movie started it is a pleasure to the eye. (And not only because it is 3D).
Some say the storyline isn't original. Perhaps some aspects aren't (the base line) but it doesn't differ that much from formula's used in other SF/Fantasy movies(such as Lord of the Rings or Starwars) and it did not bother me. There are original things to this movie. The creatures thought up, the 'role' they play in the movie, the 'cosmology' of the Na'vi...yes, in a way the world seems familiar, and yet surprising. There 's a duality to it, it is beautiful yet very hostile. I loved the flowers and trees. I want to believe there is a planet Pandora out there.
Then of course there is the interesting concept of entering a different body(would it be EASY to do, even when you're crippled?). To give you an identity, create a new. What about 'mind control?' I don't want to give away any spoilers, but pay attention to the movie, perhaps you know what I mean. Perhaps there are some 'deeper'concepts to discover. I sometimes forgot the main character wasn't 'the significant other', finding the role more suiting to him(probably the point).
Now why I didn't give it a 10 out of a 10; I thought the black and white(we're the good guys vs were are so evil, we don't care)a bit laid on thick; perhaps that part isn't entirely convincing to reality. Also, how can the significant other keep alive when 'his'spirit is back in his old self?
Perhaps this isn't a movie that asks a lot of 'thinking'. I am usually someone that is hard to please with movies concerned...and yet I found this very enjoyable.
I'm sure there are some aspects in it that will appeal to anyone. In the end I was thinking 'I want to tap back in there'.
I'm sure in 10 years from now, we'll only have 3d in theaters, but for now, on this scale it is a novelty.