Audiences bedazzled by amazing VFX and a terrible screenplay

Rating: 3/10 (28 December 2009)

I am amazed by some of the responses to this film, especially the people who thought they wouldn't like it. I suppose audiences are still wowed by the same old 3D tricks that vfx studios have been pulling off since the beginning of this decade. The only difference is that Avatar is completely oversaturated with every cg gimmick you could imagine.
A tired re-telling of cowboys vs. indians, Cameron treats his audience like simpletons and idiots with a message that couldn't be more in-your-face and oblivious - and just in case you don't understand parts of it, he throws in some unnecessary narration by the main character for good measure. I mean really, the Na'vi couldn't be more stereotypical Native Americans, and the resource on the planet of Pandora is called Unobtanium? Ha ha ha, I get it, unobtainable, wow that's really deep Cameron. I'm moved.
I have to give credit to WETA Digital - the studio that brought Cameron's "vision" to life - for doing an excellent job on the visuals and breaking the uncanny valley (as far as blue lanky "humanoids" go.) That aside, this film has laughable writing, predictable, boring characters, and a repackaged shame-on-you cheeseball message about raping the earth and white guilt.
I really don't understand people's love affair with Cameron and this corny film. At least I can give him credit for being right about the fact that most people still can't see a crappy screenplay through amazing visuals he had no part in. A year from now people will be watching this on their regular TV screens and wondering what they thought was so great about it. Trust me - this movie will only impress in theaters. It has no value beyond mindless entertainment. And as far as the message, you might as well watch Ferngully or Pocahontas and spare yourself the terrifying and ugly designs of the Na'vi.