Grossly Overrated

Rating: 7/10 (27 August 2013)

Let us get the boos out of the way. This movie was grossly overrated. It is not what the media hyped it up to be. There are some definite flaws with the story and the acting. The score fit, but is nothing exceedingly brilliant or memorable. With that being said, the effects and cinematography in this film are amazingly well done.
Everything visual about this movie is simply stunning. The landscapes along with the creatures found on the planet are very imaginative and detailed. It makes the viewer believe that he or she is in a real setting. The way the camera was moved within the landscape brings a sort of life to it that one typically does not see in a movie. The scenery is always thought out, but it normally remains in the background while the actors carry the film forward. Pandora is a stand alone character in the movie. Emotions are felt through the scenery and cinematography which adds depth to the art.
These are the two pieces of James Cameron's work that I enjoyed. Meanwhile some other aspects which are essential to a good movie are somewhat lacking. The story is simplistic and the dialogue is very predictable. While there are some quality lines it is in no way a script to cherish. The basic story is that the humans come to Pandora to mine, but they are met by natives who are not too keen on the thought of giving up their homeland to intruders. There is a group of scientists who form a link with genetically constructed avatars so that they will be able to interact with the native life forms. Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, takes the spot of his recently deceased twin brother (convenient) in this experiment despite the fact that he has no prior training. While using the avatar body, Sully runs into a native, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). From here the tale runs off into a Pocahontas-like storyline in which the protagonist, Sully, finds himself stuck between his own race and the natives whom he is beginning to understand and relate to.
Sam Worthington is a talented actor, but there are times in his dialogue during which an accent begins to fade in and out of his delivery. This was a minor distraction, but it is more annoying and noticeable during extended monologues.
Stephen Lang plays Colonel Quaritch, and he delivers a truly devilish character. It would have been nice to get more background on why he seems to harbor so much contempt for the natives, but that might have led to an extra two hours of a movie so I suppose it is not a necessity. Lang delivers his lines a bit slow at times which makes the character seem a bit dim. Giovanni Ribisi and Sigourney Weaver also play in the movie. They are not in as much of the film as the other leads, but they deliver believable performances nonetheless.
The real standout in the film as far as acting goes is Saldana. She plays the part believably and fluently. It was as if she was one of the native "Na'vi". Every piece of the culture and emotion shows through her performance.
This film was grossly overrated in the original release, but it is still an entertaining film. Science Fiction fans should have this movie near the top of the "To Watch" list. There is so much culture involved in the creative Na'vi lifestyle. If you can tolerate a slightly religious undertone when the characters discuss the life force within the earth then this film is truly entertaining.