Absolutely Amazing and Immersive

Rating: 10/10 (11 February 2010)

If there was but one word I could use to describe "Avatar", it would be: IMMERSIVE. Right from the beginning, the viewer is drawn in to the experience. There have been greater epics, larger explosions, and more amazing stories created in American cinema. Yet, James Cameron has succeeded in creating something far more spectacular: a truly immersive world.
J.R.R. Tolkien could be considered a forerunner to world building. The realm of Middle Earth is as fantastic as it is vast, full of wondrous works of dead civilizations, heroes, villains, and common folk. Peter Jackson did a fantastic job of bringing those thoughts and words to life. The epic adventure of "Lord of the Rings" was great, but it was always lacking in the world it created. It never felt far, far away or different, especially if one already knew most exterior shots were performed in New Zealand. Cameron took this idea of a fantastic, alien world and literally brought it to the stars.
The world of Pandora was simply stunning and beautiful. The amount of work that was put in to creating something like it is unbelievable. What I found most awe inspiring was how the world consumed me. Thanks to the 3D picture, things swirled and danced around the frame's object of focus. I truly felt "there". Above all else, I believe that is what Cameron was aiming for. "Avatar" can be topped in many ways in the future; indeed it is painfully obvious (literally if you wear glasses, like me) that this 3D film-making is still in its infant stages. The only place for it to go is to advance further. Yet, I think Hollywood, and even Cameron himself, will be hard pressed to top the world of Pandora in the foreseeable future.
Now, onto the bad, what little there is.
The Na'vi are essentially Native American Indians. Their speech, clothing (what little exists ;-) ), mannerisms, and fundamental beliefs are basically a carbon copy of Native American culture. However, this doesn't hurt the experience much as it works well. I don't know of any other culture that could have made a better match for the Na'vi.
Some of the acting feels plastic and scripted, like something out of a 70's or 80's movie. When tragedy struck the Na'vi, it didn't feel very real; I guess that's the problem with CGI and voice acting: it can't always properly portray emotion.
In closing, "Avatar" is truly a great work of art, and a must see for any fan of sci-fi or epics.