Enjoyable enough

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2009)

The good news? Avatar is visually arresting, well-paced science fiction adventure that offers a view of an alien world that's more detailed than we've ever had the chance to see. The special effects, which are almost entirely computer generated, are a real spectacle - a virtue that's magnified when viewed in 3D. The progressive attitude toward the preservation of wildlife and culture has special currency in Avatar.
The not-so-good news? While quite enjoyable, the cgi effects too often seemed artificial in specific scenes. The aliens seem more human/aboriginal in personality than truly otherworldly, and the villains are evil without much in the way of nuance.
The verdict? Avatar is an exotic, well-imagined adventure that would have been even better if the filmmakers had avoided certain clichés.