Rumour control for Jim fans over 30.

Rating: Null/10 (1 January 2010)

Set in the mid-22nd century the military are overseeing the mining a precious mineral on a moon called Pandora, however the expansion of the mining colony threatens the continued existence of a local tribe of Na'vi—a. This causes a hostility between the locals, the science devision and armed forces as they have a conflict of interest.
Zoe Saldana (Star Trek)as Neytiri is fantastic, as usual Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) is well cast in a strong lead role. Giovanni Ribisi, Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Rodriguez's brief appearances are welcomed. Also Stephen Lang, as the tough Colonel Miles Quaritch gives a great performance. It is a visual spectacular with great acting and effects.
It's a moralistic tale, of following orders or protecting an alien world. However, the story is lazy, reminiscent Cameron's own Aliens, Dances with Wolves, Apocalypto and Pocahontas to name a few. It mirrors Custers last stand, Vietnam and many other conflicts throughout history.
While the effects in creating the moon Pandora are mind-blowing, the lack of originality leaves you disappointed. I'm sure teenagers will love it, it's the perfect money maker. James Cameron is a fantastic director and is instrumental in pushing industry movie techniques forward. However, in all the special CGI effects the great writer Cameron appears to have forgotten about his older fans, who wanted a meatier, original and complex story.